fanSync WiFi vs Universal remote control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
fanSync WiFi
Control your ceiling fan remotely with this app. It enables WiFi connectivity for your fan, allowing operation from anywhere and integration with voice assistants like Amazon Echo and Google Home. It also supports SmartThings and IFTTT for broader smart home automation.
- Remote fan control
- WiFi receiver compatibility
- Voice activation
- Smart home integration
- IFTTT support
- SmartThings integration
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fanSync WiFi by Fanimation. Control your ceiling fan from anywhere using our WiFi receiver accessory sold separately. Control using the fanSync WiFi app as well as via voice activation with compatible devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home. Also includes IFTTT and SmartThings, which will allow you to integrate with other smart home devices.
Universal remote control
Control your home's infrared-enabled appliances like TVs and air conditioners directly from your smartphone. Offers weekly and seasonal subscription plans for full access to all device controls.
- Control TVs, air conditioners, and more
- Infrared equipment control
- Weekly subscription option
- Seasonal subscription option
- Automatic renewal management
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universal remote Mobile intelligent remote control TV air conditioner Through infrared equipment, you can remotely control home electrical equipment, such as TV, air conditioner, DVD, set-top box, IPTV, etc Subscription Service Weekly membership: Enjoy the remote control function of all electrical equipment for a week USD0.99 / week Seasonal members: Enjoy the remote control function of all electrical equipment in the first quarter USD15.99/ quarter ·Payment: after the user confirms the purchase and pays, it will be included in the iTunes account. ·The subscriptasdion will be automatically renewed unless you turn off automatic renewal at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. ·The free trial subscription will be automatically renewed unless it is voluntarily cancelled 24 hours before renewal. User agreement：https://ir.strongwinds.cn/about/privacy_en.html Privacy agreement：https://ir.strongwinds.cn/about/user-agreement_en.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: fanSync WiFi at none against Universal remote control's 3. fanSync WiFi also leads on rating (1.4 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (58 vs 2). Universal remote control's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. Universal remote control sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. fanSync WiFi asks for nothing beyond the download.
fanSync WiFi holds the better App Store score, 1.4 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: fanSync WiFi has 58 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 10% of fanSync WiFi's written reviews are positive against 17% of Universal remote control's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
fanSync WiFi ships an update every 4 months, Universal remote control every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | fanSync WiFi | Universal remote control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.4 (58 ratings) — better | 1.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 10.4% of reviews | 17.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 58 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 10.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 29 MB | 60 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Fanimation, INC. | 小英 吕 |
Customer experience
fanSync WiFi
Universal remote control
Bugs and requests
fanSync WiFi
Reported bugs
64 issues- Unable to connect to fans
- App refuses to find fans
- Unable to re-pair or share from old phone
- Sync to WiFi goes offline
- Unable to dim bulbs
Show 59 moreShow fewer
- Won't log in
- Keeps de-syncing with Alexa
- App regularly doesn't work well
- App doesn't work with specific fan models (Hugh fan)
- Controls won't work when app is not working
- Slider goes back to original position
- Button click doesn't turn on fan
- Doesn't work with Apple HomeKit
- Can't log in
- App gives incorrect password/login message
- Installation process antiquated and error-prone
- App just sits there after entering credentials
- No reason to lock behind a login
- App takes longer than expected
- Fan stopped connecting to WiFi
- App not connecting
- App says connecting forever
- App is super laggy
- App doesn't show actual fan status
- App depends on remote service which goes down
- Fan stops connecting to WiFi
- App just says 'Connecting...'
- App takes 3-4+ attempts to connect
- Takes 5 minutes to turn off fan
- Fan doesn't turn off when app says it did
- Fan doesn't connect to WiFi
- App crashes the second it opens
- App won't load or open
- Fan dropped off WiFi
- Fan disabled from Alexa
- App won't open
- Loses sync after power outage
- Bedroom fan randomly turns off
- App gets confused by daylight saving time
- App won't launch
- App asks to login monthly
- App only works with 2GHz WiFi
- App is buggy
- App doesn't work at all
- App rarely finds fan
- Controls and commands don't register
- App repeatedly errors out
- App loses control of fan
- App won't reconnect
- App displays quick black banners about connection
- Connection timeout error
- App is out of date but no update available
- Requires internet to work
- No local device control
- Loses sync with fan often
- No WiFi hotspot to connect to
- Phone can't find fan
- No instructions on pairing mode
- Family sharing feature doesn't work
- Error message when sharing link
- App is too bulky
- Group mode still shows individual fans
- App doesn't let you change fan order
- To sync with Alexa, need to remove and re-add skill
Requested features
7 requests- Add winter/summer button for fan direction
- Remember last fan direction setting
- Add sunrise/sunset times for scheduling
- Add HomeKit support
- Create custom preset settings
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Improve app interface
- Add widget for iOS
Universal remote control
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
fanSync WiFi
No in-app purchases
Universal remote control
- VIP_weekly$0.997 Days
- VIP_quarter3 Days trial$16.493 Months
- VIP_quarter$26.993 Months
Questions
Is fanSync WiFi free?
Is Universal remote control free?
Which has better reviews, fanSync WiFi or Universal remote control?
Do fanSync WiFi or Universal remote control have ads?
Which is updated more often, fanSync WiFi or Universal remote control?
Other comparisons
