# Smart Things vs Universal TV Remote

The clearest difference is rating: Universal TV Remote at 4.3 against Smart Things's 3.0. Universal TV Remote also leads on ratings volume (18 vs 2) and device support (4 vs 2). Smart Things's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Smart Things sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Universal TV Remote sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Universal TV Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal TV Remote has 18 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Smart Things ships an update weekly, Universal TV Remote every 8 days. Both last shipped on November 14, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Smart Things | Universal TV Remote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-things-universal-remote/id6804194491/reviews) | **[4.3 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-smart-tvs/id6804570501/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **18** |
| Positive reviews | — | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 8 days |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 31 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mikita Kharoshka](https://appshunter.io/developer/6789670628) | [Rasheed Ullah Khan](https://appshunter.io/developer/6801136299) |

## What reviewers say

### Smart Things

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-things-universal-remote/id6804194491)

Control all your smart home devices, including lights, thermostats, and cameras, from a single interface. Manage your smart TVs with a comprehensive remote and create custom scenes and automations for convenience. Personalize your rooms with custom wallpapers and access controls via widgets and voice commands.

**Highlights:** Control lights, thermostats, locks, and more, Live view for HomeKit cameras and doorbells, Smart TV remote with keyboard and app access, Create custom scenes and automations, Siri and Shortcuts integration, Customizable room wallpapers, Home screen widgets and Control Center access

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Pro Monthly Special | $5.99 | per month |
| Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


### Universal TV Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-tv-remote-smart-tvs/id6804570501)

Transform your iPhone into a universal remote for smart TVs and streaming devices. Control navigation, input text, and launch apps with a simple interface. Connects via Wi-Fi, no extra hardware needed.

**Highlights:** Universal remote control, Wi-Fi connectivity, Swipe touchpad navigation, On-screen keyboard, App quick-launch buttons, Supports 250+ brands

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $34.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Smart Things free?

Smart Things is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Universal TV Remote free?

Universal TV Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Smart Things or Universal TV Remote?

Universal TV Remote is rated higher. Smart Things averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Universal TV Remote averages 4.3 from 18 ratings.

### Do Smart Things or Universal TV Remote have ads?

Universal TV Remote shows ads; Smart Things does not.

### Which is updated more often, Smart Things or Universal TV Remote?

Smart Things ships an update weekly, and Universal TV Remote every 8 days. Most recently, Smart Things was updated on November 14, 2026 and Universal TV Remote on November 14, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*