• stickLabs.io

Unlock directly with your phone or keycard

Create keycards with your phone. Manage access to a single door, a building or an entire hotel...

  • Unlock doors directly from your phone using NFC (just like Apple Pay and Google Pay)
  • Create keycards with your phone (just like hotel keycards)
  • Unlock with a tiny NFC sticker on the bottom corner of your phone
  • Use the app to Manage users and guests (just like you would expect!)
  • Keep your business secure: Like a good Hermit, the lock doesn't connect to the internet. It only talks to your phone.

An access system without fees

Use the free app to Unlock doors, Create keycards, and Manage access.

Unlike the competition, we don't charge "per credential".

We don't force you to buy our keycards.

Create unlimited users and buy any keycard you want.

Hermit Lock Setup

How do we compare?

Competitors considered

  • Kisi
  • Openpath
  • August (Commercial)
  • HID Mobile Access / HID Prox
  • Salto KS
  • RemoteLock

Deployment model

  • stickLabs: Offline-capable, retrofit hardware that works with existing master-key cylinders
  • Kisi / Openpath / RemoteLock / Salto KS / August: Cloud-first, networked controllers; many require internet or edge devices for remote features.
  • HID: Enterprise, supports both local and cloud architectures depending on product.

    Credential type
  • stickLabs: NFC stickers/cards + phone-based credentialing (NFC provisioning).
  • Kisi/Openpath/RemoteLock/August: BLE, mobile credentials, sometimes NFC (less common).
  • HID/Salto: Wide enterprise credential support (smartcards, mobile via BLE/NFC, prox).

    Offline operation & reliability
  • stickLabs: Designed to work fully offline (local validation) — good for low-connectivity sites and reduced cloud dependency.
  • Most competitors: Rely on cloud/backend for auth and management; some offer local fallback but limited.

    Integration & retrofit
  • stickLabs: Emphasizes retrofit with existing cylinders and simple physical install.
  • Kisi/RemoteLock/Smart commercial vendors: Offer retrofit kits but often require networked hubs or wiring.
  • Salto/HID: More invasive in commercial installations; enterprise-grade integration.

    Security & credential lifecycle
  • stickLabs: NFC token-based; security depends on credential encryption and provisioning workflow (local provisioning via app).
  • HID/Salto: Strong enterprise-grade credential encryption, PKI options, audited implementations.
  • Cloud vendors: Offer centralized revocation/instant updates; stickLabs' offline model means credential revocation/updates require physical or periodic sync.

    Management & features
  • stickLabs: Mobile app for credential issuance and door/user management; simpler feature set focused on access control.
  • Competitors: Rich feature sets — real-time monitoring, audit logs, geofencing, visitor management, integrations (SaaS, HR systems), multi-site administration.

    Costs
  • stickLabs: One-time hardware costs; no recurring credential fees. Unlimited free keycards (uses common keycards from Amazon), unlimited free users (via phone app).
  • Cloud competitors: Often subscription-based pricing for management, cloud features, and sometimes per-credential fees.
  • HID/Salto: Higher upfront costs and possible ongoing support/licensing for enterprise features.

    Scalability
  • stickLabs: Best for small-to-medium, distributed sites where offline operation and retrofit matter.
  • Kisi/Openpath/Salto/HID: Better for large-scale, multi-site with centralized management and advanced integrations.

    Compliance & enterprise readiness
  • stickLabs: Simpler offering; may lack enterprise compliance features, audit depth, and vendor support SLAs.
  • HID/Salto/Kisi: Offer enterprise-grade compliance, certifications, and professional services.

    When to choose stickLabs
  • Need offline-capable, retrofit NFC solution
  • Minimal recurring costs desired
  • Small-to-medium deployments prioritizing simplicity and physical compatibility with existing cylinders

    When to choose competitors
  • Require centralized cloud management, real-time revocation, audits, and integrations with other enterprise systems
  • Need large-scale deployments, SLA-backed support, or advanced credential/PKI options

Commercial grade, Schlage or SFIC cores, Secure (no WiFi)

The Hermit Lock solves these problems:

  • Commercial-grade: Built for high-traffic business use.
  • Compatible with master-key cylinders: Fits existing systems.
  • Scalable: Use the app to manage many locks using door names and door groups.
  • Convenient NFC technology: Use your phone or any NFC keycard, sticker, or fob.
  • No internet needed: Works offline.
  • Long battery life: No power-hungry features.
  • Cost-effective: No wiring needed, retrofit to any existing door, no recurring fees.

unlock with iphone

unlock with stickers

unlock with android

Buy now on Amazon

Obsessed with finding a solution...

Hi, I’m Brad Grissom, the founder of stickLabs and inventor of the "Hermit Lock." Security, NFC, and self-sovereign technology aren’t just my interests—they’re my obsession.

I saw the shortcomings in commercial electronic locks and knew I could do better—something easier to setup and use. What started as an ambitious side project has grown into a mission to redefine how easy security can be for small businesses.

After years of refinement and innovation, I’m proud to say the Hermit Lock is not just another product; it’s a labor of love, designed to meet the real-world needs of people and businesses like you.

Thank you for trusting me with your security.

about me