# iR Universal Remote Control vs Universal Smart TV Remote App

The clearest difference is price: Universal Smart TV Remote App at Free against iR Universal Remote Control's $3.99. Universal Smart TV Remote App also leads on rating (4.5 vs 1.3) and ratings volume (458 vs 88). iR Universal Remote Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Universal Smart TV Remote App is free to download; iR Universal Remote Control costs $3.99 up front. Universal Smart TV Remote App sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. iR Universal Remote Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

Universal Smart TV Remote App holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal Smart TV Remote App has 458 ratings behind it against 88, so its average is the more settled of the two.

iR Universal Remote Control ships an update every 6 weeks, Universal Smart TV Remote App every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iR Universal Remote Control | Universal Smart TV Remote App |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [1.3 (88 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ir-universal-remote-control/id550806860/reviews) | **[4.5 (458 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-smart-tv-remote-app/id1502206853/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 88 | **458** |
| Positive reviews | — | 68.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 14 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Oliver Foelz](https://appshunter.io/developer/692735158) | [Hemant Bhonsle](https://appshunter.io/developer/442878468) |

## What reviewers say

### iR Universal Remote Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ir-universal-remote-control/id550806860)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Works well
- ⭐ Connects to devices

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on launch
- Doesn't recognize devices
- Requires license that doesn't work

**Requested features**

- Compatibility with more devices
- Ability to use own IR hardware


### Universal Smart TV Remote App

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-smart-tv-remote-app/id1502206853)

Control your Samsung, Sony, Roku, or Vizio smart TV instantly without complex setup. This app eliminates the need for lost or broken physical remotes. It's compatible with Apple Watch and requires no subscription.

**Highlights:** Instant TV control, No settings required, Supports Apple Watch, No subscription needed, Control multiple brands

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium with Trial | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| Premium Access | $44.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Convenient remote control
- 🚀 Responsive and fast
- 💡 Useful for lost remotes
- 👍 Works well with various TV brands

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and app freezes
- 💰 Intrusive and excessive ads
- 🚫 Limited functionality compared to physical remote
- 🐛 Issues with scanning and connecting to TVs

**Reported bugs**

- App freezes after TV scanning
- Unable to connect to certain TV models
- Ads not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Ability to control TV power on/off
- Option to customize ad frequency
- Support for more TV brands
- Improved stability and reliability


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iR Universal Remote Control free?

iR Universal Remote Control costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Universal Smart TV Remote App free?

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

### Which has better reviews, iR Universal Remote Control or Universal Smart TV Remote App?

Universal Smart TV Remote App is rated higher. iR Universal Remote Control averages 1.3 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while Universal Smart TV Remote App averages 4.5 from 458 ratings.

### Do iR Universal Remote Control or Universal Smart TV Remote App have ads?

Neither iR Universal Remote Control nor Universal Smart TV Remote App shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iR Universal Remote Control or Universal Smart TV Remote App?

iR Universal Remote Control ships an update every 6 weeks, and Universal Smart TV Remote App every 3 months. Most recently, iR Universal Remote Control was updated on October 24, 2026 and Universal Smart TV Remote App 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.*