Comparison

Universal Smart Remote for TV vs IR

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

Head to head
About

Universal Smart Remote for TV

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
Read full description

Your iPhone is the only remote you need. Universal Smart Remote turns your phone into a full-featured TV controller — just connect to the same Wi-Fi and you're good to go. No dongles, no IR blasters, no setup headaches. Works with Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Roku, and Philips. WHAT YOU CAN DO - Use a full d-pad, volume, channel, and playback controls - Navigate with a touchpad — just like a laptop trackpad - Type with your keyboard instead of clicking one letter at a time - Launch Netflix, YouTube, and other apps in one tap WORKS WITH YOUR TV Samsung — Every Smart TV from 2010 to 2026. Crystal UHD, QLED, Neo QLED, The Frame — all supported. LG — All WebOS TVs and Netcast TVs (2012-2013). Sony — Android TV and Google TV models. TCL — All Roku-powered TCL TVs. Roku — All Roku TVs and streaming devices. Philips — Android TV models. HOW IT WORKS 1. Connect your iPhone and TV to the same Wi-Fi 2. Open the app — your TV shows up automatically 3. Tap to connect. Done. The app remembers your last TV and reconnects automatically next time. --- Requires iOS 18.0 or later. Universal Smart Remote is not affiliated with Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Roku, or Philips. Keyboard input may not work in some streaming apps. Subscription Information: Payment will be charged to your Apple Account within 24 hours prior to the end of the free trial period. Subscriptions renew automatically unless turned off at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage subscriptions in Account Settings. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited upon subscription. Privacy Policy: https://www.tinacinc.com/SmartRemote/privacy_policy.html Terms of Use: https://www.tinacinc.com/SmartRemote/terms_of_conditions.html

About

IR

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
Read full description

Configure TRANS Bluetooth enabled occupancy sensors from the floor. Leave the ladder behind. This sensor configuration app allows users (electrical contractors, installers, or facility managers) to configure and manage IR-TEC's BLE enabled sensor installations via a mobile device. It not only makes sensor configuration easier and faster, but also secure all important data of sensor installations. No more worry about cellular service or WiFi availability, the use of BLE allows you to make sensor configuration and setting change anytime.

Screenshots

Universal Smart Remote for TV4 screens
IR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: IR at 5.0 against Universal Smart Remote for TV's 3.5. IR also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). Universal Smart Remote for TV's advantage is ratings volume (580 vs 2) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ads 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. Universal Smart Remote for TV sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. IR asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

IR holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal Smart Remote for TV has 580 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Universal Smart Remote for TV ships an update every 6 weeks, IR every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Universal Smart Remote for TV versus IR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniversal Smart Remote for TVIR
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (580 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews37.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings580 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB66 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTINAC Inc.IR-TEC INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Customer experience

Universal Smart Remote for TV

All ratings579 ratings
Positive59.8%
Neutral6.0%
Negative34.2%
Written reviews144 reviews
Positive37.5%
Neutral9.7%
Negative52.8%

IR

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Universal Smart Remote for TV

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add volume control
  • Improve app stability and reliability
  • Allow full functionality without payment

IR

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Universal Smart Remote for TV

Subscriptions3
  • Full Access(Weekly)$0.997 Days
  • Full Access(Monthly)$2.991 Month
  • Full Access(Yearly)3 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time2
  • Pro Features$4.99
  • Full Access(Lifetime)$24.99
None

IR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Universal Smart Remote for TV free?
Universal Smart Remote for TV 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, Universal Smart Remote for TV or IR?
IR is rated higher. Universal Smart Remote for TV averages 3.5 out of 5 from 580 ratings, while IR averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Universal Smart Remote for TV or IR have ads?
Neither Universal Smart Remote for TV nor IR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Universal Smart Remote for TV or IR?
Universal Smart Remote for TV ships an update every 6 weeks, and IR every 4 months. Most recently, Universal Smart Remote for TV was updated on October 26, 2026 and IR on October 25, 2026.

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