Comparison

Remote Control for DIRECTV vs Universal TV Remote Control ‏

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

Head to head
About

Remote Control for DIRECTV

Transform your phone into a TV remote for your set-top box. Browse channels, manage recordings, and control playback with ease. Offers seamless navigation and one-tap recording functionality.

Highlights
  • Browse channels and menus
  • Playback control (pause, play, rewind)
  • One-tap recording
  • Search for shows
  • Manage recordings
Features
Read full description

Take control of your TV Box with ease - right from your Phone! Our unofficial app transforms your phone into a fully functional remote, allowing you to browse, pause, play, record, and much more without needing a physical remote. No more searching for lost remotes or struggling with limited control options! With our Direct TV Remote app, you can navigate through channels, manage your recordings, adjust settings, and even search for shows with just a tap. Officially supported devices: All DirecTV set-top box models H21, HR20 and newer. Features: Seamless Navigation: Quickly scroll through channels and menus. Playback Control: Pause, play, rewind, and fast-forward your favorite shows and movies. One-Tap Recording: Easily record and manage your programs on the go. Set up is quick and easy - just connect to your box, and you're ready to go. Download today and make your DTV experience even better! Access to the remote requires an in-app purchase: Terms of use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Privacy policy: https://directvremote.carter.red/privacy

About

Universal TV Remote Control ‏

Transform your iPhone into a universal smart TV remote. Control power, volume, and navigation over Wi-Fi for major TV brands. Features fast text input and an intuitive interface, making it easy to manage your entertainment.

Highlights
  • Unified TV Control
  • Fast Text Input
  • Intuitive Navigation
  • Power & Volume Control
  • Smart TV Keyboard & D-Pad
  • Auto-detects major TV brands
Features
Read full description

Lost your remote control for TV under the couch cushions? Turn your iPhone into a universal Smart TV remote and get back in control before the opening credits finish. Dead batteries, a remote that vanished during moving day, or a new apartment with a TV brand you've never seen before—the physical remote always seems to fail at the worst moment. Universal TV Remote Control connects your iPhone to your Smart TV over your home Wi-Fi network, so you can manage power, volume, and navigation with a remote control for TV that fits right in your pocket. Universal TV Remote Control connects over Wi-Fi to Samsung (Tizen), LG (webOS), Roku TVs and players, Sony Bravia, and Smart TVs and streaming devices from Philips, TCL, Hisense, Sharp, Xiaomi, and Nvidia. With Universal TV Remote Control, you get: • Unified TV Control—manage power, volume, and channel switching across multiple TVs in different rooms from one iPhone. • Fast Text Input—use your smartphone keyboard to search for movies on Netflix or YouTube instead of typing with a directional pad. • Intuitive Navigation—move through complex Smart TV menus with an oversized D-Pad and a responsive center OK button, built for anyone who isn't especially tech-savvy. Everything you need from a remote control for TV app, built in: POWER & VOLUME CONTROL Stuck with a TV blasting at full volume and no remote in sight? Dedicated volume rockers and an instant power toggle send commands over your local network, so you can adjust audio or shut off the screen without leaving the couch. SMART TV KEYBOARD & D-PAD Typing a movie title with a physical remote control for TV takes forever—and it's even harder for anyone who struggles to read small remote buttons. Open the built-in keyboard to send full text strings directly to your TV's search bar. COMPATIBLE WITH MAJOR BRANDS Don't know what brand your TV is? Universal TV Remote Control auto-detects Smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Roku, Sony, TCL, and Hisense on the same Wi-Fi network—no manual setup or brand lookup required. Whether you just moved into a place with an unfamiliar TV or you're switching between rooms with different brands, one app handles them all. Turn your phone into a TV remote control in three simple steps: Connect your iPhone and Smart TV to the same Wi-Fi network. Open the app and select your TV from the auto-detected list. Start controlling volume, navigation, and streaming features right away. FAQ Q: Does this remote control for TV app work without an infrared (IR) blaster? A: Yes—it connects directly through your home Wi-Fi network, so no additional IR hardware or adapters are required. Q: Is Universal TV Remote Control a good option for someone who isn't comfortable with tech, or has trouble seeing small remote buttons? A: The oversized D-Pad and simplified controls are designed for exactly that—clear navigation without hunting for tiny buttons. Q: Which TVs and streaming devices does the app support? A: Samsung (Tizen), LG (webOS), Roku TVs and players, Sony Bravia, Panasonic Viera models up to 2017, and streaming devices from Sony, Philips, TCL, Hisense, Sharp, Xiaomi, and Nvidia Shield. Download Universal TV Remote Control today and turn your iPhone into the only TV controller your living room needs. Universal TV Remote Control is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Samsung, LG, Roku, Sony, Panasonic, TCL, Hisense, Philips, Sharp, Xiaomi, or Nvidia. Privacy Policy: https://rawsthorn.io/projects/remotecontrol_ios/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://rawsthorn.io/projects/remotecontrol_ios/terms/

Screenshots

Remote Control for DIRECTV4 screens
Universal TV Remote Control ‏4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Universal TV Remote Control ‏ at 5.0 against Remote Control for DIRECTV's 1.7. Remote Control for DIRECTV's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (51 vs 1). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Remote Control for DIRECTV sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Universal TV Remote Control ‏ sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Universal TV Remote Control ‏ holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Remote Control for DIRECTV has 51 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Remote Control for DIRECTV ships an update every 10 days, Universal TV Remote Control ‏ every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Remote Control for DIRECTV versus Universal TV Remote Control ‏: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRemote Control for DIRECTVUniversal TV Remote Control ‏
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.7 (51 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings51 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 8 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.6 — better18
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCarter AnnandaleRAWSTHORN LTD

Customer experience

Remote Control for DIRECTV

All ratings46 ratings
Positive19.6%
Neutral2.2%
Negative78.3%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Universal TV Remote Control ‏

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Remote Control for DIRECTV

One-time1
  • Remote Premium$6.99
2 purchases

Universal TV Remote Control ‏

Subscriptions2
  • Unlock All Features3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Unlock All Features$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Remote Control for DIRECTV free?
Remote Control for DIRECTV is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Universal TV Remote Control ‏ free?
Universal TV Remote Control ‏ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Remote Control for DIRECTV or Universal TV Remote Control ‏?
Universal TV Remote Control ‏ is rated higher. Remote Control for DIRECTV averages 1.7 out of 5 from 51 ratings, while Universal TV Remote Control ‏ averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Remote Control for DIRECTV or Universal TV Remote Control ‏ have ads?
Universal TV Remote Control ‏ shows ads; Remote Control for DIRECTV does not.
Which is updated more often, Remote Control for DIRECTV or Universal TV Remote Control ‏?
Remote Control for DIRECTV ships an update every 10 days, and Universal TV Remote Control ‏ every 8 days. Most recently, Remote Control for DIRECTV was updated on October 21, 2026 and Universal TV Remote Control ‏ on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons