# Phil vs Universal TV Remote Control .

Phil and Universal TV Remote Control . both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 86% of Universal TV Remote Control .'s written reviews are positive against 48% of Phil's. Universal TV Remote Control . also leads on chart position (#198 vs unranked). Phil's advantage is iOS requirement (13.1 vs 16.4). 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 Universal TV Remote Control . sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Universal TV Remote Control . holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5K and 11K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of Phil's written reviews are positive against 86% of Universal TV Remote Control .'s.

Phil ships an update fortnightly, Universal TV Remote Control . every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Phil | Universal TV Remote Control . |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phil-smart-tv-remote-control/id1570132340/reviews) | **[4.8 (11K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-control/id6740205332/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5K | **11K** |
| Positive reviews | 47.5% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#198** |
| Size | 98 MB | 166 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.1** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Oz Shabbatth](https://appshunter.io/developer/1451079365) | [Apps Venture Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1788899518) |

## 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


### Universal TV Remote Control .

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-control/id6740205332)

**Currently charting:** #198 Top Free · Utilities (US App Store)

Transform your phone into a universal remote for smart TVs, streaming sticks, and set-top boxes. Control power, volume, navigation, and media playback effortlessly. Connects via Wi-Fi for a seamless experience.

**Highlights:** Power ON/OFF, Volume Control, Dual Navigation Modes (Touchpad/D-pad), Keyboard input for TV, Media Player and App Control, Numeric Keypad, Wi-Fi connection

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Remote (Family Plan) | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium - 7 Day Free Trial | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Weekly (Family Plan) | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Remote (Family Plan) | $19.49 | per 3 months |
| Premium Remote (Family Plan) | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly (Family Plan) | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium Remote (Family Plan) | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium Remote (Family Plan) | $35.99 | per year |
| Premium Lifetime (Family Plan) | $29.99 | one-time |
| Premium Remote (Family Plan) | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Seamless connectivity
- 🚀 Quick and easy to use
- 💡 Versatile functionality
- 👍 Visually appealing UI

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Select/OK key not working
- 🐛 Frequent disconnections

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to connect to certain TV models
- Cursor jumping issue on select/OK key

**Requested features**

- Compatibility with Apple TV
- Ability to control more devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Phil free?

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

### Is Universal TV Remote Control . free?

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

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

Universal TV Remote Control . is rated higher. Phil averages 4.7 out of 5 from 5K ratings, while Universal TV Remote Control . averages 4.8 from 11K ratings.

### Do Phil or Universal TV Remote Control . have ads?

Both Phil and Universal TV Remote Control . show ads.

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

Phil ships an update fortnightly, and Universal TV Remote Control . every 2 weeks. Most recently, Phil was updated on October 25, 2026 and Universal TV Remote Control . on October 27, 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.*