Comparison

Phil vs Smart TV Remote Universal

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Phil

Control your Philips Smart TV with your iPhone or iPad. This virtual remote offers realistic design and access to essential functions like volume, channel, navigation, and playback controls. Requires your device to be on the same Wi-Fi network as the TV.

Highlights
  • Volume control
  • Channel selection
  • Navigation pad
  • Video playback controls
  • Menu and options access
  • Power off function
Features
Read full description

PhilRemote is a virtual remote control that allows you to control your Philips television. The application works on all TVs equipped with "Smart TV" technology and connected to your (WiFi or Ethernet) network. To use this Philips remote control, your iPhone/iPad must be on the same Wi-fi network as your TV. Detection of your TV will be automatic. With a realistic design, you can use all the functions of the original remote control very easily. We have integrated the most useful commands, the features are listed below: -Change the volume -Change the channel number -Use navigation pad -Video control (Play/Pause/Stop...) -Menu, Options, Info, Tools -Power off If you have any suggestions, feel free to contact us. For any comments or questions write us at the following address: contact@nstx.io DISCLAIMER PhilRemote is neither an official Philips product, nor are we affiliated with the Philips company. SUBSCRIPTION: We offer auto-renewing subscription: - Length: Weekly / Monthly / Yearly - 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 : https://nstx.io/Phil/Phil_privacy.html Terms of Use : https://nstx.io/Phil/Phil_terms.html

About

Smart TV Remote Universal

Transform your iOS device into a universal TV remote. Control multiple brands like Samsung, LG, and Roku seamlessly over WiFi. Manage power, volume, channels, and more without the clutter of physical remotes.

Highlights
  • Universal remote control
  • Supports major TV brands
  • WiFi connectivity
  • Power, volume, and channel control
  • Ad-free premium option
  • Multiple subscription plans
Features
Read full description

Lost the remote again? Your phone is now the only remote you need. Smart TV Remote Universal turns your iPhone or iPad into a fast, reliable remote for nearly any smart TV — no infrared, no extra hardware, and no digging through couch cushions. Pair once over Wi-Fi and take control in seconds. ONE APP FOR EVERY TV IN YOUR HOME Pair multiple TVs and switch between rooms instantly — no re-pairing, no setup every time. Living room to bedroom in one tap. CONTROL EVERYTHING Power, volume, channels, inputs, playback and a full D-pad — every button from your physical remote, right on your screen, with real haptic feedback on every press. TYPE INSTEAD OF HUNTING LETTERS Stop picking letters one at a time on the TV screen. Use your phone's keyboard — or the numeric pad — to search shows, sign in to apps and enter passwords in a fraction of the time. SWIPE TO NAVIGATE A smooth trackpad lets you glide through menus with your thumb — faster and more natural than pressing arrow keys. SPEAK INSTEAD OF SCROLLING Use voice input to search and navigate on supported TVs — completely hands-free. LAUNCH YOUR APPS IN ONE TAP The apps grid takes you straight to your favorite streaming apps without hunting around the home screen. CONTROL FROM YOUR HOME SCREEN & LOCK SCREEN This is where Smart TV Remote Universal goes beyond any ordinary remote app: - Home Screen widgets: a quick D-pad + volume widget and an app-launcher grid, one tap from anywhere - Live Activity with Dynamic Island support — compact controls while you do other things - Siri & Shortcuts support through App Intents: automate your TV or ask Siri WORKS WITH YOUR TV Compatible with Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, Hisense, Philips, Roku and Roku devices, Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, Google TV, Android TV and many more. If your smart TV is on your Wi-Fi, chances are we support it. MAKE IT YOURS Per-brand accent colors (Roku purple, Samsung blue, LG red and more), plus light, dark and system appearance. READY IN UNDER A MINUTE Connect your iPhone or iPad to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV and follow the on-screen steps. That's it — no pairing codes, no cables. GO PRO Upgrade to Pro for the complete, ad-free experience with unlimited paired devices and all widgets unlocked. Choose a yearly plan with a 3-day free trial, a monthly plan, or a one-time lifetime purchase. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase, after any free trial period. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel subscriptions in your Apple ID account settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://tvremoteapp.art.blog/privacy-policy/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Disclaimer: This app is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, Hisense, Philips, Roku, Amazon, Google or any other TV brand mentioned. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Screenshots

Phil4 screens
Smart TV Remote Universal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Smart TV Remote Universal at 3.8 against Phil's 3.1. Smart TV Remote Universal also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). Phil's advantage is ratings volume (9.8K vs 891) and iOS requirement (15 vs 17). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. Phil sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Smart TV Remote Universal sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Smart TV Remote Universal holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Phil has 9.8K ratings behind it against 891, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 17% and 18% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Phil ships an update every 4 months, Smart TV Remote Universal every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Phil versus Smart TV Remote Universal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhilSmart TV Remote Universal
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (9.8K ratings)3.8 (891 ratings) — better
Positive reviews16.9% of reviews17.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9.8K — better891
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15 — better17
Further details — not scored
Size157 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developeryohan teixeiraJenni Parkkonen

Customer experience

Phil

All ratings9,754 ratings
Positive52.6%
Neutral3.0%
Negative44.4%
Written reviews278 reviews
Positive16.9%
Neutral4.3%
Negative78.8%

Smart TV Remote Universal

All ratings891 ratings
Positive68.6%
Neutral4.2%
Negative27.3%
Written reviews420 reviews
Positive17.6%
Neutral1.9%
Negative80.5%

User reviews

Phil

From 9.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works brilliantly
  • 👍 Great alternative with extras

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Doesn't work
  • 🔋 Constant ads make it unusable
  • 💰 Paid version still has ads
  • 🤬 Aggressive monetization

Smart TV Remote Universal

From 891 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ⭐ Great remote app
  • 💖 Love this remote
  • 👍 Works well

Room to improve

  • 🚫 Doesn't work
  • 📺 Won't connect to TV
  • 🙄 Too many ads
  • 💩 Terrible app
  • 🤬 Waste of time

Bugs and requests

Phil

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Stopped working after TV update
  • Crashes on newer iOS devices
  • Fails to connect to TV

Requested features

2 requests
  • No ads option
  • Better TV compatibility

Smart TV Remote Universal

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes on device scan
  • Volume controls not working
  • Navigation issues

Requested features

3 requests
  • Support for more TV brands
  • Improve device detection
  • Reduce ads

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Phil

Subscriptions3
  • Pro mode$4.997 Days
  • Premium mode$9.991 Month
  • Premium version$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Remove Ads$19.99
4 purchases

Smart TV Remote Universal

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium$3.991 Month
  • Annual Premium3 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time2
  • Premium Version$4.99
  • Lifetime premium$24.99

Questions

Is Phil free?
Phil is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Smart TV Remote Universal free?
Smart TV Remote Universal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Phil or Smart TV Remote Universal?
Smart TV Remote Universal is rated higher. Phil averages 3.1 out of 5 from 9.8K ratings, while Smart TV Remote Universal averages 3.8 from 891 ratings.
Do Phil or Smart TV Remote Universal have ads?
Both Phil and Smart TV Remote Universal show ads.
Which is updated more often, Phil or Smart TV Remote Universal?
Phil ships an update every 4 months, and Smart TV Remote Universal every 6 weeks. Most recently, Phil was updated on November 8, 2026 and Smart TV Remote Universal on November 7, 2026.

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