Comparison

Linksys vs TP

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Remote WiFi access
  • Network dashboard
  • Guest network setup
  • Device prioritization
  • Network security features
  • Parental controls
Features
Read 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

About

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.

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
Currently charting
Read full description

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

Linksys4 screens
TP4 screens

Verdict

The call

Linksys and TP both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 95% of TP's written reviews are positive against 21% of Linksys's. TP also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks) and chart position (#34 vs unranked). Linksys's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Linksys sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and TP sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Linksys against 4.8 for TP. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 98K and 154K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 21% of Linksys's written reviews are positive against 95% of TP's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Linksys ships an update every 5 weeks, TP fortnightly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Linksys versus TP: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLinksysTP
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (98K ratings)4.8 (154K ratings) — better
Positive reviews21.1% of reviews95.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings98K154K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#34 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.014.0
Further details — not scored
Size111 MB355 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLinksys USA, Inc.TP-Link Systems Inc.

Customer experience

Linksys

All ratings98,345 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral2.3%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews735 reviews
Positive21.1%
Neutral5.3%
Negative73.6%

TP

All ratings154,443 ratings
Positive96.4%
Neutral1.2%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews8,123 reviews
Positive95.4%
Neutral1.6%
Negative3.0%

User reviews

Linksys

From 98K App Store ratings

What 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

TP

From 154K App Store ratings

What 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

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

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
Show 6 more
  • 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 more
  • 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

2 purchases

Linksys

Subscriptions2
  • Linksys Aware3 Months trial$2.991 Month
  • Linksys Shield3 Months trial$4.991 Month
10 purchases

TP

Subscriptions10
  • Adv Parental Controls Monthly1 Month trial2 variants$2.991 Month
  • Security+ Monthly1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • Monthly1 Month trial$5.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • 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

Questions

Is Linksys free?
Linksys is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TP free?
TP is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Linksys or TP?
TP is rated higher. Linksys averages 4.7 out of 5 from 98K ratings, while TP averages 4.8 from 154K ratings.
Do Linksys or TP have ads?
Neither Linksys nor TP shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Linksys or TP?
Linksys ships an update every 5 weeks, and TP fortnightly. Most recently, Linksys was updated on September 24, 2026 and TP on September 24, 2026.

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