Level vs August smart lock is one of the more interesting matchups in the category, because the two brands solve the same problem in almost opposite ways. One hides inside your door. The other clips onto the inside of the hardware you already own.
The Level Lock+ is built to disappear. Its whole mechanism lives within the door, so from the outside it looks like an ordinary deadbolt. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) is a retrofit, which means your existing deadbolt, keyhole, and keys stay exactly as they are.
That difference shapes almost everything else: how much work installation takes, how the door looks, whether a landlord will care, and how you unlock it day to day. This guide walks through each so you can decide which one fits your door.
How We Picked
We compared official specs and manufacturer documentation for both locks, cross-checked claims against independent smart lock reviews, and looked at recurring themes in verified customer feedback. We focused on the Level Lock+ and the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) because each is the flagship Wi-Fi-era choice from its brand for this style of lock.
Level vs August Smart Lock, At a Glance
| Smart Lock | Price | Best For | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level Lock+ | Check price | Looks like a normal deadbolt | 4.4 / 5 |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) | Check price | Renters and easy retrofits | 4.3 / 5 |
Both sit in the mid-range for smart deadbolts. August is typically the more approachable of the two on price, while Level asks a bit more for its all-in-door design.
1. Level Lock+, Best for a Clean, Invisible Look
The Level Lock+ is the lock for people who do not want a smart lock to look like a gadget. There is no bulky motor housing on the inside, and no keypad or bright touchscreen on the outside. It keeps a standard keyway, so guests see a regular deadbolt.
Because the mechanism is inside the door, you also avoid the extra bulk that retrofit locks add to the interior thumb-turn. That matters on narrow doors, or where the lock sits close to trim or a handle.
Level supports Apple Home Key, so you can tap an iPhone or Apple Watch against the door to unlock it. It also lists support for Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and SmartThings, which makes it flexible if your household mixes ecosystems.
The tradeoff is installation. Level replaces your deadbolt rather than sitting on top of it, so it is a bigger job than a retrofit and not something you can easily undo when you move out of a rental. It also has no built-in keypad, so guest codes are not the lock’s strong suit.
Level Lock+
- Fits entirely inside the door, looks like a standard deadbolt
- Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock support
- Works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and SmartThings
- Keeps your standard keyway, with keys and a touch-to-lock surface
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2. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen), Best for Renters and Easy Installs
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) takes the opposite approach. It mounts over the interior thumb-turn of your existing deadbolt, so the outside of the door does not change at all. Your keys still work, and your current hardware stays in place.
That makes it a natural fit for renters. Installation is quick, usually a screwdriver job, and you can take the lock with you when you leave and put the original thumb-turn back.
The 4th Gen adds built-in Wi-Fi, so remote locking, unlocking, and activity alerts work without a separate bridge. It lists compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, and its DoorSense feature checks whether the door is actually closed, not just whether the bolt is thrown.
The downside is the look. The motor housing sits on the inside of the door and is larger than a plain thumb-turn, which some owners dislike. Like Level, there is no built-in keypad, though August sells one as a separate accessory.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
- Fits over most existing deadbolts, keeps your exterior hardware and keys
- Built-in Wi-Fi for remote lock and unlock
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit
- DoorSense confirms the door is actually shut, not just locked
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Pros
- The Level Lock+ fits entirely inside the door, so the outside looks like a normal deadbolt
- Level supports Apple Home Key, so you can tap an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock
- August's retrofit design keeps your existing exterior keyhole, keys, and hardware
- The August 4th Gen has built-in Wi-Fi, so remote control needs no separate bridge
Cons
- Level Lock+ is a full replacement, so it takes more work than a retrofit and is harder to undo in a rental
- August leaves the thumb-turn visible and adds bulk to the inside of the door
- Neither lock gives you a built-in keypad, so PIN entry needs an accessory or a different model
Installation and Door Fit
August is the easier lock to install and the easier one to reverse. If your lease limits changes to exterior hardware, a retrofit is the lower-risk path.
Level is a better long-term fit for owners. It asks you to swap the deadbolt, but the result is cleaner on both sides of the door, and nothing bulky hangs off the interior.
Before buying either, check your door’s thickness, backset, and bolt type against the manufacturer’s compatibility notes. A lock that does not fit your door is the most common reason for a return.
Smart Home Support and Unlocking
Both locks handle the basics: app control, voice assistants, and activity history. The difference is in how you unlock the door when your hands are full.
Level leans on Apple Home Key and touch-to-lock, which is quick if you live in the Apple ecosystem. August leans on its app and Wi-Fi connectivity, with the option to add a keypad accessory for code entry.
How to Choose Between Level and August
Start with your housing situation. If you rent, August is the safer option. If you own, both are open to you.
Think about the look of the door. If you want the lock to be invisible, choose Level. If appearance matters less than ease, August is fine.
Decide how you want to unlock. Apple users who like tap-to-unlock will appreciate Level’s Home Key support. If you want built-in Wi-Fi with no extra hardware, August covers that.
Plan for batteries. Both run on batteries and warn you in the app before they die. Replace them at the first alert.
Our Verdict
There is no single winner in the Level vs August smart lock debate. The Level Lock+ is the better buy if you own your home and want a lock that looks like a standard deadbolt, with Apple Home Key on top.
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) is the better call if you rent, want to keep your existing hardware, or want the fastest install with Wi-Fi built in.
Check the latest price on Amazon before you decide, since deals and bundles change how the value stacks up. If you are building out your entry setup, pair either lock with a video doorbell without a subscription or a few smart plugs for Alexa.
