# TV Remote Universal vs TV Remote

The clearest difference is review sentiment: TV Remote at 56% against TV Remote Universal's 14%. TV Remote also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.4) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TV Remote Universal sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and TV Remote sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TV Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TV Remote has 60K ratings behind it against 12K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of TV Remote Universal's written reviews are positive against 56% of TV Remote's.

TV Remote Universal ships an update every 3 weeks, TV Remote every 3 days. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | TV Remote Universal | TV Remote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal/id1447773150/reviews) | **[4.6 (60K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal/id1670649189/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 12K | **60K** |
| Positive reviews | 13.6% of reviews | **56.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#190** |
| Size | 36 MB | 63 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Real Vision Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1447773149) | [Zap Software Studio BV](https://appshunter.io/developer/1793745371) |

## 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


### TV Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal/id1670649189)

**Currently charting:** #190 Top Free · Utilities (US App Store)

Control your smart TV using your smartphone. This app supports numerous brands and models, consolidating multiple remotes into one device. Enjoy a simplified TV-watching experience.

**Highlights:** Smart TV control via phone, Supports wide range of brands, Eliminates need for multiple remotes, Easy TV-watching experience, Compatible with popular brands

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Annual Premium | $19.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works great
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Useful when remote is lost
- 🔒 No ads or subscriptions
- 🚀 Quick connection to TV

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional connection issues
- 🐛 Compatibility problems with some TV models
- 🐛 Keyboard not working on some TVs
- 🐛 Disconnects frequently

**Reported bugs**

- App force closes when connecting to certain TVs
- Volume controls not working on some TVs
- Remote buttons not responding consistently

**Requested features**

- Add ability to turn TV on/off
- Improve keyboard functionality
- Expand TV brand compatibility
- Add option to save connected TV


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TV Remote Universal free?

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

### Is TV Remote free?

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

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

TV Remote is rated higher. TV Remote Universal averages 3.4 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while TV Remote averages 4.6 from 60K ratings.

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

Both TV Remote Universal and TV Remote show ads.

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

TV Remote Universal ships an update every 3 weeks, and TV Remote every 3 days. Most recently, TV Remote Universal was updated on November 7, 2026 and TV Remote on November 7, 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.*