# RemoteMaster vs SmartThings

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | RemoteMaster | SmartThings |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.6 (79 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remotemaster/id947775284/reviews) | **[4.6 (809K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartthings/id1222822904/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 79 | **809K** |
| Positive reviews | 14.4% of reviews | **31.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | **#7** |
| Size | 63 MB | 961 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Shenzhen Yaokan Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/473623233) | [Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/359580642) |

## What reviewers say

### RemoteMaster

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/remotemaster/id947775284)

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.

**Highlights:** Universal remote control, Supports 6000+ brands, Supports 200,000+ devices, Controls 14 device types, Requires audio-to-IR accessory

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works with IR blaster
- 👍 Supports many IR remotes
- 👍 Good UI design
- 👍 Works with DIY IR blaster
- 👍 Easy to use with adapter

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Requires purchase of accessory
- 👎 Not working for many users
- 👎 App is in Chinese
- 👎 Useless without IR hardware
- 👎 Confusing to use

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes
- App not launching
- Cannot rename devices
- Device not found
- Request timeout

**Requested features**

- Add English language
- Add Russian language
- Add support for more idioms
- Improve device compatibility
- Add offline control functionality


### SmartThings

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartthings/id1222822904)

**Currently charting:** #7 Top Free · Lifestyle (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Remote control functionality
- 📚 Laundry cycle recommendations
- 🤖 Automation and scheduling capabilities
- 🔧 Customizable settings

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent disconnections and crashes
- ⏱️ Slow and laggy performance
- 🔍 Difficulty connecting and configuring devices
- 🤔 Confusing and unintuitive user interface
- 🔒 Privacy concerns with location tracking

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to add or remove devices
- Inconsistent device status updates
- Notifications not working as expected

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is RemoteMaster free?

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

### Is SmartThings free?

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

### Which has better reviews, RemoteMaster or SmartThings?

SmartThings is rated higher. RemoteMaster averages 2.6 out of 5 from 79 ratings, while SmartThings averages 4.6 from 809K ratings.

### Do RemoteMaster or SmartThings have ads?

Neither RemoteMaster nor SmartThings shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, RemoteMaster or SmartThings?

RemoteMaster ships an update fortnightly, and SmartThings monthly. Most recently, RemoteMaster was updated on September 3, 2026 and SmartThings on September 24, 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.*