Comparison

Sam vs Universal TV Remote Control #

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

Head to head
About

Sam

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
Read full description

SamRemote: Transforms your iPhone into a powerful, virtual remote for your smart TV. Our intuitive TV remote app streamlines your tv experience, allowing you to easily control your TV with all the features of the original remote control. With a simple tap, switch channels, adjust volume, navigate through menus, and manage your media - all from your iPhone or iPad. The best part? SamRemote requires zero setup. Simply launch the app and it automatically syncs with your Smart TV via your Wi-Fi. You're all set to take command of your TV Say goodbye to the days of losing your physical remote or scrambling to replace batteries. With Sam, your ultimate TV control is always in your pocket, ready whenever you are. Experience smart TV viewing as it should be - simplified and under your command. DISCLAIMER Sam is neither an official Samsung product, nor are we affiliated with the Samsung Electronics company. SUBSCRIPTION: We offer auto-renewing subscription: - Length: Yearly-Monthly-Weekly - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - You will be able to access the Premium features of the app for the duration of the subscription - Subscription automatically renews for the same price and duration period as the original period 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 at the cost of the chosen package. - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's iTunes Account Settings after purchase - No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active subscription period - You may cancel a subscription during its free trial period via the subscription setting through your Apple account. This must be done 24 hours before the end of the subscription period to avoid being charged. Please visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202039 for more information on how to proceed. - You may turn off the auto-renewal of your subscription via your Apple Account Settings. However, you are not able to cancel the current subscription during its active period - Any unused portion of a free-trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription. Privacy Policy : http://nstx.io/SamRemote/samremote_policy.html Terms of Use : http://nstx.io/SamRemote/samremote-terms.html

About

Universal TV Remote Control #

Control compatible TVs using your iPhone or iPad over WiFi. Offers basic remote functions for free, with advanced features like keyboard input and app launching available through premium upgrades. Supports a wide range of smart TV brands.

Highlights
  • WiFi TV control
  • Basic remote functions free
  • Premium advanced features
  • App launching
  • Keyboard input
  • Apple Watch and Mac companion controls
Features
Read full description

Can't find the remote? Use your iPhone or iPad to control a compatible TV over WiFi. Start with free basic remote buttons, with companion controls on Apple Watch and Mac. CHECK COMPATIBILITY Supports compatible Apple TV, Samsung, LG, Android TV, Google TV, Fire TV, Roku, Hisense and Vizio devices. Experimental support is also available for compatible Philips, Sony and Panasonic TVs, depending on model and firmware. Your phone and TV must be on the same local network. Pairing or enabling network control on your TV may be required. Available buttons and features vary by model. FREE EVERYDAY CONTROL Use the basic keypad for volume, channels, navigation and playback where supported. Basic Apple Watch and widget buttons are also free. Save multiple TVs and organize them by room. TYPE, TAP AND WATCH Premium unlocks keyboard input, app launching, input switching, keypad customization, extended Apple Watch controls and additional Siri Shortcuts on supported devices. Touchpad navigation is available on supported Apple TV, Samsung and LG devices. DIRECT CONNECTION Remote commands are sent over your local network. No TV account is required. IN-APP PURCHASES Choose a lifetime purchase or an auto-renewing subscription where offered. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account when you confirm the purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage or cancel subscriptions in your App Store account settings. DISCLAIMER This is an independent app. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Apple Inc., Samsung, LG, Google, Amazon, Roku, Hisense, Vizio or any other TV or device manufacturer. Product names, logos and brands belong to their owners and are used only to indicate compatibility. Privacy Policy: https://www.rs.ltd/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.rs.ltd/terms

Screenshots

Sam4 screens
Universal TV Remote Control #4 screens

Verdict

The call

Sam and Universal TV Remote Control # both sit at 4.2 stars, but that hides the real split: 75% of Universal TV Remote Control #'s written reviews are positive against 26% of Sam's. Universal TV Remote Control # also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 weeks). Sam's advantage is ratings volume (116K vs 1.3K). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. Sam sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Universal TV Remote Control # sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Sam against 4.3 for Universal TV Remote Control #. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sam has 116K ratings behind it against 1.3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 26% of Sam's written reviews are positive against 75% of Universal TV Remote Control #'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sam ships an update every 2 weeks, Universal TV Remote Control # every 6 days. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Sam versus Universal TV Remote Control #: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSamUniversal TV Remote Control #
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (116K ratings)4.3 (1.3K ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.6% of reviews74.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings116K — better1.3K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 6 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB107 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developeryohan teixeiraRemote Sunrise LTD

Customer experience

Sam

All ratings116,472 ratings
Positive79.5%
Neutral4.6%
Negative15.9%
Written reviews1,815 reviews
Positive25.6%
Neutral8.3%
Negative66.1%

Universal TV Remote Control #

All ratings1,257 ratings
Positive81.4%
Neutral3.4%
Negative15.2%
Written reviews946 reviews
Positive74.9%
Neutral4.5%
Negative20.5%

User reviews

Sam

From 116K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Universal TV Remote Control #

From 1.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Responsive and fast
  • 💡 Useful remote control features
  • 🔒 Secure connection
  • 🤖 Works with various TV brands

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional connectivity issues
  • 🔍 Difficult to find specific TV models
  • 💰 Paid subscription required for full functionality
  • 🕰️ Slow response times on some devices
  • 🔘 Confusing button layout

Bugs and requests

Sam

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

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

Universal TV Remote Control #

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Fails to connect to some TV models
  • Loses connection randomly
  • Volume controls not working properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more TV brand support
  • Improve Apple Watch integration
  • Customize button layout and colors
  • Implement voice control
  • Add keyboard functionality

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Sam

Subscriptions5
  • Premium version3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Premium version$7.997 Days
  • Premium version$14.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Premium version3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Premium version$29.991 Year
One-time3
  • removal of advertising$3.99
  • removal of advertising$19.99
  • Premium version$34.99
7 purchases

Universal TV Remote Control #

Subscriptions5
  • Unlock All Features$3.997 Days
  • Smart TV Remote - 1 month$3.991 Month
  • Universal TV Remote - 1 year$9.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Universal TV Remote - 1 month$9.991 Month
  • Smart TV Remote - 1 year$19.991 Year
One-time2
  • Universal TV Remote - lifetime$4.99
  • Universal TV Remote - lifetime$14.99

Questions

Is Sam free?
Sam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Universal TV Remote Control # free?
Universal TV Remote Control # is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sam or Universal TV Remote Control #?
Universal TV Remote Control # is rated higher. Sam averages 4.2 out of 5 from 116K ratings, while Universal TV Remote Control # averages 4.3 from 1.3K ratings.
Do Sam or Universal TV Remote Control # have ads?
Both Sam and Universal TV Remote Control # show ads.
Which is updated more often, Sam or Universal TV Remote Control #?
Sam ships an update every 2 weeks, and Universal TV Remote Control # every 6 days. Most recently, Sam was updated on November 10, 2026 and Universal TV Remote Control # on November 10, 2026.

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