Master Lock cLOTO Alternatives 2026: Best Lockout Tagout Software Compared

Lockout Tagout (LOTO) remains one of OSHA's most frequently cited violations—and for good reason. When hazardous energy control fails, the consequences are severe: injuries, fatalities, regulatory fines, and operational shutdowns. Digital LOTO solutions promise to reduce these risks through better procedure management, verification, and audit trails.

Master Lock cLOTO is one of the newer entrants in the digital LOTO space, backed by a brand with over a century of experience in physical security. It's an ambitious platform that combines software with Bluetooth-enabled connected padlocks.

But in 2026, safety leaders need to ask a critical question: Does a hardware-centric platform that locks you into proprietary Bluetooth padlocks make sense for your operation? Or is there a more flexible, cost-effective path to digital LOTO?

Understanding Master Lock cLOTO: A Hardware-First Approach

Master Lock cLOTO (Connected Lockout Tagout) is a digital platform designed to work alongside Master Lock's proprietary Bluetooth-enabled padlocks. The system combines web-based software with two separate mobile applications—cLOTO Manager and cLOTO Worker—to digitise procedure execution and tracking.

• Where It Fits: For organisations willing to invest in Bluetooth padlock infrastructure and commit to the Master Lock hardware ecosystem, cLOTO offers a connected approach where the software controls when locks can be opened.
• The Gaps for Modern Operations: cLOTO's value proposition depends heavily on adopting their connected padlocks. While the system technically works with traditional mechanical padlocks (via QR code stickers), you lose the core "connected" benefits. This creates a significant hardware investment and ongoing maintenance burden—Bluetooth padlocks in industrial environments face battery replacements, environmental wear, and higher per-unit costs than traditional safety padlocks.

The platform also lacks integrated tag creation capabilities, meaning you're still generating tags through separate processes. And with two separate mobile apps plus a web portal, the fragmented user experience adds complexity for teams trying to adopt the system.

The Modern Safety Checklist: 7 Questions for Your LOTO Vendor

As digital lockout tagout platforms mature, the requirements for a modern solution have evolved. Use this checklist during your evaluation:

1. Does it require proprietary hardware? Will you need to replace your existing padlock inventory with vendor-specific hardware to get full functionality?
2. What are the ongoing hardware costs? Bluetooth padlocks require battery replacements and are more expensive to maintain than traditional safety padlocks. Have you factored this into total cost of ownership?
3. Can it generate tags from procedures? Or are you still creating lockout tags manually in separate tools?
4. Is the user experience unified? Does your team need to navigate multiple apps and portals, or is everything accessible from a single, intuitive interface?
5. Does it verify equipment during execution? Can the system confirm technicians are locking out the correct equipment—not just guide them through steps?
6. Is pricing transparent and predictable? Can you understand total costs upfront, or do you need to engage enterprise sales to get a quote?
7. Is the audit trail comprehensive? Does it capture who, what, when, and why for every action, with tamper-evident records?

Zentri: The Software-First Alternative

Zentri is a cloud-native lockout tagout software platform that delivers powerful digital LOTO capabilities without requiring proprietary hardware investments. It was built software-first, meaning you get the benefits of digital procedure management, verification, and audit trails while continuing to use your existing padlock inventory.

Where cLOTO's value is tied to adopting Bluetooth padlocks, Zentri's value is immediate—regardless of what hardware you're currently using.

Why forward-thinking organisations choose Zentri:

