Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Universal remote for Roku tv vs RoByte

Universal remote for Roku tv 4.4★ · Free + IAP 55
Winner RoByte
RoByte 4.5★ · Free + IAP 70

RoByte is generally the better choice due to more reliable connectivity and fewer complaints about excessive ads, despite both apps having issues with paid features and recent connectivity problems.

Full reviews: Universal remote for Roku tv · RoByte

Both Universal remote for Roku tv (App A) and RoByte (App B) offer free Roku remote functionality with in-app purchases, but App A is plagued by an overwhelming number of ads and inconsistent performance, while App B, despite some recent connectivity issues and locked features, generally provides a more stable experience.

Head to head

Features tieR2R6R17R23
Universal remote for Roku tv Users appreciate that App A offers basic remote functions and some find it a good alternative when their physical remote is lost R2R23. Some users even found it worked for non-Roku TVs like Vizio R17. However, volume controls are sometimes reported as not working R6.
RoByte RoByte provides core remote functionality, but many users express frustration that essential features like volume control, power buttons, and quick launch are locked behind a paywall . Some users also note a lack of channel numbers and less efficient navigation compared to a physical remote .
Ease of Use & Connectivity tieR1R7R8R19
Universal remote for Roku tv App A receives mixed reviews on connectivity; some users find it works immediately and is the 'first app that has worked' R8, while many others report it 'did not work at all' or struggles to connect R1R7. Recent updates seem to have worsened connectivity, requiring payment to connect or causing frequent disconnections even for paid users R19R28R35.
RoByte RoByte generally works well for many users and is responsive . However, a significant number of recent reviews indicate severe and continuous connection problems, with the app failing to find Rokus, requiring frequent restarts, or not working at all after updates . Some users also report needing to re-authorize use with a physical remote, which defeats the purpose .
Reliability tieR3R7R12R16
Universal remote for Roku tv App A's reliability is a major concern, with frequent reports of freezing R7, disconnecting every few clicks R35, or ceasing to work entirely after updates R19R28. Many users find it unreliable due to constant interruptions from ads R3R12R16R18.
RoByte RoByte used to be reliable for many users , but recent updates have introduced significant reliability issues, including continuous connection problems, unresponsiveness, and the app simply not working anymore .
Price/Value & Ads edge: RoByteR3R4R5R12
Universal remote for Roku tv App A is heavily criticized for its aggressive ad strategy, with users reporting '100 ads in less than 5 minutes' R3, 'every 3-4 clicks' R12, 'every 2 clicks' R16R18, or 'almost constant' ads . Many feel the ads make the app unusable without paying R3R18. There are also complaints about unexpected charges, weekly subscriptions, and being forced to pay after initial free use R4R5R19. Some users who paid for ad removal still experienced disconnections R35 or were charged for a full year after a free trial cancellation .
RoByte RoByte users frequently complain about having to pay for basic features like volume control, power buttons, and quick launch . While some reviews mention no ads , others complain about unskippable ads for Credit Karma . There are also reports of paid subscriptions no longer working after updates .
Support tieR4R19R28R31
Universal remote for Roku tv Reviews for App A do not mention direct support interactions, but complaints about unexpected charges, difficulty cancelling subscriptions, and features ceasing to work after payment suggest a lack of effective support or clear communication R4R19R28R31.
RoByte Users of RoByte report difficulty contacting developers, with no contact information on their website . This makes it challenging to report problems or seek refunds for non-working paid subscriptions .
Pick Universal remote for Roku tv if

You are desperate for a free remote and are willing to tolerate an extreme number of ads, or if other apps haven't worked for your specific TV R8.

Pick RoByte if

You prioritize a more stable connection and fewer ads in the free tier, and are willing to pay for essential features like volume control, or if you've had issues with the official Roku app's data practices .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of recent negative reviews, particularly concerning connectivity issues and aggressive monetization strategies, which may skew the perception compared to their higher lifetime ratings. The free-vs-paid asymmetry is very strong for App A, where most negativity stems from the ad-heavy free experience.

