Comparison

TVMote vs Universal TV Remote Controller

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 TV Remote Controller

Control your smart TV with your phone. This app automatically scans for devices and offers features like channel switching, keyboard search, and voice control. A premium subscription unlocks all features and removes ads.

Highlights
  • Automatic TV device scanning
  • Single-tap channel switching
  • Keyboard and voice search
  • Swift navigation
  • Ad-free experience (premium)
Features
Read full description

The simple and easy remote control for all Smart TV Requirements Remember to connect your Phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network. Feature : - Automatically scan TV devices - Channel switch with single tap - Search more convenience with keyboard and voice control - Navigate swiftly like a real remote COMPATIBILITY This Universal Remote Control connects seamlessly via Wi-Fi with all major TV brands, including: • Samsung Smart TV • LG • Roku • Sony DISCLAIMER: This application is not affiliated with nor endorsed by any aforementioned brand, and it is not an official product of it or of its affiliates. ***PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTIONS*** Unlock All Features Ad-Free 24/7 Support Annual subscription (which comes with 3-day free trial) - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings after purchase - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Privacy Policy: https://sontung.app/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://sontung.app/term-of-use/

Screenshots

TVMote4 screens
Universal TV Remote Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

TVMote and Universal TV Remote Controller both sit at 4.1 stars, but that hides the real split: 56% of TVMote's written reviews are positive against 25% of Universal TV Remote Controller's. TVMote also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months) and device support (5 vs 2). Universal TV Remote Controller's advantage is ratings volume (637 vs 166). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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 TV Remote Controller sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for TVMote against 4.1 for Universal TV Remote Controller. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 166 and 637 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 56% of TVMote's written reviews are positive against 25% of Universal TV Remote Controller's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TVMote ships an update every 11 days, Universal TV Remote Controller every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and August 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
TVMote versus Universal TV Remote Controller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTVMoteUniversal TV Remote Controller
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (166 ratings)4.1 (637 ratings)
Positive reviews56.3% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings166637 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size80 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJorge MiguelSON TUNG

Customer experience

TVMote

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

Universal TV Remote Controller

All ratings637 ratings
Positive76.0%
Neutral4.4%
Negative19.6%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral7.1%
Negative67.9%

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 TV Remote Controller

From 637 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Works as a replacement when physical remote is lost
  • ⭐ Effective for Samsung TV control
  • ✅ Functional remote control capabilities

Room to improve

  • 💰 Aggressive premium paywall and forced upgrades
  • 🐛 Frequent connection failures and disconnections
  • ❌ App stops working after initial period
  • 😤 Excessive ads and harassment for premium
  • 🔄 Requires constant app refreshing to function

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 TV Remote Controller

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • App fails to connect to TV devices
  • Connection drops frequently
  • Volume control unavailable or missing
  • Stuck on guide screen unable to exit
  • Repetitive TV selection prompts
Show 3 more
  • Premium features stop working after payment
  • App won't recognize TV after reinstall
  • Restore function ineffective

Requested features

4 requests
  • Restore and improve volume control functionality
  • Free access to basic remote functions without premium
  • Keyboard and search functionality without paywall
  • Home button access without premium upgrade

In-app purchases

2 purchases

TVMote

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

Universal TV Remote Controller

Subscriptions5
  • WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION$3.997 Days
  • WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION$9.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION$19.991 Year
  • YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • One-time Payment$7.99

Questions

Is TVMote free?
TVMote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Universal TV Remote Controller free?
Universal TV Remote Controller is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TVMote or Universal TV Remote Controller?
TVMote and Universal TV Remote Controller are both rated 4.1 out of 5 on the App Store, from 166 and 637 ratings respectively.
Do TVMote or Universal TV Remote Controller have ads?
Both TVMote and Universal TV Remote Controller show ads.
Which is updated more often, TVMote or Universal TV Remote Controller?
TVMote ships an update every 11 days, and Universal TV Remote Controller every 2 months. Most recently, TVMote was updated on September 19, 2026 and Universal TV Remote Controller on August 30, 2026.

Other comparisons