Comparison

CtrlTV vs Bridgemote

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

Head to head
About

CtrlTV

Control your smart TV from your iPhone without any setup. This app offers instant Wi-Fi connection for full remote functionality, including a built-in keyboard for faster typing. It seamlessly integrates with popular streaming services and supports major TV brands.

Highlights
  • Instant Wi-Fi connection
  • Full remote control
  • Built-in keyboard
  • Touchpad and keypad modes
  • Playback control
  • Auto-reconnect
  • Sleep timer
Features
Read full description

Lost your TV remote? Control your smart TV from your iPhone fast, free, no setup. CtrlTV finds your TV on your Wi-Fi network and gives you full control right from your phone. No extra hardware. No batteries to replace. No more searching the couch. KEY FEATURES • Instant Wi-Fi connection no setup, no pairing dance • Full remote control: power, volume, channels, navigation • Built-in keyboard type passwords and searches in seconds • Touchpad and keypad control modes • Smooth playback control play, pause, skip • Auto-reconnect to your TV • Home Screen widgets in four themes • Quick app launches directly on your TV • Clean, modern, native iPhone design WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT • Replace your lost or broken remote in seconds • Type 10× faster than tapping arrow keys on your TV remote • Open your streaming apps on the TV straight from your phone • No ads. No clutter. No nonsense. COMPATIBILITY • Works with most Wi-Fi smart TVs from 2016 onward that support network remote control • Open CtrlTV on the same Wi-Fi network as your TV it lists every set it can reach • Not finding your TV? Contact support and we'll help REQUIREMENTS • iPhone and smart TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network • App launching is a one-time in-app purchase Download CtrlTV and turn your iPhone into the only remote you'll ever need. CtrlTV is an independent app. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any television manufacturer. All product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About

Bridgemote

Transform your Apple Watch into a remote for HomeKit-enabled smart TVs. Effortlessly connect, navigate menus, manage power, and switch between multiple devices with a responsive interface.

Highlights
  • Instant HomeKit TV discovery
  • Native menu navigation
  • Volume and playback control
  • TV power status check
  • Turn TVs on/off
  • Multi-device switching
Features
Read full description

Bridgemote turns your Apple Watch into a remote for your HomeKit-connected smart TVs. Features: • Instant Connection: Automatically discovers smart TVs connected to the Apple Home app. • Native Control: Use the responsive UI to navigate menus, mute volume and play/pause. • Power Management: Check TVs power status. Turn your TVs on or off. • Multi-Device Support: Switch between different TVs in your home with a tap. Pricing: Try it for 7-Days. Afterward, permanently unlock the app with a single, one-time purchase. No subscriptions! Requirements: • Apple Watch with watchOS 11+ • A HomeKit-compatible smart TV added to your Home app. NOTE: Does not control Apple TVs.

Screenshots

CtrlTV4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: CtrlTV at free against Bridgemote's free with in-app purchases. Bridgemote's advantage is iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. CtrlTV sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Bridgemote sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for CtrlTV against 5.0 for Bridgemote. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
CtrlTV versus Bridgemote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCtrlTVBridgemote
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS26.018.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnatoli PetrosyantsDaniel Martinez

Customer experience

CtrlTV

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bridgemote

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

CtrlTV

One-time1
  • Launch Apps on TV$1.99
1 purchases

Bridgemote

One-time1
  • Lifetime$0.99

Questions

Is CtrlTV free?
CtrlTV is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bridgemote free?
Bridgemote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CtrlTV or Bridgemote?
CtrlTV and Bridgemote are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do CtrlTV or Bridgemote have ads?
Neither CtrlTV nor Bridgemote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CtrlTV or Bridgemote?
CtrlTV ships an update weekly, and Bridgemote weekly. Most recently, CtrlTV was updated on October 8, 2026 and Bridgemote on October 13, 2026.

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