Comparison

TP vs Throwaway

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

TP

Easily set up and manage your mesh WiFi system with step-by-step guidance for optimal home coverage. Control connected devices, manage online activity, and enhance your network security from your smartphone.

Highlights
  • Easy setup with step-by-step instructions
  • Optimal placement suggestions for mesh units
  • Device connection management
  • Parental controls and content blocking
  • Guest network creation
  • Network performance testing
  • Smart home device integration
Features
Read full description

Welcome to the Deco App — the perfect way to set up your mesh WiFi in minutes and control your whole network. Our simple-to-follow guide walks you through the setup process and even gives you suggestions for whole home coverage. Once connected, you’ll have instant access to check every connected device, manage your kids’ online activity, and control your home network effortlessly. All from the palm of your hand. - EASY TO SET UP AND MANAGE • Quickly set up with step-by-step instructions • Find the best spots to place additional Deco units for maximum coverage • Control your WiFi network without turning on your computer • Check your connection status and network speed at a glance • Find out who or what is connecting to your network • Instantly block unwanted devices with a tap - PROTECT YOUR WIFI • Detect potential threats and receive warnings before things get serious • Create a guest network to give friends internet access while shielding your private network • Block unauthorized access and inappropriate content • Run network performance tests - FIND FAMILY TIME WITH PARENTAL CONTROLS • Set a time restriction and pause the WiFi on kids’ devices • Control when specific devices have WiFi access • Make room for more family time with Schedules - PRIORITIZE YOUR FAVORITE DEVICES QoS lets you choose which devices always have the fastest connections. Set a schedule to assign device priority for different times of the day. - KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR NETWORK Detailed reports help you understand your home WiFi and everything connected. - CREATE YOUR SMART HOME Connect, control, and check the status of your smart cameras, plugs, and lights – all from the Deco app. Features available in Deco may vary by model and software version. Stay tuned for updates as we add new features and products to the Deco family! Privacy Policy: http://www.tp-link.com/en/privacy?app=deco#sec_a\ Term of Use: http://www.tp-link.com/en/privacy?app=deco#sec_b\ HomeShield Subscription Service Agreement: https://www.tp-link.com/homeshield/service-agreement/?app=deco Auto-Renewal Service Agreement: https://www.tp-link.com/homeshield/auto-renewal-service-agreement/?app=deco For more information about Deco, visit www.tp-link.com

About

Throwaway

Get a temporary, separate phone number for SMS texting to protect your primary number. Share with confidence for sign-ups and new contacts. Offers flexible controls and a privacy-first design.

Highlights
  • Separate SMS texting number
  • Keep real number private
  • Mute and block unwanted numbers
  • Export contacts
  • Privacy-focused design
  • Native iOS interface
Read full description

Text from a separate number. Keep yours safe. Throwaway gives you a second U.S. number for SMS texting, right on your iPhone. Choose an available area code and start texting without sharing your personal number. KEEP YOUR REAL NUMBER SAFE • Use a separate number for sign-ups and new contacts • Keep Throwaway conversations separate from your personal texts • Keep your existing phone number and carrier unchanged FLEXIBLE CONTROLS • Mute your Throwaway number when you need quiet • Block unwanted senders • Easily export selected contacts back to your iPhone • See your balance at a glance PRIVATE BY DESIGN • No ads. No tracking. • Your message history and in-app contacts stay on this iPhone, not on our servers. Delete the app, and they are gone. • SMS delivery still requires Throwaway and telecom providers to process messages. Providers and carriers may retain message content or metadata under their own policies. BUILT FOR iOS • Fast, native interface • Dark Mode and Light Mode • Larger Text and VoiceOver support PLANS AND BILLING • Monthly or Quarterly: Choose the plan that works for you. • Additional messages available when you need them • Apple billing: Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled. Manage or cancel in your Apple Account settings. IMPORTANT TO KNOW • U.S. only: U.S. customers and U.S. numbers only • SMS texting only. No MMS, photos, videos, iMessage, or group chats • No phone calls or voicemail • Emergency services are not supported, including 911 calling and emergency SMS. • Message history and in-app contacts are stored locally and cannot be recovered by Throwaway after you delete the app. • Daily 200-message sending limit • SMS verification codes are not guaranteed. Some apps and banks may not deliver login or verification codes to Throwaway numbers. • Number transfers not supported Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

TP4 screens
Throwaway4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: TP at 87K against Throwaway's 1. TP also leads on chart position (#106 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). Throwaway's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. TP sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Throwaway sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for TP against 5.0 for Throwaway. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TP has 87K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TP ships an update every 3 weeks, Throwaway weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
TP versus Throwaway: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTPThrowaway
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (87K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews92.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings87K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#106 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better18
Further details — not scored
Size497 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTP-Link Systems Inc.Throwaway Technologies, Ltd.

Customer experience

TP

All ratings85,937 ratings
Positive98.1%
Neutral0.7%
Negative1.2%
Written reviews8,003 reviews
Positive92.3%
Neutral2.4%
Negative5.3%

Throwaway

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

TP

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App frequently fails to find or connect to network
  • Devices not showing up correctly in app
  • Inconsistent performance after firmware updates

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to manually select Wi-Fi channels
  • Option to force device connection to specific frequency band
  • Scheduled reboots and automatic firmware updates
  • More detailed network analytics and diagnostics
  • Improved parental controls with content-based time limits

Throwaway

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

8 purchases

TP

Subscriptions8
  • Adv Parental Controls Monthly1 Month trial$2.991 Month
  • Security+ Monthly1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • HomeShield Pro Monthly1 Month trial$5.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Adv Parental Controls Yearly1 Month trial2 variants$17.991 Year
  • Security+1 Month trial$35.991 Year
  • HomeShield Pro Yearly1 Month trial$54.991 Year
  • Total Security Package1 Year trial5 variants$129.991 Year
  • Total Security Yearly1 Year trial$159.991 Year
3 purchases

Throwaway

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$14.991 Month
  • Quarterly$34.993 Months
One-time1
  • Add 200 Messages$4.99

Questions

Is TP free?
TP is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Throwaway free?
Throwaway is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TP or Throwaway?
Throwaway is rated higher. TP averages 4.9 out of 5 from 87K ratings, while Throwaway averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do TP or Throwaway have ads?
Neither TP nor Throwaway shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TP or Throwaway?
TP ships an update every 3 weeks, and Throwaway weekly. Most recently, TP was updated on October 25, 2026 and Throwaway on October 24, 2026.

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