Comparison

Smart TV Remote vs Universal Remote Control

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

Universal Remote Control

Manage compatible air conditioners directly from your smartphone. Adjust temperature, fan speed, and modes for a comfortable environment. Offers a user-friendly interface for effortless climate control.

Highlights
  • Control compatible air conditioners
  • Adjust temperature settings
  • Change fan speed and modes
  • Turn AC on or off remotely
  • User-friendly interface
  • Fast and responsive controls
Features
Read full description

Take control of your air conditioner directly from your smartphone. AC Remote Control: Conditioner lets you manage compatible air conditioning units quickly and effortlessly from your mobile device. Adjust the temperature, change fan speed, switch operating modes, and enjoy a comfortable environment without needing your physical remote. Built with a clean, intuitive interface, the app makes everyday climate control simple and convenient - whether you're at home, in the office, or on the go. Key Features: - Control compatible air conditioners from your phone - Instantly adjust temperature settings - Change fan speed and operating modes - Turn your AC on or off remotely - Clean, user-friendly interface - Fast connection and responsive controls - Convenient alternative to misplaced or lost remotes Whether you want to cool your room before you arrive home or fine-tune your AC settings from the comfort of your couch, AC Remote Control: Conditioner puts convenient climate control at your fingertips. Some features may require compatible devices and network connectivity. We share anonymized app usage data with Apple exclusively for refund fraud prevention purposes. For complete information regarding refunds, please review our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pbeFPQ6R2H7Ea6K3ugZFWCbxCJnZJxGcHa0RNiFJIYw/edit?tab=t.0 Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Contact us: rehmanapple130@gmail.com

Screenshots

Smart TV Remote4 screens
Universal Remote Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Smart TV Remote at 4.5 against Universal Remote Control's 2.5. Smart TV Remote also leads on review sentiment (33% vs 0%) and device support (4 vs 1). Universal Remote Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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. Smart TV Remote sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Universal Remote Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Smart TV Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Smart TV Remote's written reviews are positive against 0% of Universal Remote Control's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smart TV Remote ships an update weekly, Universal Remote Control every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Smart TV Remote versus Universal Remote Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmart TV RemoteUniversal Remote Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (8 ratings) — better2.5 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings8 — better6
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB123 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMOBILE ALCHEMY LTDAnaya Mercer

Customer experience

Smart TV Remote

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Universal Remote Control

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

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
None

Universal Remote Control

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Smart TV Remote free?
Smart TV Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Universal Remote Control free?
Universal Remote Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Smart TV Remote or Universal Remote Control?
Smart TV Remote is rated higher. Smart TV Remote averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Universal Remote Control averages 2.5 from 6 ratings.
Do Smart TV Remote or Universal Remote Control have ads?
Neither Smart TV Remote nor Universal Remote Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smart TV Remote or Universal Remote Control?
Smart TV Remote ships an update weekly, and Universal Remote Control every 5 days. Most recently, Smart TV Remote was updated on October 29, 2026 and Universal Remote Control on October 28, 2026.

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