Comparison

iR Universal Remote Control vs Universal TV Remote ·

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

iR Universal Remote Control

Transform your iPhone into a powerful universal remote control for all your home entertainment and electronic devices. This app, combined with the iRed Transmitter hardware, allows you to control TVs, audio equipment, cameras, and more with an intuitive interface.

Highlights
  • Universal remote control
  • Control TVs, DVD players, DVRs, and more
  • Custom remote design
  • Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
  • No complex WiFi or Bluetooth setup
  • Large device database
  • Quickly switch between remotes
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone into THE universal remote control. iR Remote requires the iRed Transmitter hardware (http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Infrared-transmitter-for-iPhone-iPod/) iR Remote transforms your device into a personal universal remote. Use it to control your TV, DVD players, DVRs, cable boxes, audio equipment, high-end digital cameras, ceiling fans, air conditioners, and almost any other product - at home or on the go. Replace all your remotes with your iPhone. Stash the old remotes, and enjoy the convenience and simplicity of using your device. Out with the clutter and confusion, and in with everything you love about your device: the sharp, brilliant display, the Multi-Touch interface, the versatility and portability. With the ability to control any device, iR Remote takes the concept of universal to a new level. Simply plugin iRed into the audiojack and start using. You will able to control anything you want in your home or business. iR Remote combines the power of an intuitive App with the simplicity of iRed. It will give you all the power and none of the complexity. iR Remote does all of this in an attractive, intuitive, Apple inspired and easy to use interface. The perfect replacing for multiple and often-confusing diffrent remote control devices. iR Remote can control any number of devices. Use it to control your -TV -DVD players -DVRs -cable boxes -audio equipment -high-end digital cameras -ceiling fans -air conditioners ... and almost any other product that receive infrared signals. Custom Remote Quickly and easily design your custom remote by dragging and dropping any buttons you want, and assign a signal (hex codes) to each. iR Remote intelligently analyzes the signal and stores it in your device. You can program all your remotes in just minutes. A home for your old phone. Save your old phone from the recycling bin. With iR Remote you could still use it as your favourite universal remote control. Features: -No complex WiFi or Bluetooth setup -large database -auto search -intuitive design -quickly switch between different remotes -store as much remotes as u want -control any device Note: iR Remote requires the iRed Transmitter hardware (http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Infrared-transmitter-for-iPhone-iPod/)

About

Universal TV Remote ·

Control your smart TV with your phone. Navigate menus using a touchpad, and access advanced features like Wake-on-LAN. Supports a wide range of TV models and operating systems.

Highlights
  • Smart TV remote control
  • Touchpad navigation
  • Wake-on-LAN support
  • Wide model compatibility
  • Supports various OS
Features
Read full description

Universal Remote supports hundreds of models with various operating systems and screen resolutions, ranging from basic models no longer in manufacture to 2021 novelties with the most powerful hardware. The remote differs depending on not only the Smart TV manufacturer but also the type of operating system. Touchpad Instead of Buttons. We are confident that navigation with swipe gestures is much more convenient than by pressing regular "down" or "right" buttons, not distracting you from the most important thing: searching for your favorite movie or series on the TV. Still Can’t Turn the TV On? In a word, you can, but under one condition. Most new Smart TV models support the Wake-on-LAN function. It is possible only if you had already been connected to the TV earlier. Therefore, when using the application for the first time, you will need a hardware remote control. After that, you can use your Universal Remote. Premium Subscription You can subscribe for unlimited access to Premium features. Subscription is $19.99 yearly. Prices are equal to the value that "Apple's App Store Matrix" determines is the equivalent of the subscription price in USD. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings after purchase. For details please visit the link https://support.apple.com/HT202039. When your current trial/subscription period expires, you will be unsubscribed. The current active subscription period can not be canceled. After your subscription expires, you will no longer be able to use pictures marked as Premium. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Terms of Use: https://kraftwerk9.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://kraftwerk9.com/privacy

Screenshots

iR Universal Remote Control4 screens
Universal TV Remote ·4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Universal TV Remote · at Free against iR Universal Remote Control's $3.99. Universal TV Remote · also leads on rating (4.6 vs 1.3) and review sentiment (34% vs 2%). iR Universal Remote Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On device support 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

Universal TV Remote · is free to download; iR Universal Remote Control costs $3.99 up front. Universal TV Remote · sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. iR Universal Remote Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Universal TV Remote · holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal TV Remote · has 89K ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 2% of iR Universal Remote Control's written reviews are positive against 34% of Universal TV Remote ·'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iR Universal Remote Control ships an update every 6 weeks, Universal TV Remote · fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard10 real differences · 1 level
iR Universal Remote Control versus Universal TV Remote ·: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriR Universal Remote ControlUniversal TV Remote ·
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating1.3 (88 ratings)4.6 (89K ratings) — better
Positive reviews2.4% of reviews33.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8889K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
Best chart rank—#24 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS6.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB91 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOliver FoelzKRAFTWERK 9 LTD

Customer experience

iR Universal Remote Control

All ratings88 ratings
Positive5.7%
Neutral1.1%
Negative93.2%
Written reviews293 reviews
Positive2.4%
Neutral3.1%
Negative94.5%

Universal TV Remote ·

All ratings88,891 ratings
Positive89.1%
Neutral3.2%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews1,177 reviews
Positive33.8%
Neutral5.5%
Negative60.7%

User reviews

iR Universal Remote Control

From 88 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ⭐ Works well
  • ⭐ Connects to devices

Room to improve

  • ❌ Requires additional hardware purchase
  • ❌ Doesn't work as advertised
  • ❌ Poor customer support
  • ❌ Crashes and bugs
  • ❌ Useless in demo mode

Universal TV Remote ·

From 89K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works great
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 💡 Useful when remote is lost
  • 🚀 Connects easily
  • 👍 Provides basic TV controls for free

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 💸 Paywall for advanced features
  • 📺 Doesn't work with all TV models
  • 📢 Excessive ads
  • 🔌 Requires TV remote for initial setup

Bugs and requests

iR Universal Remote Control

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on launch
  • Doesn't recognize devices
  • Requires license that doesn't work

Requested features

2 requests
  • Compatibility with more devices
  • Ability to use own IR hardware

Universal TV Remote ·

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Doesn't detect TV
  • Frequent disconnections
  • Unresponsive controls
  • Billing issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Volume control
  • More TV button options
  • Tutorials or instructions
  • Ability to save TV connections

In-app purchases

None

iR Universal Remote Control

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Universal TV Remote ·

Subscriptions5
  • Weekly universal TV remote3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Weekly universal TV remote3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Monthly universal TV remote3 Days trial$6.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Year subscription3 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • Year$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime universal TV remote$14.99

Questions

Is iR Universal Remote Control free?
iR Universal Remote Control costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Universal TV Remote · free?
Universal TV Remote · is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iR Universal Remote Control or Universal TV Remote ·?
Universal TV Remote · is rated higher. iR Universal Remote Control averages 1.3 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while Universal TV Remote · averages 4.6 from 89K ratings.
Do iR Universal Remote Control or Universal TV Remote · have ads?
Universal TV Remote · shows ads; iR Universal Remote Control does not.
Which is updated more often, iR Universal Remote Control or Universal TV Remote ·?
iR Universal Remote Control ships an update every 6 weeks, and Universal TV Remote · fortnightly. Most recently, iR Universal Remote Control was updated on September 25, 2026 and Universal TV Remote · on September 29, 2026.

Other comparisons