# Universal TV Remote Control vs Remote control for TCL

The clearest difference is rating: Remote control for TCL at 4.6 against Universal TV Remote Control's 3.6. Remote control for TCL also leads on iOS requirement (13.1 vs 15.0). Universal TV Remote Control's advantage is review sentiment (65% vs 42%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Universal TV Remote Control sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days and Remote control for TCL sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Remote control for TCL holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4.1K and 8.7K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 65% of Universal TV Remote Control's written reviews are positive against 42% of Remote control for TCL's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal TV Remote Control | Remote control for TCL |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (4.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-control/id1492122256/reviews) | **[4.6 (8.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-control-for-tcl/id1569183047/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4.1K | **8.7K** |
| Positive reviews | **65.1% of reviews** | 41.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 24 MB | 98 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Codematics Services](https://appshunter.io/developer/1225541389) | [Oz Shabbatth](https://appshunter.io/developer/1451079365) |

## What reviewers say

### Universal TV Remote Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-control/id1492122256)

Transform your iPhone into a powerful universal TV remote. Easily control over 100 TV brands without needing your physical remote or dealing with battery issues. Enjoy fast setup and intuitive controls for all your entertainment needs.

**Highlights:** Control 100+ TV brands, Wi-Fi connectivity, Automatic TV discovery, Power, volume, input controls, App access and media playback, Navigation and directional controls

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $89.99 | per year |
| Remove Full Screen Ads | $24.99 | one-time |
| Ad Free Version | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works well
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Useful for lost remotes
- 🚀 Convenient remote alternative

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't work for some TV brands
- 🔋 Drains battery
- 💸 Too many ads
- 🐛 Connectivity issues

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent crashes
- Buttons don't respond
- Incompatible with certain TV models

**Requested features**

- Support for more TV brands
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Ad-free version


### Remote control for TCL

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-control-for-tcl/id1569183047)

Control your TCL TV with your phone. Offers a touchpad and keyboard for easy navigation and typing. Your last used remote is saved for quick access.

**Highlights:** Save last remote, No installation required, Fast touchpad, Keyboard input, Easy interface

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No Ads | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Nice app
- 🚀 Works well
- 💡 Helpful for lost remote
- 🚀 Connects automatically

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections
- 🔋 Drains battery
- 📢 Too many ads
- 🐛 Inconsistent functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Fails to connect to TV
- App crashes frequently
- Buttons don't work as expected

**Requested features**

- Add ability to turn on TV
- Improve connection stability
- Reduce ad frequency


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universal TV Remote Control free?

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

### Is Remote control for TCL free?

Remote control for TCL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

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

Remote control for TCL is rated higher. Universal TV Remote Control averages 3.6 out of 5 from 4.1K ratings, while Remote control for TCL averages 4.6 from 8.7K ratings.

### Do Universal TV Remote Control or Remote control for TCL have ads?

Both Universal TV Remote Control and Remote control for TCL show ads.

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

Universal TV Remote Control ships an update every 2 weeks, and Remote control for TCL every 2 weeks. Most recently, Universal TV Remote Control was updated on October 25, 2026 and Remote control for TCL on October 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.*