• No Hardware Lock-In: Zentri works with any padlock. Your existing safety padlock inventory continues to work. No expensive Bluetooth hardware to purchase, maintain, or replace batteries in.
• QR Code Verification During Execution: Technicians scan a QR code on the equipment during the lockout process, confirming they're isolating the correct asset. This provides active verification without requiring proprietary connected padlocks.
• Intelligent Tag Creation Engine: Generate professional, compliant lockout tags directly from your procedures—50x faster than manual tagging. Each tag includes a QR code linking directly to the relevant lockout plan, so anyone encountering a tag in the field instantly understands what procedure it relates to.
• Seamless Plan-to-Tag Integration: Your lockout plans and tags are connected in a single system. Update a procedure, and linked tags reflect the change automatically. No version control issues or outdated tags on the plant floor.
• One Unified Platform: Unlike cLOTO's fragmented approach with separate Manager and Worker apps, Zentri provides a single, intuitive interface accessible from any device. Less training, faster adoption, fewer support headaches.
• Simple, Transparent Pricing: Zentri offers clear pricing tiers based on number of users. No enterprise sales process required, no hidden hardware costs, no surprises.
• Comprehensive Audit Trails: Capture a defensible, timestamped record of every action, aligned with OSHA 1910.147, EU directives, and ISO 45001.

Master Lock cLOTO vs. Zentri: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Calculating the True ROI: Hardware Costs Add Up

When evaluating lockout tagout software, the subscription cost is only part of the equation. With hardware-dependent platforms like cLOTO, the true cost picture is significantly more complex:

• Bluetooth Padlock Investment: Connected padlocks cost substantially more than traditional safety padlocks. For facilities with hundreds of lockout points, this capital expenditure is significant.
• Battery Maintenance: Bluetooth padlocks require battery replacements every 2-3 years under normal conditions—less in cold environments. Multiply this across your padlock inventory and factor in the labour to manage replacements.
• Industrial Environment Durability: Electronic components in harsh industrial environments face additional wear. Bluetooth padlocks may have shorter effective lifespans than traditional mechanical padlocks in demanding conditions.
• Tag Creation Time: Without integrated tag generation, your team continues spending hours on manual tag creation. Zentri's tag engine delivers 50x time savings.
• Training Overhead: Two separate mobile apps plus a web portal means more training time and higher support burden than a unified platform.

Zentri's software-first approach eliminates hardware capital expenditure entirely. Combined with transparent per-user pricing, you can accurately forecast total cost of ownership from day one—no surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. We already use Master Lock padlocks. Does that mean cLOTO is the right choice?

Using Master Lock mechanical padlocks doesn't mean cLOTO is automatically the best fit. cLOTO's core value proposition depends on adopting their Bluetooth-enabled connected padlocks. If you continue using mechanical padlocks, you lose the "connected" benefits and are left with a fragmented software experience. Zentri works with any padlock—including your existing Master Lock inventory—while delivering superior tag creation and verification features.

2. How does QR verification compare to Bluetooth padlock verification?

Both approaches verify that technicians are at the correct location. The key difference is cost and flexibility. QR verification requires only printed codes on equipment—no expensive Bluetooth hardware, no batteries, no maintenance. You get the verification benefits without the hardware lock-in.

3. Can we migrate from cLOTO to Zentri?

Yes. Zentri supports procedure migration from existing systems. Your mechanical padlock inventory continues to work, and you can implement Zentri alongside cLOTO during a transition period to ensure continuity.

4. What about the "virtual hasp" feature in cLOTO?

cLOTO's virtual hasp feature allows electronic coordination of group lockouts—but only when using Bluetooth padlocks. For many organisations, the added complexity and hardware cost outweigh the benefit. Zentri's digital group lockout workflows provide coordination and traceability without requiring proprietary hardware.

Conclusion: Hardware Lock-In vs. Software Flexibility

Master Lock cLOTO represents a hardware-centric approach to digital LOTO—one that ties your safety programme to proprietary Bluetooth padlocks with ongoing maintenance costs and vendor dependency.

For organisations seeking the best lockout tagout software in 2026 without hardware lock-in, Zentri's feature set delivers more value at lower total cost. QR equipment verification, integrated tag creation, seamless plan-to-tag integration, and a unified user experience—all without requiring you to replace your existing padlock inventory.

The choice comes down to philosophy: invest in proprietary hardware infrastructure, or invest in software that works with what you already have.

For most organisations, the answer is clear.

See the difference for yourself. Discover how Zentri delivers QR-verified lockout execution, intelligent tag creation, and flexible deployment—without hardware lock-in or hidden costs.

Schedule Your Personalised Demo of Zentri Today →