# vRemote vs Universal Remote

The clearest difference is rating: Universal Remote at 4.3 against vRemote's 1.2. Universal Remote also leads on review sentiment (33% vs 0%) and ratings volume (7.8K vs 26). vRemote's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Universal Remote sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. vRemote asks for nothing beyond the download.

Universal Remote holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 1.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Universal Remote has 7.8K ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of vRemote's written reviews are positive against 33% of Universal Remote's.

vRemote ships an update every 4 months, Universal Remote monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | vRemote | Universal Remote |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.2 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vremote/id871648103/reviews) | **[4.3 (7.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-tv-control/id1537510382/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 26 | **7.8K** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **32.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 150 MB | 223 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ViewSonic_International](https://appshunter.io/developer/871648106) | [UNIVERSAL REMOTE LABS COMPANY LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1524909391) |

## What reviewers say

### vRemote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vremote/id871648103)

Transform your phone into a virtual remote for your projector. Instantly focus your projector with a snapshot of the image. Seamlessly control your projector using Google or Alexa voice assistants after setup.

**Highlights:** Virtual projector remote, Automatic image focus, Google Assistant integration, Alexa integration, Phone-based control

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Universal Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/universal-remote-tv-control/id1537510382)

Control all your smart TVs and streaming devices from your phone. Offers quick navigation, app access, and gesture controls for a seamless remote experience. Compatible with major brands.

**Highlights:** Control smart TVs and streaming devices, Full-featured remote with essential buttons, Channel and volume control, One-tap access to popular apps, Swipe-based gesture controls, Quick WiFi pairing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Subscription | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $12.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $34.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Premium | $19.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $24.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Premium | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Responsive and fast
- 🎨 Seamless pairing with devices
- 💡 Useful as a backup remote

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔌 Unreliable connection to devices
- 📢 Intrusive ads and constant upsells

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to find or connect to TV
- Purchased features not activating
- Inconsistent performance across devices
- Restoration of purchases not working

**Requested features**

- Customizable button layout
- Support for more TV brands
- Ability to control smart home devices
- Improved Apple Watch integration


## Frequently asked questions

### Is vRemote free?

vRemote is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Universal Remote free?

Universal Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, vRemote or Universal Remote?

Universal Remote is rated higher. vRemote averages 1.2 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while Universal Remote averages 4.3 from 7.8K ratings.

### Do vRemote or Universal Remote have ads?

Universal Remote shows ads; vRemote does not.

### Which is updated more often, vRemote or Universal Remote?

vRemote ships an update every 4 months, and Universal Remote monthly. Most recently, vRemote was updated on September 17, 2026 and Universal Remote on September 28, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*