Comparison

Universal TV Remote Control # vs PhilRemote

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

Head to head
About

Universal TV Remote Control #

Transform your iPhone into a comprehensive smart TV remote. Control power, volume, navigation, and apps across a wide range of brands. Enjoy faster text input and touchpad control, all without needing your physical remote.

Highlights
  • Full-featured remote control (power, volume, navigation)
  • Launch apps directly on supported TVs
  • Text input via iPhone keyboard
  • Touchpad navigation
  • Control from Apple Watch and Home Screen widgets
  • Supports multiple TV brands and streaming devices
Features
Read full description

Can't find the remote? Use your iPhone or iPad to control a compatible TV over WiFi. Start with free basic remote buttons, with companion controls on Apple Watch and Mac. CHECK COMPATIBILITY Supports compatible Apple TV, Samsung, LG, Android TV, Google TV, Fire TV, Roku, Hisense and Vizio devices. Experimental support is also available for compatible Philips, Sony and Panasonic TVs, depending on model and firmware. Your phone and TV must be on the same local network. Pairing or enabling network control on your TV may be required. Available buttons and features vary by model. FREE EVERYDAY CONTROL Use the basic keypad for volume, channels, navigation and playback where supported. Basic Apple Watch and widget buttons are also free. Save multiple TVs and organize them by room. TYPE, TAP AND WATCH Premium unlocks keyboard input, app launching, input switching, keypad customization, extended Apple Watch controls and additional Siri Shortcuts on supported devices. Touchpad navigation is available on supported Apple TV, Samsung and LG devices. DIRECT CONNECTION Remote commands are sent over your local network. No TV account is required. IN-APP PURCHASES Choose a lifetime purchase or an auto-renewing subscription where offered. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account when you confirm the purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage or cancel subscriptions in your App Store account settings. DISCLAIMER This is an independent app. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Apple Inc., Samsung, LG, Google, Amazon, Roku, Hisense, Vizio or any other TV or device manufacturer. Product names, logos and brands belong to their owners and are used only to indicate compatibility. Privacy Policy: https://www.rs.ltd/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.rs.ltd/terms

