Comparison

iR Universal Remote Control vs Universal TV Remote Control

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

Transform your iPhone into a powerful universal TV remote. Easily control over 100 TV brands without needing your physical remote or dealing with battery issues. Enjoy fast setup and intuitive controls for all your entertainment needs.

Highlights
  • Control 100+ TV brands
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Automatic TV discovery
  • Power, volume, input controls
  • App access and media playback
  • Navigation and directional controls
Features
Read full description

Turn Your iPhone Into a Universal TV Remote Lost your TV remote or tired of battery issues? Control your TV directly from your iPhone with ease — no physical remote needed. **Fast & Simple Setup** - Connect your iPhone and TV on the same Wi-Fi network - Automatic discovery lists your TVs instantly - Start controlling immediately — no pairing codes required **Intuitive TV Controls** - Power on/off, Mute & Volume - Input selection, Home & Menu navigation - Access apps installed on your TV - Channel Up/Down, Media Playback (Play, Pause, Stop, Rewind, Fast Forward) - Directional navigation: Up, Down, Left, Right ** Works With All TV Brands** Top Brands: Samsung TV Remote, LG, Sony, TCL TV Remote, Roku, Fire TV Remote, Vizio Other Brands: RCA TV Remote, Element, Sceptre TV Remote, Insignia, Toshiba, Hisense TV, Sharp, Panasonic, Philips TV Remote, Skyworth, Onn, Sanyo TV Remote, Westinghouse and Android TV Remote. Supports TVs running Roku OS, Fire TV OS, Android TV OS, Samsung Tizen OS, Viziacast OS, Vidaa OS. No matter the brand, the Universal TV Remote app simplifies your entertainment experience. ** Continuous Updates & Support** - New brands and features added regularly - Dedicated support team ready to help with any issues ** Disclaimer** Codematics is not affiliated with Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, Vizio, or any other TV brand. This app is not an official product of any brand. Download now and turn your iPhone into a Universal TV Remote for all your devices! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

iR Universal Remote Control4 screens
Universal TV Remote Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Universal TV Remote Control at 65% against iR Universal Remote Control's 2%. Universal TV Remote Control also leads on price (Free vs $3.99) and rating (3.6 vs 1.3). iR Universal Remote Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) 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 Control is free to download; iR Universal Remote Control costs $3.99 up front. Universal TV Remote Control sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. iR Universal Remote Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Universal TV Remote Control holds the better App Store score, 3.6 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal TV Remote Control has 4.1K 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 65% of Universal TV Remote Control's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iR Universal Remote Control ships an update every 6 weeks, Universal TV Remote Control weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
iR Universal Remote Control versus Universal TV Remote Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriR Universal Remote ControlUniversal TV Remote Control
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating1.3 (88 ratings)3.6 (4.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews2.4% of reviews65.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings884.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS6.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOliver FoelzCodematics Services

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 Control

All ratings4,126 ratings
Positive64.3%
Neutral4.2%
Negative31.5%
Written reviews438 reviews
Positive65.1%
Neutral2.1%
Negative32.9%

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 Control

From 4.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works well
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 💡 Useful for lost remotes
  • 🚀 Convenient remote alternative

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Doesn't work for some TV brands
  • 🔋 Drains battery
  • 💸 Too many ads
  • 🐛 Connectivity issues

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 Control

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent crashes
  • Buttons don't respond
  • Incompatible with certain TV models

Requested features

3 requests
  • Support for more TV brands
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Ad-free version

In-app purchases

None

iR Universal Remote Control

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Universal TV Remote Control

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription$19.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription$89.991 Year
One-time2
  • Remove Full Screen Ads$24.99
  • Ad Free Version$99.99

Questions

Is iR Universal Remote Control free?
iR Universal Remote Control costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Universal TV Remote Control free?
Universal TV Remote Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iR Universal Remote Control or Universal TV Remote Control?
Universal TV Remote Control is rated higher. iR Universal Remote Control averages 1.3 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while Universal TV Remote Control averages 3.6 from 4.1K ratings.
Do iR Universal Remote Control or Universal TV Remote Control have ads?
Universal TV Remote Control shows ads; iR Universal Remote Control does not.
Which is updated more often, iR Universal Remote Control or Universal TV Remote Control?
iR Universal Remote Control ships an update every 6 weeks, and Universal TV Remote Control weekly. Most recently, iR Universal Remote Control was updated on September 25, 2026 and Universal TV Remote Control on September 28, 2026.

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