Comparison

Smart TV remote app vs Universal Remote

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Smart TV remote app

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
Read full description

This app is a virtual remote that allows you to control your Smart TV from your Phone. Works with Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Panasonic,TCL Roku,Roku sticks,Hitachi, Telefunken, Grundig, Continental Edison TV and more... To use this remote control, your iPhone must be on the same Wi-fi network as your TV. Detection of your TV will be automatic and depending on the model of your TV, you will have to accept the message that will appear on your TV screen. The app works through WIFI, so you do not have to be close to the TV to make it works. With a realistic design, you can use all the functions of the original remote control very easily. This app supports the most famous TV brands like Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart Tv and LG Web OS, Sony Bravia, Philips, Panasonic viera, Telefunken, Grundig, Hitachi and Continental Edison. We have integrated the most useful commands, the features are listed below: -Change the volume -Change the channel number -Use navigation pad -Video control (Play/Pause/Stop...) -Menu, Options, Info, Tools -Power off If you have any suggestions, feel free to contact us. Disclaimer: This application is not an official app of Samsung,LG,Sony,Philips,Panasonic,Telefunken,Grundig,Continental Edison nor are we affiliated with these company. Privacy Policy: http://scout-web-based.tilda.ws/privacy Terms of use: http://scout-web-based.tilda.ws/terms

About

Universal Remote

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
Read full description

Universal Remote - Control TVs is your one-stop solution for a seamless smart TV experience. This app transforms your smartphone into a powerful universal remote, replicating all the functionality of your original remote and offering additional features you'll love:
 * Core Remote Functions: Control everything effortlessly, including volume, channels, playback, and navigation. * Intuitive UI: Enjoy a user-friendly interface with a full remote layout, responsive touchpad, fast keyboard search, and more. * Automatic Setup: Forget complicated configurations. Our app simplifies setup to get you started instantly. * Effortless Channel Surfing: Access your favorite channels with ease through the system tab. * Big Screen Entertainment: Cast photos, videos directly from your phone to your TV for a truly immersive experience. (New Feature!) * Multi-Media Casting: Unleash the power of your phone's screen. Cast PDFs, PPTX presentations, browse content directly on your TV, and view online images. (New Feature!) * Seamless Wi-Fi Connectivity: Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network for effortless control.
 How to Get Started: 1. Download Universal Remote - Control TVs and ensure your phone and Smart TV are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. 2. Click the Connect icon on the app and choose your Smart TV from the list. 3. Start exploring! Enjoy all the features at your fingertips.
 Compatibility: Our app is designed to work with all major Smart TV brands, giving you universal control.
 **Upgrade to Premium to remove ads and unlock all features. – Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase (After free trial period if offered). – Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. – Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. – Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings after purchase. – Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Disclaimer: Universal Remote・TV Control is NOT the official application of Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Hisense, Panasonic, Vizio, Insignia, TCL, Onn, Westinghouse, Skyworth, Element and it is NOT affiliated with or endorsed by these or any other companies. For complete access to all Universal Remote・TV Control features, you will need to subscribe to Premium. For Smart TVs / Devices, the only setting required is to connect your phone as well as your Smart TV / Device to the same Wifi network. Contact Us: For any support or inquiries, feel free to reach out to us at: tranthimyquyen87@gmail.com Privacy Policy & Terms of Use: Learn more about our privacy practices and terms of use at: * Privacy Policy: https://universaltechlab.com/privacy/ * Terms of Use: https://universaltechlab.com/terms/ Take control. Download Universal Remote - Control TVs today!

Screenshots

Smart TV remote app3 screens
Universal Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Universal Remote at 73% against Smart TV remote app's 14%. Universal Remote also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 months) and device support (3 vs 1). Smart TV remote app's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (267 vs 88). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Smart TV remote app sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Smart TV remote app holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 267 and 88 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 14% of Smart TV remote app'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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smart TV remote app ships an update every 5 months, Universal Remote weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and August 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Smart TV remote app versus Universal Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmart TV remote appUniversal Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (267 ratings) — better4.2 (88 ratings)
Positive reviews14.0% of reviews72.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings267 — better88
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.014.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB160 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSCOUT -WEB BASED SYSTEMS LTDUNIVERSAL TECHLAB

Customer experience

Smart TV remote app

All ratings267 ratings
Positive85.0%
Neutral3.4%
Negative11.6%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive14.0%
Neutral2.0%
Negative84.0%

Universal Remote

All ratings88 ratings
Positive80.7%
Neutral6.8%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive72.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative27.3%

Bugs and requests

Smart TV remote app

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • 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
Show 3 more
  • Inconvenient and disconnects from TV frequently
  • Support tab does not work
  • Cannot cancel free trial

Requested features

3 requests
  • Clear instructions on how to connect
  • Option to cancel subscription easily
  • Less intrusive ads in free version

Universal Remote

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Smart TV remote app

Subscriptions4
  • Universal Remote Control TV$1.997 Days
  • Week Subscription$3.997 Days
  • Week Subscription3 Days trial$3.997 Days
Show 1 more
  • Universal TV Remote Control$29.991 Year
4 purchases

Universal Remote

Subscriptions3
  • Week Premium Package3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Month Package$14.991 Month
  • Year Package$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Package$44.99

Questions

Is Smart TV remote app free?
Smart TV remote app 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, Smart TV remote app or Universal Remote?
Smart TV remote app is rated higher. Smart TV remote app averages 4.4 out of 5 from 267 ratings, while Universal Remote averages 4.2 from 88 ratings.
Do Smart TV remote app or Universal Remote have ads?
Neither Smart TV remote app nor Universal Remote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smart TV remote app or Universal Remote?
Smart TV remote app ships an update every 5 months, and Universal Remote weekly. Most recently, Smart TV remote app was updated on September 18, 2026 and Universal Remote on August 31, 2026.

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