# Universal Smart Remote for TV vs TV Remote

The clearest difference is rating: TV Remote at 4.5 against Universal Smart Remote for TV's 3.5. TV Remote also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks) and review sentiment (53% vs 38%). Universal Smart Remote for TV's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 TV Remote sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TV Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 580 and 564 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of Universal Smart Remote for TV's written reviews are positive against 53% of TV Remote's.

Universal Smart Remote for TV ships an update every 6 weeks, TV Remote every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal Smart Remote for TV | TV Remote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (580 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-smart-remote-for-tv/id1449395090/reviews) | **[4.5 (564 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-control-plus/id1663632832/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **580** | 564 |
| Positive reviews | 37.5% of reviews | **53.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 24 MB | 144 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.2** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TINAC Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/539875795) | [ZipoApps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1671444635) |

## 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


### TV Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-control-plus/id1663632832)

Transform your smartphone into a universal remote for smart TVs and streaming devices. Control channels, volume, and apps with a familiar interface. Cast media and mirror your screen for a seamless entertainment experience.

**Highlights:** Universal smart TV control, App launching and navigation, Media casting (photos, videos), Screen mirroring, Control soundbars and consoles, Intuitive interface

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

**In-app purchases (17)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited access | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| TV Remote ◦ Universal Control | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| TV Remote ◦ Universal Control | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Unlimited access | $9.99 | per year |
| Smart, Universal TV Remote | $14.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $19.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $29.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $39.99 | per year |
| Unlimited access | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 User-friendly app
- 🚀 Convenient to use
- ✨ Works well as a remote
- 💡 Useful when remote is broken

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔒 Paywall restricts features
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🤔 Unclear free trial terms

**Reported bugs**

- App doesn't work with certain TV models
- Subscription issues (unable to cancel, etc.)
- Frequent crashes and freezes

**Requested features**

- Add support for more TV brands
- Improve subscription management
- Provide a one-time purchase option


## 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 TV Remote free?

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

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

TV Remote is rated higher. Universal Smart Remote for TV averages 3.5 out of 5 from 580 ratings, while TV Remote averages 4.5 from 564 ratings.

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

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

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

Universal Smart Remote for TV ships an update every 6 weeks, and TV Remote every 2 weeks. Most recently, Universal Smart Remote for TV was updated on October 29, 2026 and TV Remote on October 22, 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.*