Comparison

Smart TV Remote vs ESP AC Remote

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

Head to head
About

Smart TV 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
Read full description

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. What does it cost? Try the app with built-in demo remotes. Controlling your own devices needs Premium, which starts with a 3-day free trial before any charge. No ads. 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

About

ESP AC Remote

Transform your phone into a fast, local remote for air conditioners managed by an ESPHome device. Control power, temperature, and modes directly over your Wi-Fi network without cloud accounts or complex setups.

Highlights
  • Automatic device discovery
  • Power on/off AC
  • Switch modes (Cool, Heat, Dry, Fan, Auto)
  • Set target temperature
  • View temperature readings
  • Toggle remote beep
  • Rename and save devices
Features
Read full description

ESP AC Remote turns your phone into a simple, fast remote for air conditioners controlled by an ESPHome device on your local Wi-Fi network. If your air conditioner is connected to an ESPHome-based controller (for example through an IR blaster or a compatible control board), this app can discover it on your network and control it — regardless of the air conditioner brand. No cloud account, no sign-up, no complicated setup. FEATURES - Automatic device discovery on your local Wi-Fi - Power your air conditioner on and off - Switch modes: Cool, Heat, Dry, Fan, Auto - Set the exact target temperature - View indoor, outdoor, and target temperatures at a glance - Toggle the remote beep - Rename your devices and keep them saved between scans - Clean, modern interface in 5 languages (English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic) COMPATIBILITY ESP AC Remote works with air conditioners that are controlled by an ESPHome device exposing a climate entity over the local network. It does not connect to air conditioners directly and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any air conditioner manufacturer. You need a working ESPHome controller set up for your unit. LOCAL & PRIVATE The app communicates directly with your ESPHome device over your Wi-Fi network. Your phone and the device must be on the same Wi-Fi — it does not work over mobile data or a different network. PREMIUM (optional) The free version is fully functional and supported by ads. An optional Premium subscription removes all banner and interstitial ads for a cleaner experience and helps support development. Choose monthly or yearly, and switch plans anytime. Premium is an auto-renewing subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://espacc.w2solution.net/espaac/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://espacc.w2solution.net/espaac/terms.html

Screenshots

Smart TV Remote4 screens
ESP AC Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Smart TV Remote at 4.5 against ESP AC Remote's 1.0. Smart TV Remote also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (8 vs 1). ESP AC Remote's advantage is update cadence (daily vs weekly). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement 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 TV Remote sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and ESP AC Remote sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Smart TV Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smart TV Remote has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smart TV Remote ships an update weekly, ESP AC Remote daily. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Smart TV Remote versus ESP AC Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmart TV RemoteESP AC Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (8 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better1
Update frequencyWeeklyDaily — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMOBILE ALCHEMY LTDW2S SOLUTION LTD

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Smart TV Remote

Subscriptions7
  • Weekly3 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • Monthly3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Premium Weekly3 Days trial$6.997 Days
Show 4 more
  • Premium Weekly3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Premium Yearly3 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Yearly3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$49.99
2 purchases

ESP AC Remote

Subscriptions2
  • Premium monthly$3.991 Month
  • Premium yearly$22.991 Year

Questions

Is Smart TV Remote free?
Smart TV Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ESP AC Remote free?
ESP AC Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Smart TV Remote or ESP AC Remote?
Smart TV Remote is rated higher. Smart TV Remote averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while ESP AC Remote averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Smart TV Remote or ESP AC Remote have ads?
ESP AC Remote shows ads; Smart TV Remote does not.
Which is updated more often, Smart TV Remote or ESP AC Remote?
Smart TV Remote ships an update weekly, and ESP AC Remote daily. Most recently, Smart TV Remote was updated on October 31, 2026 and ESP AC Remote on October 31, 2026.

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