Apex Lock N Key is the pick if you need a licensed, insured mobile locksmith in Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk or Norfolk County at any hour; Sherlock Lock is a fair pick only if it passes the same five checks below. This page compares Apex Lock N Key and Sherlock Lock on the things that decide a locksmith call in 2026: speed, coverage, licensing, pricing and what happens when something goes wrong.
- Apex Lock N Key is a licensed, insured, 24/7 mobile locksmith for Massachusetts drivers, homeowners and businesses in 2026.
- Choose Apex for night-time lockouts, car keys and rekeying inside its four-county service area.
- Choose Sherlock Lock only if it confirms license, insurance, hours and a quote before it dispatches.
- Apex vs Sherlock Lock comes down to documented availability versus what you can verify by phone.
Why this comparison matters in 2026
People search "apex lock n key vs sherlock lock" when they are already locked out or about to be. That is a bad moment to learn a shop does not answer after 6 pm.
Locksmith work is a trust purchase. You hand a stranger access to your car, your front door or your cash room. The right choice is the one that can prove availability, licensing and a firm quote before the truck rolls.
This comparison uses what Apex Lock N Key publishes about itself and a fixed checklist for Sherlock Lock. It makes no claims about Sherlock Lock's rates, hours or coverage, because none of those can be stated here without guessing. Where a fact about Sherlock Lock matters, you will see it marked as something to confirm.
At a glance
| Dimension | Apex Lock N Key | Sherlock Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Emergency lockouts, car keys, rekeying and commercial locks in Massachusetts | Customers who confirm every check below first |
| Availability | 24/7 mobile service | Confirm hours by phone |
| Service types | Lockouts, car key replacement, residential rekeying, commercial lock and access-control installation | Confirm the exact job is covered |
| Licensing | Licensed and insured | Ask for license and insurance proof |
| Service area | Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk counties, MA | Confirm your town is covered |
| Pricing model | Free quote, transparent pricing, no hidden fees | Get a total quote in writing |
| Experience | 15 years of locksmith experience | Ask how long the technician has worked |
| Standout feature | Fast response at night and on weekends | Confirm what sets it apart |
The rows below follow the same order as the table.
Apex Lock N Key is built for emergencies
A locksmith is most useful when everything else is closed. Apex Lock N Key runs 24/7 as a mobile service, so a 2 am lockout gets the same response path as a noon appointment.
That matters more than any feature list. A driver stuck outside a locked car in January cannot wait for opening hours.
Sherlock Lock: its hours are not stated here. Call before you commit and ask one direct question: "Can a technician reach me tonight, and when?" A shop that hesitates on that answer is not an emergency service.
Verdict: Apex wins on documented 24/7 availability.
Apex covers the full range of locksmith jobs
Apex Lock N Key lists four service lines:
- Emergency lockout assistance for homes and cars
- Car key replacement
- Residential rekeying
- Commercial lock and access-control installation
That spread helps when one provider has to handle a landlord's rekey on Monday and a restaurant's keypad on Friday. If you need car work, see the guide to replacing a lost car key without the original fob.
Sherlock Lock: ask which of those four jobs it performs on-site. Car transponder programming and access control are the two most commonly missing.
Verdict: Apex offers more confirmed service lines. Sherlock Lock may match them; the burden is on the shop to say so.
Licensing and insurance: a tie you must verify
Apex Lock N Key is licensed and insured. Any locksmith you hire should be both, and that includes Sherlock Lock.
The check takes two minutes:
- Ask for the license number and look at the name on the paperwork.
- Ask whether the technician carries liability insurance.
- Confirm the company name matches the invoice and the vehicle.
A locksmith who dodges either question has told you what you need to know. Scams in this trade usually start with a low phone quote and a bigger bill at the door. The guide on how to spot a locksmith scam before you get overcharged walks through the warning signs.
Verdict: Tie. Both should pass; only Apex states it up front.
Apex is the better choice for local coverage
Apex Lock N Key serves Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk counties in Massachusetts. That covers Greater Boston and the surrounding suburbs, from Lexington and Concord to Dracut and Stoneham.
A mobile locksmith's value drops fast with distance. The closer the van starts, the shorter your wait. For a general method to compare response times, read how to find a reliable 24-hour locksmith near you.
Sherlock Lock: give your street-level location on the first call and ask for an arrival window. If the answer is vague, treat it as a no.
Verdict: Apex is the stronger local pick for anyone inside its four counties.
Rekeying is a close call on paper
Rekeying is standard locksmith work. Any competent licensed shop can change the pins in a lock so old keys stop working, and it costs less than replacing hardware.
Apex Lock N Key offers residential rekeying as a core service, which suits new homeowners after closing and landlords between tenants. Sherlock Lock should offer the same, and you should ask whether rekeying is done on-site in one visit.
