# TP vs Joolink

The clearest difference is rating: Joolink at 4.8 against TP's 2.3. Joolink also leads on ratings volume (358K vs 59). TP's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Joolink sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. TP asks for nothing beyond the download.

Joolink holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Joolink has 358K ratings behind it against 59, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 32% of TP's written reviews are positive against 22% of Joolink's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

TP ships an update every 3 weeks, Joolink every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TP | Joolink |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.3 (59 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tp-link/id1095523835/reviews) | **[4.8 (358K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joolink/id1372411552/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 59 | **358K** |
| Positive reviews | **31.7% of reviews** | 22.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 261 MB | 425 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TP-LINK](https://appshunter.io/developer/599496597) | [深圳市乔安科技有限公司](https://appshunter.io/developer/995980788) |

## What reviewers say

### TP

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tp-link/id1095523835)

This app serves as a unified platform for managing TP-LINK smart IoT devices. It allows for both local network management and remote access via a TP-LINK ID, offering control over security cameras, routers, and smart home products.

**Highlights:** Unified management of TP-LINK smart devices, Remote management via TP-LINK ID, Real-time preview and recording of security cameras, Router setup and terminal management, Smart home device control (e.g., video doorbell)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Joolink

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/joolink/id1372411552)

This app allows real-time monitoring and video chat with smart cameras. It supports remote playback of recorded footage and sends abnormal alarms. Access your smart camera's features remotely through a P2P cloud connection.

**Highlights:** Real-time monitoring, Video chat, Remote playback, Abnormal alarm notifications, P2P cloud technology

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 7天事件云存(半年套餐) | $9.99 | one-time |
| 7天事件云存(年套餐) | $19.99 | one-time |
| 7天事件云存(半年套餐) | $29.99 | one-time |
| 30天事件云存(年套餐) | $49.99 | one-time |
| 30天事件云存(年套餐) | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Reliable camera
- 🚀 Good image quality
- 🔒 Provides security

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connection issues
- 🐛 Buggy after updates
- 📢 Too many ads
- 🌐 Limited language support
- 🔍 Difficulty accessing recorded footage

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to connect to cameras remotely
- Recorded footage not accessible
- App crashes and freezes
- Settings changes not saved

**Requested features**

- Add option to disable infrared night vision
- Improve remote access functionality
- Provide better storage management tools
- Enhance user interface and translations


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TP free?

TP is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Joolink free?

Joolink is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, TP or Joolink?

Joolink is rated higher. TP averages 2.3 out of 5 from 59 ratings, while Joolink averages 4.8 from 358K ratings.

### Do TP or Joolink have ads?

Joolink shows ads; TP does not.

### Which is updated more often, TP or Joolink?

TP ships an update every 3 weeks, and Joolink every 2 weeks. Most recently, TP was updated on October 13, 2026 and Joolink on October 14, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*