# Universal Remote vs Remote Control Sam TV

The clearest difference is monetization model: Remote Control Sam TV at freemium against Universal Remote's subscription. Remote Control Sam TV also leads on review sentiment (51% vs 18%). Universal Remote's advantage is ratings volume (13K vs 522). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Universal Remote sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and Remote Control Sam TV sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Universal Remote against 4.5 for Remote Control Sam TV. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal Remote has 13K ratings behind it against 522, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 18% of Universal Remote's written reviews are positive against 51% of Remote Control Sam TV's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal Remote | Remote Control Sam TV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (13K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-smart-tv/id6446663709/reviews)** | [4.5 (522 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-control-sam-tv/id6446824311/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **13K** | 522 |
| Positive reviews | 17.7% of reviews | **50.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Freemium** |
| Size | 144 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Node Excellence](https://appshunter.io/developer/1756942328) | [BRANDIX SOFT PRIVATE LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1857640113) |

## What reviewers say

### Universal Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-smart-tv/id6446663709)

Easily control your smart TV from your iPhone. Adjust volume, switch channels, and launch streaming apps with a beautiful, fast interface. Connects automatically over Wi-Fi.

**Highlights:** Control smart TVs, Adjust volume and channels, Access streaming apps, Launch channels directly, Automatic Wi-Fi detection, Fast response time, Beautiful remote interface

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TV Remote Premium 1 Week | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| TV Remote Premium 1 Week | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| TV Remote Premium 1 Week | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| TV Remote Premium 1 Month | $9.99 | per month |
| TV Remote Premium 1 Year | $39.99 | per year |
| TV Remote Premium Lifetime | $19.99 | one-time |
| TV Remote Premium Lifetime | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Convenient remote control
- 🚀 Seamless connection

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connection issues
- 💰 Paid subscription required
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
- 🤔 Misleading about free features
- 💰 Expensive for a remote app

**Reported bugs**

- App doesn't work as advertised
- Fails to connect to Roku devices
- Continues to charge even after cancellation

**Requested features**

- Support for more TV brands
- Free version with basic functionality


### Remote Control Sam TV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-control-sam-tv/id6446824311)

Control your smart TV with ease using this comprehensive remote app. Access all functions, including volume, channels, apps, and keyboard input, without needing physical buttons. Enjoy a seamless entertainment experience.

**Highlights:** Full TV control, Volume and channel switching, App and menu selection, Keyboard input, Ergonomic design

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Special Offer Subscription | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Sam Smart TV Week Premium | $3.49 | per 7 days |
| Sam Smart TV Week Premium | $3.49 | per 7 days |
| Sam Smart TV Month Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Sam Smart TV Year Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Smart View Special Offer | $59.99 | per year |
| Sam TV Remote Premium | $119.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Works as advertised
- 🔥 Great interface
- ✨ Very good
- 💫 Excellent

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Freezes on opening screen
- 🐛 Doesn't work on certain devices
- 🔒 No free trial
- 💰 Overpriced
- 🔍 Can't get past first page

**Reported bugs**

- Freezing on opening screen
- Connectivity issues
- Subscription problems

**Requested features**

- Landscape text input
- Dark mode
- Better TV compatibility


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universal Remote free?

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

### Is Remote Control Sam TV free?

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

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

Universal Remote is rated higher. Universal Remote averages 4.6 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while Remote Control Sam TV averages 4.5 from 522 ratings.

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

Neither Universal Remote nor Remote Control Sam TV shows ads.

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

Universal Remote ships an update every 3 weeks, and Remote Control Sam TV every 3 weeks. Most recently, Universal Remote was updated on September 24, 2026 and Remote Control Sam TV on September 23, 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.*