# A Remote vs Smart Remote Control & TV Cast

The clearest difference is rating: Smart Remote Control & TV Cast at 4.2 against A Remote's 1.3. Smart Remote Control & TV Cast also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (11K vs 659). A Remote's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Smart Remote Control & TV Cast sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. A Remote asks for nothing beyond the download.

Smart Remote Control & TV Cast holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smart Remote Control & TV Cast 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 11% of Smart Remote Control & TV Cast's.

A Remote ships an update every 5 months, Smart Remote Control & TV Cast every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | A Remote | Smart Remote Control & TV Cast |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.3 (659 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-remote/id487708729/reviews) | **[4.2 (11K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-remote-control-and-tv-cast/id1665947921/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 659 | **11K** |
| Positive reviews | 1.2% of reviews | **11.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 5 MB | 88 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.1** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mattia Confalonieri](https://appshunter.io/developer/477412001) | [Zooma Apps Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1665947923) |

## 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


### Smart Remote Control & TV Cast

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-remote-control-and-tv-cast/id1665947921)

This app transforms your phone into a universal remote for all popular TV brands. Easily control your smart TV, cast photos, videos, and games to the big screen, and enjoy a streamlined viewing experience.

**Highlights:** Replaces multiple physical remotes, Screencast photos, videos, and games, Easy WiFi setup, Automatic server detection, Keyboard input for searching, Customizable themes

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TV Remote Control: Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Smart TV Remote: Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Smart TV Remote: 1 Week | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Smart Remote Control: Weekly | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| Remote Control: Weekly Access | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Smart TV Remote: Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Remote Control for TV: 1 Month | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly TV Remote Control | $12.99 | per month |
| Smart TV Control for 3 Months | $19.99 | per 3 months |
| Smart Remote Control: 1 Year | $29.99 | per year |
| TV Remote Control: 1 Year | $39.99 | per year |
| Smart Remote Control: 1 Year | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works as a remote control
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Useful when original remote is lost

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Doesn't connect to TV
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
- 🔌 Doesn't work without WiFi
- 🤖 Doesn't support volume control

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Subscription charges even after cancellation
- Free trial immediately ends after activation

**Requested features**

- One-time payment option
- Support for more TV brands
- Volume control functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is A Remote free?

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

### Is Smart Remote Control & TV Cast free?

Smart Remote Control & TV Cast is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, A Remote or Smart Remote Control & TV Cast?

Smart Remote Control & TV Cast is rated higher. A Remote averages 1.3 out of 5 from 659 ratings, while Smart Remote Control & TV Cast averages 4.2 from 11K ratings.

### Do A Remote or Smart Remote Control & TV Cast have ads?

Neither A Remote nor Smart Remote Control & TV Cast shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, A Remote or Smart Remote Control & TV Cast?

A Remote ships an update every 5 months, and Smart Remote Control & TV Cast every 6 weeks. Most recently, A Remote was updated on October 20, 2026 and Smart Remote Control & TV Cast 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.*