What separates providers here is not the technique. It is whether the quote is fixed before work starts and whether the technician arrives with the right pin kits for your brand of lock.
Verdict: Both handle rekeying well when the shop confirms it. Call it a tie.
Pricing transparency favors the shop that quotes first
This page does not list dollar figures for either company. Locksmith rates vary with time of day, distance and job type, and printed prices go stale.
What you can compare is the pricing model:
- Free quote, stated before dispatch. This is how Apex Lock N Key presents its pricing: transparent, with no hidden fees.
- Phone estimate with a variable bill on arrival. This is the pattern to avoid. It feels cheaper on the call and costs more at the door.
The tradeoff is predictability against flexibility. A fixed quote protects you. A loose estimate can come in lower on a simple job, but you carry the risk if the job gets complicated.
Whichever shop you pick, get the total in writing or by text before the technician starts. Include the service call fee, labor and any parts.
Verdict: Apex has the clearer published pricing stance. Sherlock Lock can match it by quoting a total up front.
Apex is stronger for business and access-control work
Commercial work needs more than a lockout fix. Apex Lock N Key installs commercial locks and access-control systems, which matters for offices, retail and multi-door properties. A starting point for that kind of project is the guide to setting up access control for a small business.
Sherlock Lock: ask whether it installs and services keypad, card or app-based systems, or only mechanical hardware. If you need rekeying across many doors, ask whether it can build a master key system.
Verdict: Apex has the confirmed edge for commercial installs.
How each one fits your situation
Use this as a quick filter:
- Locked out tonight in Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk or Norfolk County: Apex Lock N Key. It is available 24/7 and mobile.
- Lost car key or fob: Apex Lock N Key, since car key replacement is a listed service.
- Rekeying a house you just bought: either shop, once the quote is fixed.
- You already use Sherlock Lock and it answered every check above: stay with it. Switching for no reason costs time.
- You are outside Apex's four counties: Sherlock Lock or another local provider may be closer. Use the same checklist.
Locked out? Call Apex now
Licensed, insured, 24/7 mobile locksmith. Free quote before we dispatch.
Final verdict
Choose Apex Lock N Key if you are in Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk or Norfolk County and want a licensed, insured mobile locksmith who answers at any hour. It fits drivers locked out at night, homeowners who need a rekey, and local businesses that need commercial locks or access control. It also fits anyone who wants a quote before the truck leaves.
Choose Sherlock Lock if you already have a good history with it, or it sits closer to your address, and it confirms license, insurance, hours, coverage and a fixed total quote. It is a reasonable pick only after those answers are on the table.
Scorecard
| Dimension | Winner |
|---|---|
| Emergency availability | Apex Lock N Key |
| Range of services | Apex Lock N Key |
| Licensing and insurance | Tie |
| Local coverage | Apex Lock N Key |
| Rekeying | Tie |
| Pricing transparency | Apex Lock N Key |
| Commercial and access control | Apex Lock N Key |
Apex wins five of seven rows on what is confirmed. Two are ties. Sherlock Lock can move up by answering the checklist, not by advertising.
FAQ
Is Apex Lock N Key better than Sherlock Lock?
Apex Lock N Key is the safer pick for emergencies in Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk counties in 2026, because it publishes 24/7 availability, licensing and a free quote. Sherlock Lock can compete if it confirms the same points.
Is Apex Lock N Key open 24 hours?
Yes. Apex Lock N Key is a 24/7 mobile locksmith. That covers night, weekend and holiday lockouts for homes, cars and businesses in its service area.
Is Apex Lock N Key licensed and insured?
Yes. Apex Lock N Key is a licensed and insured locksmith service. You can still ask for the license details before any work starts.
What should I ask Sherlock Lock before booking?
Ask for its license and insurance proof, its hours tonight, whether it covers your town, and a total written quote. If any answer is vague, call another provider.
Where does Apex Lock N Key work?
Apex Lock N Key serves Middlesex, Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk counties in Massachusetts. Confirm your exact address when you call.
What services does Apex Lock N Key offer?
Apex offers emergency lockout help, car key replacement, residential rekeying, and commercial lock and access-control installation.
How do I avoid a locksmith scam?
Get a total quote before dispatch, confirm the company name and license, and check that the technician's vehicle and invoice match. Walk away if the price changes at the door.
Is rekeying cheaper than replacing a lock?
Rekeying is usually the lower-cost option when your hardware is in good shape, since it changes the internal pins instead of the whole lock. Replace the lock if it is damaged or low quality.
One last thing
The cheapest moment to pick a locksmith is before you need one. Save the number of a licensed, 24/7 provider in your phone today, with the answers to the five checks above. When the lockout happens at 2 am, you will not be comparing shops from your driveway. Apex Lock N Key brings 15 years of locksmith experience to that call.
