# TV Remote Universal vs IR

The clearest difference is rating: IR at 5.0 against TV Remote Universal's 3.4. IR also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). TV Remote Universal's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (12K vs 2). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

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

IR holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TV Remote Universal has 12K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

TV Remote Universal ships an update every 3 weeks, IR every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TV Remote Universal | IR |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal/id1447773150/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ir-tec-sensor-config/id1587290574/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **12K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 13.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 36 MB | 66 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Real Vision Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1447773149) | [IR-TEC INTERNATIONAL LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1587290576) |

## What reviewers say

### TV Remote Universal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal/id1447773150)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium | $3.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Premium version | $3.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $34.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🤩 Amazing
- 👍 Good app
- 🚀 Works great

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Mediocre, only works half the time
- 🐛 Does not work
- 🐛 Connection issues, won't connect or show available TV
- 🐛 Reconnecting issues after disconnecting
- 🔋 Too many ads, makes it unusable

**Reported bugs**

- Fails to detect or connect to devices
- Constant ads interrupt usage
- Unreliable, frequently stops working

**Requested features**

- Better TV search and connection options
- Improved stability and reliability


### IR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ir-tec-sensor-config/id1587290574)

Configure Bluetooth-enabled occupancy sensors wirelessly from your mobile device. This app simplifies setup and management for electrical contractors, installers, and facility managers, allowing adjustments without physical access to the sensors.

**Highlights:** Configure TRANS Bluetooth occupancy sensors, Wireless sensor management, Secure sensor installation data, Adjust settings remotely, No cellular or WiFi needed for configuration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TV Remote Universal free?

TV Remote Universal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is IR free?

IR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, TV Remote Universal or IR?

IR is rated higher. TV Remote Universal averages 3.4 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while IR averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do TV Remote Universal or IR have ads?

TV Remote Universal shows ads; IR does not.

### Which is updated more often, TV Remote Universal or IR?

TV Remote Universal ships an update every 3 weeks, and IR every 4 months. Most recently, TV Remote Universal was updated on October 17, 2026 and IR on September 27, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*