Comparison

fanSync Bluetooth vs Universal Remote

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

Head to head
About

fanSync Bluetooth

Control your ceiling fan using your smartphone via Bluetooth. This app allows for convenient operation of compatible fan receivers. Visit the manufacturer's website to learn about purchasing the necessary receiver.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth fan control
  • Smartphone operation
  • Compatible receiver required
  • Manufacturer website for purchase info
Features
Read full description

fanSync by Fanimation. Control your ceiling fan with your Bluetooth phone! Go to www.fanimation.com to learn how to purchase the required Bluetooth compatible fan receiver.

About

Universal Remote

Control all your smart TVs and streaming devices from your phone. Offers quick navigation, app access, and gesture controls for a seamless remote experience. Compatible with major brands.

Highlights
  • Control smart TVs and streaming devices
  • Full-featured remote with essential buttons
  • Channel and volume control
  • One-tap access to popular apps
  • Swipe-based gesture controls
  • Quick WiFi pairing
Features
Read full description

Control all your devices in one place — fast, easy, and wireless. Universal Remote Screen Cast lets you control Smart TVs and streaming devices directly from your phone. Compatible with major brands like Samsung, Roku, Sony, Amazon Fire TV and LG, this app offers a seamless remote experience with quick navigation, fast pairing, and simple access to your favorite apps. Key Features: Full-featured remote with all essential buttons Switch channels and control volume with ease One-tap access to popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, YouTube, and more Swipe-based gesture controls for smooth navigation Quick pairing with Smart TVs connected to the same WiFi network Easy Setup: Ensure your phone and Smart TV are connected to the same WiFi network. Open the app, select your TV, and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process. This universal remote app supports a wide variety of Smart TV brands and models. Disclaimer: This application is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the mentioned companies. It is not an official product of any brand or its affiliates. Premium Access: • Subscribed user has unlimited access to the remote services. • Unsubscribed user can only use those services with limited quota per day. • User can subscribe one week (USD 3.99) or one month (USD 6.99) auto renewing subscriptions or one year (USD 19.99) auto renewing subscriptions or Lifetime (USD24.99) limited offer. • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. • The account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings after purchase. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Terms of Use: http://uniremotelabs.com/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: http://uniremotelabs.com/privacy-policy For support or feedback, contact us at: support@uniremotelabs.com

Screenshots

fanSync Bluetooth4 screens
Universal Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Universal Remote at 4.3 against fanSync Bluetooth's 2.2. Universal Remote also leads on ratings volume (7.8K vs 79). fanSync Bluetooth's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and device support 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. Universal Remote sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. fanSync Bluetooth asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Universal Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal Remote has 7.8K ratings behind it against 79, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of fanSync Bluetooth's written reviews are positive against 33% of Universal Remote's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

fanSync Bluetooth ships an update every 2 months, Universal Remote monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
fanSync Bluetooth versus Universal Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterfanSync BluetoothUniversal Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (79 ratings)4.3 (7.8K ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.5% of reviews32.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings797.8K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB173 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFanimation, INC.UNIVERSAL REMOTE LABS COMPANY LIMITED

Customer experience

fanSync Bluetooth

All ratings79 ratings
Positive25.3%
Neutral8.9%
Negative65.8%
Written reviews51 reviews
Positive25.5%
Neutral9.8%
Negative64.7%

Universal Remote

All ratings7,822 ratings
Positive80.5%
Neutral5.5%
Negative14.0%
Written reviews208 reviews
Positive32.7%
Neutral4.8%
Negative62.5%

User reviews

fanSync Bluetooth

From 79 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Works when it works
  • 👍 Controls fan and light
  • 👍 Easy to use (when functional)
  • 👍 Reverses fan direction
  • 👍 Connects multiple fans

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Constantly drops connection
  • 🐛 App doesn't work
  • 🐛 Stops connecting
  • 🐛 Fan disappears from app
  • 🐛 Unreliable connection

Universal Remote

From 7.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Responsive and fast
  • 🎨 Seamless pairing with devices
  • 💡 Useful as a backup remote

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔌 Unreliable connection to devices
  • 📢 Intrusive ads and constant upsells

Bugs and requests

fanSync Bluetooth

Reported bugs

50 issues
  • App not working
  • App doesn't conform to basic protocol
  • App doesn't rotate
  • App doesn't see fans
  • App stopped connecting
Show 45 more
  • Fan sync constantly stops working
  • Controls wrong fan
  • Light only comes on dim
  • App doesn't properly control the fan
  • App broken as of iOS 14.4.1
  • App turns on by itself
  • App doesn't show up to turn off
  • App won't sync to the fan
  • App has signal issues
  • App doesn't show fan name
  • App can no longer find the fan
  • Fan is a brick
  • Fan no longer talks with phone
  • No fans in range
  • Bluetooth asks for code
  • App doesn't read latest speed state
  • App launched at full speed
  • App only loads first page
  • App couldn't find the fan
  • App doesn't work
  • App doesn't sync properly
  • App has connection issues
  • App has range issues
  • App drops connection
  • App shows "fanSyncDemo"
  • App doesn't work with iPad iOS 10.2.1
  • Swipe down doesn't result in fan list
  • App keeps saying "no fan in the area"
  • App will not add fan to list
  • App randomly stopped working
  • App occasionally turns light on
  • Keyboard covers fan options
  • App doesn't connect
  • App doesn't function
  • Options on menu are greyed out
  • App has difficulty finding fan
  • App doesn't work at all
  • App doesn't recognize fan
  • App only reads fan 15% of time
  • Fan favorite section is empty
  • App has consistent problems connecting
  • App is very unreliable
  • App is unreliable
  • App doesn't allow clockwise airflow
  • App doesn't have winter/summer button

Requested features

14 requests
  • Support for iOS shortcuts
  • HomeKit compatibility
  • Siri integration
  • Save fans instead of searching
  • Winter/summer button for fan direction
Show 9 more
  • Remember last fan direction setting
  • Add direction button
  • Make app fully compatible with iOS shortcuts
  • Update for various screen sizes
  • Better signal or Wi-Fi connection
  • Store fan in favorite section
  • Timer increments and scheduling options
  • Link to home automation software
  • German interface

Universal Remote

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Unable to find or connect to TV
  • Purchased features not activating
  • Inconsistent performance across devices
  • Restoration of purchases not working

Requested features

4 requests
  • Customizable button layout
  • Support for more TV brands
  • Ability to control smart home devices
  • Improved Apple Watch integration

In-app purchases

None

fanSync Bluetooth

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Universal Remote

Subscriptions7
  • Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Weekly3 Days trial$5.997 Days
Show 4 more
  • Monthly Premium$9.991 Month
  • Monthly$12.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Yearly$34.991 Year
One-time3
  • Lifetime Premium$19.99
  • Lifetime$24.99
  • Lifetime Premium$29.99

Questions

Is fanSync Bluetooth free?
fanSync Bluetooth is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Universal Remote free?
Universal Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, fanSync Bluetooth or Universal Remote?
Universal Remote is rated higher. fanSync Bluetooth averages 2.2 out of 5 from 79 ratings, while Universal Remote averages 4.3 from 7.8K ratings.
Do fanSync Bluetooth or Universal Remote have ads?
Universal Remote shows ads; fanSync Bluetooth does not.
Which is updated more often, fanSync Bluetooth or Universal Remote?
fanSync Bluetooth ships an update every 2 months, and Universal Remote monthly. Most recently, fanSync Bluetooth was updated on October 8, 2026 and Universal Remote on October 12, 2026.

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