# Sam vs Remote control for Sky

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Sam at 116K against Remote control for Sky's 32. Remote control for Sky's advantage is review sentiment (50% vs 26%) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Sam sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Remote control for Sky sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Sam holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sam has 116K ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 26% of Sam's written reviews are positive against 50% of Remote control for Sky's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Sam ships an update every 2 weeks, Remote control for Sky every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sam | Remote control for Sky |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (116K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sam-tv-remote-for-samsung/id838579136/reviews)** | [4.1 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-control-for-sky/id1451079366/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **116K** | 32 |
| Positive reviews | 25.6% of reviews | **50.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 67 MB | 87 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16 | **13.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [yohan teixeira](https://appshunter.io/developer/488660484) | [Oz Shabbatth](https://appshunter.io/developer/1451079365) |

## What reviewers say

### Sam

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sam-tv-remote-for-samsung/id838579136)

Transform your iPhone into a virtual remote for your smart TV. Easily control channels, volume, menus, and media with a simple tap. It syncs automatically via Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for physical remotes and batteries.

**Highlights:** Virtual remote control, Channel switching, Volume adjustment, Menu navigation, Media management, Automatic Wi-Fi sync, No setup required

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium version | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium version | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium version | $14.99 | per month |
| Premium version | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium version | $29.99 | per year |
| removal of advertising | $3.99 | one-time |
| removal of advertising | $19.99 | one-time |
| Premium version | $34.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Works well when connected
- 👍 Easy to set up
- 👍 Convenient to use phone as remote

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔋 Frequent disconnection issues
- 📺 Can't turn TV on with app
- 💸 Expensive paid version
- 📢 Excessive ads in free version
- 🐛 Inconsistent functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Fails to connect to TV consistently
- Buttons stop working after a while
- Paid version loses ad-free functionality

**Requested features**

- Add option to turn TV on/off
- Improve stability and reliability
- Reduce frequency of ads in free version


### Remote control for Sky

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remote-control-for-sky/id1451079366)

Control your Sky devices with this third-party remote app. It offers a user-friendly interface and saves your last remote for quick access. Enjoy a seamless experience without installation.

**Highlights:** Saves last remote, Quick access, No installation required, Easy interface, User-friendly design

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No Ads | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy setup and installation process
- 🎯 Works like the physical remote control
- 💰 Free to download with optional ad removal
- 🔌 No IR required, works over WiFi
- ⚡ Quick response and minimal delay

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Frequent intrusive advertisements
- 🔌 Inconsistent connection issues
- 🔄 App crashes and won't open after updates
- 🔊 Volume button doesn't work
- 💳 Ads persist even after paying for ad-free version

**Reported bugs**

- App won't open or crashes on launch after recent updates
- Cannot find Sky Q box even when on same network
- Manual IP address entry fails to connect
- Up/Down buttons continuously repeat without stopping
- Right arrow button doesn't work for channel navigation

**Requested features**

- Support for Sky Glass and Sky Stream devices
- TV guide and Sky Planner integration
- Voice control functionality
- Improved ad placement to avoid blocking controls
- Accessibility features for visually impaired users


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sam free?

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

### Is Remote control for Sky free?

Remote control for Sky is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Sam or Remote control for Sky?

Sam is rated higher. Sam averages 4.2 out of 5 from 116K ratings, while Remote control for Sky averages 4.1 from 32 ratings.

### Do Sam or Remote control for Sky have ads?

Both Sam and Remote control for Sky show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Sam or Remote control for Sky?

Sam ships an update every 2 weeks, and Remote control for Sky every 4 days. Most recently, Sam was updated on October 21, 2026 and Remote control for Sky on October 20, 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.*