# TV Remote vs Universal Remote for TV Smart

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Universal Remote for TV Smart at 72% against TV Remote's 30%. Universal Remote for TV Smart also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). TV Remote's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 4.1). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TV Remote sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and Universal Remote for TV Smart sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

TV Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3.2K and 7.2K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 30% of TV Remote's written reviews are positive against 72% of Universal Remote for TV Smart's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

TV Remote ships an update every 3 weeks, Universal Remote for TV Smart weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TV Remote | Universal Remote for TV Smart |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (3.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-control/id1661904719/reviews)** | [4.1 (7.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-for-tv-smart/id6461691664/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3.2K | **7.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 30.4% of reviews | **72.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 123 MB | 159 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fire Technologies Hong Kong Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1871390749) | [VTN GLOBAL LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1699925027) |

## What reviewers say

### TV Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-control/id1661904719)

Control your TV and streaming devices with your phone. Easily navigate channels, cast media, and search for content using your device's keyboard or voice. Enjoy a simplified entertainment experience.

**Highlights:** Universal TV remote control, Touchpad or button navigation, Screen mirroring, Channel access, Wireless WiFi/IR control, Voice and keyboard search, Cast photos and videos

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

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full version by week | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Full version by month | $9.99 | per month |
| Weekly Subscription With Trial | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Subscription | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| 1 Week Lite Subscription | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Full version by year 7D trial | $34.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $39.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription With Trial | $39.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Convenient remote control
- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 💡 Useful features like keyboard and touch control
- 👍 Works well with Roku devices

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription-based model
- 🔍 Difficulty connecting to TV
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 💰 Expensive for a remote app

**Reported bugs**

- Volume controls not working
- App unable to find TV
- Subscription issues and inability to cancel

**Requested features**

- Make the app free to use
- Improve connection reliability
- Add more device compatibility


### Universal Remote for TV Smart

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-for-tv-smart/id6461691664)

Control your TV and smart devices with your smartphone. This app offers universal remote functionality, on-demand controls for volume and playback, and quick access to apps and channels. It also features voice command capabilities for a hands-free experience.

**Highlights:** Universal remote compatibility, On-demand controls (volume, channels, apps), Quick app and channel access, Voice command functionality, Intuitive smartphone interface

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Weekly | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Monthly sale off | $14.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Premium Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use as a TV remote
- 🤩 Great for pranking family members
- 🙌 Helpful when losing the physical remote
- 🎉 Works well with various TV models

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Constant ads and in-app purchases
- 🔌 Drains phone battery quickly
- 🤔 Misleading advertising about projector feature

**Reported bugs**

- Connectivity issues with certain TV models
- Remote controls not always responsive
- App crashes or freezes occasionally

**Requested features**

- Add ability to cast phone screen to TV
- Improve instructions and setup process
- Reduce number of ads or make them optional


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TV Remote free?

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

### Is Universal Remote for TV Smart free?

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

### Which has better reviews, TV Remote or Universal Remote for TV Smart?

TV Remote is rated higher. TV Remote averages 4.4 out of 5 from 3.2K ratings, while Universal Remote for TV Smart averages 4.1 from 7.2K ratings.

### Do TV Remote or Universal Remote for TV Smart have ads?

TV Remote shows ads; Universal Remote for TV Smart does not.

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

TV Remote ships an update every 3 weeks, and Universal Remote for TV Smart weekly. Most recently, TV Remote was updated on November 12, 2026 and Universal Remote for TV Smart on November 11, 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.*