# SmartRemote vs Stick

The clearest difference is rating: Stick at 4.5 against SmartRemote's 3.0. Stick also leads on review sentiment (45% vs 10%) and ads (none vs shown). SmartRemote's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SmartRemote sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Stick sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Stick holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stick has 16K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 10% of SmartRemote's written reviews are positive against 45% of Stick's.

SmartRemote ships an update every 8 days, Stick every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 3, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmartRemote | Stick |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartremote-tv-controller/id1508991736/reviews) | **[4.5 (16K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stick-remote-control-for-tv/id6470928223/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **16K** |
| Positive reviews | 10.0% of reviews | **45.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 17 MB | 113 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MOBILE ALCHEMY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1577973502) | [APPSPRO LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1852212807) |

## What reviewers say

### SmartRemote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartremote-tv-controller/id1508991736)

Control all your Smart TVs from a single app, eliminating the need for multiple remotes. Seamlessly mirror content from your phone and navigate your TV with a touchpad and convenient text entry.

**Highlights:** Effortless Smart TV Control, Mirror Videos, Photos, and Music, Easy Mouse Control with Touchpad, Convenient Text Entry, Volume and Channel Control, Player Controls, Abundance of Menu Options

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Annual Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $49.99 | one-time |


### Stick

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stick-remote-control-for-tv/id6470928223)

Transform your smartphone into a versatile TV remote control. Easily navigate menus, change channels, and type using your phone's screen. Offers a touchpad, joystick, and keyboard for seamless interaction with various TV models.

**Highlights:** Universal TV compatibility, Touchpad and joystick control, On-screen keyboard for typing, Channel and audio control, User-friendly interface

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stick - Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Stick - Premium for One Year | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Quick connection
- 💡 Useful for lost remotes
- 🆓 Free with no ads

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- ⚠️ Paid version required for full functionality
- 🔌 Disconnects when switching apps

**Reported bugs**

- Doesn't connect to TV
- Stops working after updates
- Fails to detect TV on network

**Requested features**

- Add source/input button
- Improve compatibility with more TV brands


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SmartRemote free?

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

### Is Stick free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SmartRemote or Stick?

Stick is rated higher. SmartRemote averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Stick averages 4.5 from 16K ratings.

### Do SmartRemote or Stick have ads?

SmartRemote shows ads; Stick does not.

### Which is updated more often, SmartRemote or Stick?

SmartRemote ships an update every 8 days, and Stick every 3 weeks. Most recently, SmartRemote was updated on September 3, 2026 and Stick on September 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.*