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

Transform your iPhone or iPad into a universal remote for Smart TVs. Control power, volume, channels, and navigate with ease. Supports text search on popular platforms and connects automatically via Wi-Fi.

Highlights
  • Full remote control functions
  • Text search support
  • Automatic Wi-Fi connection
  • Works with major TV brands
  • User-friendly design
  • Ideal for streaming apps
Features
Read full description

Turn your phone into a remote for your Smart TV. No extra hardware, no more hunting for the lost remote. Volume, channels, playback and a full navigation pad — all from your iPhone. COMPATIBLE WITH MOST SMART TVs - Major brands including Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense, Vizio, Panasonic, Vestel, Whaleos, Vidaa and Philips TV - Roku, Fire TV, Bravia TV and Google TV streaming devices - Finds your TV on your Wi-Fi network in seconds KEY FEATURES - Full remote — D-pad, OK, back, home, menu and media keys - Volume, channel and power at a tap - Launch your favorite streaming apps instantly - Type with your phone keyboard instead of pecking letter by letter - Send your own photos and videos to the big screen WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT - Connects over Wi-Fi — fast and reliable, no dongle to pair - Clean, simple layout anyone can use - One app for all your TVs and streaming boxes BEFORE YOU DOWNLOAD Requires a Wi-Fi-enabled Smart TV or streaming device connected to the same network as your phone. Not compatible with older TVs that use infrared remotes only. SUPPORT Questions or a TV that won't connect? Email khanhlv.it@gmail.com and we'll help. Universal TV Remote is an independent app. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any TV manufacturer or streaming service. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners Privacy Policy: https://tapfiles.blogspot.com/2019/09/privac-policy.html Terms of Use: https://tapfiles.blogspot.com/2019/09/licensed-application-end-user-license.html

Screenshots

Sam4 screens
Universal TV Remote · Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Sam at 116K against Universal TV Remote · Control's 779. Universal TV Remote · Control's advantage is rating (4.4 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (34% vs 26%). On price, update cadence, 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 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Universal TV Remote · Control holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sam has 116K ratings behind it against 779, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 26% of Sam's written reviews are positive against 34% of Universal TV Remote · Control's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sam ships an update every 2 weeks, Universal TV Remote · Control every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Sam versus Universal TV Remote · Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSamUniversal TV Remote · Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (116K ratings)4.4 (779 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.6% of reviews33.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings116K — better779
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 11 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS1613 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB122 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developeryohan teixeiraKhanh Le

Customer experience

Sam

All ratings116,472 ratings
Positive79.5%
Neutral4.6%
Negative15.9%
Written reviews1,814 reviews
Positive25.6%
Neutral8.3%
Negative66.0%

Universal TV Remote · Control

All ratings779 ratings
Positive85.5%
Neutral4.2%
Negative10.3%
Written reviews56 reviews
Positive33.9%
Neutral1.8%
Negative64.3%

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 779 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Helpful for lost remotes
  • 💡 Useful for controlling TV when parents are watching

Room to improve

  • 💰 Paywall for basic functionality
  • 🐛 Frequent disconnections and freezing
  • 📺 Excessive ads interrupting usage
  • 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription

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
  • Doesn't work with many TV models
  • Crashes frequently
  • Fails to connect to TV

Requested features

3 requests
  • Reduce number of ads
  • Improve stability and reliability
  • Add option to cancel subscription easily

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
6 purchases

Universal TV Remote · Control

Subscriptions5
  • Universal Remote TV‪ - Weekly$5.997 Days
  • Universal Remote TV‪ - Weekly3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Universal Remote TV‪ - Monthly$12.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Universal Remote TV‪ - Yearly$19.991 Year
  • Universal Remote TV‪ - Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Universal Remote - Lifetime$44.99

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 4.4 from 779 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 11 days. Most recently, Sam was updated on October 26, 2026 and Universal TV Remote · Control on October 24, 2026.

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