Comparison

TV Remote Universal vs ESP Alexa

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

Head to head
About

TV Remote Universal

Control your smart TV directly from your iPhone or iPad. This app transforms your device into a universal remote, supporting major brands like Samsung, LG, and Roku. Enjoy seamless control over power, volume, channels, and smart TV features.

Highlights
  • Power ON / OFF
  • Volume control
  • Channel selection
  • Navigation pad
  • Media player functions
  • Smart TV features
Features
Read full description

Lost your remote again? Your iPhone just became the only one you need. TV Remote Universal turns your phone into a fast, reliable remote for almost any smart TV — no infrared, no extra hardware, no hunting through couch cushions. Connect over Wi-Fi and take control in seconds. ONE APP. EVERY TV IN YOUR HOME. CONTROL EVERYTHING Power, volume, channels, inputs, playback and a full navigation pad — every button of your physical remote, right on your screen. Everything responds instantly. TYPE INSTEAD OF PECKING Stop clicking letter-by-letter across an on-screen grid. Use your phone's keyboard to search shows, sign in to apps and enter passwords in a fraction of the time. SWIPE TO NAVIGATE A smooth touchpad lets you glide through menus with your thumb — faster and more natural than tapping arrow buttons. CONTROL BY VOICE Speak instead of scrolling. Use voice to search and navigate on supported TVs, hands-free. OPEN YOUR APPS IN ONE TAP Jump straight to your favorite streaming apps without scrolling through the home screen. WORKS WITH YOUR TV Compatible with Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, TCL, Hisense, Philips, Panasonic, RCA, Roku and Roku streaming sticks, Fire TV, Android TV and more. If it's a smart TV on your Wi-Fi, chances are we've got you covered. SET UP IN UNDER A MINUTE Connect your iPhone or iPad to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV and follow the on-screen steps. That's it — no pairing codes, no cables. WHY YOU'LL KEEP IT - Clean, responsive design that just works - No IR blaster required - Light and dark mode - Works on iPhone and iPad UPGRADE TO PREMIUM Go ad-free and unlock the full experience Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the current period ends. You can manage or cancel subscriptions in your Apple ID account settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you buy a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://realvision.app/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://realvision.app/terms-of-use/ Disclaimer: This app is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, TCL, Hisense, Philips, Panasonic, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or any other TV brand mentioned. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

About

ESP Alexa

This SDK enables developers to integrate Amazon's Alexa Voice Service and Google Voice Assistant into ESP32 microcontroller-based devices. It's designed for evaluating voice assistant integrations in smart speakers and IoT products.

Highlights
  • Alexa Voice Service integration
  • Google Voice Assistant integration
  • Dialogflow conversational interface
  • ESP32 microcontroller support
  • IoT device integration
  • Voice assistant evaluation
Features
Read full description

The ESP-Voice-Assistant SDK provides an implementation of Amazon's Alexa Voice Service, Google Voice Assistant and Google's conversational interface (aka Dialogflow) for ESP32 microcontroller. This facilitates the developers to evaluate ESP32 based voice assistant/s integrated devices like speakers and IoT devices. https://github.com/espressif/esp-va-sdk

Screenshots

TV Remote Universal4 screens
ESP Alexa4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: TV Remote Universal at 3.4 against ESP Alexa's 2.3. TV Remote Universal also leads on ratings volume (12K vs 3) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). ESP Alexa's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. TV Remote Universal sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. ESP Alexa asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TV Remote Universal holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TV Remote Universal has 12K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 14% of TV Remote Universal's written reviews are positive against 33% of ESP Alexa's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TV Remote Universal ships an update every 3 weeks, ESP Alexa every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
TV Remote Universal versus ESP Alexa: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTV Remote UniversalESP Alexa
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.4 (12K ratings) — better2.3 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews13.6% of reviews33.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12K — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS1711.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperReal Vision LtdESPRESSIF SYSTEMS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.

Customer experience

TV Remote Universal

All ratings11,742 ratings
Positive56.4%
Neutral8.0%
Negative35.5%
Written reviews734 reviews
Positive13.6%
Neutral2.9%
Negative83.5%

ESP Alexa

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Bugs and requests

TV Remote Universal

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Fails to detect or connect to devices
  • Constant ads interrupt usage
  • Unreliable, frequently stops working

Requested features

2 requests
  • Better TV search and connection options
  • Improved stability and reliability

ESP Alexa

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

TV Remote Universal

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium$3.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly3 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time2
  • Premium version$3.99
  • Lifetime Premium$34.99
None

ESP Alexa

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TV Remote Universal free?
TV Remote Universal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ESP Alexa free?
ESP Alexa is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TV Remote Universal or ESP Alexa?
TV Remote Universal is rated higher. TV Remote Universal averages 3.4 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while ESP Alexa averages 2.3 from 3 ratings.
Do TV Remote Universal or ESP Alexa have ads?
TV Remote Universal shows ads; ESP Alexa does not.
Which is updated more often, TV Remote Universal or ESP Alexa?
TV Remote Universal ships an update every 3 weeks, and ESP Alexa every 2 months. Most recently, TV Remote Universal was updated on November 5, 2026 and ESP Alexa on November 5, 2026.

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