Comparison

Meross vs The Official Network

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

Head to head
About

Meross

Control and manage a wide range of smart home devices remotely. Set schedules, create custom scenes, and integrate with voice assistants for automated control. Access troubleshooting guides, firmware updates, and community forums for support.

Highlights
  • Remote device control
  • Custom schedules and scenes
  • Voice assistant integration
  • Firmware updates
  • In-app hardware guides
  • Consumer forum
Features
Read full description

Meross app can help you set up and manage smart WiFi bulb, plug, switch, garage door opener, thermostat, air purifier, sensor, humidifier and so on. Meross app offers you special value that other platform apps can not offer such as in-app hardware guide and troubleshooting, in-app setup guide and dedicated troubleshooting, firmware update, cloud service maintenance notice, digital user manual, consumer forum, and new product release information. With Meross app, you can 1. Turn on and off your devices remotely from anywhere with internet. 2. Set schedules and scenes for your devices so that they can run automatically as you wish. 3. Link your devices to your voice assistant platform. 4. Check and update your devices to the latest firmware. 5. Share great product experience with others and discuss about how to use products in Forum. 6. Find information about special offer and new product release. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

The Official Network

Features
Read full description

The Official Network is your home for The Official Podcast, Red Thread, and Criminally Stupid. Watch episodes and listen to podcasts from your favorite shows. Subscribe to exclusive memberships for early access, members-only content, and ad-free episodes. --- Payments and Renewal: Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage your subscriptions in your Account settings at any time after purchase Terms of use: https://official.men/terms-of-service Privacy policy: https://official.men/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Meross4 screens
The Official Network3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Meross at 13.0 against The Official Network's 17.4. On price, update cadence, 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. Meross sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and The Official Network sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Meross ships an update every 2 weeks, The Official Network every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Meross versus The Official Network: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMerossThe Official Network
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (7.9K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews77.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings7.9K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.4
Further details — not scored
Size228 MB50 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperChengdu Meross Technology Co.,Ltd.Fourthwall, Inc.

Bugs and requests

Meross

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Unreliable garage door status reporting
  • Compatibility issues with iOS 16 updates
  • Inconsistent device discovery and pairing

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for more smart home platforms
  • Improve app interface and allow for more customization
  • Enhance scheduling and automation features
  • Provide more detailed energy consumption reporting

The Official Network

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Meross

Subscriptions6
  • 10 SMS for a month$0.991 Month
  • 优惠测试-月$1.991 Month
  • 优惠测试-年$1.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • 优惠测试-周$1.997 Days
  • 30 SMS for a month1 Month trial$2.491 Month
  • 100 SMS for a month$6.991 Month
One-time2
  • 30 SMS$3.49
  • 100 SMS$9.99
4 purchases

The Official Network

Subscriptions4
  • The Official Podcast$5.491 Month
  • Criminally Stupid Podcast$5.491 Month
  • Red Thread$5.491 Month
Show 1 more
  • All-Access$6.991 Month

Questions

Is Meross free?
Meross is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The Official Network free?
The Official Network is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Meross or The Official Network have ads?
Neither Meross nor The Official Network shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Meross or The Official Network?
Meross ships an update every 2 weeks, and The Official Network every 3 weeks. Most recently, Meross was updated on October 31, 2026 and The Official Network on October 25, 2026.

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