Door hardware · Buying guide

Which lock should I buy? Maybe none.

If your door already has a keypad, QR Gate works with it today, free: verified visitors get your code. A smart lock is worth it when you want every visitor to have their own code, or the door to open by itself. Smart locks are on the Pro plan.

Our picks

Four ways to go, by what matters to you

~$80

lock + gateway · no per-door fee

Tested by us

Lowest cost: a TTLock deadbolt

What to buy: DESLOC B200 with its G2 gateway — the set we tested. Amazon, Best Buy or desloc.com. Any keypad deadbolt whose listing says “TTLock app” works the same way.
Visitor: Gets a code made just for them that expires on its own. If you approve each visitor, the door unlocks itself and locks again after 2 minutes. Gateway unplugged? They get a one-time code that still works.
Watch out: Buy the set with the gateway — without it there's no remote unlock. Only DESLOC's B200 uses the TTLock app; their Wi-Fi models use DESLOC's own app and won't connect.

~$150–300

lock · $7/month per door

Available

Big brand, nothing else to install: Wi-Fi locks

What to buy: Wi-Fi Yale Assure, August Wi-Fi, Schlage Encode, Kwikset Halo — from any hardware store. Also igloohome, Lockly and Nuki.
Visitor: Gets their own code, put on the lock for 30 minutes and removed by itself — every visitor, including the ones you approve. These locks don't open by themselves through QR Gate.
Watch out: Check the box says Wi-Fi (or comes with the brand's Wi-Fi bridge). You sign in to the lock's own app account once, on the door's Lock tab.

~$280–360

lock + SmartThings hub · no per-door fee

Available

Big brand, no monthly fee: Z-Wave and a hub

What to buy: Kwikset HomeConnect 620, Schlage BE469ZP or Yale Assure 2 with the Z-Wave module, plus a SmartThings hub (such as the Aeotec Smart Home Hub). One hub covers every door within range.
Visitor: The door opens itself for every verified visitor, with no daily limit — or, if you prefer, each visitor gets a code of their own.
Watch out: The Z-Wave lock is a different product from the same brand's Wi-Fi lock: the box must say Z-Wave. Already have Zigbee or Matter locks on SmartThings? Those work too.

if it's already on your door

Coming soon

Already run Home Assistant

What to buy: Nothing — any lock your Home Assistant controls: Z-Wave, Zigbee, Matter, or a Wi-Fi lock through its official integration.
Visitor: The door opens itself for every verified visitor, and the log shows it was confirmed by the lock.
Watch out: Our Home Assistant integration is in testing. Email us if you'd like to try it early.

Side by side

The first three, compared

	TTLock deadbolt	Wi-Fi lock	Z-Wave lock + hub
Upfront	~$80	~$150–300	~$280–360 (hub ~$130 shared by doors)
QR Gate lock fee	None	$7/month per door	None
A code for each visitor	Yes	Yes	Optional
Door opens itself	When you approve someone	No — a code for each visitor	For every verified visitor
Extra box	Plug-in gateway within ~10 ft	Sometimes a Wi-Fi bridge	Hub
Plan	Pro	Pro	Pro

Whichever you choose, if a lock can't be reached the visitor gets your keypad code instead.

Before you buy

Check the box for these

The right app or radio is named

“TTLock app” for a TTLock lock, “Z-Wave” (or Zigbee, Matter) for a hub lock, “Wi-Fi” for a Yale, August, Schlage or Kwikset through the Lock tab.

Not Tuya or Smart Life only

Locks that only work in the Tuya or Smart Life app can't connect to QR Gate. Some listings name both — check the exact model.

Alexa, Google and Apple Home don't count

None of them let an outside service unlock a door. A lock that only says “works with Alexa” needs one of the routes above.

It has a keypad

Visitor codes need one, and it's your fallback: if a remote unlock doesn't go through, the visitor gets your keypad code.

It fits your door

Most US deadbolts take a 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" backset and doors 1-3/8" to 2" thick. Measure before you order.

Never a magnetic lock

Maglocks hold a door shut until power is cut and can trap people when they fail. Deadbolts and fail-secure strikes always open from inside.

Not sure about your door?

Email a photo of the door and the lock (or the listing you're looking at) to support@qrgate.app and we'll tell you what works before you spend anything.

Start free with your keypad All hardware options