# Universal Remote vs Sam Remote for Smart TV Things

The clearest difference is rating: Sam Remote for Smart TV Things at 4.5 against Universal Remote's 1.0. Sam Remote for Smart TV Things also leads on ratings volume (761 vs 2). Universal Remote's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Sam Remote for Smart TV Things sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Universal Remote asks for nothing beyond the download.

Sam Remote for Smart TV Things holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sam Remote for Smart TV Things has 761 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Universal Remote ships an update monthly, Sam Remote for Smart TV Things every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal Remote | Sam Remote for Smart TV Things |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote/id1450053104/reviews) | **[4.5 (761 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sam-remote-for-smart-tv-things/id1531621161/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **761** |
| Positive reviews | — | 28.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 19 MB | 43 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.1** | 13 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shenzhen Heaton Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1076063818) | [Khanh Le](https://appshunter.io/developer/1437735756) |

## What reviewers say

### Universal Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote/id1450053104)

This app functions as an intelligent handheld remote control, offering easy portability and code learning. Users can personalize their remote control panels and share them with friends.

**Highlights:** Intelligent handheld remote control, Easy code learning, Personalized DIY remote panel, One-click sharing of remote panels, Easy to carry and use

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Sam Remote for Smart TV Things

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sam-remote-for-smart-tv-things/id1531621161)

Control your Samsung TV with your iPhone using this virtual remote. Connect once and manage your TV wirelessly with intuitive controls, including mouse and keyboard functionality. The app automatically detects and remembers your TV for seamless access.

**Highlights:** Intuitive remote control, Auto-detect Samsung TV, Complete TV controls, Mouse/Keyboard control, One-time TV validation, Automatic connection

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remote for Samsung TV - Weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Remote for Samsung TV-Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Remote for Samsung TV - Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Samsung TV Remote - Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Innovative features
- 🚀 Works great

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 📺 Doesn't work with all TVs
- 🔍 Limited functionality in free version
- 📢 Too many ads

**Reported bugs**

- Can't connect to TV
- Settings menu blocked by ads
- Frequent disconnections

**Requested features**

- Ability to customize buttons
- Better TV compatibility
- More free features


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universal Remote free?

Universal Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Sam Remote for Smart TV Things free?

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

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

Sam Remote for Smart TV Things is rated higher. Universal Remote averages 1.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Sam Remote for Smart TV Things averages 4.5 from 761 ratings.

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

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

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

Universal Remote ships an update monthly, and Sam Remote for Smart TV Things every 5 months. Most recently, Universal Remote was updated on September 25, 2026 and Sam Remote for Smart TV Things on October 16, 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.*