Comparison

Universal AC remote control vs Smart AC Remote

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Universal AC remote control

Features
Read full description

Experience ultimate control of your air conditioning with the AC Remote app. Say goodbye to cluttered remotes and hello to streamlined convenience, all from your smartphone. Tired of juggling multiple remotes for your air conditioners? Say hello to AC Remote, the revolutionary app that transforms your smartphone into a universal AC controller. With our innovative solution, you can bid farewell to the clutter of brand-specific remotes and embrace the convenience of controlling all your air conditioning units from a single, sleek interface. Our free, universal AC Remote Controller app revolutionizes how you manage your air conditioner. Seamlessly control multiple devices with an intuitive interface that ensures effortless navigation and connectivity. Key Features: Universal compatibility across AC brands Control multiple units from one app Adjust temperature, mode, power, timer, and fan speed with ease User-friendly design for all ages Note: This app is not officially affiliated with any air conditioner manufacturer.

About

Smart AC Remote

Features
Read full description

AC Remote is a smart air conditioner remote control app that turns your iPhone into a universal AC remote. It helps homeowners, renters, and travelers control any air conditioner from any brand using infrared accessories, WiFi, or Apple HomeKit. With 500+ supported AC brands, AC Remote replaces lost, broken, or incompatible remotes instantly. HOW IT WORKS AC Remote sends infrared (IR) signals to your air conditioner โ€” the same technology your original remote uses. Pick your AC brand, connect a device, and start controlling in seconds. If your AC is already in Apple Home, connect through HomeKit with zero setup. FOUR WAYS TO CONNECT 1. Apple HomeKit & Matter โ€” Control instantly if your AC is in Apple Home. No extra hardware needed. 2. IR Adapter Dongle ($3-$8) โ€” Plug a USB-C or Lightning IR adapter into your iPhone. Point and tap, just like a real remote. 3. WiFi IR Hub ($15-$30) โ€” Place a BroadLink RM4 Mini or Tuya hub near your AC. Control from anywhere, even remotely. 4. Smart AC with WiFi โ€” Daikin, Gree, or Midea with built-in WiFi connect directly over your local network. WHAT YOU CAN DO - Turn your AC on before you get home using a WiFi hub - Set a sleep timer so the AC turns off after you fall asleep - Switch between cool, heat, dry, and fan modes without finding the remote - Adjust temperature and fan speed from your couch or your office - Control ACs in multiple rooms from one app - Use Turbo mode for rapid cooling on hot days FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: Can I control my AC with my phone if I lost the remote? A: Yes. Plug in a $3 IR adapter or use a WiFi hub, select your brand from 500+ supported, and your iPhone becomes the remote. Q: What brands does AC Remote support? A: Over 500 including Daikin, Gree, Midea, Haier, LG, Samsung, Panasonic, Hitachi, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Sharp, Carrier, Frigidaire, TCL, Hisense, and hundreds more. Q: Do I need special hardware? A: It depends. HomeKit ACs need nothing extra. For standard ACs, a $3 IR adapter plugs into your iPhone. For anywhere control, a $15 WiFi IR hub works over your home network. Q: Does it work without WiFi? A: Yes. An IR adapter works without WiFi โ€” point your iPhone at the AC like a regular remote. SUPPORTED DEVICES Apple HomeKit & Matter thermostats, USB-C IR Adapter (iPhone 15-17+), Lightning IR Adapter (iPhone 14 and older), BroadLink RM4 Mini, Tuya/Smart Life Hub, SwitchBot Hub Mini, Sensibo Sky/Air, Tasmota/ESP8266 DIY IR Blaster, Daikin/Gree/Midea WiFi AC (direct connection). Core remote control features are free. Pro unlocks advanced features, additional device support, and removes all limits. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. Subscriptions auto-renew unless turned off 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage in Settings > Apple ID. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy: https://acremote.app/privacy Support: support@acremote.app

Screenshots

Universal AC remote control4 screens
Smart AC Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Universal AC remote control at none against Smart AC Remote's 4. Universal AC remote control also leads on iOS requirement (14.0.0 vs 16.0). Smart AC Remote's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Smart AC Remote sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Universal AC remote control asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Universal AC remote control ships an update every 3 months, Smart AC Remote every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences ยท 2 level
Universal AC remote control versus Smart AC Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniversal AC remote controlSmart AC Remote
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 days โ€” better
AdsYesNo โ€” better
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch โ€” better
Requires iOS14.0.0 โ€” better16.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size30 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developermustapha fajaMOBILE ALCHEMY LTD

In-app purchases

None

Universal AC remote control

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Smart AC Remote

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly$1.997 Days
  • Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$29.99

Questions

Is Universal AC remote control free?
Universal AC remote control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Smart AC Remote free?
Smart AC Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Universal AC remote control or Smart AC Remote have ads?
Universal AC remote control shows ads; Smart AC Remote does not.
Which is updated more often, Universal AC remote control or Smart AC Remote?
Universal AC remote control ships an update every 3 months, and Smart AC Remote every 6 days. Most recently, Universal AC remote control was updated on October 2, 2026 and Smart AC Remote on October 12, 2026.

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