Frequently asked

Are these apps truly free?
Both Universal remote for Roku tv (App A) and RoByte (App B) offer free versions, but App A is heavily monetized with 'constant' and 'excessive' ads R3R9R16R18, while App B locks essential features like volume and power behind a paywall .
Do these apps work reliably?
Reliability is a significant concern for both apps, with many users reporting frequent disconnections, freezing, or the apps ceasing to work entirely after updates (R7, R19, R28, R35, for App A; , , , , , , , for App B).
What are the common complaints about paid features?
For Universal remote for Roku tv (App A), common complaints include being charged unexpectedly R4, weekly subscriptions R4, and the app stopping working even after paying R19R28R35. For RoByte (App B), users are frustrated by having to pay for basic functions like volume control and report that paid subscriptions sometimes stop working after updates .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Universal remote for Roku tv 5/5 · US Best remote ever: I like the options you can use and you can do anything and this is cool. I like how you can turn off the real remote and on and this is a smart one for your phone.
  2. [R6] Universal remote for Roku tv 3/5 · US It works: Except for the volume controls
  3. [R17] Universal remote for Roku tv 4/5 · US Great! (Ish): It’s amazing to an extent. I’m actually super surprised it worked, because I don’t have a Roku tv. It is in fact, universal and works for my VIZIO. However, there is an ad every 10 clicks. (No it is not a video ad, you just have to click the X, which you are immediately able to do) the ads are not THAT bad to deal with anyways. I will be using my Roku remote most of the time but righ
  4. [R23] Universal remote for Roku tv 5/5 · US Lost: I love this option for so when the actual remote is missing like omg thank you
  5. [R1] Universal remote for Roku tv 1/5 · US Don’t use this app: It did not work at all
  6. [R7] Universal remote for Roku tv 1/5 · US Ruko does not work at all: I does not even connect at all ade every time I use it. It freezing LiKE WHAT IS THIS APP 👎👎👎👎👎👎😡😡😡😡🤬🤬🤬🤬
  7. [R8] Universal remote for Roku tv 5/5 · US Finally!: I’ve tried out at least 15 apps, this is the FIRST app that has worked! Ads pop up but who cares it works! Does not make you download it and then say pay, or make you pay to connect your tv. Thank you!!!!
  8. [R19] Universal remote for Roku tv 1/5 · US Doesn’t work at all!: So it worked amazing for a few weeks, but now anytime I try to use it ever since updating it makes me watch an ad and then connect it. So I try to connect it but it makes me pay for something. It says it’s free, but I have to pay? it won’t let me use the app at all without paying.
  9. [R3] Universal remote for Roku tv 3/5 · US ads: yes it works… but unless you have premium you will literally get 100 ads in less than 5 minutes. it gets really annoying
  10. [R12] Universal remote for Roku tv 3/5 · US Nice when it works: I understand needing ads but every 3-4 clicks? It's excessive.
  11. [R16] Universal remote for Roku tv 1/5 · US Awful: Every 2 clicks there’s an add
  12. [R4] Universal remote for Roku tv 1/5 · US Service review: Horrible app. Incredible scam. They charged my card 4.99$ weekly it only worked the first day. Now they want 7.99$. No good. Stay away from this scam
  13. [R5] Universal remote for Roku tv 5/5 · US Ooops: I guess apparently you have to pay
  14. [R28] Universal remote for Roku tv 1/5 · US No Longer Works: Tried connecting my TV multiple times even as a paid subscriber and it will not work at all. I first downloaded this app months ago and it worked perfectly fine with or without a subscription.
  15. [R31] Universal remote for Roku tv 1/5 · US I think this is illegal: I bought the app awhile back before the subscription based pay wall. had it for years no problem but now that there is a subscription it won’t let me use the app I already paid for
  16. [R9] Universal remote for Roku tv 3/5 · US To many ads: This app is great if you need a free remote but you are going to have to deal with the constant ad pop ups
  17. [R18] Universal remote for Roku tv 3/5 · US To many ads: I can’t keep up with my remote so I downloaded this remote app but it has to many ads that is just crazy every 2 taps you make a ad pops up really then wants you to pay $5.99 omg please do something about that so I’m only giving 3 stars
  18. [R35] Universal remote for Roku tv 1/5 · US Don’t bother: I went ahead and bought the membership with no ads, waste of money because every time i go to use it, it disconnects from the tv every 2-5clicks of any button in the app. Then it won’t let me connect, i jus have to wait magically and get lucky for it to work which is very inconvenient and useless because when it does work, it’s only for ab 10min it’s before another issue.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store