RemoteMaster vs SmartThings
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RemoteMaster
Transform your phone into a universal remote control for a vast array of devices. Control TVs, air conditioners, sound systems, and more with support for over 6,000 brands and 200,000 devices. Requires an audio-to-IR accessory for iPhone users.
- Universal remote control
- Supports 6000+ brands
- Supports 200,000+ devices
- Controls 14 device types
- Requires audio-to-IR accessory
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**Important** To use all features on this App. You need an audio-to-ir accessory. Because there’s no IR blaster built-in iPhone, so it’s necessary to buy an audio-to-ir accessory or YKK IR on our official website. Remote Controller: Support more than 6000 brands. Support more than 200,000 devices. 14 types of devices to control. Including STB, TV, A/C, DVD, Projector, Internet Box, Fan, Light, Sound, Sweeper, Air purifier, Camera, Foot-bath and Car audio.
SmartThings
Unify and manage all your smart home devices from a single application. Connect hundreds of brands, create custom scenes and routines, and control your home remotely. Monitor energy usage and even get meal planning assistance.
- Connect and control devices from multiple brands
- Create custom scenes and routines
- Remote home monitoring and control
- Automated notifications and status updates
- Voice control with Google Assistant
- Energy tracking and saving features
- Smart cooking and meal planning assistance
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Quickly and easily connect and control your smart home devices through SmartThings. SmartThings is compatible with 100s of smart home brands. So, you can control all of your smart home gadgets in one place, including your Samsung Smart TV and smart home appliances. With SmartThings, you can connect, monitor and control multiple smart home devices quicker and easier. Connect your Samsung smart TVs, smart appliances, smart speakers and brands like Ring, Nest and Philips Hue - all from one app. Then control your smart devices using voice assistants including Google Assistant [Key Features] - Control and check in on your home from wherever you are - Connect your smart devices across many different brands to work together by setting ‘scenes’ - Build routines that are set on time, weather, and device status, so your home runs smoothly in the background - Allow shared control by giving access to other users - Receive status updates about your devices with automated notifications - Talk to your devices using Google Assistant - Track, monitor and save money on energy with SmartThings Energy. See how much your home and compatible Samsung devices cost to run, and try various energy saving features, such as AI saving mode, or schedule devices to run during off peak hours. - Receive recipe recommendations by scanning meal kits, wine, and meat. Plan, shop and prep meals with the help of SmartThings Cooking ※ Some features may not be available in all countries. [App requirements] Some mobile devices may not be supported. - iOS 17.0 or later / iPhone XR or later / iPad 6 or later ※ App permissions The following permissions are required for the app service. For optional permissions, the default functionality of the service is turned on, but not allowed. [Optional access permissions] • Apple Health : Used to sync with Apple Health data to give you better Family Care insights • Apple Music : Used to read music album information • Bluetooth : Used to scan for nearby devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) • Camera: Used to scan QR codes so you can easily add members and devices to SmartThings • Contacts : Used to get phone numbers of your contacts to send text message notifications • Location : Used to locate your devices, create routines based on your location, and scan for nearby devices using Wi-Fi • Local Network : Used to find Wi-Fi connected devices • Microphone: Used to add certain devices to SmartThings using high-frequency sounds • Notification : Used to provide notifications about SmartThings devices and features • NFC : Used to check information about devices that you intend to connect • Photos : Used to play photos and videos on SmartThings devices • Voice recognition : Used to convert voice to text
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: SmartThings at 4.6 against RemoteMaster's 2.6. SmartThings also leads on ratings volume (809K vs 79) and review sentiment (31% vs 14%). RemoteMaster's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SmartThings holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SmartThings has 809K ratings behind it against 79, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of RemoteMaster's written reviews are positive against 31% of SmartThings's.
RemoteMaster ships an update fortnightly, SmartThings monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 3, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RemoteMaster | SmartThings |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.6 (79 ratings) | 4.6 (809K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 14.4% of reviews | 31.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 79 | 809K — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | #7 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 63 MB | 961 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Shenzhen Yaokan Technology Co., Ltd. | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Customer experience
RemoteMaster
SmartThings
User reviews
RemoteMaster
From 79 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Works with IR blaster
- 👍 Supports many IR remotes
- 👍 Good UI design
- 👍 Works with DIY IR blaster
- 👍 Easy to use with adapter
Room to improve
- 👎 Requires purchase of accessory
- 👎 Not working for many users
- 👎 App is in Chinese
- 👎 Useless without IR hardware
- 👎 Confusing to use
SmartThings
From 809K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Remote control functionality
- 📚 Laundry cycle recommendations
- 🤖 Automation and scheduling capabilities
- 🔧 Customizable settings
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and crashes
- ⏱️ Slow and laggy performance
- 🔍 Difficulty connecting and configuring devices
- 🤔 Confusing and unintuitive user interface
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with location tracking
Bugs and requests
RemoteMaster
Reported bugs
8 issues- App crashes
- App not launching
- Cannot rename devices
- Device not found
- Request timeout
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- iPhone Xs upside down issue
- App stuck in headphone mode
- App leaves something on phone (virus?)
Requested features
8 requests- Add English language
- Add Russian language
- Add support for more idioms
- Improve device compatibility
- Add offline control functionality
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Update for iPhone Xs upside down issue
- Add ability to save devices
- Improve grammar and phrasing
SmartThings
Reported bugs
3 issues- Inability to add or remove devices
- Inconsistent device status updates
- Notifications not working as expected
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to control TV without remote
- Improved photo/artwork management for Frame TV
- More advanced automation and scheduling options
- Better integration with other smart home platforms
In-app purchases
RemoteMaster
No in-app purchases
SmartThings
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is RemoteMaster free?
Is SmartThings free?
Which has better reviews, RemoteMaster or SmartThings?
Do RemoteMaster or SmartThings have ads?
Which is updated more often, RemoteMaster or SmartThings?
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