Both are very good, but yes there is a difference. Schlage would be my brand of choice among "mainstream" offerings.
Emtek is very high end in quality and design, and will be priced accordingly. If you are fine with a standard knob or lever, go with Schlage. If you are looking for something that will make a statement, or that needs to befit a very high end door, emtek would be the choice.
The finish offerings are pretty similar.

I had an emtek entry set on my old house and I loved it. Their version of antique brass was beautiful. Heavy, nice lacquer. It was a joy to use. (Sorry to gush, I am a bit hardware obsessed!)

I have schlage in the current house, and it is fine, has performed reliably and been just a fine feature. So I agree, get whichever suits your taste and budget.

One difference is that there might be lock cylinders that won't fit in some door knobs or some door knob styles. I was told by my locksmith that the latest Medeco cylinders won't fit the Schlage knob I chose, but will fit the Emtek knob in the same style. The two brands for this particular style were priced maybe $25 apart so it wasn't a big issue to change to the Emtek knob. So check with your locksmith before you replace your front door knob.

I just installed entry door ProVia with Emtek locks and its good quality, good looking hardware.

I never even heard of Emtek, but I have a scalage entry system with the keypad - no key necessary, and I LOVE it.

(It does have a key bypass, though).

This is the one I have

Emtek have a nice variety of hardware options.

That schlage with keypad has been hit or miss for me. Had one for a few years that worked great, now I have one that intermittently does not work. Changed battery, checked wires, etc... Generally problem free for my clients though

There are some better ones out there to be certain.

I have a client that bought some really high end one via the web that loves it but I think it was easily about 2.5X the cost of the Schlage unit.

Thanks everyone. I think I am going with the Emtek door knob. It's what my locksmith recommends. (thanks for the pics of the keypad door knob - it's just not my style, but it was interesting to see.)

Nice choice. The emtek units are very nice

+1

Very well built and look very nice on the doors.

Good choice.

Post up some before and after pictures when you are all done.

I have had a lot of success with emtek mortised locks. Nice stuff.

Cant go wrong with an Emtek set. Great quality and design!

focalpoint, post is a year old....

Millworkman - my OP is only a month old. I am still checking in to this thread. Thanks Focalpoint for posting!

I've chosen my Emtek knob, but with the holidays, haven't had it installed yet. Now it's 3 degrees out so will wait until next week when the weather will be more normal.

I think MWM was being facetious... or at least he can say he was ;)

My point was focalpointhardware would obviously be a hardware dealer. And while he was not specifically spamming the site at this moment I was kind of waiting and expecting the proverbial other shoe to drop. But perhaps I was mistaken.