Comparison

TV Remote 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

TV Remote

Transform your smartphone into a universal remote control for your smart TV. This app supports a wide variety of popular TV brands, consolidating all your remotes into one convenient device. Enjoy a simplified TV-watching experience.

Highlights
  • Control smart TVs with phone
  • Supports wide range of brands
  • Eliminates multiple remotes
  • LG, Roku, Samsung, Sony, Philips support
  • Simplified TV experience
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

With Universal Remote, you can control your Smart TV with just your phone! This versatile app supports a wide range of TV brands and models, eliminating the need for multiple remote controls.
 Download Universal Remote today and simplify your TV-watching experience! It works with the most popular brands: - LG - Roku - Samsung - Sony - Philips - Amazon Fire TV - Android TV & Google TV - Hisense - Vizio This application is an independent development, compatible with the mentioned brands or companies, but it is not officially related to or associated with them in any way. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://zap.studio/privacy-policy/

About

Universal Remote

Transform your phone into a powerful TV controller. Manage channels, volume, menus, and use keyboard input for seamless navigation. Compatible with major smart TV brands over Wi-Fi.

Highlights
  • Control channels and volume
  • Access TV menus and info
  • Keyboard input for searches
  • Haptic feedback
  • Responsive touchpad interface
  • Wi-Fi network connectivity
Features
Read full description

Introducing the Universal Remote: Smart TV Hub" - your ultimate solution to the perennial dilemma of a missing TV remote or the frustration of dealing with outdated devices. Say goodbye to these headaches as our innovative remote control app turns your phone into a powerful TV controller. Take your TV experience to the next level with the Universal Remote: Smart TV Hub"! Our no-frills application offers seamless control of your web-connected TV, right from your iPhone. This app gives you full control over various functions including channels, volume, menu, info, tools, and basic controls like play/pause/stop and more, mirroring the functionality of a traditional handheld remote. Compatible with leading brands such as SAMSUNG, LG, SONY, ROKU, PANASONIC, AndroidTV, and Hesense. Support for TV models from different years of production and screen sizes. A simple connection between your iPhone and your TV over the same Wi-Fi network turns your touchscreen into a comprehensive navigation panel. It replicates all the functions of a traditional remote control. Key features include: - Fast and easy to get started: The app becomes your physical remote control, always at your fingertips. - Automatic customization: Easy to set up and use for effortless control. - Haptic feedback: Enhances the overall experience with realistic vibrations. - Responsive touchpad: Provides an aesthetically pleasing and tactile interface. - Keyboard input: Simplifies TV search and entry. - Wi-Fi compatibility: Automatically detects all TVs on your network, making phone control a breeze. "Universal remote control: Smart TV Hub" is a full-featured mobile version of a traditional TV remote control. Designed to streamline your daily life. Now you don't have to leave the comfort of your sofa to hunt for a misplaced remote or buy a new one in case it goes missing. Just sync the app with your device and you can effortlessly browse through your favorite shows, movies, and programs - all from your mobile phone. Embrace the wonders of technology and unlock a smarter, more convenient life! ***** Disclaimer Please note that our app is an independent application and is not endorsed or affiliated with SAMSUNG, LG, SONY, ROKU, PANASONIC, AndroidTV, Hesense, or any other brand mentioned. Subscription Pricing & Terms: - To unlock all features you need to subscribe to our Premium plan. - Prices are equal to the value that "Apple's App Store Matrix" determines is the equivalent of the subscription price in USD. - Subscriptions are billed weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually at the rate selected depending on the subscription plan. - Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account as soon as you confirm your purchase. - You can manage your subscriptions and turn off auto-renewal from your Account Settings after the purchase. - Subscriptions will renew automatically unless you turn off auto-renewal at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. The renewal cost will be charged to your account 24 hours before the end of the current period. - When the subscription is canceled, it will remain active until the end of the period. Auto-renewal will be disabled, but the current subscription will not be refunded. - If offered, any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Privacy Policy: http://vataras.com/privacy_policy Terms of Service: http://vataras.com/terms_of_use

Screenshots

TV Remote4 screens
Universal Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Universal Remote at none against TV Remote's shown. Universal Remote also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 55%). TV Remote's advantage is ratings volume (58K vs 1.1K) and update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). On price, rating, 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. TV Remote sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Universal Remote sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for TV Remote against 4.6 for Universal Remote. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TV Remote has 58K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 55% of TV Remote's written reviews are positive against 80% of Universal Remote's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TV Remote ships an update every 4 days, Universal Remote fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
TV Remote versus Universal Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTV RemoteUniversal Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (58K ratings)4.6 (1.1K ratings)
Positive reviews55.4% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings58K — better1.1K
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterFortnightly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#195 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.114.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size62 MB143 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZap Software Studio BVGentlemen's s.r.o.

Customer experience

TV Remote

All ratings57,661 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral2.5%
Negative6.4%
Written reviews1,316 reviews
Positive55.4%
Neutral4.7%
Negative39.9%

Universal Remote

All ratings1,074 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral4.4%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral3.3%
Negative16.7%

User reviews

TV Remote

From 58K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works great
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 💡 Useful when remote is lost
  • 🔒 No ads or subscriptions
  • 🚀 Quick connection to TV

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional connection issues
  • 🐛 Compatibility problems with some TV models
  • 🐛 Keyboard not working on some TVs
  • 🐛 Disconnects frequently

Universal Remote

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
  • 🚀 Quick response time and responsiveness
  • 📱 Transforms phone into functional remote
  • 🔄 Automatic detection and customization
  • ✨ Works across multiple TV brands (LG, Samsung, Sony, Roku)

Room to improve

  • 💰 Aggressive subscription model and paywalls
  • 🔌 Connectivity issues with some TVs
  • 📺 Inconsistent compatibility across devices
  • ⚠️ Unreliable connection reliability

Bugs and requests

TV Remote

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App force closes when connecting to certain TVs
  • Volume controls not working on some TVs
  • Remote buttons not responding consistently

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add ability to turn TV on/off
  • Improve keyboard functionality
  • Expand TV brand compatibility
  • Add option to save connected TV

Universal Remote

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App won't connect to TV
  • Subscription popup blocks basic functionality
  • Connectivity drops and unreliable connections

Requested features

2 requests
  • Free version without subscription requirements
  • Improved TV compatibility and connection stability

In-app purchases

3 purchases

TV Remote

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Premium3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium$4.997 Days
  • Annual Premium$19.991 Year
6 purchases

Universal Remote

Subscriptions6
  • Remote control for TV$5.997 Days
  • Universal Remote7 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Universal TV Remote$8.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Remote Control for TV$9.993 Months
  • Remote Control for TV7 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • TV Remote$24.991 Year

Questions

Is TV Remote free?
TV Remote 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, TV Remote or Universal Remote?
TV Remote and Universal Remote are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 58K and 1.1K ratings respectively.
Do TV Remote or Universal Remote have ads?
TV Remote shows ads; Universal Remote does not.
Which is updated more often, TV Remote or Universal Remote?
TV Remote ships an update every 4 days, and Universal Remote fortnightly. Most recently, TV Remote was updated on September 24, 2026 and Universal Remote on September 22, 2026.

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