Comparison

Universal Remote vs Rvolution Remote

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

Head to head
About

Universal Remote

Control your entire home's audio, video, and smart devices from a single, intuitive interface. Manage TVs, receivers, lights, thermostats, and more with advanced automation and voice control features.

Highlights
  • Audio/Video and Home Automation Control
  • Direct integration with popular smart TVs
  • Personalized TV and Media Guides
  • HomeKit accessory control
  • Extensive device compatibility (IP, IR, Serial)
  • Intercom-style video conferencing
  • Voice control (in-app, Siri, Alexa)
Features
Read full description

► Roomie Remote X is our current app — get the latest features and ongoing updates. Search the App Store for "Roomie Remote X" to upgrade. This is the original Roomie Remote, still supported, but device compatibility is now out of date. Audio/Video Control and Home Automation seamlessly merged into a Universal Remote for your entire home. Control TVs, A/V receivers, set top boxes, lights, thermostats, and more from an integrated remote with a beautiful and simple design. Multiple Winner of the CTA Home Technology App of the Year Award! PURCHASE REQUIRED: This app requires a subscription for all functionality. A free trial is offered. FEATURES • The Leader in Audio/Video and Home Automation Control: Directly control popular devices including any television, Apple TV, Fire TV, DISH, Sonos, TiVo, Kodi, Plex, DirecTV, Roku and thousands more – automatically discovered on your network. • Direct integration with televisions from LG, Samsung, Sony, Vizio, TCL, Roku, and more including app launch and channel guides. • TV Guides: Personalized TV listings for most of the Americas and Europe. Detailed episode, season, and cast information. • HomeKit: The only app that provides control of your entire home including HomeKit accessories, seamlessly blending home control with audio/video control. • Unmatched Compatibility: Over 400,000 commands for IP, Infrared, and even Serial control automatically organized into easy to use Activities. • Media Guides: Content guides for Kaleidescape, Zidoo, Kodi, Plex, Sonos, HEOS, and many more • Full intercom-style video conferencing, instantly connect with video to any active Roomie in your home, or even remotely! • Broadcast to HomePod: Live broadcast to HomePods • Sonos Announcements: Send announcements to Sonos speakers • Roomie Voice Control directly in the app • Siri Voice Control and Shortcuts support • Amazon Alexa Voice Control • Sonos: Run your entire Sonos system, group/regroup speakers, setup automatic regroupings • Receivers: Integrates with popular receivers from Denon, Yamaha, Trinnov, JBL, Anthem, Onkyo, Marantz, and more including receiver streaming systems such as HEOS and MusicCast. • Lighting and Thermostats: Lutron, Honeywell, Ecobee, SmartThings, Philips Hue, Vera, ISY, Insteon, WeMo. • DVR Guides: DVR control for DISH, TiVo, and DirecTV • Cameras: Monitor Arlo, Ring, HomeKit, RTSP, and other ONVIF cameras • Harmony hardbutton remote synchronization • Instant synchronization of your home configuration across multiple iOS devices • Configuration sharing with other family members and guests • Macros: Sequence precise control over your devices • Automation: Time or device events can execute command sequences such as turning on lights when a motion detector trips, shutting everything down at night, or sending a notification to the entire home. • Backup and Restore of configurations across Multiple Homes • Widgets for quick access to Recent Activities and Rooms Choose a level based on your needs: Unlimited: Unlimited Devices, Rooms, Activities, Homes + Guest Sharing One Room: 1 Home, 1 Room, 5 Activities, 8 Devices One Home: 1 Home, 5 Rooms of 8 Activities, 24 Devices • An always-on controller is required for some features such as Amazon Alexa Voice Control. For instance, a dedicated iPad or iPhone could be used that doubles as the remote for your Living Room. The always-on controller can also be the macOS or Apple TV edition of this app. Note that Roomie Voice Control and Siri control do not require an always-on device. • Some very old devices may not be controlled directly via Wi-Fi and require an adapter for infrared control. See roomieremote.com/check-compatibility to determine whether any of your devices need an adapter.

About

Rvolution Remote

Control network-enabled media players directly from your phone using simple IP codes. Adjust playback, volume, and more with a lightweight interface. No extra hardware is needed for this convenient media control solution.

Highlights
  • Control media players via IP
  • Play, pause, skip functionality
  • Adjust volume
  • Lightweight interface
  • No additional hardware required
Features
Read full description

IP Media Remote lets you operate any network-enabled media player from your phone. Use simple IP codes to play, pause, skip, and adjust volume. The interface is lightweight and works on any iOS device. No additional hardware required.

Screenshots

Universal Remote4 screens
Rvolution Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Rvolution Remote at 100% against Universal Remote's 27%. Rvolution Remote also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). Universal Remote's advantage is ratings volume (803 vs 1) and device support (5 vs 3). On price and ads 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 Remote sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Rvolution Remote asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Rvolution Remote holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal Remote has 803 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of Universal Remote's written reviews are positive against 100% of Rvolution Remote's.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Universal Remote versus Rvolution Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniversal RemoteRvolution Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (803 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews26.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings803 — better1
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size88 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRoomie Remote, IncHD Land

Customer experience

Universal Remote

All ratings803 ratings
Positive72.5%
Neutral6.0%
Negative21.5%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive26.9%
Neutral7.7%
Negative65.4%

Rvolution Remote

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Universal Remote

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Subscription issues and billing problems
  • Compatibility problems with newer OS versions
  • Inconsistent device control and automation
  • Syncing and connectivity problems across devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Better integration with smart home devices
  • More customization options for button layout
  • Improved sharing and multi-user support

Rvolution Remote

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Universal Remote

Subscriptions9
  • One Room Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Roomie Service 8 Quarterly$13.993 Months
  • Unlimited Monthly$14.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Roomie Service 8 Annual$34.991 Year
  • One Room Annual3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Roomie Service 24 Annual$59.991 Year
  • One Home Annual3 Days trial$89.991 Year
  • Roomie Service Unlimited$99.991 Year
  • Unlimited Annual3 Days trial$129.991 Year
One-time1
  • Roomie Perpetual Unlimited$249.99
None

Rvolution Remote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Universal Remote free?
Universal Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Rvolution Remote free?
Rvolution Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Universal Remote or Rvolution Remote?
Rvolution Remote is rated higher. Universal Remote averages 4.0 out of 5 from 803 ratings, while Rvolution Remote averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Universal Remote or Rvolution Remote have ads?
Neither Universal Remote nor Rvolution Remote shows ads.

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