Comparison

CtrlTV vs TV REMOTE for Bravia

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 directly from your iPhone without any setup. This app connects to your TV over Wi-Fi, offering full remote functionality, a built-in keyboard for easy typing, and quick access to apps. It's designed to replace lost or broken remotes with a seamless user experience.

Highlights
  • Instant Wi-Fi connection
  • Full remote control
  • Built-in keyboard
  • Touchpad and keypad modes
  • Playback control
  • Quick app launches
  • Home Screen widgets
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

TV REMOTE for Bravia

Control your Sony TV with an iPhone, offering everyday remote functions and an experimental jog/shuttle dial for video scrubbing. It features auto-volume adjustment per app and customizable shortcuts for streaming services.

Highlights
  • Remote control functionality
  • Experimental jog/shuttle dial for video scrubbing
  • Auto-volume adjustment per app
  • Customizable streaming service shortcuts
  • Wake-on-LAN power on
  • IP control auto-detection
Features
Read full description

An iPhone TV remote tested on the Sony BRAVIA 4K VH21 (Google TV). It puts everyday controls on one compact screen and adds an experimental jog/shuttle dial for scrubbing YouTube, Netflix, and recorded video. ■ Easy setup - Auto-detects TVs on the same Wi-Fi (or add an IP manually) - Pair once with the PIN shown on the TV; reconnects automatically afterward - Recovers automatically if the TV's IP address changes - Power on via Wake-on-LAN ■ Remote screen - D-pad + OK, volume / channel, scroll wheel - Input switching, Home / Menu / Guide / Recordings / Back, color keys - Pick any 3 streaming-service shortcuts to place on the remote ■ Jog / shuttle (experimental) - Scrub playback in streaming apps (YouTube, Netflix, …) and recorded video with a dial - Switch between jog (step/skip) and shuttle (variable-speed FF/REW) - Playback transport and speed macros (optional, off by default) - Behavior varies by the app being controlled and by TV model ■ Auto volume (per app, per TV) - Ends the "YouTube too loud, Netflix too quiet" volume gap between sources - Remembers your usual volume for each streaming app and for broadcast, and restores it automatically when you switch from this remote - Levels are saved per TV (optional, off by default) ■ More - Number keys, launch installed TV apps - Flip-to-mute (optional) - Reorderable tabs, Japanese / English, dark glass UI Compatibility: tested only on the Sony BRAVIA 4K VH21 (Google TV). Other models are not guaranteed (they may work but are untested). Enable "IP control" and network power-on on your TV before use. Note: This is an unofficial app and is not affiliated with any TV maker or service provider. Product and service names are used only to indicate compatibility; trademarks belong to their respective owners. Note: Jog/shuttle and some buttons are experimental and may behave differently by model/firmware.

Screenshots

CtrlTV4 screens
TV REMOTE for Bravia4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: TV REMOTE for Bravia at free against CtrlTV's free with in-app purchases. TV REMOTE for Bravia also leads on update cadence (daily vs weekly) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. CtrlTV sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and TV REMOTE for Bravia 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 TV REMOTE for Bravia. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CtrlTV ships an update weekly, TV REMOTE for Bravia daily. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
CtrlTV versus TV REMOTE for Bravia: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCtrlTVTV REMOTE for Bravia
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyWeeklyDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnatoli PetrosyantsYorihito Tada

In-app purchases

1 purchases

CtrlTV

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

TV REMOTE for Bravia

One-time1
  • Pro$1.99

Questions

Is CtrlTV free?
CtrlTV is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TV REMOTE for Bravia free?
TV REMOTE for Bravia is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CtrlTV or TV REMOTE for Bravia?
CtrlTV and TV REMOTE for Bravia are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do CtrlTV or TV REMOTE for Bravia have ads?
Neither CtrlTV nor TV REMOTE for Bravia shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CtrlTV or TV REMOTE for Bravia?
CtrlTV ships an update weekly, and TV REMOTE for Bravia daily. Most recently, CtrlTV was updated on October 31, 2026 and TV REMOTE for Bravia on October 25, 2026.

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