# Universal Remote vs TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller

The clearest difference is rating: Universal Remote at 4.5 against TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller's 3.3. TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Universal Remote sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Universal Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 3 respectively.

Universal Remote ships an update every 3 weeks, TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal Remote | TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-smart-tv/id6468454544/reviews)** | [3.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-smart-controller/id6473098770/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **8** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 22 MB | 29 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nguyen Thi Bay](https://appshunter.io/developer/1709923495) | [Alekh Mittal](https://appshunter.io/developer/1718427093) |

## What reviewers say

### Universal Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-smart-tv/id6468454544)

Control your smart TV using your iPhone with this app. It offers a universal remote solution, allowing you to link and manage multiple TV devices easily. Upgrade to premium to remove ads and access all features.

**Highlights:** Universal TV control, Control all smart TVs, One-click linking to TV, Save remote controls, Ad-free premium option

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Universal Remote TV Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote TV Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Remote TV Universal Life Time | $29.99 | one-time |


### TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tv-remote-smart-controller/id6473098770)

Transform your smartphone into a universal remote for all your smart TVs. Control a wide range of brands, access favorite channels, and adjust volume with ease. Simplify your viewing experience and eliminate the need for multiple physical remotes.

**Highlights:** Universal compatibility with major TV brands, User-friendly interface for all ages, Quick access to favorite channels, One-touch volume control, Instant remote replacement for lost remotes, Easy setup and connection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Yearly | $1.99 | per year |
| Free Trial | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| sub lifetime | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universal Remote free?

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

### Is TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Universal Remote or TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller?

Universal Remote is rated higher. Universal Remote averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller averages 3.3 from 3 ratings.

### Do Universal Remote or TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller have ads?

Universal Remote shows ads; TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller does not.

### Which is updated more often, Universal Remote or TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller?

Universal Remote ships an update every 3 weeks, and TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller every 10 days. Most recently, Universal Remote was updated on September 18, 2026 and TV Remote ◎ Smart Controller on October 1, 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.*