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G2 vs G3 vs G4 vs G5 Smart Lock Gateways Compared

G2 vs G3 vs G4 vs G5 Smart Lock Gateways Compared

Posted by Jim Noort on 12th Sep 2024

GATEWAYS • REMOTE ACCESS • TTLOCK

G2 vs G3 vs G4 vs G5: Smart Lock Gateways Compared

Four gateway types. Multiple brands. One platform. Here’s exactly which gateway suits your property — and why choosing the wrong one is the most common smart lock setup mistake.

McGrath G2, G3, and G4 smart lock gateways side by side comparison

A smart lock that uses Bluetooth is secure and reliable locally. But Bluetooth alone does not give you remote access — the ability to lock, unlock, issue codes, and view access logs from anywhere in the world. For that, you need a gateway: a small device that bridges your Bluetooth smart lock to the internet via your network connection.

The TTLock platform — used by McGrath, Lockton, Auslock, Vault, and several other Australian smart lock brands — supports four gateway generations, each with a different connectivity method suited to a different type of installation. The gateway type determines how reliably your lock stays connected, not which brand badge is on the box.

This guide covers:

  • What each gateway generation does and which connectivity method it uses
  • Which brands offer each gateway type
  • The key note on cross-brand interchangeability
  • A clear decision framework for choosing the right gateway for your property

For the broader connectivity picture including other platforms, see Chapter 08 — Smart Lock Gateway Comparison in the Smart Lock Buyer’s Guide. For troubleshooting WiFi connectivity issues once installed, see Why Smart Locks Sometimes Drop Off WiFi.

This guide was reviewed and updated in May 2026.

Do You Actually Need a Gateway?

Not always. Smart locks on the TTLock platform operate fully without a gateway for PIN code, RFID, fingerprint, and Bluetooth access. A gateway is only required if you need one or more of the following:

Remote lock/unlock
Control the lock from anywhere via the TTLock app, not just Bluetooth range.
Remote code management
Issue, change, or revoke PINs and access without being on-site.
Live audit trails
See who accessed the door in real time, not just when you next connect via Bluetooth.
PMS integration
Automate guest code generation from platforms like Hospitable, Uplisting, or RemoteLock for Airbnb and short-stay.
One gateway per network segment, not one per lock. A single gateway can manage multiple locks within its Bluetooth range (typically 8–10 metres per lock for G5; similar for other generations). For large or multi-floor installations, multiple gateways are placed strategically to cover the space.

Cross-Brand Interchangeability

The G2, G3, G4, and G5 designations describe gateway generations on the TTLock platform, not brand-exclusive hardware. Multiple brands — including McGrath, Lockton, Auslock, and Vault — manufacture gateways to the same specifications within each generation.

In practice, a Lockton G2 gateway works with Auslock locks. An Auslock G3 works with McGrath locks. As long as the lock is on the TTLock platform, the gateway brand does not have to match the lock brand. This matters when you are adding a gateway to an existing installation or sourcing parts across a multi-brand site.
Always confirm TTLock platform compatibility before assuming interchangeability. Not all locks marketed under these brands use TTLock. If in doubt, check the lock’s product page or ask our team before ordering a gateway.

G2 Gateway — 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi

Note: The original McGrath G2 has been discontinued. Equivalent G2 gateways from Lockton and Auslock are available and cross-compatible with TTLock-platform locks.

Connectivity: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
Power: USB Type-C
Best for: Homes, apartments, Airbnb, small offices
Setup: Plug-and-play, no IT involvement needed

The G2 is the entry point for remote access on TTLock smart locks. It connects your Bluetooth lock to the internet using your existing 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Once paired via the TTLock app, you can lock, unlock, manage codes, and view access logs from anywhere.

2.4 GHz only. The G2 will not connect to a 5 GHz network or a dual-band router that uses band steering (where 2.4 and 5 GHz share the same SSID). If your router does this and you cannot separate the bands, the G5 is a better choice. See Why Smart Locks Sometimes Drop Off WiFi for more detail on this common issue.

G3 Gateway — Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Connectivity: Ethernet only (RJ45)
Power: PoE — no separate power adaptor
Best for: Commercial buildings, offices, schools, medical, IT-managed sites
Setup: Requires PoE switch or injector; no Wi-Fi needed

The G3 uses Power over Ethernet exclusively — no Wi-Fi at all. A single RJ45 cable provides both data and power, which makes it the most stable and predictable gateway for commercial installations. It is the correct choice wherever Wi-Fi is restricted, unreliable, or managed by IT policy.

