# iR Universal Remote Control vs TV Remote

The clearest difference is price: TV Remote at Free against iR Universal Remote Control's $3.99. TV Remote also leads on rating (4.4 vs 1.3) and ratings volume (605K vs 88). iR Universal Remote Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

TV Remote is free to download; iR Universal Remote Control costs $3.99 up front. TV Remote sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. iR Universal Remote Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

TV Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TV Remote has 605K 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 20% of TV Remote's.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | iR Universal Remote Control | TV Remote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [1.3 (88 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ir-universal-remote-control/id550806860/reviews) | **[4.4 (605K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-control/id1539090879/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 88 | **605K** |
| Positive reviews | 2.4% of reviews | **20.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | **#5** |
| Size | 14 MB | 188 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Oliver Foelz](https://appshunter.io/developer/692735158) | [EVOLLY.APP](https://appshunter.io/developer/1422593523) |

## 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


### TV Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-universal-control/id1539090879)

**Currently charting:** #5 Top Free · Utilities, #5 Top Grossing · Utilities, #154 Top Grossing, #164 Top Free (US App Store)

Control your smart TV directly from your phone. Connect via WIFI to manage volume, channels, and navigation with a touchpad and keyboard. Supports major brands like Samsung, Roku, and LG.

**Highlights:** WIFI TV connection, Smart TV detection, Touchpad navigation, Keyboard input, Channel launching, Voice search

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $8.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium | $19.99 | per year |
| Annual Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium. | $44.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Connects easily
- 👍 Convenient remote control
- 🔒 Works with multiple TVs
- 👍 Helpful when remote is lost

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Requires original remote for setup
- 💰 Subscription required for full functionality
- 🐛 Frequent disconnections
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔋 Drains phone battery

**Reported bugs**

- App doesn't recognize TV
- Power button doesn't work
- Volume controls not functioning

**Requested features**

- Allow remote control without original remote
- Offer more free features
- Improve reliability and stability


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iR Universal Remote Control free?

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

### Is TV Remote free?

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

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

TV Remote is rated higher. iR Universal Remote Control averages 1.3 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while TV Remote averages 4.4 from 605K ratings.

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

TV Remote shows ads; iR Universal Remote Control does not.

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

iR Universal Remote Control ships an update every 6 weeks, and TV Remote monthly. Most recently, iR Universal Remote Control was updated on September 25, 2026 and TV Remote on September 28, 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.*