# A Remote vs Universal Remote | Smart TV

The clearest difference is rating: Universal Remote | Smart TV at 4.7 against A Remote's 1.3. Universal Remote | Smart TV also leads on review sentiment (38% vs 1%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 months). A Remote's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 20) and iOS requirement (13.1 vs 15.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Universal Remote | Smart TV sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. A Remote asks for nothing beyond the download.

Universal Remote | Smart TV holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal Remote | Smart TV has 11K ratings behind it against 659, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 1% of A Remote's written reviews are positive against 38% of Universal Remote | Smart TV's.

A Remote ships an update every 5 months, Universal Remote | Smart TV every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | A Remote | Universal Remote | Smart TV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.3 (659 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-remote/id487708729/reviews) | **[4.7 (11K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-smart-tv/id1631564230/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 659 | **11K** |
| Positive reviews | 1.2% of reviews | **38.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 5 MB | 314 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.1** | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Mattia Confalonieri](https://appshunter.io/developer/477412001) | [Level Clash Apps S.L.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1590871236) |

## What reviewers say

### A Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-remote/id487708729)

Transform your iPhone into a remote control for your Mac and Apple TV. Control iTunes, DVDPlayer, and other compatible software from a distance. Requires additional hardware and ensuring devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.

**Highlights:** Control Mac and Apple TV, Remote control for iTunes, Remote control for DVDPlayer, Control other compatible software, Infrared port compatibility

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Universal Remote | Smart TV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-smart-tv/id1631564230)

Control your smart TV and streaming devices with your phone. Navigate menus, launch channels, adjust volume, and type text easily. Cast media from your phone to the big screen.

**Highlights:** Touchpad navigation, Hot keys for channels, Volume control, Built-in keyboard, Multiple device switching, Cast media to TV

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

**In-app purchases (15)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Set up your remote | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| TV Remote Control Weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal TV Remote Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| TV Remote Control Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Remote Control for TV Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Remote for TV Weekly | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Remote Control for TV Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Smart TV Remote Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Universal TV Remote Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Smart TV Remote Control Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Remote Control for TV Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Smart TV Remote Control Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium access | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to set up
- 💡 Convenient remote control
- 👍 Works perfectly

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🚫 Requires paid subscription
- 💰 Expensive subscription cost
- 🔒 Unable to cancel subscription
- 🐛 Doesn't work as expected
- 🚫 No free version

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on opening
- Unable to connect to TV
- Keyboard function doesn't work

**Requested features**

- Option to purchase one-time instead of subscription
- Ability to cancel subscription easily


## Frequently asked questions

### Is A Remote free?

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

### Is Universal Remote | Smart TV free?

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

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

Universal Remote | Smart TV is rated higher. A Remote averages 1.3 out of 5 from 659 ratings, while Universal Remote | Smart TV averages 4.7 from 11K ratings.

### Do A Remote or Universal Remote | Smart TV have ads?

Neither A Remote nor Universal Remote | Smart TV shows ads.

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

A Remote ships an update every 5 months, and Universal Remote | Smart TV every 2 weeks. Most recently, A Remote was updated on October 20, 2026 and Universal Remote | Smart TV on October 20, 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.*