PoE infrastructure required. The G3 needs a PoE-capable network switch or a PoE injector at the installation point. If your site has structured cabling already in place, this is straightforward. If you are running cable for the first time, factor this into your installation cost.

G4 Gateway — Wi-Fi + 4G SIM Fallback

KEY SPECS
  • 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi primary connection
  • 4G SIM card slot for automatic failover
  • Supports up to 100 smart locks
  • Compact: 70 × 70 × 26 mm
  • USB Type-C powered
  • Mesh-capable for multi-gateway sites

The G4 is built for locations where internet reliability cannot be guaranteed. It connects via 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi as its primary connection and automatically fails over to a 4G mobile network via a SIM card if the broadband drops out. Access management continues uninterrupted.

Ideal use cases for the G4

Holiday homes with NBN reliability issues, remote rural properties, construction sites where temporary internet is used, and any access point where a dropout during a critical access window is unacceptable.

4G SIM is not included and has an ongoing data cost. You will need a compatible Australian SIM on a data plan. The data consumption is low (the gateway only sends small control packets), but you need an active SIM for the failover to work. Factor this into your ongoing running cost.

G5 Gateway — Dual-Band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz)

Connectivity: 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi (dual-band)
Power: USB Type-C
Best for: Modern homes, hotels, short-stay complexes, large deployments
Lock capacity: Up to 100 locks per gateway

The G5 is the most capable Wi-Fi gateway in the range. Its dual-band support means it can connect to either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz networks, solving the band-steering problem that causes G2 dropouts on modern mesh routers. It is the recommended choice for sites with three or more locks and for any installation where network performance is a priority.

Why dual-band matters: Many modern routers — particularly mesh systems — use band steering: they broadcast a single network name for both 2.4 and 5 GHz and dynamically assign devices to whichever band the router prefers. A G2 gateway can get assigned to 5 GHz and fail to connect. The G5 handles both bands and avoids this issue entirely.

Quick Comparison

Generation Connectivity Brands available Best for
G2 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Lockton, Auslock Homes, Airbnb, small offices with stable 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
G3 Ethernet / PoE only McGrath, Auslock Commercial, enterprise, IT-managed networks
G4 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi + 4G SIM McGrath Remote/holiday properties, sites with unreliable internet
G5 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz Wi-Fi McGrath, Vault Modern homes, hotels, large deployments, mesh router environments
Decision shortcut: Start with your network. PoE infrastructure on site → G3. Internet reliability is uncertain → G4. Modern dual-band or mesh router → G5. Everything else and the setup is simple → G2. View the full range at Smart Lock Gateways & WiFi Bridges.

Related Guides

BUYER’S GUIDE
Chapter 08 — Smart Lock Gateway Comparison

Covers G2–G5 alongside the Yale Connect Plus Hub 2, Igloohome Bridge, and the question of whether you need a gateway at all.

CONNECTIVITY BLOG
Why Smart Locks Sometimes Drop Off WiFi

Band steering, 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz, and the router configurations that cause gateway dropouts — and exactly how to fix them.

DEEP-DIVE BLOG
Using TTLock for Airbnb in Australia

How TTLock automation actually works with Hospitable, Uplisting, and RemoteLock — and why the gateway choice matters for Airbnb hosts.

FOUNDATIONAL BLOG
Airbnb Smart Locks: Do You Really Need WiFi?

When a gateway is essential for Airbnb automation, and when Igloohome’s offline algoPIN approach removes the need for one entirely.

BUYER’S GUIDE
Chapter 10 — Smart Lock Brand Profiles

Brand profiles for McGrath, Lockton, Auslock, Vault and others — useful context for understanding the multi-brand gateway ecosystem.

PRODUCT CATEGORY
Shop All Smart Lock Gateways & WiFi Bridges

Full gateway range across all brands and generations — G2, G3, G4, G5, Yale Connect Hub, and Igloohome Bridge.

Not Sure Which Gateway Your Site Needs?

Tell us about your property — number of locks, network setup, and use case — and we’ll confirm the right gateway and how many you need before you order.

Ask an Expert
Prefer to talk it through in person?

Visit Australia’s leading Smart Lock showroom and workshop:

Gold Coast Smart Locks
9/2 Prosper Crescent
Burleigh Heads, QLD

See working gateway configurations and get specification advice before you commit.
Gold Coast Smart Locks Showroom - Burleigh Heads