# AirPort Utility vs TP

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | AirPort Utility | TP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airport-utility/id427276530/reviews) | **[4.8 (162K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tp-link-tether/id599496594/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2K | **162K** |
| Positive reviews | 36.2% of reviews | **95.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#35** |
| Size | 12 MB | 363 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Apple Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) | [TP-Link Systems Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1713842892) |

## What reviewers say

### AirPort Utility

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airport-utility/id427276530)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple and efficient
- 💡 Useful for managing Apple routers
- 👍 Provides important network information
- 👍 Convenient for configuring settings

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and compatibility issues with iOS updates
- 🔒 Limited security and access control features
- 👎 Outdated and lacking new features
- 👎 Difficult to use for advanced configuration

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to detect or connect to routers
- Crashes when entering router password
- Inconsistent behavior across iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Improved user interface and navigation
- More advanced network management tools
- Remote configuration and monitoring capabilities
- Support for non-Apple routers and legacy devices


### TP

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tp-link-tether/id599496594)

**Currently charting:** #35 Top Free · Utilities (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Adv Parental Controls Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Security+ Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Adv Parental Controls Yearly | $17.99 | per year |
| Security+ | $35.99 | per year |
| Security+ | $35.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $54.99 | per year |
| TP-Link On-the-Go Antivirus | $109.99 | per year |
| Total Security Package | $129.99 | per year |
| Total Security | $159.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy setup
- 👍 User friendly
- 👍 Simple and easy
- 👍 Awesome tech
- 👍 Top wifi

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Set up not clear
- 🐛 Fairly straight forward
- 🐛 Workroom
- 🐛 Dark Mode
- 🐛 Unable to login

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Can't set date and time
- Client icons don't save when changed
- Parental controls not working

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard
- Manual configuration
- More advanced configuration options
- IFTTT functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AirPort Utility free?

AirPort Utility 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, AirPort Utility or TP?

TP is rated higher. AirPort Utility averages 3.1 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while TP averages 4.8 from 162K ratings.

### Do AirPort Utility or TP have ads?

Neither AirPort Utility nor TP shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AirPort Utility or TP?

AirPort Utility ships an update every 4 months, and TP fortnightly. Most recently, AirPort Utility was updated on October 30, 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.*