Smart TV Remote vs Universal TV Remote Control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Universal device control
- IR blaster and WiFi support
- Smart TV integration
- Custom remote creation
- Scene automation
- Room organization
- Apple Watch companion
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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
Universal TV Remote Control
Transform your iPhone into a smart TV remote. Control volume, channels, playback, and access streaming apps with an intuitive interface. Share photos and videos to your TV for a bigger viewing experience.
- Smart TV control
- Volume and channel adjustment
- Playback control
- Streaming app shortcuts
- Touchpad and directional pad navigation
- On-screen keyboard for search
- Photo and video sharing to TV
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THE SMART TV REMOTE, REIMAGINED. Turn your iPhone into the remote you always have with you. Universal TV Remote Control brings your television, entertainment and everyday controls together in one beautifully designed experience. Connect in seconds and take control of your compatible smart TV with a fast, intuitive interface. No lost remote. No batteries. No unnecessary complexity. ONE REMOTE. COMPLETE CONTROL. Control the essentials with ease. Adjust volume. Change channels. Turn your TV on or off. Navigate menus. Control playback. Search for content. Everything you need is right at your fingertips. CONNECT IN SECONDS. Discover compatible TVs and supported devices on your network and connect with just a few taps. Supports many leading brands and platforms, including Samsung, LG, Sony, Roku and more. YOUR ENTERTAINMENT. ONE TAP AWAY. Get faster access to the entertainment you love. Create personalised shortcuts for your favourite streaming and entertainment apps and organise them exactly the way you want. Your entertainment is always within reach. CONTROL YOUR WAY. Prefer a touchpad? Use your iPhone naturally to navigate your TV. Prefer traditional controls? Switch to the directional pad. Need to search? Use the integrated keyboard to enter titles, names and commands quickly. One remote. Multiple ways to control your TV. DESIGNED FOR EVERYDAY USE. From changing channels to browsing streaming apps, Universal TV Remote Control makes television control feel effortless. A clean, responsive interface puts the controls you need exactly where you expect them. YOUR CONTENT. THE BIG SCREEN. Send compatible photos and videos from your iPhone to your television and enjoy your content on a bigger screen. SIMPLE. POWERFUL. ALWAYS WITH YOU. Your iPhone is already in your hand. Now it can be your TV remote too. DESIGNED IN AUSTRALIA. BUILT FOR THE WORLD. Created by FAZ Australia for a global audience, Universal TV Remote Control combines thoughtful design, powerful functionality and a seamless TV experience for households around the world. FREE CORE REMOTE EXPERIENCE. Essential remote functionality is available free, including everyday television control, channel changes and menu navigation. Choose an optional subscription for an ad free experience, unlimited shortcuts and priority support. SUPPORT. Need help connecting? Our in app FAQ provides answers to common questions, with direct support available when you need it. SUPPORT AND LEGAL Privacy Policy: https://www.fazaustralia.com/privacy-policy/ Contact: info@fazaustralia.com Provided by FAZ Australia Pty Ltd. This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by any television manufacturer. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used solely to identify compatibility. Terms of Use EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Universal TV Remote Control at 100% against Smart TV Remote's 33%. Universal TV Remote Control also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). Smart TV Remote's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs fortnightly) and device support (4 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Smart TV Remote sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Universal TV Remote Control sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Universal TV Remote Control holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Smart TV Remote's written reviews are positive against 100% of Universal TV Remote Control's.
Smart TV Remote ships an update weekly, Universal TV Remote Control fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.
| Parameter | Smart TV Remote | Universal TV Remote Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (11 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 11 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 33 MB | 68 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MOBILE ALCHEMY LTD | Mind Stream Logics |
Customer experience
Smart TV Remote
Universal TV Remote Control
In-app purchases
Smart TV Remote
- Weekly3 Days trial$1.997 Days
- Monthly3 Days trial$3.991 Month
- Premium Weekly3 Days trial$6.997 Days
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- 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
- Lifetime$49.99
Universal TV Remote Control
- Monthly Premium$6.991 Month
- Yearly Premium3 Days trial$19.991 Year
- Yearly Premium$19.991 Year
Questions
Is Smart TV Remote free?
Is Universal TV Remote Control free?
Which has better reviews, Smart TV Remote or Universal TV Remote Control?
Do Smart TV Remote or Universal TV Remote Control have ads?
Which is updated more often, Smart TV Remote or Universal TV Remote Control?
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