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.
Zapp Remote for Android TV
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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.
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.
- Wi-Fi TV control
- Smart casting
- On-screen keyboard
- One-tap macros
- Power, volume, channel control
- Auto-discover TVs
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
| Parameter | Zapp Remote for Android TV | Universal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | β | 100.0% of reviews |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 9 days β better |
| Ads | No β better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No β better | Yes |
| Monetization | β | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad β better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 16.0 |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 46 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Aether Studios | YOU SEUNGMIN |
In-app purchases
Zapp Remote for Android TV
No in-app purchases
Universal
- Vism Pro$0.491 Month
- Vism Pro (Lifetime)$5.99
Questions
Is Zapp Remote for Android TV free?
Is Universal free?
Do Zapp Remote for Android TV or Universal have ads?
Which is updated more often, Zapp Remote for Android TV or Universal?
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