Compare Yale Approach Smart lock vs Lockly Secure Plus Smart Lock

Support evidence was negative in one review, where replacement and backend help came only after extensive troubleshooting and customer-service time.

Warranty evidence is strongly positive, with Digital Trends calling it one of the best in the smart-lock market.

Most reviewers liked the price and value for a retrofit lock, but value dropped sharply in reviews that experienced setup, keypad, or reliability failures.

Value is a common concern because reviewers repeatedly describe the lock, hub path, or overall package as expensive.

Reliability was the biggest split: some reviewers reported smooth operation, while others described unresponsiveness, weak trust, or marginal effectiveness.

Locking reliability is mixed: some testing found smooth, great performance, while Digital Trends encountered unresolved calibration errors.

One review specifically praised that the original or landlord key still worked normally after installation.

Key backup evidence is positive, with reviewers valuing physical-key and backup access as a practical fallback.

Physical installation was often described as fast and simple, but setup quality varied because Wi-Fi bridge pairing, calibration, and accessory setup caused problems in several reviews.

Installation is sharply mixed, ranging from simple, app-guided, and quick to unusually complicated and frustrating.

Notifications were viewed positively, with prompt alerts and helpful door-status notifications standing out.

Notifications are a weakness in the limited evidence, with PCMag specifically missing push notification support.

Voice control was praised in the reviews that tested it, especially for easy Alexa and Google Assistant setup and control.

Voice control is limited because it is not built in and depends on extra Wi-Fi hardware that reviewers criticized.

Bluetooth drew negative marks where reviewers experienced limited bridge-to-lock range or settings that required a Bluetooth connection instead of Wi-Fi.

Bluetooth evidence is positive, with stable connectivity and unusually quick app response over Bluetooth range.

Touchscreen/keypad evidence was mixed: one reviewer said presses did not always register, while another praised the backlit, durable touch screen.

The touchscreen evidence is positive, with reviewers praising seamless operation and responsive keypad behavior.

Smart-home integration was useful with Alexa, Google, SmartThings, and Hue, but reviewers repeatedly flagged missing or delayed HomeKit/Matter support.

Smart-home integration is one of the clearest weaknesses, with repeated criticism of missing or limited platform support.

Wi-Fi was a recurring weak point because the separate bridge had pairing, range, or signal issues and reviewers wanted more native connectivity.

Wi-Fi is mixed: the lack of built-in Wi-Fi is criticized, but one review found hub-connected Wi-Fi response very fast.

The Yale app was broadly praised as responsive, helpful, intuitive, and easy to use, with one negative review reporting repeated taps and delays.

The app was generally considered easy, clear, and responsive, though one review separated that from a difficult guest-code workflow.

Remote access was praised where tested, with reviewers saying away-from-home checks and remote lock/unlock worked well.

Remote access is a repeated limitation because the lock lacks built-in internet control and needs extra Wi-Fi hardware.

Auto-lock worked reliably for some reviewers, but others disliked its timer-only behavior, lack of leave-range locking, or wonky performance.

Auto-lock has limited but strong evidence, with PCMag reporting that the feature worked very well in testing.

Motor feedback was split: some found it quiet or sturdy, while others reported grinding, skipping, or a deadbolt that did not move.

Motor evidence is limited, but PCMag praised the lock for relatively quiet operation.

Compatibility was not universal: reviewers flagged unusual deadbolt tailpieces, sticky bolts, and misaligned strike plates as potential fit or motor-operation problems.

Compatibility evidence is positive but limited, with reviewers noting standard-door fit and successful single-doorknob replacement.

Fingerprint support was treated as a tradeoff: one review criticized the standard keypad for lacking it, while another called the optional fingerprint keypad convenient but pricier.

Fingerprint access is the strongest feature across reviews, described as fast, accurate, responsive, effective, and unusually good.

The keypad was useful for codes and one-touch access in several reviews, but complaints included finicky input, basic features, awkward placement, and flimsy construction.

The keypad and PIN Genie concept were widely praised for security and usability, although one reviewer found the shifting layout disorienting.

Most reviewers found locking and unlocking responsive or snappy, but one reported app delays and repeated taps before the lock engaged.

Lock and unlock speed was consistently positive, with instant app response or unlocks taking only a couple of seconds.

Weather resistance was only discussed for the keypad, where reviewers treated the IPX5/weather-resistant build as useful for flexible exterior placement.

Weather resistance evidence is positive but limited to one review that judged the casing able to handle harsh conditions.

Reviewers frequently disliked needing a separate hub/bridge and outlet, though one reviewer said they personally did not mind it.

The hub requirement is a drawback because remote and voice features require added hardware and cost.

Guest codes were generally praised for visitors, kids, rentals, and temporary access, though one reviewer found the user-code interface clunky.

Guest access is mixed: several reviewers liked the flexible access options, while one found temporary-code delivery convoluted and buggy.

Security controls were praised around hidden entry codes, verified access, and extra protection settings, though encryption itself was not evaluated.

Security evidence is positive, with praise for hack resistance and unusually comprehensive account-security setup.

User access management split reviewers: one praised easy sharing and admin/guest levels, while another found adding users and saving codes clunky.

User access management is mixed, combining flexible access options with one strong complaint about difficult PIN assignment.

Access logs were praised by two reviewers as comprehensive and easy to like for tracking lock activity.

Reviewers who discussed logs liked the recordkeeping, citing accurate history entries and even a year of usable activity history.

Battery evidence was mixed to negative: one reviewer praised expected life, but others noted no lock battery indicator or severe keypad battery drain.

Battery evidence is limited to one long-term review, but that reviewer called performance stellar after about a year of use.

Build impressions were mixed: the lock/keypad design drew some positive durability comments, but one reviewer found the keypad cheap and flimsy.

Build quality was repeatedly praised as sturdy, well-built, strong, and rock solid.

DoorSense and door-open detection were mostly viewed as reassuring and helpful, though setup and flush-mount installation caused friction for some reviewers.

Reviewers generally liked keeping exterior hardware and existing keys, especially for renters, though one questioned whether the retrofit concept justified the extra hardware and effort.

Feature-update evidence centered on Matter/Thread: some saw it as future-ready, while others criticized the lack of a firm timing commitment.

Geofencing and auto-unlock were often praised as accurate, smooth, or helpful, but one reviewer found it worked only about a third of the time.

One reviewer disliked using a physical key with the lock because the key turn felt more resistant than other locks they had used.

Design opinions are mixed: reviewers liked the attractive, premium look, but several also called the lock large, bulky, or obvious.