# TV Remote ∙ Universal Control vs Universal

TV Remote ∙ Universal Control and Universal both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Universal's written reviews are positive against 10% of TV Remote ∙ Universal Control's. Universal also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 weeks). TV Remote ∙ Universal Control's advantage is ratings volume (33K vs 25). On price, rating, ads 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 Universal sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 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 4.5 for Universal. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TV Remote ∙ Universal Control has 33K ratings behind it against 25, 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 100% of Universal's.

TV Remote ∙ Universal Control ships an update every 3 weeks, Universal every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TV Remote ∙ Universal Control | Universal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (33K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-control/id1545927900/reviews) | **[4.5 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-control-tv-plus/id6740773005/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **33K** | 25 |
| Positive reviews | 10.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 116 MB | 126 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fiision Studio Company Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/674479868) | [American Football](https://appshunter.io/developer/1677585318) |

## 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-control-tv-plus/id6740773005)

Transform your smartphone into a versatile TV remote. Easily control channels, volume, and navigate menus with an intuitive interface, touchpad, and keyboard. Unlock an ad-free experience and advanced features with a premium subscription.

**Highlights:** Control many TV brands, Interactive touchpad and joystick, Effortless typing with keyboard, User-friendly interface, Ad-free premium experience, Smart keyboard search

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remote Control For TV Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal TV Remote Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Universal Remote 3 Months | $14.99 | per 3 months |
| Element TV Remote Yearly | $34.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TV Remote ∙ Universal Control free?

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

### Is Universal free?

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

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

Universal is rated higher. TV Remote ∙ Universal Control averages 4.5 out of 5 from 33K ratings, while Universal averages 4.5 from 25 ratings.

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

Both TV Remote ∙ Universal Control and Universal show ads.

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

TV Remote ∙ Universal Control ships an update every 3 weeks, and Universal every 8 days. Most recently, TV Remote ∙ Universal Control was updated on October 25, 2026 and Universal on October 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.*