Comparison

Universal TV Remote Control # 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 TV Remote Control #

Control compatible TVs using your iPhone or iPad over WiFi. Offers basic remote functions for free, with advanced features like keyboard input and app launching available through premium upgrades. Supports a wide range of smart TV brands.

Highlights
  • WiFi TV control
  • Basic remote functions free
  • Premium advanced features
  • App launching
  • Keyboard input
  • Apple Watch and Mac companion controls
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

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 TV Remote Control #4 screens
Universal Remote3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Universal Remote at 5.0 against Universal TV Remote Control #'s 4.3. Universal Remote also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 7) and update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 days). Universal TV Remote Control #'s advantage is ratings volume (1.3K vs 5) and device support (4 vs 1). On price, ads 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 TV Remote Control # sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 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 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal TV Remote Control # has 1.3K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Universal TV Remote Control # ships an update every 6 days, Universal Remote every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Universal TV Remote Control # versus Universal Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniversal TV Remote Control #Universal Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (1.3K ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews74.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.3K — better5
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size106 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRemote Sunrise LTDISAAC GREGORY FARR

Customer experience

Universal TV Remote Control #

All ratings1,256 ratings
Positive81.4%
Neutral3.4%
Negative15.2%
Written reviews946 reviews
Positive74.9%
Neutral4.5%
Negative20.5%

Universal Remote

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

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

Universal Remote

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Universal TV Remote Control #

Subscriptions5
  • Unlock All Features$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 year1 Month trial$19.991 Year
One-time2
  • Universal TV Remote - lifetime$4.99
  • Universal TV Remote - lifetime$29.99
None

Universal Remote

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 Universal Remote free?
Universal Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Universal TV Remote Control # or Universal Remote?
Universal Remote is rated higher. Universal TV Remote Control # averages 4.3 out of 5 from 1.3K ratings, while Universal Remote averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Universal TV Remote Control # or Universal Remote have ads?
Both Universal TV Remote Control # and Universal Remote show ads.
Which is updated more often, Universal TV Remote Control # or Universal Remote?
Universal TV Remote Control # ships an update every 6 days, and Universal Remote every 2 days. Most recently, Universal TV Remote Control # was updated on November 7, 2026 and Universal Remote on November 10, 2026.

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