# SamTV Remote+ vs Universal TV

The clearest difference is rating: SamTV Remote+ at 5.0 against Universal TV's 3.0. SamTV Remote+ also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly). Universal TV's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SamTV Remote+ sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and Universal TV sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SamTV Remote+ holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.

SamTV Remote+ ships an update weekly, Universal TV monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SamTV Remote+ | Universal TV |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/samtv-remote-plus/id6741672355/reviews)** | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-control/id6770828404/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 44 MB | 58 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ngoc Tran](https://appshunter.io/developer/1743333849) | [AppCent LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1889859742) |

## What reviewers say

### SamTV Remote+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/samtv-remote-plus/id6741672355)

Transform your iPhone into a smart remote for your SamTV. Effortlessly control channels, volume, apps, and navigate menus with a built-in keyboard and touchpad. Compatible with SamTV models from 2016 onwards.

**Highlights:** Easy WiFi setup, Full remote functionality, Smart navigation, Built-in keyboard, Touchpad control, App and channel control

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly Premium | $24.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $34.99 | one-time |


### Universal TV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-control/id6770828404)

Transform your iPhone into a smart TV remote. Easily navigate, adjust settings, and control playback on compatible smart TVs from your phone. Enjoy a simple, convenient, and responsive TV management experience.

**Highlights:** Smart TV remote control, Intuitive touch navigation, Volume and power control, Channel management, Media playback controls, Keyboard input for text entry, Fast device discovery

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SamTV Remote+ free?

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

### Is Universal TV free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SamTV Remote+ or Universal TV?

SamTV Remote+ is rated higher. SamTV Remote+ averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Universal TV averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do SamTV Remote+ or Universal TV have ads?

SamTV Remote+ shows ads; Universal TV does not.

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

SamTV Remote+ ships an update weekly, and Universal TV monthly. Most recently, SamTV Remote+ was updated on September 22, 2026 and Universal TV on October 7, 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.*