Is RemoteLock Worth It?
The honest take โ no sales pitch, no "it depends" cop-out. Who it fits, who should skip it.
Verdict
It depends
Worth the investment for operators managing 5+ locks who need PMS-automated access โ less convincing for smaller setups or those burned by hardware issues.
Realistic cost: ~$30/mo for 5 locks (5 ร $6/lock)
Worth it if youโฆ
- You manage 5+ properties and want automated guest codes tied to reservations
- You use a supported PMS like Hostfully, Guesty, or Track
- You need a single dashboard to monitor access across multiple locations
- You want flexibility to choose from Yale, Schlage, Kwikset, or August locks
Skip it if youโฆ
- You have 1โ2 properties and a standalone smart lock would be simpler and cheaper
- You need bulletproof hardware โ reviewers report frequent failures within two years
- You require responsive emergency support when guest access fails
- Your budget can't absorb both per-lock subscriptions and $279+ hardware per door
What to try instead
Consider Schlage Encode (no subscription, standalone Wi-Fi lock) or August smart locks with direct Airbnb integration for simpler setups.
See all RemoteLock alternatives โIs RemoteLock right for you?
Honest per-segment take. Click any card for the full breakdown.
1โ5 listings
Small portfolios
Workable but the per-lock subscription plus hardware cost is a steep outlay for just 1โ5 units.
Read full take โ
5โ20 listings
Mid-sized portfolios
Sweet spot for RemoteLock โ enough units to justify the subscription and automation pays for itself in time saved.
Read full take โ
20โ100 listings
Large portfolios
Scales technically but hardware reliability and support quality raise concerns at 20โ100 units.
Read full take โ
Airbnb primary
Airbnb-first hosts
Works for Airbnb hosts who want automated codes, but requires a PMS intermediary for the integration.
Read full take โ
Vrbo primary
Vrbo-first hosts
Limited research data on this operator profile. Should work via PMS integration but no Vrbo-specific details confirmed.
Read full take โ
3+ channels
Multi-channel operators
Strong fit โ centralized lock management across channels eliminates per-platform code hassles.
Read full take โ
Ready to try RemoteLock?
From $6/listing โข No free trial
Build your stack
See whether RemoteLock fits your actual STR stack
Worth-it pages answer one vendor question. The stack-builder turns that into a full setup order across operations, pricing, guest messaging, and direct booking.