Universal TV Remote Control + vs Zapp
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Universal TV Remote Control +
Transform your smartphone into a wireless remote for all major smart TV brands. Control volume, channels, playback, and navigate apps with ease. Say goodbye to multiple remotes and enjoy seamless TV control.
- Universal compatibility with major smart TV brands
- Wi-Fi remote control, no hardware needed
- Volume and channel controls
- Media playback controls
- Virtual keyboard for text input
- Auto-detects TV for quick setup
- Intuitive user interface
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Lost your TV remote again? Take control in seconds — 100% free, no weekly subscription, no trial trap. Turn your iPhone into a universal remote for your Smart TV. Power on, adjust volume, switch channels, navigate menus, launch your favorite streaming apps and search by voice. No more dead batteries, no more hunting behind the couch — just tap and control. WHY CHOOSE THIS REMOTE - Truly free — no weekly charge, no forced trial, no surprise fees - Auto-Connect — reconnects to your last TV automatically, every time - Voice Search — find shows without typing on a clumsy on-screen keyboard - Fast setup — connects over your home WiFi, no extra hardware needed - Clean, simple design made for everyday use EVERYTHING YOU NEED - Power, volume, channels and input switching - D-Pad and touchpad navigation - Number pad for direct channel access - Full keyboard for fast typing - Media playback: play, pause, rewind, fast-forward, stop WORKS WITH MOST SMART TVs & STREAMING DEVICES - Samsung Smart TV - LG (WebOS / Netcast) - Sony Bravia - Roku TV - Amazon Fire TV & Fire Stick - Android TV & Google TV — including Philips, TCL, Xiaomi, Sharp, Hisense, Hitachi, Telefunken, Grundig and other Android TV models HOW TO START 1. Connect your phone and TV to the same WiFi network. 2. Open the app — your device is detected automatically. 3. Follow the on-screen pairing step if your TV asks for it, then control instantly. FAQ - Is it really free? Yes — control your TV for free, no subscription. - Do I need WiFi? Yes, phone and TV on the same network. - Will it work with my TV? Most modern WiFi Smart TVs and streaming devices are supported. Download Now – It's 100% Free Say goodbye to remote chaos and enjoy full TV control in your pocket. Universal TV Remote Control – built for convenience, designed for everyone. This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, Amazon, Google or any supported brand. It is a third-party tool designed to work with their platforms. Privacy Policy: http://www.universal-tv-remote.com/privacy-universal-remote.html Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Zapp
Control your smart TV from your iPhone. This app offers a free, ad-free remote experience for major brands like Samsung, LG, Roku, and Fire TV. A one-time Pro purchase unlocks advanced features like keyboard input and voice search.
- Control Samsung, LG, Roku, Google TV, Fire TV, Vizio
- Free remote functionality
- One-time Pro purchase for advanced features
- Keyboard and voice search (Pro)
- App shortcuts (Pro)
- Widgets and Lock Screen controls
- Apple Watch support
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Your iPhone is the remote for your Samsung, LG, Roku, Google TV, Fire TV or Vizio TV, over your Wi-Fi. Every button is free, on every TV you add. Pro is a one-time purchase, never a subscription. No ads. No account. No data collected. WORKS WITH • Samsung smart TVs (Tizen) and LG smart TVs (webOS) • Roku players and Roku TV models, such as TCL, onn and Insignia • Google TV and earlier Google-powered TVs, such as Sony BRAVIA and TCL • Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Edition TVs, such as Toshiba and Insignia • Vizio SmartCast TVs Sony, TCL, onn, Toshiba and Insignia work only on their Google-powered, Roku TV or Fire TV models. Not supported: VIDAA TVs (most Hisense), cable and satellite boxes, Apple TV, and TVs without Wi-Fi control. Zapp uses your network, not infrared. FREE: THE WHOLE REMOTE • Power, volume, mute, channels, the D-pad or a swipe pad, Home, Back, playback, numbers and color keys • Inputs by name on LG, Roku and Vizio, and the Source key on Samsung • As many TVs as you like, each one tap away • Widgets, Control Center, the Lock Screen, Live Activity, Siri and Apple Watch • Big buttons mode, and a Demo TV to try everything before you set up your own PRO: ONE PURCHASE, YOURS TO KEEP • Keyboard: type into the TV's search from your phone, on Samsung, LG, Roku, Google TV and Fire TV. On Samsung it works in the TV's own text fields, not in apps that draw their own keyboard, like YouTube. Not on Vizio. • Voice search: say what you want to watch. Roku opens its own search; other TVs get your words typed into the search you've opened. Not on Vizio. • App shortcuts: every app with its icon on Roku and LG, the popular streaming apps on Samsung and Vizio, and a fixed list of popular apps on Google TV. Not on Fire TV. • Turn your TV on from standby: Samsung, LG and Roku. An LG needs "Turn on via Wi-Fi" switched on and one connection first. Google TV, Fire TV and Vizio can't be woken this way; a Vizio with Quick Start on turns on with the free Power key. • LG Magic Remote pointer: drag on your phone to move it. • Your iPhone's volume buttons turn the TV up and down while the remote is open. Restore Purchase is in Settings. NEW IN 2.0 • Live Activity: the remote in the Dynamic Island and on the Lock Screen • A Home Screen widget for each TV • Control Center, Lock Screen and Action Button controls: TV Power, Mute, Volume and Channel • Siri: "Turn on the TV in Zapp" wakes a Samsung, LG or Roku TV (Pro), and "Turn off the TV in Zapp" works on every TV • Apple Watch: choose which TV it controls, and turn the Digital Crown for volume • iPad: the remote and the extra keys side by side • Reconnects on its own, and says plainly what went wrong when it can't SETUP, HONESTLY Your phone and TV need to be on the same Wi-Fi. A Roku needs nothing more. Google TV and Vizio show a code on the screen for you to type. Samsung and LG ask you to allow Zapp once on the TV, so keep the TV's own remote nearby the first time. Fire TV needs ADB debugging turned on in its Developer Options, and one approval on the TV. PRIVACY No account, no ads, no analytics, no tracking. Zapp talks only to the TVs on your home network, and the app is just a few megabytes. Zapp is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Samsung, LG, Roku, Google, Amazon, Vizio, Sony, TCL, Toshiba, Insignia or Walmart (onn). All product names and brands are the property of their owners and are used only to identify the TVs Zapp works with.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Universal TV Remote Control + at 4.5 against Zapp's 1.0. Universal TV Remote Control + also leads on ratings volume (23 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). Zapp's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Universal TV Remote Control + sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Zapp sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Universal TV Remote Control + holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal TV Remote Control + has 23 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Universal TV Remote Control + ships an update monthly, Zapp every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Universal TV Remote Control + | Zapp |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (23 ratings) — better | 1.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 23 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 72 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | AppAgency | EGETECH LTD |
Customer experience
Universal TV Remote Control +
Zapp
In-app purchases
Universal TV Remote Control +
- Remove Ads Monthly$1.991 Month
- Remove Ads Yearly$14.991 Year
- Ad-free Forever$29.99
Zapp
- Zapp Pro$9.99
Questions
Is Universal TV Remote Control + free?
Is Zapp free?
Which has better reviews, Universal TV Remote Control + or Zapp?
Do Universal TV Remote Control + or Zapp have ads?
Which is updated more often, Universal TV Remote Control + or Zapp?
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