# Universal Remote vs Universal Remote TV Control

The clearest difference is monetization model: Universal Remote at free with in-app purchases against Universal Remote TV Control's subscription. Universal Remote TV Control's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#82 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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 Universal Remote TV Control sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for Universal Remote against 4.3 for Universal Remote TV Control. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13K and 50K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 18% of Universal Remote's written reviews are positive against 28% of Universal Remote TV Control's.

Universal Remote ships an update every 2 months, Universal Remote TV Control monthly. Both last shipped on September 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal Remote | Universal Remote TV Control |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-tv-remote/id1487434765/reviews) | [4.3 (50K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-tv-control/id1591238748/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 13K | **50K** |
| Positive reviews | 17.8% of reviews | **27.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#82** |
| Size | 24 MB | 164 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Plane Cubes](https://appshunter.io/developer/1712487303) | [Desidari Holding Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1576843270) |

## 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


### Universal Remote TV Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-tv-control/id1591238748)

**Currently charting:** #82 Top Grossing · Utilities, #156 Top Free · Utilities (US App Store)

Control your smart TV from your phone with this app. It offers a full-featured remote experience, allowing you to change channels, adjust volume, navigate menus, and more. Connect via Wi-Fi for seamless control.

**Highlights:** Control TV from iPhone, Channel and volume control, Menu and playback functions, Works with popular brands, Wi-Fi connectivity, Keyboard input, Haptic feedback

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

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Universal TV Remote App: 1Week | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal TV Remote App: 1Week | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| TV Remote Control - Weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| TV Remote Control -1  Week Pro | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| TV Remote Control | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| TV Remote Control | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal TV Remote: 1 Month | $9.99 | per month |
| Universal TV Remote - Pro Pack | $14.99 | per 3 months |
| Universal TV Remote App | $14.99 | per month |
| Smart TV Remote Control: 1Year | $29.99 | per year |
| Universal TV Remote App: 1Year | $39.99 | per year |
| Universal Remote Control－1Year | $49.99 | per year |
| Smart TV Remote－1 Time Payment | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient remote control
- 👍 Helpful for lost remotes
- 👍 Works well with TVs

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🐛 Unresponsive buttons
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
- 💰 Charges during free trial

**Reported bugs**

- App not working after free trial ends
- Unable to connect to certain TV models
- Inconsistent performance, often disconnecting

**Requested features**

- Ability to turn on TV without physical remote
- Keyboard support for text input
- Option to switch between multiple TVs
- Ability to cancel subscription easily


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universal Remote free?

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

### Is Universal Remote TV Control free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Universal Remote or Universal Remote TV Control?

Universal Remote and Universal Remote TV Control are both rated 4.3 out of 5 on the App Store, from 13K and 50K ratings respectively.

### Do Universal Remote or Universal Remote TV Control have ads?

Universal Remote shows ads; Universal Remote TV Control does not.

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

Universal Remote ships an update every 2 months, and Universal Remote TV Control monthly. Most recently, Universal Remote was updated on September 26, 2026 and Universal Remote TV Control on September 26, 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.*