Comparison

Universal Remote vs Smart TV Remote Universal

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

Head to head
About

Universal Remote

Transform your phone into a smart TV remote. Easily control volume, channels, power, and more for compatible Samsung and LG smart TVs over your WiFi network. Offers premium features through a subscription.

Highlights
  • Control smart TVs from your phone
  • WiFi network connection
  • Volume, channel, power control
  • Source and smart function control
  • Compatible with Samsung and LG TVs
Features
Read full description

Ξ Use your Phone to control your Smart TV easily. Ξ Compatible with Samsung, LG, and other Smart TV brands coming soon... "Control your Smart TV directly from your device! " Key Features: - Fully functional free virtual TV Remote control - Connect to your Smart TV on your WiFi Network - Control your TV: volume, source, power, channel, smart... Samsung Compatibility: C Series (2010), D Series (2011), E Series (2012), F Series (2013), H Series (2014), J Series (2015), K Series (2016), Q-M Series(2017), Q-N Series (2018) and R Series (2019). LG Compatibility: All WebOS TV series DISCLAIMER This app is not an official Samsung or LG product. We are not affiliated with the company Samsung or LG. SUBSCRIPTION: We offer auto-renewing subscription: - Length: weekly and yearly - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - You will be able to access the Premium features of the app for the duration of the subscription - Subscription automatically renews for the same price and duration period as the original period unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - The account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period at the cost of the chosen package. - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's iTunes Account Settings after purchase - No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active subscription period - You may cancel a subscription during its free trial period via the subscription setting through your Apple account. This must be done 24 hours before the end of the subscription period to avoid being charged. Please visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202039 for more information on how to proceed. - You may turn off the auto-renewal of your subscription via your Apple Account Settings. However, you are not able to cancel the current subscription during its active period - Any unused portion of a free-trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://planecubes.com/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://planecubes.com/terms/

About

Smart TV Remote Universal

Transform your iOS device into a universal TV remote. Control multiple brands like Samsung, LG, and Roku seamlessly over WiFi. Manage power, volume, channels, and more without the clutter of physical remotes.

Highlights
  • Universal remote control
  • Supports major TV brands
  • WiFi connectivity
  • Power, volume, and channel control
  • Ad-free premium option
  • Multiple subscription plans
Features
Read full description

Lost the remote again? Your phone is now the only remote you need. Smart TV Remote Universal turns your iPhone or iPad into a fast, reliable remote for nearly any smart TV — no infrared, no extra hardware, and no digging through couch cushions. Pair once over Wi-Fi and take control in seconds. ONE APP FOR EVERY TV IN YOUR HOME Pair multiple TVs and switch between rooms instantly — no re-pairing, no setup every time. Living room to bedroom in one tap. CONTROL EVERYTHING Power, volume, channels, inputs, playback and a full D-pad — every button from your physical remote, right on your screen, with real haptic feedback on every press. TYPE INSTEAD OF HUNTING LETTERS Stop picking letters one at a time on the TV screen. Use your phone's keyboard — or the numeric pad — to search shows, sign in to apps and enter passwords in a fraction of the time. SWIPE TO NAVIGATE A smooth trackpad lets you glide through menus with your thumb — faster and more natural than pressing arrow keys. SPEAK INSTEAD OF SCROLLING Use voice input to search and navigate on supported TVs — completely hands-free. LAUNCH YOUR APPS IN ONE TAP The apps grid takes you straight to your favorite streaming apps without hunting around the home screen. CONTROL FROM YOUR HOME SCREEN & LOCK SCREEN This is where Smart TV Remote Universal goes beyond any ordinary remote app: - Home Screen widgets: a quick D-pad + volume widget and an app-launcher grid, one tap from anywhere - Live Activity with Dynamic Island support — compact controls while you do other things - Siri & Shortcuts support through App Intents: automate your TV or ask Siri WORKS WITH YOUR TV Compatible with Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, Hisense, Philips, Roku and Roku devices, Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Google TV, Android TV and many more. If your smart TV is on your Wi-Fi, chances are we support it. MAKE IT YOURS Per-brand accent colors (Roku purple, Samsung blue, LG red and more), plus light, dark and system appearance. READY IN UNDER A MINUTE Connect your iPhone or iPad to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV and follow the on-screen steps. That's it — no pairing codes, no cables. GO PRO Upgrade to Pro for the complete, ad-free experience with unlimited paired devices and all widgets unlocked. Choose a yearly plan with a 3-day free trial, a monthly plan, or a one-time lifetime purchase. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase, after any free trial period. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel subscriptions in your Apple ID account settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://tvremoteapp.art.blog/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Disclaimer: This app is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, Hisense, Philips, Roku, Amazon, Google or any other TV brand mentioned. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Screenshots

