Comparison

TVMote vs Universal Smart TV Remote App

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

TVMote

Control your Smart TV, MediaCenter, or Set-Top Box directly from your iOS or watchOS device. Offers channel lists, automatic device discovery, and multiple interaction layouts. Upgrade to PRO for advanced features like casting local media and Siri shortcuts.

Highlights
  • Channel list management
  • Automatic device discovery
  • Multiple interaction layouts
  • Keyboard support
  • Apple Watch support
  • iOS Widget remote
  • TrackPad control
Features
Read full description

TVMote is the iOS and WatchOS remote controller for SmartTVs, MediaCenters and STBs. The devices TVMote supports are: Smart TVs: • LG WebOS models • LG Netcast (2013/2014 models) • Panasonic Viera (up to 2018 models) • Philips SPACE (2009/2011 models) • Samsung (2012/2015 models) • Roku TVs MediaCenters: • Google ChromeCast (also on AndroidTV) • Kodi Media Player (former XBMC) • Plex Media Player • Amazon Fire TV • Roku devices STBs: • Mediaroom STBs (Vodafone PT, MEO and other providers) • NOS IRIS STBs ------------------------------------------------------- The main features of TVMote are: • Channels List on TVs and STBs, allowing to set favorites and change current channel • Automatic discovery (on local network) and manual configuration of devices • Multiple layouts, for improved interaction in different scenarios • Keyboard support for Kodi and LG SmartTVs (iOS) • Support for Apple Watch • Remote on iOS Widget • TrackPad (iOS) Benefits of being PRO (paid version): • Multiple devices configuration • Support of multiple devices on the same remote • Cast of local media to ChromeCast • Siri shortcuts for all actions • No Ads

About

Universal Smart TV Remote App

Control your Samsung, Sony, Roku, or Vizio smart TV instantly without complex setup. This app eliminates the need for lost or broken physical remotes. It's compatible with Apple Watch and requires no subscription.

Highlights
  • Instant TV control
  • No settings required
  • Supports Apple Watch
  • No subscription needed
  • Control multiple brands
Read full description

Universal Smart TV Remote turns your iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch into a powerful remote for your television. No more searching for lost remotes or dealing with dead batteries. This app supports most major TV brands including Sony, Samsung, Vizio, Roku, TCL, LG, Philips, Onn, and more. No advanced settings or subscription is required. Additionally, this app also supports Apple Watch, creating and executing macro shortcuts, a large and easy to use touchpad, voice commands, quick app launching, and more. Simple Setup - getting started takes seconds: 1. Turn your TV on and make sure it is connected to Wi-Fi 2. Open this app and connect your iPhone or iPad to the same Wi-Fi network 3. Start controlling your TV from this app Please see our YouTube channel for detailed setup instructions as well as walkthroughs for features: https://www.youtube.com/@universaltvremote Our intelligent scanner automatically finds your TV. No complicated configurations or confusing menus. Complete TV Control • Power on/off and input selection • Full directional pad navigation • Volume, mute, and channel controls • Media playback buttons (play, pause, rewind, forward) • Number pad for direct channel entry • Quick access to home, menu, and back functions Launch Streaming Apps Instantly - open your favorite services with a single tap! Smart Automation with Macros Create custom command sequences to automate your viewing. Save your favorite routines and execute them anytime. Full Touchpad Support Easily swipe to navigate and then simply tap to select. Voice Commands Speak commands like "volume up," "pause," or "Netflix" and your TV responds instantly. Apple Watch Integration Control your TV from your wrist. Access power, navigation, volume, channels, and media playback right on your Apple Watch. Track Your Watchlist Never forget what you want to watch. Create a personalized content library to track movies and TV shows, mark what you've viewed, and add notes about what you're watching. Recent Commands Quick access to your three most recent commands for fast control of the buttons you use most. Multi-Device Support Manage multiple TVs in your home. Switch between devices instantly from one convenient location. Download now and take control of your TV viewing experience. Contact us at easymote101@gmail.com DISCLAIMER Universal Smart TV Remote is: 1. not affiliated with Samsung Group and is not a Samsung product 2. not affiliated with Sony Corporation of America and is not a Sony product 3. not affiliated with Roku, Inc. and is not a Roku product 4. not affiliated with TCL and is not a TCL product 5. not affiliated with Hisense and is not a Hisense product 6. not affiliated with Sharp Corporation and is not a Sharp product 7. not affiliated with Best Buy Brands (Insignia TV) and is not a Best Buy product 8. not affiliated with Element Electronics and is not an Element Electronics product 9. not affiliated with Philips and is not a Philips product 10. not affiliated with Westinghouse Electric Company and is not a Westinghouse product 11. not affiliated with JVC and is not a JVC product 12. not affiliated with Pioneer Corporation and is not a Pioneer product 13. not affiliated with Target Corporation (Hiro TV) and is not a Target product 14. not affiliated with Walmart Inc. (Onn TV) and is not a Walmart product 15. not affiliated with VIZIO Inc. and is not a Vizio product 16. not affiliated with LG Electronics and is not an LG product This application creates a remote control for Samsung, Sony, LG, Roku, TCL, Hisense, Sharp, Insignia, Element, Philips, Westinghouse, JVC, Pioneer, Hiro, Onn, and Vizio Smart TVs by using the publicly available Samsung SmartView SDK, Sony Bravia TV API, LG webOS TV API, Roku ECP API, and Vizio TV SmartCast API. All terms for the APIs are adhered to and all rights, content, and trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