About

PhilRemote

Features
Read full description

Cette application permet de contrôler votre TV Philips (*restrictions applicables) facilement grâce à votre Apple Watch. Pour cela, connecter votre téléviseur sur votre réseau internet, assigné lui une adresse IP statique pour plus de facilité (étape facultative), renseigner l'adresse sur l'application, si l'adresse devient "verte", c'est tout bon : Prenez le contrôle ! L'application permet de : - Renseigner l'adresse IP du téléviseur - Eteindre et allumer le téléviseur - Augmenter, réduire le volume - Connaitre le volume actuel - Activer/ Désactiver le mode sourdine - Changer les programmes de la TV * restrictions : Application compatible uniquement avec les modèles Ambilight listés ci dessous. Merci de vérifier le modèle de votre téléviseur avant tout achat. Modèles compatibles: * 2k11 -> model (xxPFL5xx6 to xxPFL9xx6) * 2k10 -> 7000,8000 and 9000 ranges supporting NetTV feature (V 140.025) : -32PFL7605C/05,32PFL7605C/08,32PFL7605C/12,32PFL7605H/05,32PFL7605H/12,32PFL7605H/60,32PFL7605M/08, -32PFL7665H/12,32PFL7665M/08,32PFL7675H/12,32PFL7675K/02,32PFL7675M/08,32PFL7685H/12,32PFL7685K/02, -32PFL7685M/08,32PFL7695H/12,32PFL7695K/02,32PFL7695M/08, -37PFL7605H/05,37PFL7605H/12,37PFL7605H/60,37PFL7605M/08,37PFL7675H/12,37PFL7675K/02, -40PFL7605H/05,40PFL7605H/12,40PFL7605H/60,40PFL7605M/08, -42PFL7655H/12,42PFL7655K/02,42PFL7655M/08,42PFL7665H/12,42PFL7665M/08,42PFL7675H/12,42PFL7675K/02, -42PFL7675M/08,42PFL7685H/12,42PFL7685K/02,42PFL7685M/08,42PFL7695H/12,42PFL7695K/02,42PFL7695M/08, -46PFL7605H/05,46PFL7605H/12,46PFL7605H/60,46PFL7605M/08,46PFL7655H/12,46PFL7655K/02,46PFL7655M/08, -46PFL7665H/12,46PFL7695H/12,46PFL7695K/02,46PFL7695M/08 -32PFL8605H/12,32PFL8605H/60,32PFL8605K/02,32PFL8605M/08, -37PFL8605H/12,37PFL8605H/60,37PFL8605K/02,37PFL8605M/08, -40PFL8605H/12,40PFL8605H/60,40PFL8605K/02,40PFL8605M/08, -46PFL8605H/12,46PFL8605H/60,46PFL8605K/02,46PFL8605M/08,46PFL8685H/12,46PFL8685K/02,46PFL8685M/08, -52PFL8605H/12,52PFL8605H/60,52PFL8605K/02 -32PFL9705H/12,32PFL9705H/60,32PFL9705K/02,32PFL9705M/08, -40PFL9605D/78,40PFL9705H/12,40PFL9705H/60,40PFL9705K/02,40PFL9705M/08, -46PFL9705H/12,46PFL9705H/60,46PFL9705K/02, -58PFL9955H/12,58PFL9955D/78 * 2k9 -> 9000 range supporting NetTV feature (V 26.078) : -37PFL9604H/12,37PFL9604H/60, -40PFL9704H/12,40PFL9704H/60,40PFL9904H/12, -42PFL9664H/12,42PFL9664H/60, -46PFL9704H/12,46PFL9704H/60, -47PFL9664H/12,47PFL9664H/60, -52PFL9704H/12,52PFL9704H/12, -56PFL9954H/12 * 2k9 -> 8000 range supporting NetTV feature (V 26.078) : -37PFL8404H/12,37PFL8404H/60,37PFL8684H/12,37PFL8694H/12, -40PFL7664H/12,40PFL8664H/12, -42PFL8404H/12,42PFL8404H/60,42PFL8654H/12,42PFL8684H/12,42PFL8684H/60,42PFL8694H/12,42PFL8694H/60, -47PFL8404H/12,47PFL8404H/60

Screenshots

Universal TV Remote Control #4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Universal TV Remote Control # at Free against PhilRemote's $2.99. Universal TV Remote Control # also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 28 months). PhilRemote's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and ads (none vs shown). On device support 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

Universal TV Remote Control # is free to download; PhilRemote costs $2.99 up front. Universal TV Remote Control # sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. PhilRemote asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Universal TV Remote Control # ships an update every 6 days, PhilRemote every 28 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Universal TV Remote Control # versus PhilRemote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniversal TV Remote Control #PhilRemote
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.3 (1.3K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews74.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.3K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 28 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size146 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRemote Sunrise LTDSteve Guedon

Bugs and requests

Universal TV Remote Control #

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Fails to connect to some TV models
  • Loses connection randomly
  • Volume controls not working properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more TV brand support
  • Improve Apple Watch integration
  • Customize button layout and colors
  • Implement voice control
  • Add keyboard functionality

PhilRemote

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Universal TV Remote Control #

Subscriptions5
  • Unlock All Features7 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Smart TV Remote - 1 month$3.991 Month
  • Universal TV Remote - 1 year$9.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Universal TV Remote - 1 month$9.991 Month
  • Smart TV Remote - 1 year$19.991 Year
One-time2
  • Universal TV Remote - lifetime$1.99
  • Universal TV Remote - lifetime$4.99
None

PhilRemote

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Universal TV Remote Control # free?
Universal TV Remote Control # is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PhilRemote free?
PhilRemote costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Universal TV Remote Control # or PhilRemote have ads?
Universal TV Remote Control # shows ads; PhilRemote does not.
Which is updated more often, Universal TV Remote Control # or PhilRemote?
Universal TV Remote Control # ships an update every 6 days, and PhilRemote every 28 months. Most recently, Universal TV Remote Control # was updated on October 15, 2026 and PhilRemote on October 6, 2026.

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