# TP vs MERCUSYS

The clearest difference is ratings volume: TP at 158K against MERCUSYS's 712. TP also leads on chart position (#33 vs unranked). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | TP | MERCUSYS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (158K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tp-link-tether/id599496594/reviews) | [4.8 (712 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mercusys/id1539545426/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **158K** | 712 |
| Positive reviews | **95.4% of reviews** | 89.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#33** | — |
| Size | 363 MB | 761 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TP-Link Systems Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1713842892) | [MERCUSYS Technologies Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1816669928) |

## What reviewers say

### TP

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tp-link-tether/id599496594)

**Currently charting:** #33 Top Free · Utilities (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Adv Parental Controls Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Security+ Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $5.99 | per month |
| Adv Parental Controls Yearly | $17.99 | per year |
| Security+ | $35.99 | per year |
| Security+ | $35.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $54.99 | per year |
| TP-Link On-the-Go Antivirus | $109.99 | per year |
| Total Security Package | $129.99 | per year |
| Total Security | $159.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy setup
- 👍 User friendly
- 👍 Simple and easy
- 👍 Awesome tech
- 👍 Top wifi

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Set up not clear
- 🐛 Fairly straight forward
- 🐛 Workroom
- 🐛 Dark Mode
- 🐛 Unable to login

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Can't set date and time
- Client icons don't save when changed
- Parental controls not working

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard
- Manual configuration
- More advanced configuration options
- IFTTT functionality


### MERCUSYS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mercusys/id1539545426)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium 1 Cam/month | $3.49 | per month |
| Premium 2 Cam/month | $6.99 | per month |
| Premium 3 Cam/month | $10.49 | per month |
| Premium 10 Cam/month | $11.99 | per month |
| Premium 1 Cam/year | $34.99 | per year |
| Premium 2 Cam/year | $69.99 | per year |
| Premium 3 Cam/year | $104.99 | per year |
| Premium 10 Cam/year | $119.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Fast and reliable
- 💡 Helpful app features
- 🔒 Good security and parental controls
- 🌐 Excellent WiFi coverage and connectivity

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional app crashes or bugs
- 🔌 Limited functionality in certain modes
- 📱 App could use more customization options
- 🔍 Difficulty identifying connected devices

**Reported bugs**

- App sometimes fails to detect or connect to router
- Inconsistent performance after firmware updates
- Difficulty renaming or customizing mesh nodes

**Requested features**

- Add dark mode option
- Improve device management and monitoring
- Implement automatic network optimization
- Provide more granular parental control settings


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TP free?

TP is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is MERCUSYS free?

MERCUSYS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, TP or MERCUSYS?

TP and MERCUSYS are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 158K and 712 ratings respectively.

### Do TP or MERCUSYS have ads?

Neither TP nor MERCUSYS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TP or MERCUSYS?

TP ships an update fortnightly, and MERCUSYS every 3 weeks. Most recently, TP was updated on September 25, 2026 and MERCUSYS on September 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*