Smart Locks
RemoteLock
Cloud-based smart lock access control for vacation rentals
Solid Option
Solid access control platform held back by hardware reliability and support concerns
From $6/listing • No free trial
Comparison
RemoteLock vs Igloohome
Pricing, pros and cons, and buyer-fit side-by-side. Pick the one that matches your operation — or see why neither should.
Smart Locks
Igloohome
Offline smart locks with auto-generated PINs for remote rentals
Best for Small Hosts
Best offline smart lock for remote STR properties
From $129 • Free trial
✓Editorial verdict
Which Should You Pick: RemoteLock or Igloohome?
Pick RemoteLock if you manage multiple properties across booking channels and need centralized lock management with PMS-driven code automation across Yale, Schlage, Kwikset, or August hardware. Pick Igloohome if you run remote or off-grid rentals where offline access codes are non-negotiable and you want to avoid monthly subscription fees.
Editorial perspective from the RemoteLock side; factual claims about Igloohome are drawn from its review.
Pricing Side-by-Side
RemoteLock
Full pricing →From $6/listing • No free trial
Premium
$6/lock/mo
Billed annually; hardware extra (~$279+ per lock)
All portfolio sizes
- Centralized cloud access control across all locks
- PMS integrations for automated guest code delivery
- Scheduled access (check-in/check-out windows)
- Mobile app + web dashboard
- Audit log of all lock events
Enterprise
$12/lock/mo
Hardware extra; volume discounts on hardware available
Larger portfolios needing advanced features
- Everything in Premium
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- Priority customer support
- Custom integrations and API workflows
- SSO and team-management features
Igloohome
Full pricing →From $129 • Free trial
Hardware Only
$129-$209+ per lock
One-time hardware purchase; no subscription required
Any (per-lock pricing)
- Bluetooth smart lock with offline PIN generation
- Free basic app for PIN management
- algoPIN time-sensitive access codes
- No monthly fees for core functionality
iglooaccess API
$2/lock/mo
30-day free trial; billed per active lock
Any (per-lock subscription)
- API integration with PMS platforms
- Automated guest code delivery via booking workflows
- Programmatic lock management
- Hardware purchase still required
Connected Bridge (optional)
$75 per property
One-time hardware cost; layers on top of any tier above
1 bridge per property
- Remote monitoring and control via WiFi
- Real-time lock status notifications
- Online code generation without physical visit
- Optional enhancement to any igloohome deployment
What each tool does well — and where it falls short
What RemoteLock does well
Seamless PMS integration automates guest code workflows
Connects with Hostfully, Guesty, Track, and other PMSs to automatically generate and deliver access codes tied to reservations. Reduces manual key handoff entirely.
One dashboard to monitor and control all locks remotely
Cloud-based centralized console shows real-time access logs, sends alerts, and lets managers control devices across all properties from anywhere.
Broad hardware compatibility across major lock brands
Supports Yale, Schlage, Kwikset, and August locks, so operators can choose hardware that fits their property type and budget rather than being locked into one manufacturer.
What Igloohome does well
Offline PIN generation removes internet dependency entirely
Igloohome's algoPIN technology generates time-sensitive codes that work without WiFi, solving a real pain point for cabins and remote rentals where connectivity is unreliable or nonexistent.
Native Airbnb sync eliminates manual code management
Connecting your Airbnb account takes one click in the app, and the lock automatically creates guest PINs synced to your booking calendar — no manual code generation or messaging required.
No recurring subscription for core lock functionality
Basic app features, Bluetooth management, and PIN generation are included with the hardware purchase. The only ongoing cost is the optional $2/lock/month API fee for PMS integration.
Where RemoteLock falls short
Lock hardware failures reported well before expected lifespan
Capterra reviewers report that despite significant investment, nearly every lock has required replacement, with many failing in under two years from moisture damage and sudden failures.
Customer support is hard to reach and slow to resolve issues
Users report difficulty contacting anyone, resolution processes stretching weeks or months, and no emergency services — a significant gap for a product that controls property access.
