# Universal TV Remote Controller vs TV Remote for Smart TVs

The clearest difference is rating: TV Remote for Smart TVs at 4.4 against Universal TV Remote Controller's 4.1. TV Remote for Smart TVs also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). Universal TV Remote Controller's advantage is ratings volume (636 vs 113). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Universal TV Remote Controller sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and TV Remote for Smart TVs sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TV Remote for Smart TVs holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal TV Remote Controller has 636 ratings behind it against 113, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 25% of Universal TV Remote Controller's written reviews are positive against 21% of TV Remote for Smart TVs's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Universal TV Remote Controller ships an update every 2 months, TV Remote for Smart TVs fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal TV Remote Controller | TV Remote for Smart TVs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (636 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-controller/id1538250188/reviews) | **[4.4 (113 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-for-smart-tvs/id1572661608/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **636** | 113 |
| Positive reviews | **25.0% of reviews** | 21.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 35 MB | 125 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **14.3** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SON TUNG](https://appshunter.io/developer/486079249) | [Stream Cast TV](https://appshunter.io/developer/1566256358) |

## What reviewers say

### Universal TV Remote Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-controller/id1538250188)

Control your smart TV with your phone. This app automatically scans for devices and offers features like channel switching, keyboard search, and voice control. A premium subscription unlocks all features and removes ads.

**Highlights:** Automatic TV device scanning, Single-tap channel switching, Keyboard and voice search, Swift navigation, Ad-free experience (premium)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| WEEKLY SUBSCRIPTION | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION | $9.99 | per month |
| YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION | $19.99 | per year |
| YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION | $39.99 | per year |
| One-time Payment | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works as a replacement when physical remote is lost
- ⭐ Effective for Samsung TV control
- ✅ Functional remote control capabilities

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Aggressive premium paywall and forced upgrades
- 🐛 Frequent connection failures and disconnections
- ❌ App stops working after initial period
- 😤 Excessive ads and harassment for premium
- 🔄 Requires constant app refreshing to function

**Reported bugs**

- App fails to connect to TV devices
- Connection drops frequently
- Volume control unavailable or missing
- Stuck on guide screen unable to exit
- Repetitive TV selection prompts

**Requested features**

- Restore and improve volume control functionality
- Free access to basic remote functions without premium
- Keyboard and search functionality without paywall
- Home button access without premium upgrade


### TV Remote for Smart TVs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-for-smart-tvs/id1572661608)

Control your Samsung TV with your phone. Browse content, cast photos and videos, and manage your TV with an intuitive interface. Enjoy seamless navigation and easy sharing.

**Highlights:** Intuitive remote control, Large touchpad, Cast photos & videos, Photo slideshow casting, Favorite channels, Automatic connection

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

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium | $14.99 | per 3 months |
| Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Life Time | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universal TV Remote Controller free?

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

### Is TV Remote for Smart TVs free?

TV Remote for Smart TVs is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Universal TV Remote Controller or TV Remote for Smart TVs?

TV Remote for Smart TVs is rated higher. Universal TV Remote Controller averages 4.1 out of 5 from 636 ratings, while TV Remote for Smart TVs averages 4.4 from 113 ratings.

### Do Universal TV Remote Controller or TV Remote for Smart TVs have ads?

Both Universal TV Remote Controller and TV Remote for Smart TVs show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Universal TV Remote Controller or TV Remote for Smart TVs?

Universal TV Remote Controller ships an update every 2 months, and TV Remote for Smart TVs fortnightly. Most recently, Universal TV Remote Controller was updated on October 25, 2026 and TV Remote for Smart TVs on October 21, 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.*