Comparison · Plugs & power
Tapo vs Kasa: what’s the difference between TP-Link’s smart home brands?
Same company, same Matter support, and now the same app. Kasa still has the deeper plug and switch lineup. Tapo is cheaper and has the cameras.
Our pick: Buy by device, not brand: Kasa KP125M for plugs, Tapo for cameras and bargain Matter gear
Kasa
Smart Plug Mini with Matter (KP125M)
9.0~$15 each
The best TP-Link plug: Matter plus energy monitoring.
Pros
- • Matter
- • Energy monitoring
- • Compact
Cons
- • 2.4 GHz only
Tapo
Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug with Matter (P125M)
8.3~$10–$13 each
Cheaper Matter plug for basic on/off.
Pros
- • Low price
- • Matter
Cons
- • No energy monitoring
Tapo
Smart Power Strip with Matter (P316M)
8.6Check current price
Six Matter outlets with per-outlet energy monitoring, a modern take on the Kasa HS300.
Pros
- • 6 individually controlled outlets
- • Per-outlet energy data
- • 3 USB ports
Cons
- • No surge joule rating published
Tapo vs Kasa confuses a lot of shoppers because both are TP-Link. Kasa is the original smart home line, strongest in plugs, switches, and power strips. Tapo started as a cheaper camera and plug line and has grown into a full ecosystem. In 2026 the gap is smaller than ever. The Tapo app runs Kasa devices, and both brands ship Matter-certified gear.
| Kasa | Tapo | |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | TP-Link | TP-Link |
| App | Kasa app (or the Tapo app) | Tapo app, which also controls most Kasa devices |
| Matter devices | Plugs (KP125M), outdoor plug (EP40M), switches | Plugs (P125M), outdoor plug (P400M), power strip (P316M), switches (S505D) |
| Energy-monitoring Matter plug | Yes (KP125M) | Mostly via strips; P115 plug is non-Matter |
| Cameras and vacuums | Limited, older | Large current lineup |
| Pricing | Mid | Usually lower |
Apps: one app now does both
Since Tapo app 3.0, you can link your Kasa account or add Kasa devices directly in Tapo, so you can run one app for the whole house. Kasa devices still need 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, and both accounts should share one TP-Link ID. If you use Matter, you may never open either app after setup, because Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, or SmartThings take over day-to-day control.
Smart plugs: Kasa still leads
The Kasa KP125M is the plug we recommend most, with Matter and energy monitoring in a slim body. Tapo’s P125M is cheaper but drops energy data. For energy monitoring without Matter, Tapo’s P115 and Kasa’s EP25 both work, and the EP25 also supports Apple HomeKit natively.
Power strips and outdoor plugs
The classic Kasa HS300 has six individually controlled outlets, three USB ports, and per-outlet energy monitoring, but no Matter. Tapo’s P316M keeps that layout and adds Matter. Outdoors, Kasa’s EP40M (two outlets, IP64) and Tapo’s P400M (two independently controlled outlets, IP65) are both Matter certified.
Which should you buy?
- Buy by device, not brand. They share an app and both support Matter.
- Plugs with energy data: Kasa KP125M.
- Cheapest Matter plugs: Tapo P125M.
- Matter power strip: Tapo P316M. Outdoor: either the EP40M or the P400M.
- Cameras, vacuums, and sensors: Tapo has the current lineup.
Questions we get
Is TP-Link Tapo or Kasa better?
Neither is better across the board. Both are TP-Link, both offer Matter devices, and the Tapo app (version 3.0+) can control Kasa devices. Kasa has the more mature plug, switch, and power strip lineup. Tapo is usually cheaper and adds cameras, robot vacuums, and a sensor hub.
Can I control Kasa devices in the Tapo app?
Yes. In Tapo 3.0 or later, go to Me > Link Tapo with Kasa, or add a Kasa device directly with the + button. Use the same TP-Link ID for both, and update device firmware. A few devices, such as the KE100 and KE110 thermostat valves, are not supported.
Is Tapo a Chinese brand?
Tapo and Kasa are both brands of TP-Link, which was founded in China and has its US business headquartered in California. Choosing Matter devices from either brand lets you keep control local through Apple Home, Google Home, or Home Assistant.
What’s the difference between Tapo plugs?
In the US, the P125M is a Matter mini plug without energy monitoring, the P115 adds energy monitoring over Wi-Fi without Matter, and the P400M is a two-outlet outdoor Matter plug (IP65). Model letters vary by region, so check the listing.
Which has better energy monitoring, Tapo or Kasa?
Kasa, for Matter plugs in the US. The Kasa KP125M combines Matter and energy monitoring in one plug. For whole-desk monitoring, the Kasa HS300 and Tapo P316M power strips both report per-outlet energy use.