# TV Remote vs Universal Remote for Smart TV+

TV Remote and Universal Remote for Smart TV+ both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 30% of TV Remote's written reviews are positive against 17% of Universal Remote for Smart TV+'s. Universal Remote for Smart TV+'s advantage is chart position (#194 vs unranked). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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 Smart TV+ sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for TV Remote against 4.4 for Universal Remote for Smart TV+. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3.2K and 2.5K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 30% of TV Remote's written reviews are positive against 17% of Universal Remote for Smart TV+'s.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | TV Remote | Universal Remote for Smart TV+ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (3.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-control/id1661904719/reviews)** | [4.4 (2.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-for-smart-tv-plus/id6670310164/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.2K** | 2.5K |
| Positive reviews | **30.4% of reviews** | 17.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#194** |
| Size | 123 MB | 241 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Fire Technologies Hong Kong Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1871390749) | [Delta Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/1676377811) |

## 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 Smart TV+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-for-smart-tv-plus/id6670310164)

**Currently charting:** #194 Top Grossing · Utilities (US App Store)

Control your smart TVs with your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. This app offers a user-friendly interface to manage power, volume, channels, and even cast content from your device to the big screen. It's a perfect replacement for misplaced physical remotes.

**Highlights:** Power, volume, and channel control, Keyboard and touchpad for navigation, Screen mirroring and casting, YouTube and IPTV casting, Playback controls, Apple Watch support, Dynamic Island integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Universal Remote Weekly Plan | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote Weekly Plan | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote Weekly Plan | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote Weekly Plan | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote Weekly Plan | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote Weekly Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote Weekly Plan | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote Yearly Plan | $19.99 | per year |
| Universal Remote Yearly Plan | $29.99 | per year |
| Universal Remote Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💎 Paloma mía
- 💎 El tablas

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Fee not optional
- 🚫 Have to pay to use
- 🚫 Whoever thought that making a remote a paid subscription was a good idea deserves to be eaten alive by dogs like game of thrones
- 🚫 The app is impossible to use unless you agree to pay
- 🚫 Wow you can't even use the app unless you pay. You can't hit the volume up or down without being sent to the subscription page. You really want 6.99 a week? If anything it should be a 1 & done thing, the app should just cost money to download. What a joke

**Reported bugs**

- Funcionó al principio pero luego dejó de conectarse
- Wont mirror to my tv. Just keeps saying format not supported
- Don't waste your time on the trial. Doesn't cast or mirror. Remote function & settings option at bottom of screen are the only 2 out of 5 that operate

**Requested features**

- None


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TV Remote free?

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

### Is Universal Remote for Smart TV+ free?

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

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

TV Remote is rated higher. TV Remote averages 4.4 out of 5 from 3.2K ratings, while Universal Remote for Smart TV+ averages 4.4 from 2.5K ratings.

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

Both TV Remote and Universal Remote for Smart TV+ show ads.

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

TV Remote ships an update every 3 weeks, and Universal Remote for Smart TV+ every 3 weeks. Most recently, TV Remote was updated on October 30, 2026 and Universal Remote for Smart TV+ on October 30, 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.*