Comparison

TP vs SURFboard Central

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

SURFboard Central

Simplify the setup and management of your home network devices. This app provides step-by-step installation guides, Wi-Fi configuration, and network monitoring for various modems, routers, and mesh systems.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step device installation guides
  • Wi-Fi network configuration and management
  • Guest network setup
  • Client device monitoring
  • Parental controls and screen time management
  • Network health monitoring
Features
Read full description

Thank you for purchasing a SURFboard product! Simply download this application, select the device model, and follow the on-screen instructions to setup your device. This single (Central) mobile application will support all our current SURFboard devices. Cable Modems: - Models: S33, S34, SB6141, SB6121, SB6183, SB6190, SB8200, SBV3202, SBV2402, T25. - Step-by-step install guide includes help for device activation by your Cable Internet Service Provider. - Access to device information, help, and technical support. - Quick launch the device Web Application for device configuration and management. Cable Modems with Wi-Fi: - Models: G18, G20, G34, G36, G54, SBG10, SBG6950, SBG7400, SBG7580, SBG7600, SBG8300 - Step-by-step install guide includes help for device activation by your Cable Internet Service Provider. - Access to device information, help, and technical support. - Use the device Web Application OR the mobile app for device configuration and management. - Easy to use Wi-Fi management functions. mAX Wi-Fi Mesh Routers: - Models: W11, W121, W122, W21, W30, W31, W61, WC4S, WC4T - Step-by-step install guide includes help for optimal mesh node placement in your home for performance and coverage. - Easy to use Wi-Fi management and enhanced mAX features*. Wi-Fi Gaming and Extenders: - Models: W6B, W6U - Step-by-step install guide. - Access to device information, help, and technical support. - Quick launch the device Web Application for device configuration and management. --- Easy to use Wi-Fi management functions --- - Manage your Wi-Fi network when you are at home or away. - Setup a private and secure home Wi-Fi network. - Setup a separate Guest network for visitors. - View client devices connected to your network. - Add friendly names for each client device. - Check your mobile device real-time Wi-Fi speed. - Create profiles for your kids to manage their screen time, allowing schedule or manual Internet pause. --- Enhanced mAX features --- - Get notified when selected device leave or join your home network. - Enhance your parental controls with "screen" time rewards. - Network Health monitoring with recommendations for optimization. For additional help, please visit the SURFboard User Community at https://community.surfboard.com/ For device technical details and support, please visit SURFboard Support at https://www.surfboard.com/support/resources/ * Not all enhanced mAX features are available on W61, WC4S, and WC4T

Screenshots

TP4 screens
SURFboard Central4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: TP at 95% against SURFboard Central's 11%. TP also leads on rating (4.8 vs 1.6) and ratings volume (158K vs 1.5K). SURFboard Central's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 15). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. SURFboard Central asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TP holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TP has 158K ratings behind it against 1.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 95% of TP's written reviews are positive against 11% of SURFboard Central's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TP ships an update fortnightly, SURFboard Central every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
TP versus SURFboard Central: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTPSURFboard Central
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (158K ratings) — better1.6 (1.5K ratings)
Positive reviews95.4% of reviews — better10.5% of reviews
Number of ratings158K — better1.5K
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#34 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size363 MB193 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTP-Link Systems Inc.ARRIS Group, Inc.

Customer experience

TP

All ratings157,501 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.2%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews8,136 reviews
Positive95.4%
Neutral1.6%
Negative3.0%

SURFboard Central

All ratings1,527 ratings
Positive15.4%
Neutral2.5%
Negative82.1%
Written reviews266 reviews
Positive10.5%
Neutral1.5%
Negative88.0%

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

SURFboard Central

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Fast setup
  • 💡 Helpful for monitoring home network
  • 🔒 Secure connection

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and unstable
  • 🔍 Limited functionality
  • 💤 Slow and unresponsive
  • 🤔 Confusing setup process
  • 🔒 Poor security and privacy

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

SURFboard Central

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes frequently
  • Fails to connect to network
  • Incorrect device information displayed
  • Parental controls don't work as expected
  • Unable to change network name or password

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more advanced configuration options
  • Improve parental controls and internet scheduling
  • Provide a web-based interface instead of just a mobile app
  • Allow users to bypass the app and access router settings directly

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

SURFboard Central

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TP free?
TP is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SURFboard Central free?
SURFboard Central is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TP or SURFboard Central?
TP is rated higher. TP averages 4.8 out of 5 from 158K ratings, while SURFboard Central averages 1.6 from 1.5K ratings.
Do TP or SURFboard Central have ads?
Neither TP nor SURFboard Central shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TP or SURFboard Central?
TP ships an update fortnightly, and SURFboard Central every 2 months. Most recently, TP was updated on September 25, 2026 and SURFboard Central on September 23, 2026.

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