# SmartHome (MSmartHome) vs TP

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SmartHome (MSmartHome) at none against TP's 15. TP's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and chart position (#10 vs unranked). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TP sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. SmartHome (MSmartHome) asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for SmartHome (MSmartHome) against 4.8 for TP. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 21K and 21K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 69% of SmartHome (MSmartHome)'s written reviews are positive against 73% of TP's.

SmartHome (MSmartHome) ships an update every 2 months, TP every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmartHome (MSmartHome) | TP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (21K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smarthome-msmarthome/id1254346490/reviews) | **[4.8 (21K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tp-link-tapo/id1472718009/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 21K | **21K** |
| Positive reviews | 69.1% of reviews | **73.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#10** |
| Size | 233 MB | 832 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ShenZhen Shuzhi Scene Positioning Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1669708338) | [TP-Link Systems Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1713842892) |

## What reviewers say

### SmartHome (MSmartHome)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smarthome-msmarthome/id1254346490)

Control and monitor smart home appliances from various brands remotely and with voice commands. Receive important notifications and set up helpful automations to simplify daily tasks. Customize your device controls for quick access.

**Highlights:** Remote app control, Voice control integration, Appliance status monitoring, Helpful automations, Customizable device cards, Timely notifications

**Features:** Siri integration, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Convenient remote control
- 👍 Helpful scheduling features
- 🚀 Straightforward setup
- 👍 User-friendly interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🐛 Frequent disconnections
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 🐛 Buggy app
- 🐛 Unreliable app

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup
- Frequent disconnections from devices
- Inability to control devices remotely
- Scheduled tasks not working as expected
- Inaccurate device status reporting

**Requested features**

- Add energy usage/consumption tracking
- Improve Alexa integration
- Add option to disable beeping sounds
- Allow multiple users to access the same account
- Provide more detailed usage data and analytics


### TP

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tp-link-tapo/id1472718009)

**Currently charting:** #10 Top Grossing · Lifestyle, #31 Top Free · Lifestyle (US App Store)

Manage and control your smart home devices, including cameras, plugs, and lights, from a single app. Enjoy remote access, real-time status updates, and intelligent automation features for a smarter, more secure living space.

**Highlights:** Remote device control, Real-time status updates, Smart Actions automation, Voice control integration, Cloud video history, Device sharing

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

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tapo Care Basic 1 Cam/monthly | $2.49 | per month |
| Tapo Care Premium 1 Cam/month | $3.49 | per month |
| Tapo Care Cloud – 1 Camera | $3.49 | per month |
| Tapo Care Cloud – 2 Cameras | $6.99 | per month |
| Tapo Care Premium 2 Cam/month | $6.99 | per month |
| Tapo Care Basic 5 Cam/month | $8.99 | per month |
| Tapo Care Premium 3 Cam/month | $10.49 | per month |
| Tapo Care Premium (Monthly) | $11.99 | per month |
| Tapo Care Cloud Advanced | $11.99 | per month |
| Tapo Care Cloud Advanced AI | $19.99 | per month |
| Tapo Care Premium 1 Cam/year | $34.99 | per year |
| Tapo Care Premium 2 Cam/year | $69.99 | per year |
| Tapo Care Premium 3 Cam/year | $104.99 | per year |
| Tapo Care Premium (Yearly) | $119.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy setup and use
- 👍 Clear and responsive app
- 🔒 Reliable security features
- 💡 Customizable settings and modes
- 🔍 Excellent video and audio quality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional connectivity issues
- 🔒 Limited user sharing/access controls
- 🔋 Frequent notifications/timeout prompts
- 💻 Compatibility issues on some devices
- 💰 Subscription required for full functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent camera positioning/control
- Date/time stamp errors on recordings
- Unreliable motion detection triggering
- Frequent app crashes or freezes

**Requested features**

- Ability to delete recorded footage
- Landscape mode support on tablets
- Customizable motion detection zones
- Improved Alexa/Google Home integration
- Battery-powered camera option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SmartHome (MSmartHome) free?

SmartHome (MSmartHome) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is TP free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SmartHome (MSmartHome) or TP?

TP is rated higher. SmartHome (MSmartHome) averages 4.7 out of 5 from 21K ratings, while TP averages 4.8 from 21K ratings.

### Do SmartHome (MSmartHome) or TP have ads?

Neither SmartHome (MSmartHome) nor TP shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SmartHome (MSmartHome) or TP?

SmartHome (MSmartHome) ships an update every 2 months, and TP every 2 weeks. Most recently, SmartHome (MSmartHome) was updated on October 31, 2026 and TP on October 31, 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.*