SecureSmart vs Kwikset
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SecureSmart
Control your home security system remotely. Receive real-time notifications for events like door openings or motion detection. Automate smart devices with custom scenes and recipes to match your daily routines.
- Remote security system control
- Real-time event notifications
- Customizable zone configurations
- Smart device automation (scenes/recipes)
- Cloud video storage
- Flexible IP camera support
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About Alula At Alula, we believe that the best security solution is provided by the professional security dealer. And we know that today’s security customer expects more than just basic security. In order to deliver the best experience for the needs of today’s modern security customer, you need to design and develop the hardware, software, and services for a complete, end-to-end professional security system for the professional security dealer. The thoughtful technology in our products are designed to keep up with a changing world. Intuitive. Reliable. Innovative. Simplifying your business while saving you money. It’s what you deserve and what people expect. And we’re only scratching the surface of possibilities. Keeping people and property safe is your business. At Alula, creating the tools and support you need to do that, is in our DNA. It’s your home, you set the rules. The Alula App gives you what you deserve, reliability and control. Set rules for real-time notifications. Know instantly when doors and windows are opened or when motion is detected. Technology at your pace With event based “Scenes” and “Recipes”, your smart devices can support your way of life. Adjust the entire atmosphere in your home based on your day to day routines. Lights, cameras, garage doors and thermostats can adjust to greet you in the morning or when you arrive back home in the evenings. Alula Home Security Zone Configurations Alula uses zones in coordination with armed modes and zone configurations to determine how your security system responds when a sensor or detector is triggered. Customize your own zone configurations. Cloud Video Services Alula Cloud is an easy-to-use and affordable cloud video solution designed for businesses and homeowners. Now your customers can keep an eye on their home or business with the comfort of knowing their video is securely stored and can be retrieved from anywhere. - Cost Effective: Why purchase expensive hardware storage, especially if there are multiple sites that need surveillance. Easily manage all camera from one platform. - Easy to Use: Built for users who do not want to bother with complicated and expensive systems, with simple setup for dealers. - Flexible Camera Support: Alula Cloud video works with the largest number of leading IP Cameras. Select the right camera for each customer.
Kwikset
Control and monitor your smart locks remotely, manage guest access with custom codes, and receive instant security alerts. Integrate with popular smart home ecosystems for enhanced automation and peace of mind.
- Remote lock monitoring and control
- Guest access code management
- Instant activity and security alerts
- Multi-home and lock management
- Smart home ecosystem integration (Wi-Fi, Matter)
- Encrypted data security
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At Kwikset, we understand that the locks you choose to protect your home is a decision you do not take lightly. That is why we do not take shortcuts when it comes to quality, because we know that a better lock means better peace of mind. Remote Access Control Monitor the status of your locks and manage your home's access seamlessly from anywhere at any time. Trusted Access Management Share app access with guests or create scheduled or one-time access codes for keyless entry. Instant Activity Alerts Receive instant notifications anytime someone accesses your home, or when invalid codes are entered, or lock tampering occurs. Intuitive Home Management Easily configure and manage multiple homes and locks for complete control. Seamless Integration with Smart Ecosystems Add your lock via Wi-Fi to your preferred smart home ecosystems, including Google Home or Amazon Alexa, or amplify automation through IFTTT. Kwikset’s new Halo Select lock is Matter and Wi-Fi compatible, giving you the same Wi-Fi options as our other Halo locks. With Matter, you can connect to Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and other Matter hubs via Thread. Matter features may differ from ecosystem to ecosystem. You can check out www.kwikset.com/matter for more information. Security and Peace of Mind Kwikset provides unparalleled security while safeguarding your privacy. All data shared between the lock, the server, and the Kwikset app is encrypted, and our servers are exclusively hosted in the US. Our goal is to provide you with the utmost convenience, trust, and safety for your smart living experience. The Kwikset App is compatible with all Kwikset Halo and Kwikset Aura smart locks. Kwikset®, a trusted leader in residential security and a registered trademark of ASSA ABLOY Americas Residential Inc., an ASSA ABLOY Group Company
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Kwikset at 4.8 against SecureSmart's 4.3. Kwikset also leads on review sentiment (48% vs 22%) and ratings volume (60K vs 161). SecureSmart's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Kwikset holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Kwikset has 60K ratings behind it against 161, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of SecureSmart's written reviews are positive against 48% of Kwikset's.
