Comparison

TP vs NETGEAR Orbi

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 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.

Highlights
  • Remote WiFi management
  • Parental controls
  • Network security
  • Speed testing
  • Guest WiFi setup
  • Traffic monitoring
  • Firmware updates
Features
Read full description

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

TP4 screens
NETGEAR Orbi4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

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 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TP ships an update fortnightly, NETGEAR Orbi every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
TP versus NETGEAR Orbi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTPNETGEAR Orbi
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (162K ratings) — better4.7 (354K ratings)
Positive reviews95.4% of reviews — better34.9% of reviews
Number of ratings162K354K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#30 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size363 MB249 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTP-Link Systems Inc.NETGEAR

Customer experience

TP

All ratings161,323 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.2%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews8,588 reviews
Positive95.4%
Neutral1.6%
Negative2.9%

NETGEAR Orbi

All ratings353,508 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral2.7%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews1,153 reviews
Positive34.9%
Neutral9.6%
Negative55.5%

User reviews

TP

From 162K 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 Orbi

From 354K App Store ratings

What 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 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 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

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 Orbi

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TP free?
TP is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NETGEAR Orbi free?
NETGEAR Orbi is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TP or NETGEAR Orbi?
TP is rated higher. TP averages 4.8 out of 5 from 162K ratings, while NETGEAR Orbi averages 4.7 from 354K ratings.
Do TP or NETGEAR Orbi have ads?
Neither TP nor NETGEAR Orbi shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TP or NETGEAR Orbi?
TP ships an update fortnightly, and NETGEAR Orbi every 5 weeks. Most recently, TP was updated on October 31, 2026 and NETGEAR Orbi on October 31, 2026.

Other comparisons