Comparison

Universal Smart TV Remote App vs Universal Remote

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

Head to head
About

Universal Smart TV Remote App

Control your Samsung, Sony, Roku, or Vizio smart TV instantly without complex setup. This app eliminates the need for lost or broken physical remotes. It's compatible with Apple Watch and requires no subscription.

Highlights
  • Instant TV control
  • No settings required
  • Supports Apple Watch
  • No subscription needed
  • Control multiple brands
Read full description

Universal Smart TV Remote turns your iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch into a powerful remote for your television. No more searching for lost remotes or dealing with dead batteries. This app supports most major TV brands including Sony, Samsung, Vizio, Roku, TCL, LG, Philips, Onn, and more. No advanced settings or subscription is required. Additionally, this app also supports Apple Watch, creating and executing macro shortcuts, a large and easy to use touchpad, voice commands, quick app launching, and more. Simple Setup - getting started takes seconds: 1. Turn your TV on and make sure it is connected to Wi-Fi 2. Open this app and connect your iPhone or iPad to the same Wi-Fi network 3. Start controlling your TV from this app Please see our YouTube channel for detailed setup instructions as well as walkthroughs for features: https://www.youtube.com/@universaltvremote Our intelligent scanner automatically finds your TV. No complicated configurations or confusing menus. Complete TV Control • Power on/off and input selection • Full directional pad navigation • Volume, mute, and channel controls • Media playback buttons (play, pause, rewind, forward) • Number pad for direct channel entry • Quick access to home, menu, and back functions Launch Streaming Apps Instantly - open your favorite services with a single tap! Smart Automation with Macros Create custom command sequences to automate your viewing. Save your favorite routines and execute them anytime. Full Touchpad Support Easily swipe to navigate and then simply tap to select. Voice Commands Speak commands like "volume up," "pause," or "Netflix" and your TV responds instantly. Apple Watch Integration Control your TV from your wrist. Access power, navigation, volume, channels, and media playback right on your Apple Watch. Track Your Watchlist Never forget what you want to watch. Create a personalized content library to track movies and TV shows, mark what you've viewed, and add notes about what you're watching. Recent Commands Quick access to your three most recent commands for fast control of the buttons you use most. Multi-Device Support Manage multiple TVs in your home. Switch between devices instantly from one convenient location. Download now and take control of your TV viewing experience. Contact us at easymote101@gmail.com DISCLAIMER Universal Smart TV Remote is: 1. not affiliated with Samsung Group and is not a Samsung product 2. not affiliated with Sony Corporation of America and is not a Sony product 3. not affiliated with Roku, Inc. and is not a Roku product 4. not affiliated with TCL and is not a TCL product 5. not affiliated with Hisense and is not a Hisense product 6. not affiliated with Sharp Corporation and is not a Sharp product 7. not affiliated with Best Buy Brands (Insignia TV) and is not a Best Buy product 8. not affiliated with Element Electronics and is not an Element Electronics product 9. not affiliated with Philips and is not a Philips product 10. not affiliated with Westinghouse Electric Company and is not a Westinghouse product 11. not affiliated with JVC and is not a JVC product 12. not affiliated with Pioneer Corporation and is not a Pioneer product 13. not affiliated with Target Corporation (Hiro TV) and is not a Target product 14. not affiliated with Walmart Inc. (Onn TV) and is not a Walmart product 15. not affiliated with VIZIO Inc. and is not a Vizio product 16. not affiliated with LG Electronics and is not an LG product This application creates a remote control for Samsung, Sony, LG, Roku, TCL, Hisense, Sharp, Insignia, Element, Philips, Westinghouse, JVC, Pioneer, Hiro, Onn, and Vizio Smart TVs by using the publicly available Samsung SmartView SDK, Sony Bravia TV API, LG webOS TV API, Roku ECP API, and Vizio TV SmartCast API. All terms for the APIs are adhered to and all rights, content, and trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Universal Remote

Transform your iPhone into a Wi-Fi remote for compatible smart TVs and streaming devices. Control navigation, volume, channels, and media playback with ease. Supports Siri commands for hands-free operation.

