August vs Yale Smart Locks: Retrofit vs Full Replacement
August keeps your existing deadbolt and adds smarts inside. Yale replaces the whole lock with a keypad. Which approach fits your door and household?
By Galactic News Editorial · Published 2026-11-08T04:28:08+00:00 · Updated 2026-11-08T04:28:08+00:00
August vs Yale Smart Locks: Retrofit vs Full Replacement
August and Yale take opposite routes to the same goal. August bolts onto the deadbolt you already own. Yale replaces the whole deadbolt with a keypad lock. Both unlock with a phone. Both offer auto-lock, guest codes, and remote access. The right choice depends on your door, your household, and whether you can change the hardware.
This comparison uses each maker's own published product details. It is a research-based assessment. No lock was tested firsthand for this article.
Retrofit vs full replacement: the core difference
A retrofit smart lock keeps your existing deadbolt. The August Smart Lock attaches to the inside of the door, over your current deadbolt. Your outside lock stays the same. You keep your existing keys. August says installation takes less than 10 minutes and needs only a screwdriver.
A full-replacement lock swaps the entire deadbolt. The Yale Assure Lock 2 replaces your deadbolt on most standard US entry doors. It adds a keypad or touchscreen on the outside. You get a new exterior look and key-free entry from the street.
The retrofit route suits renters and anyone who cannot change exterior hardware. The replacement route suits owners who want a keypad on the door itself. Both approaches are valid. They solve different problems.
Smart locks August vs Yale: side-by-side comparison
| Feature | August Smart Lock | Yale Assure Lock 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Install type | Retrofit: attaches inside over existing deadbolt | Full replacement of the deadbolt |
| Existing keys | Keep your current keys and exterior lock | New keys supplied; key-free models have no keyway |
| Keypad entry | Optional add-on keypad or fingerprint keypad bundle | Built in: keypad or touchscreen, by model |
| Fingerprint entry | Available with Keypad Touch bundle | Assure Lock 2 Touch stores up to 20 fingerprints |
| Remote access | Built-in Wi-Fi on the Wi-Fi Smart Lock; older models need a Connect bridge | Built-in Wi-Fi on Wi-Fi models; Bluetooth-only models available |
| Door status sensor | DoorSense detects open or closed | DoorSense with Auto-Lock |
| Guest access | Unlimited virtual keys in the August app | Unlimited entry codes in the Yale Access app |
| Auto-lock and auto-unlock | Yes, configurable up to 30 minutes after closing | Yes, with optional Auto-Unlock on arrival |
| Security grade | Not published as a BHMA grade on the product page | ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 |
| Smart home support | Voice assistants and smart home integrations | Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, SmartThings |
August and Yale now sit under the same corporate roof. August's own product pages describe replacing hardware with a Yale deadbolt. The brands share technology such as DoorSense. The choice is about form, not about picking a winner between rival companies.
How August smart locks work
The August Smart Lock is a retrofit device. It mounts on the interior side of the door. It turns the thumbturn of your existing deadbolt. Nothing changes on the outside of the door. That matters in apartments and rentals where the exterior hardware must stay put.
August's current Wi-Fi Smart Lock has Wi-Fi built in. It needs no extra bridge for remote access or voice control. Older August models used Bluetooth only and needed a separate Connect Wi-Fi bridge for remote access. Check the model before you buy. The distinction still matters on older stock.
The August app issues virtual keys for family and guests. You can set schedules and see an activity feed. DoorSense tells you whether the door is open or closed, not just locked or unlocked. Auto-Lock secures the door after it closes or after a set time, up to 30 minutes.
August sells the Smart Deadbolt with Wi-Fi for homes that want a new exterior deadbolt too. It pairs a traditional deadbolt outside with August smarts inside. It includes two physical keys and the same app features. Installation needs only a screwdriver, according to August.
How Yale Assure Lock 2 works
The Yale Assure Lock 2 is a full deadbolt replacement. It comes in keypad and touchscreen versions. Key-free versions drop the keyway entirely. The lock fits doors 1-3/8 to 2-1/4 inches thick. It includes an adapter for 1-1/2 inch bore holes.
Wi-Fi models connect directly to your home network. Yale says Wi-Fi models need a 2.4 GHz network. You lock, unlock, share access, and get notifications in the Yale Access app with no hub. Bluetooth-only models cost less and work with the app in range.
Entry codes are unlimited on the Assure Lock 2. You can give each person a code and track who comes and goes in the activity feed. The Assure Lock 2 Touch adds fingerprint entry. It stores up to 20 fingerprints. Yale lists the Touch with Wi-Fi at $299.99 on its own store as of October 2026.
Yale lists the Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi at $259.99 for the keypad version and $279.99 for the touchscreen version on its own store, as of October 2026. Bluetooth versions cost less. Prices change, and retailers often sell the same locks for less. Confirm the current price on Yale's site before you buy.
Installation and compatibility checklist
Check these points before ordering either lock.
- Deadbolt type: August needs a single-cylinder deadbolt. Yale replaces most standard US deadbolts. Measure your door first.
- Door thickness: Yale fits doors 1-3/8 to 2-1/4 inches thick. August fits most single-cylinder deadbolts with an adapter.
- Rental rules: August keeps the exterior lock, so landlords usually accept it. Yale changes the exterior, so get written permission first.
- Wi-Fi: Yale Wi-Fi models need a 2.4 GHz network. August Wi-Fi models work on 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.
- Batteries: Both locks run on batteries. August uses 4 AA batteries in the 3rd-generation model, or 2 CR123 batteries in the Wi-Fi model. Keep spares on hand.
- Keypad: Yale includes a keypad. August needs an add-on keypad for code entry.
Both brands say installation needs only a screwdriver. August quotes under 10 minutes. Yale describes the same simple install. If your deadbolt sticks or your door is out of square, fix the mechanical problem first. A smart lock cannot fix a binding bolt.
Which lock fits which home?
Choose August if you rent, if you love your current exterior hardware, or if you want to keep your existing keys. The retrofit install is fast and reversible. You can take it with you when you move. The trade-off is no built-in keypad unless you buy the add-on.
Choose Yale if you own the home, if you want a keypad on the door, or if you want fingerprint entry. The Assure Lock 2 gives every household member a way in without a phone. Guests get codes. The exterior looks like a modern lock, not an add-on.
Families with kids often prefer Yale. A code is easier than a phone for a child. Short-term rental hosts often prefer August. Virtual keys and a reversible install suit a property you do not live in. Households with an existing smart home hub should check compatibility on both brands before deciding.
Security is close between the two. Yale publishes an ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 rating. August does not publish a BHMA grade on its product pages. Both use encrypted Bluetooth and app-based identity checks. Both send tamper and activity alerts.
Bottom line
August wins for renters and for anyone who must keep the existing deadbolt. Yale wins for owners who want a keypad and a clean exterior. The features overlap more than they differ. Both offer remote access, guest codes, auto-lock, and door status. Pick the install type first. The rest follows.