Pre-mixed adhesives are properly used over plywood or other non-cement substrates........GLUE.....this allows for some movement of the underlayment due to expansion/contraction.......
Thin-set is used over mortar beds and cement backer boards...........Mortar..........Here you want everything to be one monolithic structure.....Thin-set and screw the cement board to the floor....mesh tape and thin-set the seams.......Thin-set the tiles..........