# CtrlTV vs Handy TV Remote

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Handy TV Remote at 16.0 against CtrlTV's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CtrlTV sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Handy TV Remote sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

CtrlTV ships an update weekly, Handy TV Remote every 5 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | CtrlTV | Handy TV Remote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ctrltv-smart-tv-remote/id6760845815/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 13 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Anatoli Petrosyants](https://appshunter.io/developer/848828498) | [Tung Nguyen Son](https://appshunter.io/developer/1320582626) |

## What reviewers say

### CtrlTV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ctrltv-smart-tv-remote/id6760845815)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Launch Apps on TV | $1.99 | one-time |


### Handy TV Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handy-tv-remote/id6777329567)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TV Remote Pro | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CtrlTV free?

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

### Is Handy TV Remote free?

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

### Do CtrlTV or Handy TV Remote have ads?

Neither CtrlTV nor Handy TV Remote shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CtrlTV or Handy TV Remote?

CtrlTV ships an update weekly, and Handy TV Remote every 5 days. Most recently, CtrlTV was updated on October 24, 2026 and Handy TV Remote 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.*