Comparison

Sam vs Universal Remote TV 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 Remote TV Control ·

Transform your phone into a universal TV remote. Effortlessly change channels, adjust volume, launch streaming apps, and cast media to your TV. Enjoy a seamless control experience without the hassle of physical remotes.

Highlights
  • Universal TV remote control
  • Volume and channel adjustment
  • Launch streaming apps
  • Cast photos and videos
  • Voice and keyboard search
  • Supports most smart TV brands
Features
Read full description

LOST YOUR TV REMOTE AGAIN? TAKE CONTROL INSTANTLY. Turn your iPhone or iPad into a powerful universal TV remote in seconds. Change channels, adjust volume, launch Netflix or YouTube, and cast photos or videos directly to your TV. No more searching for remotes. No more dead batteries. Just tap and control. TRUSTED BY MILLIONS • 10M+ downloads • Top 50 in Utilities • 4.8 rating with 50K+ reviews --------------------------------- TAKE CONTROL IN UNDER A MINUTE Connect your phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi. The app automatically detects your device. No pairing codes. No complicated setup. Start controlling your TV almost instantly. ONE APP. TOTAL CONTROL. • Change channels instantly • Adjust volume smoothly • Launch streaming apps with one tap • Power on or off supported TVs • Navigate menus faster than a traditional remote Stop switching between remotes. Everything you need is in one place. SEARCH FASTER. WATCH MORE. Typing with a TV remote is frustrating. Use your phone’s keyboard or voice search to find movies and shows in seconds. Spend less time searching and more time watching. CAST AND SHARE ON THE BIG SCREEN Show photos from your gallery. Play videos directly from your phone. Stream music for parties or family nights. Turn any moment into a big-screen experience. COMPATIBLE WITH MOST SMART TV BRANDS - Roku - TCL - Sony - LG Smart TV - Samsung - Android TV - Hisense - Fire TV - Philips - Vizio Join millions of users who replaced their physical remote. PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION Upgrade to Premium to remove ads and unlock all features. Subscription is $6.99 per week. Payment will be charged to your 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. Subscriptions can be managed in Account Settings after purchase. Universal Remote TV Control・ is not affiliated with or endorsed by any TV brands mentioned. Support: feedback@begamob.com Privacy Policy: https://begamob.com/policy.html Terms of Use: https://begamob.com/termofuse.html

Screenshots

Sam4 screens
Universal Remote TV Control ·4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Universal Remote TV Control · at 4.7 against Sam's 4.2. Universal Remote TV Control · also leads on review sentiment (38% vs 26%) and chart position (#19 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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 Remote TV Control · sells 16 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

Universal Remote TV Control · holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 116K and 144K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 26% of Sam's written reviews are positive against 38% of Universal Remote TV Control ·'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sam ships an update every 2 weeks, Universal Remote TV Control · every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Sam versus Universal Remote TV Control ·: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSamUniversal Remote TV Control ·
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (116K ratings)4.7 (144K ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.6% of reviews38.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings116K144K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#19 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS1616.0
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB233 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developeryohan teixeiraBEGAMOB GLOBAL LIMITED

Customer experience

Sam

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

Universal Remote TV Control ·

All ratings141,958 ratings
Positive92.6%
Neutral2.7%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews1,251 reviews
Positive38.0%
Neutral3.4%
Negative58.6%

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 Remote TV Control ·

From 144K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works well when remote is lost
  • 👍 Convenient for families

Room to improve

  • 💰 Requires paid subscription to use basic functions
  • 🐛 Buggy, disconnects frequently
  • 🤑 Expensive, more affordable to buy a new remote
  • 🤯 Confusing, unclear about paid features

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 Remote TV Control ·

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Subscription issues, unable to cancel
  • Incompatible with certain TV models
  • Buttons/functions not working as expected

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to turn TV on/off
  • Support for more TV brands
  • Ability to control volume without subscription

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
16 purchases

Universal Remote TV Control ·

Subscriptions14
  • Unlock all features - Weekly$3.997 Days
  • One Weekly$3.997 Days
  • 75% off first week$4.997 Days
Show 11 more
  • Unlock all features$4.997 Days
  • TV Remote Control - 1 Week Pro2 variants$5.997 Days
  • TV Remote Control - 1 Week Pro$8.907 Days
  • TV Remote Premium - Month Pro$9.491 Month
  • TV Remote Control - 1 Week Pro3 Days trial4 variants$9.997 Days
  • TV Remote Control - 1 Week Pro3 Days trial2 variants$14.907 Days
  • Yearly Premium3 Days trial$26.491 Year
  • Yearly Access3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Premium Pack for RokuTV3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • TV Remote Control - 1 Year Pro$39.991 Year
  • One Yearly$39.991 Year
One-time2
  • Unlock all features for life$29.99
  • Unlock All Feature$34.99

Questions

Is Sam free?
Sam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Universal Remote TV Control · free?
Universal Remote TV Control · is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sam or Universal Remote TV Control ·?
Universal Remote TV Control · is rated higher. Sam averages 4.2 out of 5 from 116K ratings, while Universal Remote TV Control · averages 4.7 from 144K ratings.
Do Sam or Universal Remote TV Control · have ads?
Both Sam and Universal Remote TV Control · show ads.
Which is updated more often, Sam or Universal Remote TV Control ·?
Sam ships an update every 2 weeks, and Universal Remote TV Control · every 3 weeks. Most recently, Sam was updated on October 29, 2026 and Universal Remote TV Control · on October 29, 2026.

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