Comparison

Game Controller for Smart TV vs Phone Controller

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

Head to head
About

Game Controller for Smart TV

Features
Read full description

Turn your iPhone or iPad into a convenient controller for compatible streaming devices and smart TVs. Game Controller combines everyday remote functions, touchpad navigation, quick channel access, and a dedicated game mode in one easy-to-use app. Connect to a device on the same Wi-Fi network and start controlling your TV from your phone. KEY FEATURES • Complete Remote Control Navigate with directional buttons, confirm selections, return to the previous screen, go Home, control playback, adjust volume, and mute audio on supported devices. • Responsive Touchpad Swipe in any direction to move through menus and tap to select. Haptic feedback makes every gesture feel clear and responsive. • Dedicated Game Mode Use a virtual joystick for smooth multidirectional movement, including diagonal control in supported games. A separate action button provides quick access to in-game commands. You can also switch to a traditional button layout when playing games that work better with standard remote input. • Channel Launcher Browse the channels installed on your connected device and open them directly from your phone. • Channel Favorites Save frequently used channels for faster access without searching through the full list every time. • Automatic Device Discovery Quickly find compatible devices connected to your local Wi-Fi network. You can also refresh the device list whenever your network changes. • Multiple Control Styles Choose between physical-style buttons, touchpad gestures, and game controls to match what you are watching or playing. Game Controller is designed for comfortable one-handed navigation, casual TV control, and more responsive gameplay. Whether you are browsing channels, watching entertainment, or playing a game, the controls you need stay close at hand. REQUIREMENTS • Your iPhone or iPad and the TV or streaming device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. • Local Network access is required to discover and communicate with nearby devices. • Some buttons and features may vary depending on the connected device or TV model. Game Controller is an independent application and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Roku, Inc. Roku is a trademark of Roku, Inc. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://chandlerbin-1213.github.io/rokugame.github.io/RokuPliotWeb/static/PrivacyPolicy/index.html

About

Phone Controller

Transform your iPhone into a wireless gamepad for your Windows PC. Customize button layouts, add motion and touch feedback, and connect multiple devices over your local Wi-Fi network. Requires a companion app and driver installation on your PC.

Highlights
  • Wireless gamepad for Windows PC
  • Customizable button layouts
  • Motion and touch feedback
  • Connect multiple devices
  • Local network connection
Read full description

Turn your iPhone into a wireless gamepad for a Windows PC on the same Wi-Fi network. Phone Controller requires the Phone Controller Windows companion and the ViGEmBus virtual controller driver on your PC. Install them before playing. This app does not connect directly to a game console and does not include games. CUSTOMIZE YOUR CONTROLS Use a full two-stick controller or left- or right-hand single-stick layouts. Move and resize buttons, with separate saved layouts for portrait, landscape and upright or sideways holding. Use independent touches for sticks and buttons. ADD MOTION AND TOUCH FEEDBACK Enable optional gyroscope and accelerometer controls for compatible PC software through the companion's DSU motion bridge. Adjust sensitivity and calibrate while still. Optional iPhone haptics provide feedback for button presses and stick movement. Motion support depends on the game or emulator and its configuration. CONNECT ON YOUR LOCAL NETWORK Scan the QR code in the Windows companion using the in-app scanner, or paste the pairing URL. Keep the companion open while playing. Up to four phones can connect as independent controllers. One phone supplies one motion source. No app account, ads or analytics. Use a trusted private network: local controller traffic is unencrypted. See the privacy policy for the data sent to your computer. Compatibility: iPhone with iOS 17 or later; Windows PC with the companion and ViGEmBus installed; both devices on the same local network. Games must support compatible controller input. Motion requires a compatible DSU client. Standalone left/right layouts require manual game or emulator bindings. Haptic feedback depends on device hardware. Phone Controller is an independent app and is not affiliated with Nintendo or Microsoft. Joy-Con and Xbox names describe control compatibility. The app does not provide IR, NFC, Nintendo HD rumble or absolute positional tracking.

Screenshots

Game Controller for Smart TV4 screens
Phone Controller4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Phone Controller at none against Game Controller for Smart TV's shown. On price, in-app purchases, device support 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Game Controller for Smart TV versus Phone Controller: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGame Controller for Smart TVPhone Controller
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer庆源 郭Jake Jin

In-app purchases

None

Game Controller for Smart TV

No in-app purchases

None

Phone Controller

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Game Controller for Smart TV free?
Game Controller for Smart TV is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Phone Controller free?
Phone Controller is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Game Controller for Smart TV or Phone Controller have ads?
Game Controller for Smart TV shows ads; Phone Controller does not.

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