Linksys vs SURFboard Central
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Linksys
Manage your home WiFi network remotely from anywhere. Control connected devices, set up guest networks, and implement parental controls to manage internet access for children. Prioritize devices for better streaming and gaming performance, and enhance security against online threats.
- Remote WiFi access
- Network dashboard
- Guest network setup
- Device prioritization
- Network security features
- Parental controls
Read full descriptionHide full description
This app is the command center for your Velop system and Linksys Smart WiFi routers. Use the Linksys app anywhere you have an internet connection to check connected devices, set up guest access, or keep your kids off the internet when they should be doing homework. KEY FEATURES • Remote Access – All you need is the internet. • Dashboard – Your WiFi's vital stats on one page. • Guest Access – Give friends internet access, but keep personal data secure. • Device Prioritization – Improve streaming and online gaming by giving WiFi priority to favored devices. • Network Security - Be proactive against network threats and malicious sites with Linksys Shield. • Parental Controls – Encourage kids' healthy internet behavior by pausing internet access. Privacy Policy: https://www.linksys.com/embed/lswf/en-us/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://www.linksys.com/embed/lswf/en-us/terms/ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS* • Velop systems and Linksys Smart WiFi routers. Full list of supported routers: http://www.LinksysSmartWiFi.com/cloud/ustatic/mobile/supportedRouters.html • User account (created in the app or at http://www.LinksysSmartWiFi.com) connected to your Linksys product. • iOS 14.0 and greater For additional help, visit our support site at http://support.linksys.com
SURFboard Central
Simplify the setup and management of your home network devices. This app provides step-by-step installation guides, Wi-Fi configuration, and network monitoring for various modems, routers, and mesh systems.
- Step-by-step device installation guides
- Wi-Fi network configuration and management
- Guest network setup
- Client device monitoring
- Parental controls and screen time management
- Network health monitoring
Read full descriptionHide full description
Thank you for purchasing a SURFboard product! Simply download this application, select the device model, and follow the on-screen instructions to setup your device. This single (Central) mobile application will support all our current SURFboard devices. Cable Modems: - Models: S33, S34, SB6141, SB6121, SB6183, SB6190, SB8200, SBV3202, SBV2402, T25. - Step-by-step install guide includes help for device activation by your Cable Internet Service Provider. - Access to device information, help, and technical support. - Quick launch the device Web Application for device configuration and management. Cable Modems with Wi-Fi: - Models: G18, G20, G34, G36, G54, SBG10, SBG6950, SBG7400, SBG7580, SBG7600, SBG8300 - Step-by-step install guide includes help for device activation by your Cable Internet Service Provider. - Access to device information, help, and technical support. - Use the device Web Application OR the mobile app for device configuration and management. - Easy to use Wi-Fi management functions. mAX Wi-Fi Mesh Routers: - Models: W11, W121, W122, W21, W30, W31, W61, WC4S, WC4T - Step-by-step install guide includes help for optimal mesh node placement in your home for performance and coverage. - Easy to use Wi-Fi management and enhanced mAX features*. Wi-Fi Gaming and Extenders: - Models: W6B, W6U - Step-by-step install guide. - Access to device information, help, and technical support. - Quick launch the device Web Application for device configuration and management. --- Easy to use Wi-Fi management functions --- - Manage your Wi-Fi network when you are at home or away. - Setup a private and secure home Wi-Fi network. - Setup a separate Guest network for visitors. - View client devices connected to your network. - Add friendly names for each client device. - Check your mobile device real-time Wi-Fi speed. - Create profiles for your kids to manage their screen time, allowing schedule or manual Internet pause. --- Enhanced mAX features --- - Get notified when selected device leave or join your home network. - Enhance your parental controls with "screen" time rewards. - Network Health monitoring with recommendations for optimization. For additional help, please visit the SURFboard User Community at https://community.surfboard.com/ For device technical details and support, please visit SURFboard Support at https://www.surfboard.com/support/resources/ * Not all enhanced mAX features are available on W61, WC4S, and WC4T
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Linksys at 4.7 against SURFboard Central's 1.6. Linksys also leads on ratings volume (98K vs 1.5K) and review sentiment (21% vs 10%). SURFboard Central's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and monetization model 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. Linksys sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. SURFboard Central asks for nothing beyond the download.
Linksys holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Linksys has 98K ratings behind it against 1.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 21% of Linksys's written reviews are positive against 10% of SURFboard Central's.
Linksys ships an update every 5 weeks, SURFboard Central every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Linksys | SURFboard Central |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (98K ratings) — better | 1.6 (1.5K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 21.0% of reviews — better | 10.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 98K — better | 1.5K |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 111 MB | 193 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Linksys USA, Inc. | ARRIS Group, Inc. |
Customer experience
Linksys
SURFboard Central
User reviews
Linksys
From 98K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Reliable and light-weight
- 🔒 Secure and easy to manage
- 👍 Simple and effective interface
- 👍 Helpful parental controls
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable app
- 🐛 Slow and unresponsive app
- 🐛 Inconsistent device detection
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 🐛 Inaccurate network information
SURFboard Central
From 1.5K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Fast setup
- 💡 Helpful for monitoring home network
- 🔒 Secure connection
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 🔍 Limited functionality
- 💤 Slow and unresponsive
- 🤔 Confusing setup process
- 🔒 Poor security and privacy
Bugs and requests
Linksys
Reported bugs
4 issues- App frequently loses connection to router
- Cannot reliably rename or manage connected devices
- Parental controls settings randomly reset or malfunction
- Inability to troubleshoot or diagnose network issues
Requested features
5 requests- Allow device-specific parental controls
- Add option to view network usage statistics
- Improve app navigation and responsiveness
- Provide more granular control over node settings
- Implement dark mode and customization options
SURFboard Central
Reported bugs
5 issues- App crashes frequently
- Fails to connect to network
- Incorrect device information displayed
- Parental controls don't work as expected
- Unable to change network name or password
Requested features
4 requests- Add more advanced configuration options
- Improve parental controls and internet scheduling
- Provide a web-based interface instead of just a mobile app
- Allow users to bypass the app and access router settings directly
In-app purchases
Linksys
- Linksys Aware3 Months trial$2.991 Month
- Linksys Shield3 Months trial$4.991 Month
SURFboard Central
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Linksys free?
Is SURFboard Central free?
Which has better reviews, Linksys or SURFboard Central?
Do Linksys or SURFboard Central have ads?
Which is updated more often, Linksys or SURFboard Central?
Other comparisons















