# TV Remote ∙ Universal Control vs Universal Remote

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Universal Remote at 73% against TV Remote ∙ Universal Control's 10%. Universal Remote also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). TV Remote ∙ Universal Control's advantage is ratings volume (33K vs 88) and rating (4.5 vs 4.2). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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 Universal Remote sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TV Remote ∙ Universal Control holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TV Remote ∙ Universal Control has 33K ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 10% of TV Remote ∙ Universal Control's written reviews are positive against 73% of Universal Remote's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

TV Remote ∙ Universal Control ships an update every 3 weeks, Universal Remote weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and August 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TV Remote ∙ Universal Control | Universal Remote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (33K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-control/id1545927900/reviews)** | [4.2 (88 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-control-tvs/id6737794953/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **33K** | 88 |
| Positive reviews | 10.3% of reviews | **72.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 116 MB | 160 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.3** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fiision Studio Company Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/674479868) | [UNIVERSAL TECHLAB](https://appshunter.io/developer/1777966695) |

## 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


### Universal Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-control-tvs/id6737794953)

Transform your smartphone into a powerful universal remote for your smart TV. Control volume, channels, playback, and navigate with an intuitive interface. Cast photos, videos, and presentations directly to your TV for an immersive entertainment experience.

**Highlights:** Core remote functions (volume, channels, playback), Intuitive UI with touchpad and keyboard, Automatic setup, Effortless channel surfing, Cast photos and videos to TV, Multi-media casting (PDFs, PPTX), Seamless Wi-Fi connectivity

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Week Premium Package | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Month Package | $14.99 | per month |
| Year Package | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Package | $44.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TV Remote ∙ Universal Control free?

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

### Is Universal Remote free?

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

### Which has better reviews, TV Remote ∙ Universal Control or Universal Remote?

TV Remote ∙ Universal Control is rated higher. TV Remote ∙ Universal Control averages 4.5 out of 5 from 33K ratings, while Universal Remote averages 4.2 from 88 ratings.

### Do TV Remote ∙ Universal Control or Universal Remote have ads?

TV Remote ∙ Universal Control shows ads; Universal Remote does not.

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

TV Remote ∙ Universal Control ships an update every 3 weeks, and Universal Remote weekly. Most recently, TV Remote ∙ Universal Control was updated on September 24, 2026 and Universal Remote on August 31, 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.*