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A TTLock Alternative for Lock Brands That Want to Own Their Product

TTLock, developed by Sciener, is a fast, low-cost way to put software on a lock: off-the-shelf boards, a shared app, a cloud API and an SDK. Manufacturers usually look for an alternative when they want their own app and customers, US-hosted data, security documentation a buyer will accept, Wi-Fi locks without a gateway, responsive support, or features TTLock won’t build.

 

KoreLock is a US-based platform that covers all ten platform layers and designs boards and firmware around your lock. Read the full comparison.

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POWERING SMART LOCKS FOR LOCK MANUFACTURERS AND ACCESS CONTROL PLATFORMS

When TTLock is the right choice

We’ll say it plainly: for budget residential locks shipped at high volume, or short-term rental locks where a shared app is fine, TTLock is the lowest-cost and fastest option, as long as the lock is designed around one of their boards.

 

Its rental features are mature (timed PINs, one-time codes, eKeys) and it works with Alexa and Google Home through its gateway.

When manufacturers switch

How TTLock and KoreLock compare on the things that usually prompt a lock brand to look for an alternative.

What you need
TTLock
KoreLock
Your own app and customers
End users are in the shared TTLock app
Fully white-label apps under your brand
Hardware
Design the lock around an off-the-shelf TTLock board
A custom board designed around your lock, or a ready-made module
Connectivity
Bluetooth-only locks; remote access, voice control and smart-home bridging need TTLock gateway hardware
BLE plus patented Wi-Fi direct to the cloud, with no gateway
Data hosting
TTLock-operated cloud (China-based)
KoreLock-operated AWS (US); dedicated AWS IoT instance available
Security you can show buyers
Varies by factory; no public security disclosures
Secure boot, signed OTA, EAL 6+ secure element, mTLS, SOC 2-compliant cloud; review documentation under NDA
Commercial access control
Strong for rentals and residential
Account hierarchies for multifamily, hospitality, retail, SMB and enterprise
Custom features
Roadmap outside your control
US engineering team builds features you request
Platform coverage
Modules, firmware, cloud and a shared app (4 of 10 layers)
All 10, including reader hardware and factory QA
Volume
High-volume commodity economics
Built for the long tail; viable at 5,000–50,000 units

The gateway problem

TTLock locks are Bluetooth-only, so every connected feature (remote access, voice control, smart-home bridging) needs a TTLock gateway. That adds a second device to the bill of materials, a second SKU for the channel to stock and a second product for support to troubleshoot.

 

KoreLock locks reach the cloud over existing Wi-Fi, using dynamic wake-up schedules that keep the radio asleep until needed, so there is no gateway to sell or support.

 

The security question

In March 2024, CERT/CC published VU#949046, covering eight CVEs across Sciener’s lock firmware, the Gateway G2 and the TTLock app, including encryption downgrade, non-unique AES keys and unauthenticated firmware updates. The advisory records that CERT/CC received no statement from the vendor.

 

Commercial buyers send security questionnaires. KoreLock publishes its security architecture and provides review documentation to partners under NDA.

 

Moving off TTLock

A switch usually keeps your mechanics and replaces the electronics and software. We design a PCBA for the existing housing, port the credential features your users rely on (timed PINs, one-time codes, mobile keys), and launch your branded app.

 

Typical timeline: about six months to production-ready, with about 75% of the effort in board design and prototyping and 25% in firmware.

 

Read more

Frequently asked questions

  • A platform. TTLock, developed by Sciener, is a software platform and module ecosystem. Hundreds of factories build TTLock-compatible hardware that runs on the shared TTLock app and cloud.

  • For remote access, voice control and smart-home bridging, yes, because the locks are Bluetooth-only. KoreLock locks connect directly to existing Wi-Fi.

  • For low-cost consumer locks, usually yes. KoreLock is a platform partnership, not a commodity module. The trade is ownership of the app, customer and roadmap.

  • Yes. Permanent, temporary and algorithmic PINs work online and offline, alongside mobile keys, NFC and cards, and wallet credentials through our credential partners.

  • On KoreLock-operated AWS in the US, on SOC 2-compliant infrastructure, with a dedicated AWS IoT instance available.

  • Yes, through KoreLock’s cloud-to-cloud APIs.

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