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

Control your smart TV from your phone with this app. It offers a full-featured remote experience, allowing you to change channels, adjust volume, navigate menus, and more. Connect via Wi-Fi for seamless control.

Highlights
  • Control TV from iPhone
  • Channel and volume control
  • Menu and playback functions
  • Works with popular brands
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Keyboard input
  • Haptic feedback
Features
Read full description

A TV remote always going missing? Or you just can’t stand the very sight of this old-school device anymore? Then you are in the right place—using a remote control app on your phone will save you all these headaches. Universal Remote TV Control brings watching TV to a new level! It’s a handy no-frills application that lets you control a web-connected TV set from your iPhone. The app copies the functionality of the handheld remote and allows you to rule over everything: channels list, volume, menu, info, tools, and other controls (Play/Pause/Stop, etc.). It works with the most popular brands—Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Panasonic, Vizio, TCL, Toshiba, Xfinity, Insignia, Hisense, Element etc.—and supports TV models of different years of production and screen size. The only thing required is to connect your iPhone and your TV device to the same Wifi network—and your touchscreen will turn into a navigation pane with all the functions of the usual remote. FEATURES: • Quick and simple to use: the app serves as the physical remote and is always at hand • Automatic customization: makes things a bit more user-friendly to set up • Haptic feedback: gives this awesome vibration and sense of realism • Nice responsive touchpad: for the aesthetically pleasing look, feel, and touch • Keyboard input: makes TV searching a no-brainer • Works through WIFI: the app automatically detects any TVs on your network for you to control everything smartly with your phone Universal Remote TV Control is a full-featured mobile version of a physical TV remote that makes your life much easier. No need to get up from the couch and go for the remote or firestick or to buy a new one in case you lost it. Sync the app with your device to browse your favorite shows, movies, and programs easily with a phone. Make the most out of technology for your better smarter life! Disclaimer: Universal Remote TV Control is NOT the official application of Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Panasonic, Vizio, TCL, Toshiba, Xfinity, insignia, Hisense, Roku, Fire TV, Element and it is NOT affiliated with or endorsed by these or any other companies. For complete access to all Universal Remote TV Control features, you will need to subscribe to Premium. For Smart TVs / Devices, the only setting required is to connect your phone as well as your Smart TV / Device to the same Wifi network. For IR(Infared) TVs, your phone must have a built-in Infrared (IR) feature for the app to work as a remote control. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: 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 cost of the renewal depends on your subscription plan. Subscriptions may be managed and auto-renewal can be turned off in the user’s Account Settings. Any unused portion of a free trial period (if offered) will be forfeited when you purchase a premium subscription during the free trial period. Privacy Policy: https://remotetv.app/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use: https://remotetv.app/terms-of-use.html

Screenshots

Sam4 screens
Universal Remote TV Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Sam at free with in-app purchases against Universal Remote TV Control's subscription. Sam also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 weeks). Universal Remote TV Control's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#58 vs unranked). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 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 Remote TV Control. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 116K and 51K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 26% of Sam's written reviews are positive against 28% of Universal Remote TV Control's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sam ships an update every 2 weeks, Universal Remote TV Control every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on November 4, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Sam versus Universal Remote TV Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSamUniversal Remote TV Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (116K ratings)4.3 (51K ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.6% of reviews28.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings116K — better51K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank—#58 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS1616.0
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB116 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developeryohan teixeiraDesidari Holding Ltd.

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 ratings50,543 ratings
Positive81.0%
Neutral3.0%
Negative16.0%
Written reviews2,032 reviews
Positive28.3%
Neutral4.0%
Negative67.7%

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 51K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Convenient remote control
  • 👍 Helpful for lost remotes
  • 👍 Works well with TVs

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🐛 Connectivity issues
  • 🐛 Unresponsive buttons
  • 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
  • 💰 Charges during free trial

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
  • App not working after free trial ends
  • Unable to connect to certain TV models
  • Inconsistent performance, often disconnecting

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to turn on TV without physical remote
  • Keyboard support for text input
  • Option to switch between multiple TVs
  • Ability 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
10 purchases

Universal Remote TV Control

Subscriptions10
  • Universal TV Remote App: 1Week3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Universal TV Remote App: 1Week$4.997 Days
  • TV Remote Control - Weekly3 Days trial$5.997 Days
Show 7 more
  • TV Remote Control -1 Week Pro3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • TV Remote Control3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • TV Remote Control3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Universal TV Remote: 1 Month$9.991 Month
  • Universal TV Remote - Pro Pack$14.993 Months
  • Smart TV Remote Control: 1Year$29.991 Year
  • Universal TV Remote App: 1Year3 Days trial$39.991 Year

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 4.3 from 51K ratings.
Do Sam or Universal Remote TV Control have ads?
Sam shows ads; Universal Remote TV Control does not.
Which is updated more often, Sam or Universal Remote TV Control?
Sam ships an update every 2 weeks, and Universal Remote TV Control every 5 weeks. Most recently, Sam was updated on November 4, 2026 and Universal Remote TV Control on November 4, 2026.

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