Digital Key SDK vs. Out-of-the-Box Smart Lock Solutions: What to Choose?

When launching a smart access experience, you typically face two options:

1. Use a ready-made smart lock with its own mobile app
2. Integrate a digital key SDK into your own system or app

So… what’s the difference?
Which one is right for you?

Let’s break it down.

🔄 What Is a Digital Key SDK?

A Software Development Kit (SDK) gives you full control over how users:

• Request access
• Unlock doors/lockers/gates
• View access history
• Receive notifications
• Authenticate via biometrics
• Interact with smart locks (via BLE/NFC/API)

It lets you embed access control directly into your app, fully white-labeled.

📦 What Is an Out-of-the-Box Smart Lock?

These are smart locks that come with:

• A built-in control system
• Their own mobile app
• Limited access-sharing features
• Predefined UI and flows
• Often tied to the lock brand ecosystem

Example: You install a lock and tell users to download “LockCo App” to open it.

🧮 Feature Comparison Table

🔍 When to Choose SDK

✅ You already have an app or platform (e.g. CRM, tenant portal)
✅ You want full control over user experience
✅ You need access to logs and analytics
✅ You require offline mode, locker routing, or role-based access
✅ You’re offering access as a feature of a larger solution
✅ You care about data ownership and future-proofing

🧰 When to Choose Out-of-the-Box Locks

✅ You need a fast MVP with minimal code
✅ Your team has no dev resources
✅ The use case is small-scale or temporary
✅ Branding and scalability are not priorities
✅ You’re testing a proof-of-concept

🧠 Real-World Scenario: Self-Storage Startup

Option A:
Use a popular lock brand’s app
→ Tenants download an unfamiliar app
→ Admins switch between platforms
→ No access to logs or payment linkage

Option B:
Integrate digital key SDK into existing self-service app
→ Branded experience
→ Real-time logs & payment-sync access rules
→ Access assigned dynamically via booking logic

Result? Higher retention, lower churn, better support metrics.

🔐 Security Considerations

💡 Bonus: Hybrid Model?

You can also mix approaches:

• Use SDK for enterprise clients
• Use vendor app for internal use
• Gradually migrate from vendor stack to custom app

✅ Conclusion

If you want full ownership, flexibility and scalability — SDK wins.

If you’re testing a simple setup or have no dev team — OOB apps are a shortcut, but with long-term tradeoffs.

At the end of the day, your access logic should reflect your business logic — not be dictated by lock vendor limitations.