Monthly per-lock fees add up on top of upfront hardware costs
At $6/lock/month plus ~$279+ per lock in hardware, the total cost of ownership can be substantial for larger portfolios compared to simpler one-time-purchase solutions.
Where Igloohome falls short
8-digit access codes create guest friction and lockout risk
Remotely generated codes are 8 digits long, which guests may struggle to remember or key in correctly — especially after a long travel day. Lockouts require host intervention.
No WiFi, Z-Wave, or Zigbee means no smart home ecosystem
The lock operates via Bluetooth only. It cannot participate in broader home automation, geofencing, or remote smartphone access without the separate WiFi bridge hardware.
Remote PIN management requires a $75 WiFi bridge per property
Without the bridge, hosts must be within Bluetooth range to manage codes. For remote properties — ironically the lock's strongest use case — the bridge becomes a near-mandatory add-on.
Which Should You Pick
Pick RemoteLock if
Property managers with 5+ units who need centralized access control and automated code delivery through PMS integration.
Skip RemoteLock if
You're a single-property host on a tight budget — the required subscription on top of hardware costs may not justify the investment.
Pick Igloohome if
Hosts with remote properties, cabins, or rentals with unreliable internet who need keyless guest access that works offline without any connectivity requirements.
Skip Igloohome if
You need full smart home integration across Z-Wave or Zigbee devices, want short easy-to-remember PINs, or manage properties across multiple booking platforms beyond Airbnb.
Where RemoteLock and Igloohome actually differ
- RemoteLock integrates with dozens of PMS platforms (Hostfully, Guesty, Track, and more) for automated code delivery; igloohome's only native channel integration is Airbnb calendar sync, with broader PMS access requiring the paid iglooaccess API at $2/lock/month.
- RemoteLock supports four major lock brands (Yale, Schlage, Kwikset, August) through one dashboard; igloohome locks you into its own proprietary Bluetooth hardware at $129–$209+ per lock.
- Igloohome's algoPIN technology generates time-sensitive codes that work entirely offline without WiFi; RemoteLock requires cloud-connected, internet-enabled locks for all code management and monitoring.
- RemoteLock charges $6/lock/month (Premium) or $12/lock/month (Enterprise) as an ongoing subscription; igloohome has no monthly fee for core app and PIN generation, with only the optional API at $2/lock/month.
- RemoteLock provides a centralized cloud dashboard with real-time access logs and alerts across all properties; igloohome's management is Bluetooth-range only unless you purchase a separate $75 WiFi bridge per property.
Common objections
- Igloohome has no monthly fees — why should I pay $6/lock/month for RemoteLock?
- If you're Airbnb-only with a handful of remote properties, igloohome's zero-subscription model genuinely wins on cost. But RemoteLock's fee buys you centralized multi-property management, real-time access logs, and automated code delivery through your PMS across every booking channel — not just Airbnb. For operators managing 5+ units across platforms, the time saved on manual code management typically outweighs $6/lock/month.
- My properties have unreliable internet — doesn't igloohome's offline PIN system solve a problem RemoteLock can't?
- Yes, honestly. RemoteLock requires cloud connectivity to function, so if your locks can't reach the internet, codes won't generate or update. Igloohome's algoPIN technology is purpose-built for off-grid scenarios. If you have a mix of connected and remote properties, some operators use RemoteLock for urban units and igloohome for rural ones.
- RemoteLock has reported hardware reliability issues — is igloohome's own hardware more dependable?
- RemoteLock's reliability complaints stem from third-party lock hardware, not the platform itself — you're choosing from established brands like Yale and Schlage, each with their own track record. Igloohome controls its hardware end-to-end, but its Bluetooth-only design means battery dependency and no remote management without the $75 bridge add-on. Both have maintenance realities; RemoteLock gives you the flexibility to swap lock brands if one underperforms.
Keep Digging
RemoteLock
Solid access control platform held back by hardware reliability and support concerns