Updated September 30, 2026 · SmartHomeCue Editorial Team
Lockin vs SONOFF
Lockin vs SONOFF: the differences
| Compare | Lockin ReviewVisitVisit |  SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.99 | €20.47 |
| Products | Smart lock, Video doorbell | Camera, Alarm |
| Free features | AI detection, video, remote access and app control with no fee | 1080P live view, free motion detection push alerts, local microSD (TF) recording up to 128GB, two-way audio, sleep mode, privacy zones and RTSP; CAM-C44HE adds local AI detection and security modes with no monthly fee |
| Top resolution | 2k | 4k |
| Monitoring per month | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Cloud plan per month | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Recording retention | Not confirmed | 90 days |
| Installation required | No | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Minimum contract (0 months), Professional monitoring (No), Local storage (Yes), Money-back period (30 days).
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Key differences
- SONOFF scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Products: only Lockin offers Smart lock, Video doorbell.
- Products: only SONOFF offers Camera, Alarm.
- Support channels: only Lockin offers Phone.
- Power source: only Lockin offers Battery, Solar.
- Power source: only SONOFF offers Wired.
Our verdict on each
Lockin
Lockin suits people who want a lock and a video doorbell with no running fees. The range starts at $129.99, with cloud and monitoring both at $0. Expect US only, a 0 months commitment, and no one watching your alarms.
SONOFF
SONOFF suits people building a wired or Zigbee home on a tight budget who want cameras and climate gear that keep working without a subscription. Entry costs start at €6.16, the range is Matter certified, and local storage holds recordings for 90 days. The catch is support, which runs on email and help centre only.
Score breakdown
| Area | Lockin | SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2Entry price of $129.99 with cloud plan of $0 and monitoring of $0 keep running cost at nil. | 9.9HigherEntry price runs €6.16 and a camera sits at €20.47, with monitoring and contracts at 0 months, well under the €61.38 typical band. |
| Offer | 9.0Range covers smart lock and video doorbell on a diy model, with video kept on the device and detection. | 9.0Free features cover local AI detection, privacy zones and RTSP, and energy reporting is included. |
| Trust | 8.8Founded 2014, Matter certified, US market, warranty of 1 year and 30 day returns. | 9.1Higher2 years of cover, local storage as standard, and support limited to email and help centre, which is thinner than most rivals. |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | Lockin | SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | China |
Sources behind this comparison
Lockin
- lockin.com: 16 facts, checked September 30, 2026
SONOFF
- sonoff.tech: 15 facts, checked September 30, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Lockin | SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Matter smart home devices | 3 of 33 | 5 of 33 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Lockin | SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Diy | Diy |
| Power source | Battery, Solar | Wired |
| Ecosystems | Alexa, Google, Homekit, Matter, Smartthings | Alexa, Google, Homekit, Matter, Smartthings |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Shenzhen Sonoff Technologies Co.,Ltd |
| Headquarters | Not confirmed | China |
| Founded | 2014 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more | Email, Help centre |
Smart home devices
| Fact | Lockin | SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Device types | Not confirmed | Thermostat, Trv, Lighting, Plug, Hub, Sensor, Blinds |
| Price from | $129.99 | €6.16 |
| Protocols | Matter, Thread, Wi fi | Matter, Thread, Zigbee, Wi fiCovers more |
| Matter certified | Yes | Yes |
| Hub required | No | YesHas it |
| Local control | Yes | Yes |
| Energy reporting | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Subscription per month | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 yearsHigher |
| Markets | US | AT, BE, BG, HR, CY, CZ, DK, EE, FI, FR, DE, GR, HU, IE, IT, LV, LT, LU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SI, ES, SE, GB, USCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Lockin | SONOFF | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monitoring per month | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Minimum contract | 0 monthsat the median | 0 monthsat the median | 0 months |
| Money-back period | 30 daysat the median | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
| Cloud plan per month | $0below the median | Not confirmed | $3 |
| Recording retention | Not confirmed | 90 dayshighest quarter | 30 days |
Median across 65 listed brands.
Pros and cons
Lockin
Pros
- No contract: 0 months means nothing locks you in
- Cloud plan and monitoring both sit at $0, so the buy is the whole cost
- Detection, video, remote access and app control are bundled at no extra charge
Cons
- Professional monitoring is not offered, so alarms are not watched
- US is the only listed market, so buyers elsewhere face a shipping question
- Warranty runs 1 year, shorter than the life of a front door lock
SONOFF
Pros
- Matter certified gear across thermostat, trv and lighting, covering matter, thread and zigbee so it fits most existing setups
- Entry prices from €6.16 and cameras from €20.47
- Free features include local AI detection, security modes, privacy zones and RTSP with no monthly fee
Cons
- Professional monitoring is not offered, so alarms stay self-served
- A hub is required for the Zigbee thermostat, adding cost to a heating setup
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no phone or live chat line
Who each suits
Lockin
Who it suits
- Renters and homeowners replacing a front door lock who refuse subscriptions
- Matter-minded buyers already running Alexa, Google, HomeKit or SmartThings
- People who want video history on their own device rather than in the cloud
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want a watched alarm service, since professional monitoring is not part of the Lockin offer and Annke or Aqara suit camera-led setups
- Shoppers outside the US, because US is the only listed market
- Anyone after a wired camera or full alarm kit, since smart lock and video doorbell stops at locks and doorbells
SONOFF
Who it suits
- Renters and homeowners who already run a Matter or Zigbee home
- People who want camera recording on a card rather than a cloud subscription
- Builders covering lighting, plugs, sensors, blinds and climate from one maker
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants professional alarm monitoring, which Sonoff does not sell
- Households on Z-Wave, a protocol outside the matter, thread and zigbee list
- Buyers who want phone or chat support, since email and help centre is the limit
Current offers
SONOFF
Current offer
Discount code
10% OFF your first order for newsletter subscribers: 10% off first order
Email newsletter signup; valid for 30 days; one-time use per customer; cannot be combined with other offers
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Lockin | SONOFF |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | No | Yes |
| Belgium | No | Yes |
| Bulgaria | No | Yes |
| Croatia | No | Yes |
| Cyprus | No | Yes |
| Czechia | No | Yes |
| Denmark | No | Yes |
| Estonia | No | Yes |
8 of 29 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Lockin
Is there a monthly fee for Lockin smart locks and video doorbells?+
No. The cloud plan is $0 and monthly monitoring is $0, so the hardware price is the only outlay. Detection, video, remote access and app control are all included at no fee, which keeps the running cost at nil for as long as you own the device.
Does Lockin require a contract or subscription?+
The contract term is 0 months, so there is nothing to cancel and no minimum term to serve. That is part of why Lockin places 1 of 60 brands on contract length, the same top spot it takes on monitoring at $0.
SONOFF
What does SONOFF hardware cost to get started?+
Entry prices run €6.16 across the range, and a security camera starts at €20.47. There is no separate hardware bundle to buy, so the outlay is the device itself plus a hub if the product needs one.
Is there a monthly subscription or contract?+
No. Contract length is 0 months, and local card recording, AI detection, privacy zones and RTSP are listed as free features. The dual-lens hub camera adds local AI detection and security modes with no monthly fee attached.