# Roku Remote (Official) vs Remote Controller for TV

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Roku Remote (Official) at 64% against Remote Controller for TV's 11%. Roku Remote (Official) also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and ratings volume (6.2M vs 676). Remote Controller for TV's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, monetization model and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Remote Controller for TV sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Roku Remote (Official) asks for nothing beyond the download.

Roku Remote (Official) holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Roku Remote (Official) has 6.2M ratings behind it against 676, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Roku Remote (Official)'s written reviews are positive against 11% of Remote Controller for TV's.

Roku Remote (Official) ships an update every 3 weeks, Remote Controller for TV weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Roku Remote (Official) | Remote Controller for TV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (6.2M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roku-remote-official/id482066631/reviews)** | [4.5 (676 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-controller-for-tv/id6496851627/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **6.2M** | 676 |
| Positive reviews | **63.9% of reviews** | 11.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#13** | — |
| Size | 229 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ROKU INC](https://appshunter.io/developer/482066634) | [LOOP MOBILE FZCO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1741140077) |

## What reviewers say

### Roku Remote (Official)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roku-remote-official/id482066631)

**Currently charting:** #13 Top Free · Entertainment, #66 Top Free (US App Store)

Control your streaming devices with a mobile remote, search for content using voice or keyboard, and enjoy private listening. Stream free movies and live TV on the go, and cast media from your phone to your TV.

**Highlights:** Mobile remote control, Voice and keyboard search, Private listening with headphones, Stream free movies and live TV, Cast media from phone to TV, Add and launch channels

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient remote control
- 🎧 Private listening feature
- 📱 Ability to control TV from phone
- 🔍 Easy to navigate and search
- 🆓 Free app with no ads

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnection issues
- ⏱️ Slow to connect or respond
- 🔌 Compatibility problems with some TVs
- 🔇 Private listening not always reliable
- 🤯 Frustrating when remote doesn't work

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes or freezes frequently
- Fails to detect or connect to Roku devices
- Loses connection during use
- Inconsistent performance across devices
- Unreliable private listening mode

**Requested features**

- Add volume control for Roku sticks
- Improve Bluetooth/headphone connectivity
- Allow remote access over mobile data
- Add widget for quick TV controls
- Optimize app for iPad's larger screen


### Remote Controller for TV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-controller-for-tv/id6496851627)

Transform your smartphone into a powerful remote for your smart TV. Control channels, volume, navigate menus with a trackpad, and perform text searches directly from your device. Connects easily over Wi-Fi to compatible smart TV models.

**Highlights:** Smart TV remote control, Channel and volume management, Built-in trackpad navigation, Text search functionality, One-tap app launching, Automatic Wi-Fi connection

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Premium | $44.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Roku Remote (Official) free?

Roku Remote (Official) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Remote Controller for TV free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Roku Remote (Official) or Remote Controller for TV?

Roku Remote (Official) is rated higher. Roku Remote (Official) averages 4.7 out of 5 from 6.2M ratings, while Remote Controller for TV averages 4.5 from 676 ratings.

### Do Roku Remote (Official) or Remote Controller for TV have ads?

Roku Remote (Official) shows ads; Remote Controller for TV does not.

### Which is updated more often, Roku Remote (Official) or Remote Controller for TV?

Roku Remote (Official) ships an update every 3 weeks, and Remote Controller for TV weekly. Most recently, Roku Remote (Official) was updated on September 27, 2026 and Remote Controller for TV on September 25, 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.*