# PowerDVD Remote App vs Universal Remote

The clearest difference is rating: Universal Remote at 4.3 against PowerDVD Remote App's 2.5. Universal Remote also leads on ratings volume (13K vs 45) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). PowerDVD Remote App's advantage is review sentiment (56% vs 18%) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Universal Remote sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. PowerDVD Remote App asks for nothing beyond the download.

Universal Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal Remote has 13K ratings behind it against 45, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 56% of PowerDVD Remote App's written reviews are positive against 18% of Universal Remote's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

PowerDVD Remote App ships an update every 7 months, Universal Remote every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PowerDVD Remote App | Universal Remote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.5 (45 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/powerdvd-remote-app/id423482808/reviews) | **[4.3 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-tv-remote/id1487434765/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 45 | **13K** |
| Positive reviews | **55.7% of reviews** | 17.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 16 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CyberLink](https://appshunter.io/developer/371275353) | [Plane Cubes](https://appshunter.io/developer/1712487303) |

## What reviewers say

### PowerDVD Remote App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/powerdvd-remote-app/id423482808)

Transform your mobile device into a wireless remote for your PC's media player. Control Blu-ray, DVD, video, music, and photo playback from your couch. Wirelessly stream and save content from your phone or tablet to your computer.

**Highlights:** iOS device as PowerDVD remote, Full navigation and playback control, Wireless media streaming from mobile to PC, Mobile device as wireless keyboard/mouse, Multi-touch photo zoom and rotate

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to set up and connect
- 🖱️ Effective touchpad/mouse control functionality
- 📱 Works as wireless trackpad for other applications
- 🚀 Fast response time and low latency
- 💰 Free app for Ultra/Deluxe version owners

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent connection failures and server detection issues
- ⚠️ Version compatibility problems with PowerDVD
- 🔌 Requires Wi-Fi connectivity
- 🔋 High battery drain due to location services
- 📍 Geolocation access requirement problematic

**Reported bugs**

- App cannot find server despite PowerDVD running
- Connection drops after device sleep/lock
- App crashes when accessing media on iOS 5
- Cannot input access code on some versions
- Device list gets stuck

**Requested features**

- Next/Previous button for playlist navigation
- Bluetooth connectivity option
- Right-click functionality
- Eject button
- Customizable scroll speed


### Universal Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-tv-remote/id1487434765)

Transform your phone into a smart TV remote. Easily control volume, channels, power, and more for compatible Samsung and LG smart TVs over your WiFi network. Offers premium features through a subscription.

**Highlights:** Control smart TVs from your phone, WiFi network connection, Volume, channel, power control, Source and smart function control, Compatible with Samsung and LG TVs

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Start Free Trial | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote Pro Week | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote Pro Year | $39.99 | per year |
| Go Pro Universal Remote TV | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Universal remote control
- 💯 Works as advertised
- 🤩 Great app for managing TV

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Expensive subscription
- 🚫 Doesn't work with some TVs
- 🔍 Requires original remote for setup
- 🤬 Lots of ads
- 🔒 Hard to cancel subscription

**Reported bugs**

- App keeps disconnecting from TV
- Doesn't recognize TV or remote commands
- Crashes or freezes during use

**Requested features**

- Add keyboard and mouse support for TV browser
- Improve compatibility with more TV models
- Provide better troubleshooting and support options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PowerDVD Remote App free?

PowerDVD Remote App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Universal Remote free?

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

### Which has better reviews, PowerDVD Remote App or Universal Remote?

Universal Remote is rated higher. PowerDVD Remote App averages 2.5 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while Universal Remote averages 4.3 from 13K ratings.

### Do PowerDVD Remote App or Universal Remote have ads?

Universal Remote shows ads; PowerDVD Remote App does not.

### Which is updated more often, PowerDVD Remote App or Universal Remote?

PowerDVD Remote App ships an update every 7 months, and Universal Remote every 2 months. Most recently, PowerDVD Remote App was updated on September 21, 2026 and Universal Remote on September 26, 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.*