TVMote4 screens
Universal Smart TV Remote App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Universal Smart TV Remote App at none against TVMote's shown. Universal Smart TV Remote App also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and review sentiment (68% vs 56%). TVMote's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 3 months) and device support (5 vs 2). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. TVMote sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Universal Smart TV Remote App sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Universal Smart TV Remote App holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 166 and 458 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 56% of TVMote's written reviews are positive against 68% of Universal Smart TV Remote App's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TVMote ships an update every 11 days, Universal Smart TV Remote App every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
TVMote versus Universal Smart TV Remote App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTVMoteUniversal Smart TV Remote App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (166 ratings)4.5 (458 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.3% of reviews68.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings166458 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJorge MiguelHemant Bhonsle

Customer experience

TVMote

All ratings166 ratings
Positive76.5%
Neutral5.4%
Negative18.1%
Written reviews119 reviews
Positive56.3%
Neutral7.6%
Negative36.1%

Universal Smart TV Remote App

All ratings442 ratings
Positive88.7%
Neutral0.7%
Negative10.6%
Written reviews82 reviews
Positive68.3%
Neutral3.7%
Negative28.0%

User reviews

TVMote

From 166 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Best TV remote app
  • 👍 Works great with Apple Watch
  • 👍 Customizable UI
  • 👍 No ads or invasive pop-ups
  • 👍 Supports Siri shortcuts

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and connectivity issues
  • 🐛 Buttons/features not working as expected
  • 🐛 Compatibility problems with certain TV models
  • 🐛 Recent updates causing issues

Universal Smart TV Remote App

From 458 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Convenient remote control
  • 🚀 Responsive and fast
  • 💡 Useful for lost remotes
  • 👍 Works well with various TV brands

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent disconnections and app freezes
  • 💰 Intrusive and excessive ads
  • 🚫 Limited functionality compared to physical remote
  • 🐛 Issues with scanning and connecting to TVs

Bugs and requests

TVMote

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Frequent crashes and connection losses
  • Buttons not responding or working inconsistently
  • Compatibility problems with newer TV OS versions
  • Siri shortcuts not functioning properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for more TV brands and models
  • Improve Apple Watch integration with more controls
  • Implement dark mode/OLED-friendly UI
  • Add support for input/source switching
  • Enhance Kodi/media player controls

Universal Smart TV Remote App

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App freezes after TV scanning
  • Unable to connect to certain TV models
  • Ads not working as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to control TV power on/off
  • Option to customize ad frequency
  • Support for more TV brands
  • Improved stability and reliability

In-app purchases

2 purchases

TVMote

One-time2
  • PRO Version2 variants$2.99
  • PRO Version$4.99
4 purchases

Universal Smart TV Remote App

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Premium$6.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium with Trial3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Yearly Premium$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Access$44.99

Questions

Is TVMote free?
TVMote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Universal Smart TV Remote App free?
Universal Smart TV Remote App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TVMote or Universal Smart TV Remote App?
Universal Smart TV Remote App is rated higher. TVMote averages 4.1 out of 5 from 166 ratings, while Universal Smart TV Remote App averages 4.5 from 458 ratings.
Do TVMote or Universal Smart TV Remote App have ads?
TVMote shows ads; Universal Smart TV Remote App does not.
Which is updated more often, TVMote or Universal Smart TV Remote App?
TVMote ships an update every 11 days, and Universal Smart TV Remote App every 3 months. Most recently, TVMote was updated on October 23, 2026 and Universal Smart TV Remote App on October 20, 2026.

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