Sam vs Universal TV Remote Control ·
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Virtual remote control
- Channel switching
- Volume adjustment
- Menu navigation
- Media management
- Automatic Wi-Fi sync
- No setup required
Read full descriptionHide 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
Universal TV Remote Control ·
Transform your iPhone into a universal TV remote. Control smart TVs from major brands, adjust volume, change channels, and power your TV on or off. Enjoy a seamless viewing experience with automatic connection and an intuitive interface.
- Universal TV compatibility
- Automatic WiFi connection
- Full remote control functions
- Power on/off TV
- Intuitive user interface
- Quick setup
Read full descriptionHide full description
TV Remote - Control Your Smart TV from Your iPhone Simplify your TV experience by turning your iPhone into a universal remote control. With TV Remote, you’ll never need to worry about lost remotes or dead batteries. Easily control your Smart TV with a sleek and intuitive app that brings all the essential functions to your phone. ## KEY FEATURES - Universal Compatibility: Works with popular Smart TV brands including Samsung, LG, Roku, Sony, Philips, Vizio, Hisense, and more. - Automatic Connection: Instantly detects and connects to TVs on the same WiFi network. - Full Control: Adjust volume, switch channels, manage inputs, and control your TV directly from your iPhone. - Power Control: Turn your TV on or off without needing a physical remote. ## HOW TO USE THE APP 1. Connect your iPhone and Smart TV to the same WiFi network. 2. Turn on your TV. 3. Let the app automatically detect your TV and start controlling it. In just a few steps, you’ll have complete control of your Smart TV with no complicated setup. ## WHY CHOOSE TV REMOTE? - Wide Compatibility: Supports a broad range of Smart TV brands. - Intuitive Interface: Designed for a seamless user experience. - Quick Setup: Connects automatically to your TV without any manual pairing. - Comprehensive Features: Access all essential remote functions in one app. - Regular Updates: The app is continuously improved to support new TV models and enhance performance. TV Remote is built to make your TV experience smoother and more enjoyable, offering all the essential features in one convenient app. Take control of your Smart TV with TV Remote and enjoy a better viewing experience today. Privacy policy: https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/38353374/legal Terms of use: https://www.iubenda.com/terms-and-conditions/38353374
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Universal TV Remote Control · at 4.6 against Sam's 4.2. Universal TV Remote Control · also leads on review sentiment (46% vs 26%) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 weeks). Sam's advantage is ratings volume (116K vs 1.2K). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. Sam sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Universal TV Remote Control · sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Universal TV Remote Control · holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sam has 116K ratings behind it against 1.2K, 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 46% of Universal TV Remote Control ·'s.
Sam ships an update every 2 weeks, Universal TV Remote Control · every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sam | Universal TV Remote Control · |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (116K ratings) | 4.6 (1.2K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.6% of reviews | 46.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 116K — better | 1.2K |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 67 MB | 31 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | yohan teixeira | Dylan Oliver |
Customer experience
Sam
Universal TV Remote Control ·
User reviews
Sam
From 116K App Store ratingsWhat 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 1.2K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Seamless TV connection
- 🚀 Smooth functionality
- 💡 Potential for multi-TV and universal search integration
Room to improve
- 🔍 Requires physical TV buttons or remote for initial setup
- 📺 Excessive ads interrupting TV usage
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
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
2 issues- Connection issues with certain TVs
- Compatibility problems with older devices
Requested features
2 requests- Widget for easy access
- Ability to connect to multiple TVs
In-app purchases
Sam
- Premium version3 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Premium version$7.997 Days
- Premium version$14.991 Month
Show 2 moreShow fewer
- Premium version3 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Premium version$29.991 Year
- removal of advertising$3.99
- removal of advertising$19.99
- Premium version$34.99
Universal TV Remote Control ·
- Premium Access7 Days trial$3.997 Days
- Pro Weekly3 Days trial$3.997 Days
- Premium access3 Days trial$5.997 Days
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Pro Monthly3 Days trial$5.991 Month
- Premium access3 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Pro Yearly3 Days trial$17.991 Year
- Premium Access$29.991 Year
- Premium access$39.991 Year
- Premium access3 Days trial$39.991 Year
- Remove Ads$3.99
Questions
Is Sam free?
Is Universal TV Remote Control · free?
Which has better reviews, Sam or Universal TV Remote Control ·?
Do Sam or Universal TV Remote Control · have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sam or Universal TV Remote Control ·?
Other comparisons















