# Universal Remote vs Universal

The clearest difference is ads: Universal Remote at none against Universal's shown. Universal Remote also leads on ratings volume (88 vs 25). Universal's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 73%) and rating (4.5 vs 4.2). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Universal Remote sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days and Universal sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Universal holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 88 and 25 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Universal Remote's written reviews are positive against 100% of Universal's.

Universal Remote ships an update weekly, Universal every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal Remote | Universal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (88 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-control-tvs/id6737794953/reviews) | **[4.5 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-control-tv-plus/id6740773005/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **88** | 25 |
| Positive reviews | 72.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 8 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 160 MB | 126 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.3** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [UNIVERSAL TECHLAB](https://appshunter.io/developer/1777966695) | [American Football](https://appshunter.io/developer/1677585318) |

## What reviewers say

### Universal Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-control-tvs/id6737794953)

Transform your smartphone into a powerful universal remote for your smart TV. Control volume, channels, playback, and navigate with an intuitive interface. Cast photos, videos, and presentations directly to your TV for an immersive entertainment experience.

**Highlights:** Core remote functions (volume, channels, playback), Intuitive UI with touchpad and keyboard, Automatic setup, Effortless channel surfing, Cast photos and videos to TV, Multi-media casting (PDFs, PPTX), Seamless Wi-Fi connectivity

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Week Premium Package | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Month Package | $14.99 | per month |
| Year Package | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Package | $44.99 | one-time |


### Universal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-control-tv-plus/id6740773005)

Transform your smartphone into a versatile TV remote. Easily control channels, volume, and navigate menus with an intuitive interface, touchpad, and keyboard. Unlock an ad-free experience and advanced features with a premium subscription.

**Highlights:** Control many TV brands, Interactive touchpad and joystick, Effortless typing with keyboard, User-friendly interface, Ad-free premium experience, Smart keyboard search

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remote Control For TV Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal TV Remote Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Universal Remote 3 Months | $14.99 | per 3 months |
| Element TV Remote Yearly | $34.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universal Remote free?

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

### Is Universal free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Universal Remote or Universal?

Universal is rated higher. Universal Remote averages 4.2 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while Universal averages 4.5 from 25 ratings.

### Do Universal Remote or Universal have ads?

Universal shows ads; Universal Remote does not.

### Which is updated more often, Universal Remote or Universal?

Universal Remote ships an update weekly, and Universal every 8 days. Most recently, Universal Remote was updated on September 25, 2026 and Universal on August 24, 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.*