TP vs CATLINK
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
TP
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.
- 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)
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TP-LINK物联APP是管理TP-LINK智能物联产品的统一平台。可在局域网内进行统一管理也可登录TP-LINK ID，随时随地远程管理。 主要功能： 1．管理TP-LINK安防监控产品，如网络摄像机、硬盘录像机等，支持监控画面实时预览、录像、截图、语音对讲、云台控制及录像回放等功能； 2．管理TP-LINK无线路由器，支持路由器上网设置、无线网络设置、上网终端管理等功能； 3．管理TP-LINK智能家居产品，如可视门铃、太阳能控制器等，支持访客记录、电量统计、设备联动等功能。
CATLINK
This app connects users to an IoT ecosystem for pet care, focusing on cats. It facilitates interaction between people, pets, and connected devices, with product development driven by the needs of cats and their owners.
- IoT ecosystem for pet care
- Connect people, pets, and devices
- Cat-centric product development
- Focus on owner needs
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CATLINK is an intelligent pet care brand founded in 2017, the company is committed to building an Internet of Things ecosystem where people, things and pets could connect with each other. Product research and development are conducted totally based on the actual needs of cats and their parents. CATLINK，LINK EVERYTHING FOR CAT’S LIFE.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: CATLINK at 2.8 against TP's 2.3. CATLINK also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
CATLINK holds the better App Store score, 2.8 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 59 and 94 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 32% of TP's written reviews are positive against 28% of CATLINK'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, CATLINK weekly. Both last shipped on October 13, 2026.
| Parameter | TP | CATLINK |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.3 (59 ratings) | 2.8 (94 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 31.7% of reviews — better | 28.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 59 | 94 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 261 MB | 524 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | TP-LINK | Shanghai Catlink Intelligent Technology Co.,Ltd |
Customer experience
TP
CATLINK
Bugs and requests
TP
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
CATLINK
Reported bugs
23 issues- WiFi connection fails during setup and frequently disconnects
- App crashes during device pairing process
- QR code scanning causes app to crash
- Device not found errors for various features
- Server error messages when changing settings
Show 18 moreShow fewer
- Phone number binding functionality broken
- SMS verification code not being received or instantly expiring
- App gets stuck at data transfer screen (33% loading)
- Automatic logouts without user action
- Account information lost after app updates
- Device information disappears after re-login
- Weight detection highly inaccurate and inconsistent
- Cat identification failing for multiple cats
- Notifications displaying in wrong language despite selection
- Chinese characters appearing in English interface
- Clipboard content being read without permission
- Password field limited to 6-14 characters (security concern)
- Time zone not respecting local settings
- Video not saving or including cat in frame
- Setup instructions in Chinese despite English selection
- Device offline messages despite active WiFi connection
- App layout misaligned when using non-English languages
- Hard-coded metric units despite imperial selection
Requested features
14 requests- Metric to imperial unit conversion (kg to lbs, Celsius to Fahrenheit)
- Detailed historical records and activity logs
- Improved notification system with better translations
- Pet identification by type of waste (urination vs defecation)
- Manual cleaning button in timed mode without mode switching
Show 9 moreShow fewer
- Google Home and smart home integration
- Ability to share account across multiple devices simultaneously
- Improved setup instructions with better documentation
- SMS verification code format that accepts numbers only
- WiFi password field that accepts spaces
- Adjustable feeding intervals for facial recognition mode
- Litter type customization options
- Real-time weight and humidity display on main screen
- Offline functionality without WiFi requirement
In-app purchases
TP
No in-app purchases
CATLINK
No in-app purchases
