Comparison

Universal Remote vs Remote

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

Head to head
About

Universal Remote

Transform your smartphone into a universal remote for various home appliances. Supports infrared and Bluetooth modes, controlling TVs, air conditioners, projectors, and more. Offers broad compatibility with numerous brands and devices.

Highlights
  • Infrared and Bluetooth control modes
  • Supports TVs, air conditioners, projectors, TV boxes
  • Wide range of appliance brands supported
  • Simplified device operation
  • Multi-device saving and management
  • Accurate device identification
Features
Read full description

Principles and Operations This application adopts the internationally‑used infrared code library. It sends out infrared signals through signal conversion to control infrared accessories, so as to operate target devices. Notes The infrared mode of this product must be used with a dedicated external infrared device, which is sold separately. Please take note of this. Universal Remote Control Universal Infrared Mobile‑phone Remote Control for Household Appliances Devices supported by the APP include TVs, air conditioners, projectors, TV boxes, remote‑controlled fans and remote‑controlled table lamps. [Multi‑device Support] Compatible with a wide range of common household appliances for excellent interoperability. [Multi‑brand Support] Supports numerous domestic and overseas home‑appliance brands. Powered by the international standard infrared code library, it has undergone rigorous testing and achieves a 92 % compatibility rate for various brands. [Multi‑mode Support] Both infrared and Bluetooth connection modes are available. The infrared mode requires an infrared accessory; for Bluetooth mode, the target device must support Bluetooth control. [Easy Operation] Operation workflows for different devices have been redesigned to greatly reduce operating complexity. Multi‑device profiles can be saved; once configured, settings do not need to be re‑entered for subsequent use. [Accurate Recognition] Features unique device‑identification capability to prevent operational confusion when multiple devices are controlled simultaneously.

About

Remote

Features
Read full description

Universal Remote Control: One Phone to Manage Your Whole Smart Home The smartphone has evolved into a versatile control hub, redefining the smart living experience with four core advantages to simplify complex operations Multiple brands covered, goodbye to the hassle of multiple remotes The universal remote control supports numerous domestic and international home appliance brands, seamlessly adapting to common devices such as TVs, air conditioners, and set-top boxes, as well as projectors and smart devices No need to memorize the operation logic of different remote controls. Simply input the brand or model keyword for one-click search, and you'll quickly match a precise remote control solution, truly achieving "one device in hand, control the entire house." Exceptional compatibility, capable of controlling even niche devices The "Universal Remote Control" boasts a powerful infrared code library, offering comprehensive compatibility and support for vintage appliances and niche brands. Currently, it supports over a dozen infrared protocols, including NEC and RC5 No need to purchase a dedicated controller separately. Whether it's an old device used at home for years or professional appliances in the office, all can be easily integrated into a mobile control system, with a compatibility rate exceeding 80% Supports two modes: WiFi and infrared connection WiFi Mode: The target device must support WiFi control and be connected to the same WiFi network as the current operating device. Select the corresponding brand, then scan and pair to enable usage Infrared Mode: The infrared mode requires an additional infrared emitter to be connected to a mobile phone or tablet. Upon successful connection, the "Universal Remote Control" will automatically recognize and match the infrared device. Select the corresponding brand and infrared code (optional) to control the connected electrical appliance Custom scene interconnection, one-click activation for a convenient life The "Universal Remote" supports the remote scene saving function, allowing users to create usage scenarios for the remote. No reconfiguration is needed upon subsequent use, enabling direct operation Auto-renewal subscription terms: The subscription service is an auto-renewing membership with an optional cycle: continuous monthly billing. Upon confirmation of purchase, the payment will be deducted from your iTunes account. Subscriptions will automatically renew, and iTunes will charge your account 24 hours before the current subscription expires. Once the payment is successfully processed, your membership period will be extended accordingly. To cancel auto-renewal, please turn off auto-renewal in your subscription settings under Apple ID Settings at least 24 hours before the current subscription period ends. Privacy Policy: https://docs.qq.com/doc/DTWNmb2pmbXZzVHFN User Agreement: https://docs.qq.com/doc/DTWRZV0NCRHpmZlZk Technical Support: https://docs.qq.com/doc/DTXlWZ3lQdGNwQUZK

Screenshots

Universal Remote3 screens
Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Universal Remote at none against Remote's 2. On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. Remote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per month. Universal Remote asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Universal Remote ships an update monthly, Remote fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Universal Remote versus Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniversal RemoteRemote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (285 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews9.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings285 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB72 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer玉 曹宿州指尖网络科技有限公司

Bugs and requests

Universal Remote

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Ads cannot be closed
  • App redirects unexpectedly
  • Time freezes during use
  • Some buttons do not match
  • App is unusable on iOS
Show 5 more
  • Ads get stuck and cannot be skipped
  • App freezes during ad playback
  • Functionality is not working
  • App redirects to games
  • App requires specific IR equipment

Requested features

6 requests
  • Fix button mapping issues
  • Improve compatibility for all phone types
  • Remove ads
  • Make the app usable without ads
  • Simplify the user interface
Show 1 more
  • Allow use without IR equipment

Remote

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Universal Remote

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Remote

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Auto-Renewal$4.491 Month
  • Weekly Auto-Renewal3 Days trial$4.997 Days

Questions

Is Universal Remote free?
Universal Remote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Remote free?
Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Universal Remote or Remote have ads?
Both Universal Remote and Remote show ads.
Which is updated more often, Universal Remote or Remote?
Universal Remote ships an update monthly, and Remote fortnightly. Most recently, Universal Remote was updated on November 7, 2026 and Remote on October 31, 2026.

Other comparisons