TP vs NETGEAR Orbi
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
NETGEAR Orbi
Manage your home WiFi network remotely with this app. It offers features like parental controls, cybersecurity, speed tests, and guest network setup. Easily monitor usage, pause WiFi, and update firmware from anywhere.
- Remote WiFi management
- Parental controls
- Network security
- Speed testing
- Guest WiFi setup
- Traffic monitoring
- Firmware updates
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Do more with your Orbi WiFi using the NETGEAR Orbi app. Access your Orbi features and manage your network from anywhere after quickly setting up your WiFi in just a few steps. The NETGEAR Orbi 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 Orbi app is always being improved. Install it today! For more information about your Orbi WiFi System, visit http://www.support.netgear.com
Screenshots
Verdict
TP and NETGEAR Orbi both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 95% of TP's written reviews are positive against 35% of NETGEAR Orbi's. TP also leads on chart position (#30 vs unranked) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). NETGEAR Orbi's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 15). 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
Both are free to download. TP sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. NETGEAR Orbi asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for TP against 4.7 for NETGEAR Orbi. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 162K and 354K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 95% of TP's written reviews are positive against 35% of NETGEAR Orbi's.
TP ships an update fortnightly, NETGEAR Orbi every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.
| Parameter | TP | NETGEAR Orbi |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (162K ratings) — better | 4.7 (354K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 95.4% of reviews — better | 34.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 162K | 354K — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #30 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 363 MB | 249 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | TP-Link Systems Inc. | NETGEAR |
Customer experience
TP
NETGEAR Orbi
User reviews
TP
From 162K App Store ratingsWhat 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 Orbi
From 354K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and reliable WiFi
- 🔒 Excellent security features
- 👍 Intuitive app and setup
- 👍 Great coverage and connectivity
- 👍 Seamless device management
Room to improve
- 🐛 Buggy app with frequent crashes
- 🔍 Limited functionality in the app
- 💰 Expensive for the features provided
- 🤯 Frustrating setup process
- 🔍 Lacking advanced customization options
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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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 Orbi
Reported bugs
4 issues- App unable to find or connect to router
- Frequent disconnections and network instability
- Incorrect device status and connection information
- Inability to access advanced router settings
Requested features
5 requests- Separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz network control
- Improved parental controls and time scheduling
- Better integration with smart home devices
- More detailed network analytics and diagnostics
- Streamlined firmware update process
In-app purchases
TP
- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
NETGEAR Orbi
No in-app purchases







