# TV Remote ∙ Universal Control vs Smart TV remote app

The clearest difference is ads: Smart TV remote app at none against TV Remote ∙ Universal Control's shown. TV Remote ∙ Universal Control's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (33K vs 267). On price, rating, review sentiment and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TV Remote ∙ Universal Control sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 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 — 4.5 for TV Remote ∙ Universal Control against 4.4 for Smart TV remote app. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TV Remote ∙ Universal Control has 33K ratings behind it against 267, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 10% of TV Remote ∙ Universal Control's written reviews are positive against 14% of Smart TV remote app's.

TV Remote ∙ Universal Control ships an update every 3 weeks, Smart TV remote app every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TV Remote ∙ Universal Control | Smart TV remote app |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (33K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-control/id1545927900/reviews)** | [4.4 (267 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-tv-remote-app/id1614904513/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **33K** | 267 |
| Positive reviews | 10.3% of reviews | **14.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 116 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fiision Studio Company Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/674479868) | [SCOUT -WEB BASED SYSTEMS LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1614904515) |

## What reviewers say

### TV Remote ∙ Universal Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-control/id1545927900)

Control Samsung, LG, Roku, and Sony smart TVs with your smartphone. This universal remote app allows you to navigate menus, launch channels, and manage your TV settings effortlessly. It supports models from 2012 to the present, transforming your device into a powerful remote.

**Highlights:** Control Samsung, LG, Roku, and Sony TVs, Supports models from 2012 to present, Launch favorite TV channels, Navigate smart TV menus, Ad-free premium experience

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Universal Remote: Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote: Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium | $6.99 | per month |
| Universal Remote: Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Universal Remote: Monthly Pro | $9.99 | per month |
| Universal Remote: Yearly Pro | $29.99 | per year |
| Universal Remote: Yearly Pro | $29.99 | per year |
| Universal Remote: Yearly Pro | $34.99 | per year |
| Universal Remote: Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick and easy to use
- ⭐ Works well with Samsung TVs
- 💻 Convenient remote control from phone

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Requires TV remote for initial setup
- 💰 Paid subscription required for full functionality
- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and sync issues
- 📢 Intrusive ads and constant upselling
- ⚠️ Unreliable and inconsistent performance

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes or freezes during use
- Unable to connect to some Samsung TV models
- Purchased subscription not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Ability to control TV without physical remote
- More customization options for button layout
- Improved stability and reliability


### 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 TV Remote ∙ Universal Control free?

TV Remote ∙ Universal Control 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, TV Remote ∙ Universal Control or Smart TV remote app?

TV Remote ∙ Universal Control is rated higher. TV Remote ∙ Universal Control averages 4.5 out of 5 from 33K ratings, while Smart TV remote app averages 4.4 from 267 ratings.

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

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

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

TV Remote ∙ Universal Control ships an update every 3 weeks, and Smart TV remote app every 5 months. Most recently, TV Remote ∙ Universal Control was updated on September 27, 2026 and Smart TV remote app on September 24, 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.*