Comparison

TP vs NETGEAR Nighthawk

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

Head to head
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

About

NETGEAR Nighthawk

Manage your home WiFi network from anywhere with this app. Easily set up your router, control internet access for devices, and enhance your network's security. It also includes tools to test your internet speed and monitor data usage.

Highlights
  • Remote network access
  • Parental controls
  • Network security
  • Speed testing
  • Guest WiFi setup
  • Traffic monitoring
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Do more with your WiFi using the NETGEAR Nighthawk app. Access your router’s features and manage your network from anywhere after quickly setting up your WiFi in just a few steps. The Nighthawk app gives you convenient access to your router’s features: - Anywhere Access – Monitor and control your home WiFi from anywhere. - Smart Parental Controls – Filter content and limit time online automatically with Circle® on NETGEAR. - Armor Security – Advanced cybersecurity on your network to protect all devices from online threats. - Speed Test – See if you’re getting the internet broadband speeds you’re paying for. - Guest WiFi – Set up a secure and separate WiFi network for guests. - Traffic Meter – Monitor internet usage over time. - Easily pause WiFi, update firmware, and more! The NETGEAR Nighthawk app (formerly Up App) is a complete upgrade from the legacy NETGEAR genie app. New features are consistently being added. Install it today! For more information about your router, visit http://www.support.netgear.com

Screenshots

TP4 screens
NETGEAR Nighthawk4 screens

Verdict

The call

TP and NETGEAR Nighthawk both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 95% of TP's written reviews are positive against 30% of NETGEAR Nighthawk's. TP also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly) and chart position (#44 vs #202). NETGEAR Nighthawk's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 15) and ratings volume (708K vs 158K). On price, rating, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. TP sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. NETGEAR Nighthawk asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for TP against 4.7 for NETGEAR Nighthawk. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 158K and 708K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 95% of TP's written reviews are positive against 30% of NETGEAR Nighthawk's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TP ships an update fortnightly, NETGEAR Nighthawk monthly. Both last shipped on October 18, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
TP versus NETGEAR Nighthawk: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTPNETGEAR Nighthawk
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (158K ratings) — better4.7 (708K ratings)
Positive reviews95.4% of reviews — better29.9% of reviews
Number of ratings158K708K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#44 — better#202
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size363 MB248 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTP-Link Systems Inc.NETGEAR

Customer experience

TP

All ratings157,501 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.2%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews8,394 reviews
Positive95.4%
Neutral1.6%
Negative3.0%

NETGEAR Nighthawk

All ratings708,183 ratings
Positive92.7%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews1,344 reviews
Positive29.9%
Neutral6.6%
Negative63.5%

User reviews

TP

From 158K 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

NETGEAR Nighthawk

From 708K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to set up
  • 🚀 Improved internet experience
  • 🔒 Good security features
  • 📊 Useful network monitoring

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 🔍 Limited device management
  • 🔧 Difficult configuration for advanced users
  • 🔔 Excessive notifications and upsells

Bugs and requests

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

NETGEAR Nighthawk

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App fails to detect or connect to router
  • Device list inaccurate or inconsistent
  • Firmware updates causing connectivity problems
  • App crashing or freezing

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to customize device names and icons
  • Parental controls with time limits and scheduling
  • Improved remote access and management
  • Better integration with other Netgear products

In-app purchases

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
None

NETGEAR Nighthawk

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TP free?
TP is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NETGEAR Nighthawk free?
NETGEAR Nighthawk is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TP or NETGEAR Nighthawk?
TP is rated higher. TP averages 4.8 out of 5 from 158K ratings, while NETGEAR Nighthawk averages 4.7 from 708K ratings.
Do TP or NETGEAR Nighthawk have ads?
Neither TP nor NETGEAR Nighthawk shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TP or NETGEAR Nighthawk?
TP ships an update fortnightly, and NETGEAR Nighthawk monthly. Most recently, TP was updated on October 18, 2026 and NETGEAR Nighthawk on October 18, 2026.
Which is more popular, TP or NETGEAR Nighthawk?
TP currently peaks at #44 in the App Store charts, and NETGEAR Nighthawk at #202. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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