# Linksys vs Host_Desk

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Host_Desk at none against Linksys's 2. Linksys's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.6). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Linksys sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Host_Desk asks for nothing beyond the download.

Linksys ships an update every 5 weeks, Host_Desk every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Linksys | Host_Desk |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (98K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/linksys/id533516503/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **98K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 20.4% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 111 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Linksys USA, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1598557948) | [Jonathan Keyek](https://appshunter.io/developer/1869679828) |

## What reviewers say

### Linksys

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/linksys/id533516503)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Linksys Aware | $2.99 | per month |
| Linksys Shield | $4.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Reliable and light-weight
- 🔒 Secure and easy to manage
- 👍 Simple and effective interface
- 👍 Helpful parental controls

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable app
- 🐛 Slow and unresponsive app
- 🐛 Inconsistent device detection
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 🐛 Inaccurate network information

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


### Host_Desk

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/host-desk/id6760982485)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Linksys free?

Linksys is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Host_Desk free?

Host_Desk is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Linksys or Host_Desk have ads?

Neither Linksys nor Host_Desk shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Linksys or Host_Desk?

Linksys ships an update every 5 weeks, and Host_Desk every 3 weeks. Most recently, Linksys was updated on October 19, 2026 and Host_Desk on October 7, 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.*