# Universal TV Remote vs Universal Smart

The clearest difference is rating: Universal Smart at 5.0 against Universal TV Remote's 4.3. Universal Smart also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Universal TV Remote sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Universal Smart sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Universal Smart holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 3 respectively.

Universal TV Remote ships an update every 3 weeks, Universal Smart every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Universal TV Remote | Universal Smart |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-smartctrl/id6740748603/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-smarttv-roko-remote/id6753694316/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **8** | 3 |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 13 MB | 78 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nice Express](https://appshunter.io/developer/1300337847) | [Umer Javed](https://appshunter.io/developer/1826627897) |

## What reviewers say

### Universal TV Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-smartctrl/id6740748603)

Control all your smart TVs with a single app. Easily connect to devices on your Wi-Fi network for instant remote access. Features a touchpad, keyboard for typing, and quick launch buttons for streaming services.

**Highlights:** Control multiple smart TVs, Wi-Fi device discovery, Full remote functionality, Touchpad and keyboard input, Quick launch streaming apps, App launching from TV

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Pro | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Pro | $7.99 | per month |
| Remote for Roku Lifetime access | $24.99 | one-time |


### Universal Smart

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-smarttv-roko-remote/id6753694316)

Control your smart TV and streaming devices with your phone. This app automatically connects over Wi-Fi to offer a full remote layout, keyboard for easy typing, and quick launch buttons for popular streaming services.

**Highlights:** Automatic Wi-Fi connection, Full remote control layout, Phone keyboard for typing, One-tap streaming shortcuts, Compatible with major smart TV brands, Control from any room on Wi-Fi

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Roku TV Remote Controller | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Universal Remote — Pay As You Go | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly Smart TV Remote Control | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Universal TV Remote Pro | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Universal TV Remote free?

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

### Is Universal Smart free?

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

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

Universal Smart is rated higher. Universal TV Remote averages 4.3 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Universal Smart averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

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

Both Universal TV Remote and Universal Smart show ads.

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

Universal TV Remote ships an update every 3 weeks, and Universal Smart every 10 days. Most recently, Universal TV Remote was updated on October 28, 2026 and Universal Smart on October 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.*