# Universal Remote vs Smart TV remote app

The clearest difference is ads: Smart TV remote app at none against Universal Remote's shown. Universal Remote's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months) and review sentiment (33% vs 14%). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Universal Remote sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Smart TV remote app sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for Universal Remote against 4.4 for Smart TV remote app. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal Remote has 7.8K ratings behind it against 267, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 33% of Universal Remote's written reviews are positive against 14% of Smart TV remote app's.

Universal Remote ships an update monthly, Smart TV remote app every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal Remote | Smart TV remote app |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (7.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-tv-control/id1537510382/reviews) | **[4.4 (267 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-tv-remote-app/id1614904513/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **7.8K** | 267 |
| Positive reviews | **32.7% of reviews** | 14.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 223 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [UNIVERSAL REMOTE LABS COMPANY LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1524909391) | [SCOUT -WEB BASED SYSTEMS LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1614904515) |

## What reviewers say

### Universal Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-tv-control/id1537510382)

Control all your smart TVs and streaming devices from your phone. Offers quick navigation, app access, and gesture controls for a seamless remote experience. Compatible with major brands.

**Highlights:** Control smart TVs and streaming devices, Full-featured remote with essential buttons, Channel and volume control, One-tap access to popular apps, Swipe-based gesture controls, Quick WiFi pairing

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $34.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $19.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Responsive and fast
- 🎨 Seamless pairing with devices
- 💡 Useful as a backup remote

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔌 Unreliable connection to devices
- 📢 Intrusive ads and constant upsells

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to find or connect to TV
- Purchased features not activating
- Inconsistent performance across devices
- Restoration of purchases not working

**Requested features**

- Customizable button layout
- Support for more TV brands
- Ability to control smart home devices
- Improved Apple Watch integration


### Smart TV remote app

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-tv-remote-app/id1614904513)

Control your smart TV using your phone as a virtual remote. Connect via Wi-Fi to manage volume, channels, playback, and menus for various popular TV brands. Enjoy a realistic design for easy navigation.

**Highlights:** Virtual remote control, Wi-Fi connectivity, Volume control, Channel changing, Navigation pad, Video playback controls, Menu and options access

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Universal Remote Control TV | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Week Subscription | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Week Subscription | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal TV Remote Control | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Connects to anything
- 👍 Worked first time instantly

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 All features are paid
- 💸 Expensive subscription
- 💸 High weekly cost
- 💸 Trying to scam users
- 👎 App doesn't work

**Reported bugs**

- Does not work on TV
- Cannot find TV
- Difficult to cancel subscription
- Free version opens ads with every button press
- Payment went through without agreement

**Requested features**

- Clear instructions on how to connect
- Option to cancel subscription easily
- Less intrusive ads in free version


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universal Remote free?

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

### Is Smart TV remote app free?

Smart TV remote app is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Universal Remote or Smart TV remote app?

Smart TV remote app is rated higher. Universal Remote averages 4.3 out of 5 from 7.8K ratings, while Smart TV remote app averages 4.4 from 267 ratings.

### Do Universal Remote or Smart TV remote app have ads?

Universal Remote shows ads; Smart TV remote app does not.

### Which is updated more often, Universal Remote or Smart TV remote app?

Universal Remote ships an update monthly, and Smart TV remote app every 5 months. Most recently, Universal Remote was updated on September 22, 2026 and Smart TV remote app on September 18, 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.*