SecureSmart ships an update every 2 weeks, Kwikset every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SecureSmart | Kwikset |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (161 ratings) | 4.8 (60K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 22.1% of reviews | 47.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 161 | 60K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 273 MB | 356 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alula Holdings, LLC | ASSA ABLOY AMERICAS RESIDENTIAL INC. |
Customer experience
SecureSmart
Kwikset
User reviews
SecureSmart
From 161 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Works great for customers
- 👍 Integration with Alula
- 👍 Convenient remote arm/disarm
- 👍 Useful for programming/alerts
- 👍 Love the keypad feature
Room to improve
- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Does not connect to alarm
- 🐛 Cannot arm/disarm alarm
- 🐛 Keypad removed from app
- 🐛 Update not user-friendly
Kwikset
From 60K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🔒 Secure access
- 👍 Convenient remote control
- 👍 Helpful for short-term rentals
- 👍 Great design
Room to improve
- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🔋 Battery life problems
- 🐛 Unreliable app performance
- 🐛 Firmware update challenges
- 🐛 Difficult setup and pairing
Bugs and requests
SecureSmart
Reported bugs
78 issues- App crashes after login
- Does not connect after iOS 17 update
- Cannot arm or disarm
- Numbers too small, no color
- Disarm button removed
Show 73 moreShow fewer
- Doesn't work half the time
- App went offline
- Refuses to load on iPhone 7 Plus
- FaceID authenticates but won't arm/disarm
- App logged me out, won't let me log back in
- Not compatible with iOS 11.2.6
- Constantly offline, takes ten minutes to refresh
- Little delay when arming/disarming
- Arming/disarming via Face Unlock does not always work
- Keypad lock code used every time
- Locked me out of physical keypad
- Slow to load real-time info
- Takes 20-30 minutes to set/deactivate
- App lags, very glitchy
- Cannot tell if alarm is set until push notification
- Nothing happens when trying to remotely turn on/off alarm
- Almost never works for disarming or arming
- Close and relaunch multiple times before functioning
- Sporadically not working due to Do Not Disturb switch
- Requires going in and out several times before connecting
- Does not provide fully functional keypad
- Cannot bypass zones or turn on chime
- No audible sound when alarm activated
- Paid for upgrade, works 5% of time
- Slow to load, inconsistently arms and disarms, crashes
- Extremely unreliable
- Constantly says refreshing for hours
- Says disarmed when armed and vice versa
- Slow to connect and slow to never for viewing events
- Slower than molasses, waits over a minute for response
- So slow it appears not to work
- Doesn't work on Droid, works on iPhone
- Doesn't work most of the time
- Doesn't work at all if signal not full strength
- Constant authentication errors
- Freezes badly, rebooting phone is routine
- Displays alarm status disarmed all the time
- Takes FOREVER to confirm arming/disarming
- Requires restarting almost every time
- Does not communicate with alarm panel well
- Tells me alarm is off when it's not and vice versa
- Sat in house and watched panel, tried to disarm with NO success
- Shows home refreshing, reads disarming, nothing happens
- 90% of the time, it's 'refreshing'
- Sound setting for notifications doesn't work
- Lots of bugs
- Hangs up, doesn't authenticate properly
- Seldom displays system status
- Authentication errors, sometimes doesn't arm
- Stopped working, refreshing and hangs
- Very limited, no push notifications
- Takes way too long to send commands
- App crashes too often
- Security keypad display does not display updated information without a manual refresh
- App is extremely slow or hangs a lot
- App hasn't worked at all, says "refreshing" then goes blank
- Authentication error
- Prettier but plagued with issues
- Not being able to arm or disarm
- Every key press just says "transmitting please wait" then nothing
- Often shows an alarm panel state that is wrong
- Displays that it is "Disarming..." when it is not
- New version has problem with screen resolution on iPad
- Missing numbers 3, 6, and 9 on iPad keypad
- Screen doesn't scroll on iPad
- Arming with TouchID arms it in stay mode
- Shows devices refreshing on one of the two locks
- Changing thermostat temp goes back to previous setting
- Cannot get username/password sent
- Automatically closes app and refuses to open
- Syncing for the last 6 1/2 hrs
- Push notifications not implemented correctly in iOS 8
- App does not ask to accept push notifications on first start
Requested features
9 requests- Add progress bars or 'please wait' signs
- Add audible sound for alarms
- Add 4 function keys (ABCD)
- Fix TouchID arming issue
- Allow username/password reset
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Implement push notifications
- Improve user interface for better readability
- Add color to the interface
- Bring back the disarm button
Kwikset
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes and freezes
- Inability to update firmware
- Inconsistent lock status reporting
- Pairing failures with Bluetooth and WiFi
Requested features
4 requests- Customizable notifications
- Ability to manage multiple locks
- Scheduled auto-lock feature
- Integration with smart home platforms
In-app purchases
SecureSmart
No in-app purchases
Kwikset
No in-app purchases









