TP vs MERCUSYS
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
MERCUSYS
Easily set up and manage your mesh Wi-Fi system. The app guides you through installation, helps optimize unit placement for better coverage, and provides comprehensive control over your network. Enjoy faster, more reliable Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Mesh Wi-Fi setup
- Network management
- Device connection monitoring
- Guest network sharing
- Website access restriction
- Wi-Fi scheduling for devices
- Device Wi-Fi priority control
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To set up your Halo/Router network, simply plug one of your Halo/Router units into your modem and follow the instructions in the MERCUSYS app. The app also helps you find the best spots in your home to place additional Halo units. Once your Halo/Router network is up and running, you can enjoy faster, stronger Wi-Fi connections that won't drop out, even when you're moving from room to room. Plus, you can manage your entire Halo Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System right from the MERCUSYS app,including: - Sharing your guest network with visitors - Viewing which devices are connected to your Wi-Fi - Restricting access to websites of your choosing - Setting a time restriction and pause the Wi-Fi on kids' devices - Controlling when certain devices have Wi-Fi access - Picking which devices get Wi-Fi priority - Adding a family member as a network manager to help you monitor your network MERCUSYS App has met EAA requirements. View compatible list of MERCUSYS: https://www.mercusys.com/support/mercusys-app/#compatible-products Note: Please make sure you have updated to the latest firmware that supports MERCUSYS. Privacy Policy: https://www.mercusys.com/en/app/privacy#sec_a Terms of Service: https://www.mercusys.com/en/app/privacy#sec_b
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: TP at 158K against MERCUSYS's 712. TP also leads on chart position (#31 vs unranked). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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 and MERCUSYS sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for TP against 4.8 for MERCUSYS. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TP has 158K ratings behind it against 712, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 95% of TP's written reviews are positive against 89% of MERCUSYS's.
TP ships an update fortnightly, MERCUSYS every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.
| Parameter | TP | MERCUSYS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (158K ratings) | 4.8 (712 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 95.4% of reviews — better | 89.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 158K — better | 712 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #31 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 363 MB | 761 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | TP-Link Systems Inc. | MERCUSYS Technologies Co., Ltd. |
Customer experience
TP
MERCUSYS
User reviews
TP
From 158K 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
MERCUSYS
From 712 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Fast and reliable
- 💡 Helpful app features
- 🔒 Good security and parental controls
- 🌐 Excellent WiFi coverage and connectivity
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional app crashes or bugs
- 🔌 Limited functionality in certain modes
- 📱 App could use more customization options
- 🔍 Difficulty identifying connected devices
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
MERCUSYS
Reported bugs
3 issues- App sometimes fails to detect or connect to router
- Inconsistent performance after firmware updates
- Difficulty renaming or customizing mesh nodes
Requested features
4 requests- Add dark mode option
- Improve device management and monitoring
- Implement automatic network optimization
- Provide more granular parental control settings
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
MERCUSYS
- Premium 1 Cam/month$3.491 Month
- Premium 2 Cam/month$6.991 Month
- Premium 3 Cam/month$10.491 Month
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Premium 10 Cam/month$11.991 Month
- Premium 1 Cam/year$34.991 Year
- Premium 2 Cam/year$69.991 Year
- Premium 3 Cam/year$104.991 Year
- Premium 10 Cam/year$119.991 Year









