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This comparison comes down to a question most buyers don’t realize they’re being asked: do you want a smart lock, or a smart deadbolt? The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (now made by Yale, under the same ASSA ABLOY ownership umbrella) mounts over your existing deadbolt from the inside and leaves your door’s exterior completely untouched. Schlage’s Encode line replaces the deadbolt entirely, keypad and all. That single design decision drives almost every other difference between them — installation effort, physical security rating, battery life, and who each lock is actually built for.
Installation: retrofit vs. full replacement
August’s whole pitch is that it doesn’t touch your existing hardware. It clips onto the interior thumb-turn of the deadbolt you already have, so from the street your door looks exactly like it did before — no new keypad, no different-colored hardware, nothing a landlord would object to. That makes it the obvious pick for renters, or anyone who wants smart-lock convenience without a permanent hardware swap. Schlage’s Encode and Encode Plus go the other direction: you remove your old deadbolt entirely and install Schlage’s, keypad included, on a standard 2-1/8″ bore with either a 1″ or 2-3/4″ backset. It’s a bigger job — figure 20-30 minutes with a screwdriver — but you end up with a single integrated unit rather than a motor bolted onto old hardware.
Physical security: this is where the gap is real
Because August’s motor sits behind a deadbolt that was already there, the lock’s physical security is only as good as whatever deadbolt you had installed — August itself doesn’t publish an independent ANSI/BHMA grade for the retrofit unit. Schlage’s Encode and Encode Plus are both full deadbolts certified to ANSI/BHMA Grade 1, the highest residential security grade, covering forced-entry and pick resistance in independent testing. The Encode Plus adds a second certification track (Grade AAA under A156.40) specifically for electronic-lock attack resistance. If physical security grade is a real decision factor for you — not just a nice-to-have spec — Schlage is the lock built to a published standard; August is riding on whatever deadbolt happens to already be on your door.
Keypad: built-in vs. optional add-on
Schlage’s keypad is standard equipment on every Encode model — a backlit numeric pad is part of the unit you’re buying, no extra purchase required. August ships with no keypad at all; if you want code-based entry instead of relying on your phone, you add Yale’s separate Keypad Touch accessory, which brings fingerprint and PIN-code entry but is a second purchase and a second device to pair. For anyone who wants to hand a babysitter or dog walker a simple numeric code without installing an app, Schlage gets you there out of the box; August requires buying into the ecosystem a second time.
Battery life: a real, measurable gap
August runs on two CR123 batteries rated for roughly 3 months of use, per Yale’s own spec page — shorter because the lock’s Wi-Fi radio stays active more continuously. Schlage’s Encode models run on four AA batteries rated 6-12 months, using a lower-power Wi-Fi implementation that only wakes the radio when needed. In practice that means swapping August’s batteries roughly 2-4 times a year versus once or twice a year for the Schlage — a real, recurring difference in maintenance, not a marketing footnote.
Smart home compatibility
Both locks work with the major ecosystems, but the details diverge. August supports Apple HomeKit/Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant natively, plus Bluetooth alongside Wi-Fi. The base Schlage Encode covers Alexa and Google Assistant but has no native HomeKit support at all — you’d need the Encode Plus for that, which also adds Apple Home Key (NFC tap-to-unlock via iPhone or Apple Watch, the same technology behind Apple Pay). Neither August nor the base Encode supports Home Key; only the Encode Plus does. So the honest matrix is: August for straightforward three-way compatibility including HomeKit, base Encode if you’re Android/Alexa-only and want the cheaper option, Encode Plus if you specifically want Apple Home Key’s tap-to-unlock.
Guest access and codes
Both ecosystems let you issue and revoke access without handing out a physical key. Schlage’s approach is centered on its numeric keypad codes — set them to expire on a schedule, one-time, or a fixed date range, with an activity log showing when each code was used. August leans on its app-based Auto-Unlock and shareable digital keys sent through the app, with the optional Keypad Touch adding numeric-code access if you buy it. If most of your guest access is people who already have smartphones and the August/Yale app installed, that app-first model works fine. If you regularly need to hand out a simple number to someone who isn’t going to install an app — a cleaner, a contractor, a relative visiting for a week — Schlage’s built-in keypad is the more frictionless answer.
Who should buy which
Choose August if you rent, don’t want to swap out your existing deadbolt, or specifically want HomeKit compatibility without paying for Schlage’s Home Key model. Choose the standard Schlage Encode if you want a fully integrated deadbolt with a built-in keypad, longer battery life, and a published Grade 1 security rating, and you’re not on iPhone/HomeKit. Choose the Encode Plus specifically if you’re an iPhone household that wants Apple Home Key’s tap-to-unlock or native HomeKit/Siri support — see our dedicated Encode Plus review for the full breakdown of that upgrade. Neither lock is objectively “better” across the board; they’re solving different problems, and which one is right depends more on whether you’re willing to replace your deadbolt than on any single spec.
Comparison table
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock | Schlage Encode | Schlage Encode Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install type | Retrofit (mounts on existing deadbolt) | Full deadbolt replacement | Full deadbolt replacement |
| Built-in keypad | No (optional Yale accessory) | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 2x CR123, ~3 months | 4x AA, 6-12 months | 4x AA, 6-12 months |
| Security certification | Not independently published | ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 | Grade 1 + Grade AAA (A156.40) |
| HomeKit | Yes | No | Yes |
| Apple Home Key | No | No | Yes |
| Alexa / Google | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes | Yes / Yes |
FAQ
Can I install August myself, or do I need a locksmith?
Yes — it’s designed as a DIY retrofit that clips onto your existing interior thumb-turn, typically a 10-15 minute job with no rewiring or hole-drilling involved.
Does August work if my existing deadbolt isn’t a Schlage or Kwikset?
August is compatible with most standard U.S. deadbolts, but it’s worth checking Yale’s published compatibility list for your specific brand/model before buying, since a small number of deadbolt shapes aren’t supported.
Is the Encode Plus worth it over the base Encode if I don’t have an iPhone?
No — the Plus’s entire price premium buys Apple Home Key and HomeKit support. Android or Alexa/Google households get zero extra benefit from the Plus and should buy the cheaper base Encode instead.
Does either lock require a separate smart home hub?
No — both August and the Schlage Encode models connect directly over Wi-Fi (and Bluetooth, for local functions) without needing a bridge or hub accessory, unlike some older smart lock designs.