Comparison

BigCode vs Smart Remote

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

Head to head
About

BigCode

Read full description

With all of the door codes, combinations, PIN codes you have that are hard to read on small watch screens. This app allows you to store these codes on the watch in a simple easy to access place and display them in a large, easy to read font.

About

Smart Remote

Transform your iPhone into a universal remote for TVs, ACs, and more. Control devices via IR blaster, WiFi, or Bluetooth. Learn custom commands and create automated scenes for seamless device management.

Highlights
  • Universal device control
  • IR blaster and WiFi support
  • Smart TV integration
  • Custom remote creation
  • Scene automation
  • Room organization
  • Apple Watch companion
Features
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Universal Remote is a smart remote control app that helps you control your TV, air conditioner, set-top box, projector, soundbar, fan and more from your iPhone — over Wi-Fi, with an IR blaster, or through your smart home. It supports 300+ brands with 14,000+ ready-made remotes, controls Wi-Fi air conditioners directly, and integrates with Apple Watch, Siri, widgets and the Lock Screen. Made for anyone who lost a remote, wants one app instead of a drawer full of remotes, or wants to control hotel and rental-home devices from their phone. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Replace a lost or broken remote in seconds — pick your device brand and a ready-made remote appears, no programming • Control your smart TV with no extra hardware — Samsung, LG webOS, Sony Bravia, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Google TV and Apple TV connect over your Wi-Fi network • Control your air conditioner from the couch — IR ACs work through a blaster; Midea, Daikin, GREE and TCL Wi-Fi ACs connect directly with no blaster at all • Run whole scenes with one tap — "Movie Night" can turn on the TV, switch input, and set the soundbar together • Control everything from your Apple Watch, the Lock Screen, widgets, or by asking Siri COMMON QUESTIONS Do I need to buy extra hardware? Not for smart TVs, streaming boxes, or Wi-Fi air conditioners — those connect over your home network. Classic IR-only devices (most ACs, older TVs, fans, projectors) need a small Wi-Fi-to-IR blaster such as Broadlink RM4/RM Mini, a Tuya/Smart Life IR hub, Global Caché iTach, or an ESP DIY blaster. iPhones have no built-in IR emitter. Which TV brands work? Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku, Hisense, TCL, Philips, Panasonic, Toshiba, Sharp and 300+ more. Smart TVs are controlled over Wi-Fi; any TV with a remote sensor is controlled by IR through a blaster. Can it control my air conditioner? Yes. The code database covers Daikin, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Carrier, Gree, Midea, Haier, Hitachi, Whirlpool, TCL and hundreds of regional AC brands with full state control — mode, temperature, fan speed and swing. Wi-Fi models from Midea, Daikin, GREE and TCL work with no IR hardware. Is it free? Downloading and core remote control are free. Premium unlocks unlimited devices and all connection types, with a free trial before any charge. What if my device isn't listed? The code database updates automatically — new remotes arrive monthly without an app update. You can also learn codes from your original remote with a Broadlink blaster, or request your model in the app. THE DETAILS • 14,000+ ready-made remotes across 300+ brands: TVs, air conditioners, set-top boxes, projectors, soundbars, AV receivers, DVD players, fans, lights, air purifiers, robot vacuums and cameras • IR protocols: NEC, RC5, RC6, Sony SIRC, Kaseikyo, raw capture playback • Smart home: HomeKit air conditioners, Tuya, Xiaomi Mi Home, SwitchBot, Sensibo, Broadlink • Custom remotes: rearrange buttons, add macros, build a layout that matches how you actually use each device • Fully translated into 39 languages • No banner ads, no "watch an ad to unlock" — just the remote Questions or a device we should add? Email support@mobilealchemy.co — we add reader-requested models every month. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Universal Remote offers auto-renewable subscriptions for Premium access. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless you turn off auto-renew at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions in your Account Settings on the App Store after purchase. Terms of Use: https://universalremote.mobilealchemy.co/terms Privacy Policy: https://universalremote.mobilealchemy.co/privacy

Screenshots

Smart Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BigCode at none against Smart Remote's 4. Smart Remote's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly) and device support (4 vs 2). On price and ads 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. Smart Remote sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. BigCode asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BigCode ships an update fortnightly, Smart Remote weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
BigCode versus Smart Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBigCodeSmart Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS26.018.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperObjects & ObjectivesMOBILE ALCHEMY LTD

In-app purchases

None

BigCode

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Smart Remote

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly3 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • Monthly3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is BigCode free?
BigCode is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Smart Remote free?
Smart Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do BigCode or Smart Remote have ads?
Neither BigCode nor Smart Remote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BigCode or Smart Remote?
BigCode ships an update fortnightly, and Smart Remote weekly. Most recently, BigCode was updated on October 7, 2026 and Smart Remote on October 12, 2026.

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