Comparison

Sam vs TV Remote

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

TV Remote

Control your TV and streaming devices with your phone. Easily navigate channels, cast media, and search for content using your device's keyboard or voice. Enjoy a simplified entertainment experience.

Highlights
  • Universal TV remote control
  • Touchpad or button navigation
  • Screen mirroring
  • Channel access
  • Wireless WiFi/IR control
  • Voice and keyboard search
  • Cast photos and videos
Features
Read full description

TV Remote - Universal Control・ is the remote control unit for Streaming Player and TV. Beautiful design, simple UI, and no button overload or complicated settings. You will enjoy your even more because of this program, which makes it simpler and easier to access movies, music, and games. All you have to do is join the same Wi-Fi network with both your iPhone handset. Instant Cast to TV and By pressing a button on the special "Cast" page, you may instantly share high-definition Photos & Videos from your Gallery onto your devices. Use the app's intuitive keyboard to search with ease. With the dedicated "Channels" Tab, you can easily access your preferred TV streaming media channels. You may employ swipe-based gestures on your devices with the aid of this TV Remote - Universal Control・ app for simpler navigation. Main features: - TV Remote - Universal Control・ Control for iPhone - Touchpad or button navigation - Popular function with screen mirror - Provide support for all channels - Easy and quick remote control for TV - WiFi-enabled wireless remote control free - Voice and keyboard search for keywords - Volume-control button on the remote for the TV - With The Channel, you can stream free movies, live TV, and more on the move. - Cast media files from your phone to your TV, including videos and photos. - Universal remote control for iPhone Do you require a free remote control that works with the steamer and box as well as all other devices? On the Channel, a Streamer offers thousands of popular movies, TV series, and other content. The TV Remote for Hisense is also supported. Download the top TV Remote - Universal Control・App without thinking twice! - Touchpad or button navigation One of the simplest and most handy methods to operate the TV is by using the touchpad." - Popular function with screen mirror Would you like to mirror the screen of your phone on your TV? You are able to accomplish it thanks to this feature. - WiFi-enabled wireless remote control free Do you desire a remote that is wifi-free? This is a wireless TV Remote - Universal Control・ that allows free TV viewing over WiFi or IR. Additionally, IR or WiFi modes are available. - Easy and quick TV Remote - Universal Control・ Would you like a steamer for your TV remote? Utilize this all-in-one app to access Channels like Netflix, YouTube, Prime, Hulu, Spectrum, Disney, etc. right from it. - Voice and keyboard search for keywords Do you desire simpler keyword discovery? You can save time by not having to type each character by using this feature, which can search the fastest. - Cast media files from your phone to your TV, including videos and photos The quickest or mobile videos should be shown on TV. How to use my smartphone as a TV Remote? - Connect a smart TV and your iPhone phone to the same Wi-Fi network. - Within the app, scan for your TV. Connect via one of two methods: - Hit “Accept” when the pop-up to connect appears on your TV with your physical tv remote. - On your app, enter the PIN as it appears on your TV screen. TV Remote - Universal Control・ are completely free to download. Thus, you can try them out without financial risk. Plus, this smart remote control app is a perfect remote control for aka remote control for tv. Download remote control app now to turn your iPhone phone to remote control for tv Disclaimer: TV Remote - Universal Control・ is NOT the official application of Samsung, LG, Sony, Philips, Hisense, Panasonic, Toshiba, Vizio, TCL, Fire TV, ChromeCast and it is NOT affiliated with or endorsed by these or any other companies. For complete access to all TV Remote for Roku TV, All TV 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. Term of Service: https://sites.google.com/view/remote-control-for-tv-terms Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/remote-control-for-tv-policy

Screenshots

Sam4 screens
TV Remote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Sam at 116K against TV Remote's 3.2K. On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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 TV Remote sells 9 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

TV Remote 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 3.2K, 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 30% of TV Remote's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sam ships an update every 2 weeks, TV Remote every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Sam versus TV Remote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSamTV Remote
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (116K ratings)4.4 (3.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.6% of reviews30.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings116K — better3.2K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB123 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developeryohan teixeiraFire Technologies Hong Kong Limited

Customer experience

Sam

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

TV Remote

All ratings3,212 ratings
Positive84.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative12.0%
Written reviews112 reviews
Positive30.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative69.6%

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

TV Remote

From 3.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Convenient remote control
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive
  • 💡 Useful features like keyboard and touch control
  • 👍 Works well with Roku devices

Room to improve

  • 💰 Subscription-based model
  • 🔍 Difficulty connecting to TV
  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches
  • 💰 Expensive for a remote app

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

TV Remote

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Volume controls not working
  • App unable to find TV
  • Subscription issues and inability to cancel

Requested features

3 requests
  • Make the app free to use
  • Improve connection reliability
  • Add more device compatibility

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
9 purchases

TV Remote

Subscriptions8
  • Full version by week7 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Full version by month$9.991 Month
  • Weekly Subscription With Trial3 Days trial$9.997 Days
Show 5 more
  • Weekly Subscription$9.997 Days
  • 1 Week Lite Subscription7 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Full version by year 7D trial7 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription$39.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription With Trial3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is Sam free?
Sam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TV Remote free?
TV Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sam or TV Remote?
TV Remote is rated higher. Sam averages 4.2 out of 5 from 116K ratings, while TV Remote averages 4.4 from 3.2K ratings.
Do Sam or TV Remote have ads?
Both Sam and TV Remote show ads.
Which is updated more often, Sam or TV Remote?
Sam ships an update every 2 weeks, and TV Remote every 3 weeks. Most recently, Sam was updated on November 4, 2026 and TV Remote on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons