# Universal Remote vs Words speaker

The clearest difference is ads: Words speaker at none against Universal Remote's shown. Words speaker also leads on iOS requirement (11.2 vs 15.6). Universal Remote's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Universal Remote sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Words speaker sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Universal Remote ships an update every 2 months, Words speaker every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal Remote | Words speaker |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-tv-remote/id1487434765/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **13K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 17.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 24 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **11.2** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Plane Cubes](https://appshunter.io/developer/1712487303) | [盛蜀 李](https://appshunter.io/developer/1115579497) |

## What reviewers say

### Universal Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-tv-remote/id1487434765)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Start Free Trial | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote Pro Week | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote Pro Year | $39.99 | per year |
| Go Pro Universal Remote TV | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### Words speaker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/words-speaker/id1547735423)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| full version | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universal Remote free?

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

### Is Words speaker free?

Words speaker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Universal Remote or Words speaker have ads?

Universal Remote shows ads; Words speaker does not.

### Which is updated more often, Universal Remote or Words speaker?

Universal Remote ships an update every 2 months, and Words speaker every 5 months. Most recently, Universal Remote was updated on November 3, 2026 and Words speaker on October 25, 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.*