# Phil vs TV Remote, Universal Remote

Phil and TV Remote, Universal Remote both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 48% of Phil's written reviews are positive against 25% of TV Remote, Universal Remote's. On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Phil sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and TV Remote, Universal Remote sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TV Remote, Universal Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5.1K and 2.9K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 48% of Phil's written reviews are positive against 25% of TV Remote, Universal Remote's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Phil ships an update fortnightly, TV Remote, Universal Remote every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Phil | TV Remote, Universal Remote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (5.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phil-smart-tv-remote-control/id1570132340/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-remote/id1660719609/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5.1K** | 2.9K |
| Positive reviews | **47.5% of reviews** | 25.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 98 MB | 57 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.1 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Oz Shabbatth](https://appshunter.io/developer/1451079365) | [Inston](https://appshunter.io/developer/1660719611) |

## What reviewers say

### Phil

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phil-smart-tv-remote-control/id1570132340)

Transform your phone into a smart TV remote with a variety of models. Enjoy a fast touchpad, keyboard, and an intuitive interface for seamless control. Your last used remote is saved for instant access.

**Highlights:** Multiple remote models supported, Quick access to last used remote, Fast touchpad and keyboard, Easy-to-use interface, No installation required

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No Ads | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works perfectly
- 🚀 Connects quickly
- 💡 Useful when remote is lost

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections
- 🔍 Requires location access
- 💸 Too many ads

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to connect to TV
- Keeps asking for updated version
- Functionality issues after WiFi disconnect

**Requested features**

- Paid ad-free version
- Improved connection stability


### TV Remote, Universal Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-remote/id1660719609)

Transform your smartphone into a universal TV remote. Control power, volume, channels, and menus for over 1000 TV models worldwide. Simplify your entertainment setup and eliminate the need for multiple physical remotes.

**Highlights:** Universal TV control, Power on/off, Volume adjustment, Channel navigation, Menu access, Simple setup, Wide compatibility

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium | $3.99 | per month |
| Pro: Unlock All | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro: Full Access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Subscription | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro: Ultimate Access | $12.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium | $24.99 | per year |
| Access IPTV Channels - Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Pro | $27.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $32.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🙌 Helpful for finding lost remote
- 💡 Allows room/location customization

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤑 Excessive paid features
- 🚫 Limited functionality in free version
- 📺 Compatibility issues with some TV models
- 💤 Frequent ads interrupting usage

**Reported bugs**

- App fails to connect to TV
- Buttons not responding as expected
- Subscription not canceling properly

**Requested features**

- Ability to control more TV functions without subscription
- Option to disable ads in free version
- Support for more TV brands and models


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Phil free?

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

### Is TV Remote, Universal Remote free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Phil or TV Remote, Universal Remote?

TV Remote, Universal Remote is rated higher. Phil averages 4.7 out of 5 from 5.1K ratings, while TV Remote, Universal Remote averages 4.8 from 2.9K ratings.

### Do Phil or TV Remote, Universal Remote have ads?

Both Phil and TV Remote, Universal Remote show ads.

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

Phil ships an update fortnightly, and TV Remote, Universal Remote every 3 weeks. Most recently, Phil was updated on November 7, 2026 and TV Remote, Universal Remote on November 7, 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.*