Comparison

Zapp Remote for Android TV vs Universal

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

Head to head
About

Zapp Remote for Android TV

Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone or iPad into a powerful remote control for your Android TV, Google TV and Chromecast devices. Zapp connects over Wi-Fi in seconds β€” no registration and no physical remote needed. WHY Zapp? β—† Voice search: find movies and shows or control your TV hands-free. β—† Screen mirroring: share your phone or tablet screen on the big screen with one tap. β—† Instant typing: use your iPhone keyboard instead of the on-screen TV keyboard. β—† Quick app launch: open Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and more with a single touch. β—† D-pad and touchpad modes: navigate exactly the way you prefer. β—† Volume and power: full control, including your device's physical volume buttons. β—† Multiple TVs: pair once and switch between all the TVs in your home. WORKS WITH YOUR DEVICES Zapp is compatible with Google TV Streamer, Chromecast with Google TV, Nvidia Shield and smart TVs from Sony, Philips, TCL, Hisense and hundreds of other Android TV models. EASY SETUP 1. Connect your iPhone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network. 2. Open Zapp and select your TV. 3. Enter the pairing code shown on the screen. Done! Free, fast and designed for iOS with a clean, modern interface. Note: your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. This app is not affiliated with Google LLC or any TV manufacturer mentioned.

About

Universal

Control your smart TV using your iPhone over Wi-Fi. Features include power, volume, channel control, text input, and casting phone videos to your TV. An optional subscription removes ads.

Highlights
  • Wi-Fi TV control
  • Smart casting
  • On-screen keyboard
  • One-tap macros
  • Power, volume, channel control
  • Auto-discover TVs
Features
Read full description

Control your smart TV from your iPhone β€” no extra hardware needed. Universal: TV Remote Control works over Wi-Fi with LG, Samsung, and Roku TVs. FREE FEATURES - Auto-discover TVs on your Wi-Fi (Roku, AirPlay), or add by IP (LG, Samsung) - Power, volume, channel, D-pad, home, back, mute, play - Type text to your TV with the on-screen keyboard - One-tap macros to run several commands at once - AirPlay casting: send phone videos to your TV REMOVE ADS (optional) Free use shows a small banner ad. Remove ads with a monthly subscription (Vism Pro) or a one-time Lifetime purchase. All remote features stay free either way. NOTE Not affiliated with or endorsed by Samsung, LG, or Roku. Brand names are used only to identify compatible TVs. Your iPhone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Zapp Remote for Android TV4 screens
Universal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Zapp Remote for Android TV at none against Universal's 2. Zapp Remote for Android TV also leads on ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Universal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month. Zapp Remote for Android TV asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zapp Remote for Android TV ships an update fortnightly, Universal every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 6 level
Zapp Remote for Android TV versus Universal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZapp Remote for Android TVUniversal
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviewsβ€”100.0% of reviews
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 9 days β€” better
AdsNo β€” betterYes
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
Monetizationβ€”Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.016.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size46 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAether StudiosYOU SEUNGMIN

In-app purchases

None

Zapp Remote for Android TV

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Universal

Subscriptions1
  • Vism Pro$0.491 Month
One-time1
  • Vism Pro (Lifetime)$5.99

Questions

Is Zapp Remote for Android TV free?
Zapp Remote for Android TV is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Universal free?
Universal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Zapp Remote for Android TV or Universal have ads?
Universal shows ads; Zapp Remote for Android TV does not.
Which is updated more often, Zapp Remote for Android TV or Universal?
Zapp Remote for Android TV ships an update fortnightly, and Universal every 9 days. Most recently, Zapp Remote for Android TV was updated on October 31, 2026 and Universal on November 8, 2026.

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