AirPort Utility vs TP
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AirPort Utility
Manage your Wi-Fi network and Apple AirPort base stations from your iOS device. View network status, connected devices, and configure advanced settings like security, channels, and IPv6. Easily update firmware, change passwords, and access network information.
- Graphical Wi-Fi network overview
- View connected Wi-Fi devices
- Change network and Wi-Fi settings
- Restart or restore base stations
- Update base station firmware
- View and update passwords
- Configure IPv6 settings
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Use AirPort Utility to manage your Wi-Fi network and AirPort base stations, including AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule — right from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. See a graphical overview of your Wi-Fi network and devices. Change base station and network settings, or manage advanced features such as security modes, wireless channels, IPv6 configuration, and more. AirPort Utility works with all Apple 802.11n and 802.11ac Wi-Fi base stations, including AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule. Features • See a graphical overview of your Wi-Fi network • Get information about your connected Wi-Fi devices • View and change network and Wi-Fi settings • Restart or restore a base station, or update the firmware on a base station when available • View or update passwords for your network, base stations, or disks • Easily access network information such as IP address, DNS servers, and router address • Manage DHCP reservations and port mappings • Configure base stations for IPv6 • View status or error messages • Archive Time Machine backups
TP
Easily manage your TP-Link routers, DSL modems, and range extenders from your mobile device. Set up your network, control access, and monitor connected clients with an intuitive interface. Features include parental controls, LED management, and device blocking.
- Network setup (SSID, password, internet settings)
- Block unauthorized users
- Manage client device permissions
- Parental control with scheduling and URL filtering
- Range extender placement guidance
- LED control
- Simultaneous device management
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TP-Link Tether provides the easiest way to access and manage your TP-Link Router/ xDSL Router/ Range Extender with your mobile devices. From quick setup to parental controls, Tether provides a simple, intuitive user interface to see your device status, online client devices and their privileges. - Setup SSID, password and Internet or VDSL/ADSL settings of your devices - Block unauthorized users who are accessing your devices - Manage permissions of client devices - Parental control function with schedule and URL-based Internet access management - Find the best location to place your range extender - Automatically turn off the LEDs at specific time - Manage most of TP-Link devices simultaneously View compatible routers of Tether: https://www.tp-link.com/tether/product-list/#wi-fi-routers To learn how to find the hardware version of your device, go to http://www.tp-link.com/faq-46.html More devices supported by Tether are coming soon! Important Notes ● Upgrade firmware is required. Go to the download page to choose the correct version and download the latest firmware: http://www.tp-link.com/support.html ● TP-Link Tether does not work when connected to guest network ● For any issue, please contact http://www.tp-link.com/support.html ● Privacy Policy: https://privacy.tp-link.com/app/Tether/privacy ● Terms of Use: https://privacy.tp-link.com/app/Tether/tou ● HomeShield Subscription Service Agreement: https://www.tp-link.com/homeshield/service-agreement/?app=tether ● Auto-Renewal Service Agreement: https://www.tp-link.com/homeshield/auto-renewal-service-agreement/?app=tether
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: TP at 95% against AirPort Utility's 36%. TP also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.1) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months). AirPort Utility's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 15) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 14.0). On price, ads and device support 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. TP sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. AirPort Utility asks for nothing beyond the download.
TP holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TP has 162K ratings behind it against 2K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of AirPort Utility's written reviews are positive against 95% of TP's.
AirPort Utility ships an update every 4 months, TP fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AirPort Utility | TP |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.1 (2K ratings) | 4.8 (162K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 36.2% of reviews | 95.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 2K | 162K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #35 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 363 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Apple Inc. | TP-Link Systems Inc. |
Customer experience
AirPort Utility
TP
User reviews
AirPort Utility
From 2K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Simple and efficient
- 💡 Useful for managing Apple routers
- 👍 Provides important network information
- 👍 Convenient for configuring settings
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes and compatibility issues with iOS updates
- 🔒 Limited security and access control features
- 👎 Outdated and lacking new features
- 👎 Difficult to use for advanced configuration
TP
From 162K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy setup
- 👍 User friendly
- 👍 Simple and easy
- 👍 Awesome tech
- 👍 Top wifi
Room to improve
- 🐛 Set up not clear
- 🐛 Fairly straight forward
- 🐛 Workroom
- 🐛 Dark Mode
- 🐛 Unable to login
Bugs and requests
AirPort Utility
Reported bugs
3 issues- Inability to detect or connect to routers
- Crashes when entering router password
- Inconsistent behavior across iOS versions
Requested features
4 requests- Improved user interface and navigation
- More advanced network management tools
- Remote configuration and monitoring capabilities
- Support for non-Apple routers and legacy devices
TP
Reported bugs
11 issues- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Can't set date and time
- Client icons don't save when changed
- Parental controls not working
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- Forced to create an online account to manage local device
- Constantly logging in and out
- Trouble connecting to router
- Changing MAC addresses causing issues
- Blocking clients not working
- App not recognizing own devices
Requested features
10 requests- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard
- Manual configuration
- More advanced configuration options
- IFTTT functionality
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Don't change MAC address of connected devices
- Provide information to upgrade router
- Use device descriptions from static IP reservations
- Register for cloud services through the app
- More features and functionality
In-app purchases
AirPort Utility
No in-app purchases
TP
- Adv Parental Controls Monthly1 Month trial2 variants$2.991 Month
- Security+ Monthly1 Month trial$4.991 Month
- Monthly1 Month trial$5.991 Month
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- Adv Parental Controls Yearly1 Month trial2 variants$17.991 Year
- Security+1 Year trial$35.991 Year
- Security+1 Month trial$35.991 Year
- Yearly1 Month trial$54.991 Year
- TP-Link On-the-Go Antivirus1 Year trial$109.991 Year
- Total Security Package1 Year trial3 variants$129.991 Year
- Total Security1 Year trial$159.991 Year