Universal Remote3 screens
Smart TV Remote Universal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Universal Remote at 4.3 against Smart TV Remote Universal's 3.8. Universal Remote also leads on ratings volume (13K vs 890) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Smart TV Remote Universal sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Universal Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal Remote has 13K ratings behind it against 890, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 18% and 18% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Universal Remote ships an update every 2 months, Smart TV Remote Universal every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Universal Remote versus Smart TV Remote Universal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniversal RemoteSmart TV Remote Universal
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (13K ratings) — better3.8 (890 ratings)
Positive reviews17.8% of reviews — better17.6% of reviews
Number of ratings13K — better890
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPlane CubesJenni Parkkonen

Customer experience

Universal Remote

All ratings12,865 ratings
Positive82.7%
Neutral3.5%
Negative13.8%
Written reviews461 reviews
Positive17.8%
Neutral2.0%
Negative80.3%

Smart TV Remote Universal

All ratings891 ratings
Positive68.6%
Neutral4.2%
Negative27.3%
Written reviews420 reviews
Positive17.6%
Neutral1.9%
Negative80.5%

User reviews

Universal Remote

From 13K App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Universal remote control
  • 💯 Works as advertised
  • 🤩 Great app for managing TV

Room to improve

  • 💸 Expensive subscription
  • 🚫 Doesn't work with some TVs
  • 🔍 Requires original remote for setup
  • 🤬 Lots of ads
  • 🔒 Hard to cancel subscription

Smart TV Remote Universal

From 890 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ⭐ Great remote app
  • 💖 Love this remote
  • 👍 Works well

Room to improve

  • 🚫 Doesn't work
  • 📺 Won't connect to TV
  • 🙄 Too many ads
  • 💩 Terrible app
  • 🤬 Waste of time

Bugs and requests

Universal Remote

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App keeps disconnecting from TV
  • Doesn't recognize TV or remote commands
  • Crashes or freezes during use

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add keyboard and mouse support for TV browser
  • Improve compatibility with more TV models
  • Provide better troubleshooting and support options

Smart TV Remote Universal

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes on device scan
  • Volume controls not working
  • Navigation issues

Requested features

3 requests
  • Support for more TV brands
  • Improve device detection
  • Reduce ads

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Universal Remote

Subscriptions3
  • Start Free Trial3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Universal Remote Pro Week3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Universal Remote Pro Year$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Go Pro Universal Remote TV$9.99
4 purchases

Smart TV Remote Universal

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium$3.991 Month
  • Annual Premium3 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time2
  • Premium Version$4.99
  • Lifetime premium$24.99

Questions

Is Universal Remote free?
Universal Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Smart TV Remote Universal free?
Smart TV Remote Universal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Universal Remote or Smart TV Remote Universal?
Universal Remote is rated higher. Universal Remote averages 4.3 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while Smart TV Remote Universal averages 3.8 from 890 ratings.
Do Universal Remote or Smart TV Remote Universal have ads?
Both Universal Remote and Smart TV Remote Universal show ads.
Which is updated more often, Universal Remote or Smart TV Remote Universal?
Universal Remote ships an update every 2 months, and Smart TV Remote Universal every 6 weeks. Most recently, Universal Remote was updated on October 28, 2026 and Smart TV Remote Universal on October 22, 2026.

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