# TV Remote Universal vs Universal TV Remote

The clearest difference is rating: Universal TV Remote at 4.3 against TV Remote Universal's 3.4. TV Remote Universal's advantage is ratings volume (12K vs 8). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 Universal TV Remote sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Universal TV Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TV Remote Universal has 12K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TV Remote Universal | Universal TV Remote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal/id1447773150/reviews) | **[4.3 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-smartctrl/id6740748603/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **12K** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | 13.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 36 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Real Vision Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1447773149) | [Nice Express](https://appshunter.io/developer/1300337847) |

## 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


### Universal TV Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-smartctrl/id6740748603)

Control all your smart TVs with a single app. Easily connect to devices on your Wi-Fi network for instant remote access. Features a touchpad, keyboard for typing, and quick launch buttons for streaming services.

**Highlights:** Control multiple smart TVs, Wi-Fi device discovery, Full remote functionality, Touchpad and keyboard input, Quick launch streaming apps, App launching from TV

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Pro | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Pro | $7.99 | per month |
| Remote for Roku Lifetime access | $24.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TV Remote Universal free?

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

### Is Universal TV Remote free?

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

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

Universal TV Remote is rated higher. TV Remote Universal averages 3.4 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Universal TV Remote averages 4.3 from 8 ratings.

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

Both TV Remote Universal and Universal TV Remote show ads.

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

TV Remote Universal ships an update every 3 weeks, and Universal TV Remote every 3 weeks. Most recently, TV Remote Universal was updated on November 1, 2026 and Universal TV Remote on October 28, 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.*