Highlights
  • Wi-Fi TV discovery
  • Siri command support
  • Navigation and media controls
  • Volume and channel adjustment
  • On-device credential storage
  • Wake compatible TVs
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone into one convenient remote for compatible smart TVs and streaming devices on your Wi-Fi network. Universal Remote discovers supported TVs on your local network and provides the controls you use most, including navigation, selection, home, back, volume, mute, channel controls, media controls, settings, and power. Supports Siri commands for things like navigation, power on/off, volume controls, channel controls and more. SUPPORTED TV PLATFORMS • Google TV and Android TV devices with the Google TV Remote Service • LG TVs running webOS • Vizio SmartCast TVs • Amazon Fire TV devices • Many many more, these are just the devices I've tested on so far! FEATURES • Automatic TV discovery over your local Wi-Fi network • Secure on-device pairing credential storage • Directional navigation and selection controls • Home, back, settings, and media controls • Volume, mute, and channel controls • Hold supported buttons to repeat commands • Light haptic feedback when pressing remote buttons • Remember previously connected TVs on each network • Wake compatible, previously configured TVs over your local network • No account required Your iPhone and TV must be connected to the same local network. Initial pairing may require entering a code displayed by the TV or approving the connection using the physical remote or the controls directly on your TV. Compatibility varies by manufacturer, model, software version, and network configuration. Devices that advertise Google Cast but do not provide a supported system remote service cannot be controlled through Google Cast alone. Universal Remote contains banner ads. Advertising privacy and tracking choices are presented in accordance with your device settings and applicable consent requirements. Google TV, Android TV, LG webOS, Vizio SmartCast, Amazon Fire TV, and other names are trademarks of their respective owners. Universal Remote is an independent application and is not endorsed by or affiliated with these companies.

Screenshots

Universal Smart TV Remote App4 screens
Universal Remote3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Universal Remote at none against Universal Smart TV Remote App's 4. Universal Remote also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 3 months). Universal Smart TV Remote App's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (458 vs 5). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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 Smart TV Remote App sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Universal Remote asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Universal Remote holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal Smart TV Remote App has 458 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Universal Smart TV Remote App ships an update every 3 months, Universal Remote every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Universal Smart TV Remote App versus Universal Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniversal Smart TV Remote AppUniversal Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (458 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings458 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHemant BhonsleISAAC GREGORY FARR

Customer experience

Universal Smart TV Remote App

All ratings442 ratings
Positive88.7%
Neutral0.7%
Negative10.6%
Written reviews82 reviews
Positive68.3%
Neutral3.7%
Negative28.0%

Universal Remote

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Universal Smart TV Remote App

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App freezes after TV scanning
  • Unable to connect to certain TV models
  • Ads not working as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to control TV power on/off
  • Option to customize ad frequency
  • Support for more TV brands
  • Improved stability and reliability

Universal Remote

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Universal Smart TV Remote App

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Premium$6.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium with Trial3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Yearly Premium$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Access$44.99
None

Universal Remote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Universal Smart TV Remote App free?
Universal Smart TV Remote App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Universal Remote free?
Universal Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Universal Smart TV Remote App or Universal Remote?
Universal Remote is rated higher. Universal Smart TV Remote App averages 4.5 out of 5 from 458 ratings, while Universal Remote averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Universal Smart TV Remote App or Universal Remote have ads?
Universal Remote shows ads; Universal Smart TV Remote App does not.
Which is updated more often, Universal Smart TV Remote App or Universal Remote?
Universal Smart TV Remote App ships an update every 3 months, and Universal Remote every 2 days. Most recently, Universal Smart TV Remote App was updated on November 4, 2026 and Universal Remote on November 10, 2026.

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