# Universal Smart Remote for TV vs Universal TV Remote Controller

The clearest difference is rating: Universal TV Remote Controller at 4.1 against Universal Smart Remote for TV's 3.5. Universal TV Remote Controller also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). Universal Smart Remote for TV's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (38% vs 25%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Universal Smart Remote for TV sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and Universal TV Remote Controller sells 6 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 Controller holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 579 and 636 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 38% of Universal Smart Remote for TV's written reviews are positive against 25% of Universal TV Remote Controller's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Universal Smart Remote for TV ships an update every 6 weeks, Universal TV Remote Controller every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal Smart Remote for TV | Universal TV Remote Controller |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (579 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-smart-remote-for-tv/id1449395090/reviews) | **[4.1 (636 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-controller/id1538250188/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 579 | **636** |
| Positive reviews | **37.5% of reviews** | 25.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 24 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TINAC Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/539875795) | [SON TUNG](https://appshunter.io/developer/486079249) |

## What reviewers say

### Universal Smart Remote for TV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-smart-remote-for-tv/id1449395090)

Transform your iPhone into a comprehensive smart TV remote. Easily control playback, navigate menus with a touchpad, and launch apps with a single tap. Stream content and mirror your screen wirelessly.

**Highlights:** Full D-pad, volume, channel, and playback controls, Touchpad navigation, Keyboard input for text entry, One-tap app launching, Screen mirroring and content sharing, Siri Shortcuts integration

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Access(Weekly) | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Full Access(Monthly) | $2.99 | per month |
| Full Access(Yearly) | $9.99 | per year |
| Pro Features | $4.99 | one-time |
| Full Access(Lifetime) | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works well
- 🚀 Cheap compared to other apps
- 🚀 Convenient to have on phone

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections
- 🐛 Glitchy/unreliable
- 🔒 Requires payment for full functionality
- 🐛 Buttons/navigation not working as expected

**Reported bugs**

- Doesn't connect to TV
- Stops working after some time
- Buttons/navigation not responsive

**Requested features**

- Add volume control
- Improve app stability and reliability
- Allow full functionality without payment


### Universal TV Remote Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-controller/id1538250188)

Control your smart TV with your phone. This app automatically scans for devices and offers features like channel switching, keyboard search, and voice control. A premium subscription unlocks all features and removes ads.

**Highlights:** Automatic TV device scanning, Single-tap channel switching, Keyboard and voice search, Swift navigation, Ad-free experience (premium)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION | $9.99 | per month |
| YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION | $19.99 | per year |
| YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION | $39.99 | per year |
| One-time Payment | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works as a replacement when physical remote is lost
- ⭐ Effective for Samsung TV control
- ✅ Functional remote control capabilities

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Aggressive premium paywall and forced upgrades
- 🐛 Frequent connection failures and disconnections
- ❌ App stops working after initial period
- 😤 Excessive ads and harassment for premium
- 🔄 Requires constant app refreshing to function

**Reported bugs**

- App fails to connect to TV devices
- Connection drops frequently
- Volume control unavailable or missing
- Stuck on guide screen unable to exit
- Repetitive TV selection prompts

**Requested features**

- Restore and improve volume control functionality
- Free access to basic remote functions without premium
- Keyboard and search functionality without paywall
- Home button access without premium upgrade


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universal Smart Remote for TV free?

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

### Is Universal TV Remote Controller free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Universal Smart Remote for TV or Universal TV Remote Controller?

Universal TV Remote Controller is rated higher. Universal Smart Remote for TV averages 3.5 out of 5 from 579 ratings, while Universal TV Remote Controller averages 4.1 from 636 ratings.

### Do Universal Smart Remote for TV or Universal TV Remote Controller have ads?

Universal TV Remote Controller shows ads; Universal Smart Remote for TV does not.

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

Universal Smart Remote for TV ships an update every 6 weeks, and Universal TV Remote Controller every 2 months. Most recently, Universal Smart Remote for TV was updated on October 25, 2026 and Universal TV Remote Controller on October 25, 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.*