CtrlTV vs TV Remote
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Instant Wi-Fi connection
- Full remote control
- Built-in keyboard
- Touchpad and keypad modes
- Playback control
- Auto-reconnect
- Sleep timer
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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.
TV Remote
Transform your iPhone into a universal smart TV remote. Control volume, change channels, type searches with your keyboard, and launch apps. Offers a free version with ads and a one-time purchase for Pro features like ad removal and multi-TV support.
- Universal smart TV control
- Keyboard and voice input
- App launching
- Touchpad for LG TVs
- WiFi connectivity
- One-time Pro purchase
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Lost the remote? Take back control. Turn your iPhone into a powerful remote control for your smart TV. Change the volume, find your next show and get back to watching. YOUR COUCH. YOUR TV. YOUR RULES. Stop hunting between the cushions. TV Remote puts everyday controls, a keyboard and TV app shortcuts right in your hand. Connect over WiFi, pair your TV and make yourself comfortable. No extra hardware. No account to create. A UNIVERSAL TV REMOTE FOR YOUR EVERYDAY WATCHING • Tap to navigate, adjust volume, change channels and control playback. • Press and hold volume or channel buttons to keep the action going. • Type searches with your iPhone keyboard on supported TVs. • Dictate into supported TV search fields instead of tapping letter by letter. • Swipe and point with the touchpad on compatible LG webOS TVs. • Browse and launch supported apps installed on your TV. • Find your TV over WiFi or add it by IP address, then reconnect for your next session. ONE TV. EVERYDAY CONTROLS. FREE. Use the in-app remote for one TV with advertising. Enjoy supported keyboard, voice input, app launching and LG touchpad features without a subscription. GO PRO ONCE. GET MORE FROM YOUR TV. One purchase unlocks TV Remote Pro: • Remove ads. • Save multiple TVs and switch between rooms. • Customize your TV app shortcut row. • Use Siri and Shortcuts for supported actions on a paired, saved TV. Buy once. No recurring subscription. MADE FOR POPULAR SMART TV PLATFORMS • Samsung TVs running Tizen • LG TVs running webOS • Roku TVs and streaming players • Google TV and Android TV models, including compatible Sony, TCL, Hisense and Philips TVs • Amazon Fire TV devices with ADB debugging enabled • Vizio SmartCast TVs Compatibility and available controls vary by TV platform, model and firmware. Keyboard, voice input, touchpad, app launching and power controls are available where supported. Streaming apps and their content or subscriptions are not included. GET READY IN THREE STEPS 1. Connect your iPhone and TV to the same WiFi network. 2. Find your TV and approve any pairing request on its screen. 3. Open the remote and take control. Remote commands travel directly from your iPhone to your TV over your local network. Optional diagnostic reports help us investigate connection problems and can be turned off in Settings. Download TV Remote and put your next movie night back in your hands. Support: https://tvremote.puresoftltd.com/support Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: CtrlTV at none against TV Remote's shown. CtrlTV also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). TV Remote's advantage is iOS requirement (17.6 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
Both are free to download. CtrlTV sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and TV Remote sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for CtrlTV against 5.0 for TV Remote. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
CtrlTV ships an update every 6 days, TV Remote every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CtrlTV | TV Remote |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 17.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Anatoli Petrosyants | VietTS CO., LTD |
Customer experience
CtrlTV
TV Remote
In-app purchases
CtrlTV
- Launch Apps on TV$1.99
TV Remote
- TV Remote Pro Lifetime$6.99









