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

Universal remote for Roku tv vs The Roku App (Official)

Universal remote for Roku tv 4.4★ · Free + IAP 40
Winner The Roku App (Official)
The Roku App (Official) 4.7★ · Free to download 80

The Roku App (Official) is the clear winner due to its superior reliability, lack of intrusive ads, and useful features like private listening, despite some connection issues.

Full reviews: Universal remote for Roku tv · The Roku App (Official)

Universal remote for Roku tv is plagued by excessive ads and connection problems, often requiring payment for basic functionality. The Roku App (Official), while not perfect with occasional connection glitches, offers a much smoother, ad-free experience with valuable features like private listening.

Head to head

Features edge: The Roku App (Official)R2R3R4R7
Universal remote for Roku tv Users of Universal remote for Roku tv appreciate its basic remote functionality, with some noting it works for non-Roku TVs like Vizio, and that it can be a lifesaver when the physical remote is lost R2. However, the app's core functionality is often overshadowed by ads and connection issues R3R4R7R19.
The Roku App (Official) The Roku App (Official) users value its remote capabilities, especially when the physical remote is misplaced . A standout feature is private listening, which allows users to listen through headphones . Some users also like the ability to manage channels and subscriptions .
Ease of Use edge: The Roku App (Official)R2R3R7R8
Universal remote for Roku tv While some users find Universal remote for Roku tv easy to use once connected R2R8, many report significant frustration due to frequent disconnections and freezing R7R35. The constant barrage of ads also severely hinders the user experience, making it difficult to perform basic actions R3R9R12R16.
The Roku App (Official) The Roku App (Official) is generally considered easy to use by many, especially for basic remote functions . However, a notable number of users experience frequent connection issues, requiring multiple attempts to connect or even app reinstallation . Some users also dislike recent UI changes .
Reliability edge: The Roku App (Official)R1R7R19R28
Universal remote for Roku tv Universal remote for Roku tv suffers from significant reliability issues. Many users report the app not working at all, failing to connect, or disconnecting frequently after a short period R1R7R19R28. Even paid subscribers experience disconnections and non-functionality R28R35.
The Roku App (Official) The Roku App (Official) is generally reliable once connected . However, a common complaint is persistent connection issues, with the app often failing to connect or disconnecting frequently . Some users also report bugs with private listening and app freezing .
Price/Value edge: The Roku App (Official)R3R4R5R9
Universal remote for Roku tv Universal remote for Roku tv is advertised as free but is heavily criticized for its aggressive ad strategy, with ads appearing every few clicks R3R9R12. Many users feel forced to pay for a subscription to remove ads, which can be costly R4R5R19. There are also reports of scam-like charges and issues with previously paid versions becoming subscription-based R4R10R31.
The Roku App (Official) The Roku App (Official) is free to download and use, with many users appreciating the absence of ads within the remote functionality R115. Some users report issues with unexpected charges related to Roku subscriptions or channels, not the app itself .
Support tieR4R10R19R31
Universal remote for Roku tv Reviews for Universal remote for Roku tv do not mention specific support experiences, but the numerous complaints about unexpected charges, non-functional paid subscriptions, and aggressive ad practices suggest a lack of effective customer support or resolution for user issues R4R10R19R31.
The Roku App (Official) Users of The Roku App (Official) express frustration with the lack of accessible customer support for Roku devices and services, mentioning no chat or phone options . This makes it difficult for users to resolve issues like unexpected charges or technical problems with their Roku devices.
Pick Universal remote for Roku tv if

you are desperate for a remote and are willing to tolerate constant ads or pay for a subscription that may not reliably remove them, and potentially deal with connection issues R8.

Pick The Roku App (Official) if

you want a reliable, ad-free remote experience for your Roku device, value features like private listening, and are willing to occasionally troubleshoot connection issues .

Evidence note: The free-vs-paid asymmetry is very evident here. Universal remote for Roku tv's negativity largely stems from its aggressive ad monetization and perceived 'scammy' subscription practices, which are absent in the official Roku app. The official app's lower-rated reviews often relate to broader Roku ecosystem issues or specific bugs, rather than core remote functionality being paywalled or ad-ridden.

Frequently asked

Does Universal remote for Roku tv have too many ads?
Yes, Universal remote for Roku tv is heavily criticized for having an excessive number of ads, with users reporting ads appearing every 2-10 clicks, making the app frustrating to use without a premium subscription R3R9R12R16.
Is The Roku App (Official) free to use?
Yes, The Roku App (Official) is free to download and use, and many users praise it for being ad-free within its remote functionality R115.
Do these apps have connection issues?
Both apps experience connection issues; Universal remote for Roku tv users report frequent disconnections and failures to connect R7R19R28R35, while The Roku App (Official) users also frequently mention difficulties connecting or maintaining a stable connection, sometimes requiring multiple attempts or app restarts .

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. [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
  3. [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
  4. [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 👎👎👎👎👎👎😡😡😡😡🤬🤬🤬🤬
  5. [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!!!!
  6. [R1] Universal remote for Roku tv 1/5 · US Don’t use this app: It did not work at all
  7. [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.
  8. [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.
  9. [R5] Universal remote for Roku tv 5/5 · US Ooops: I guess apparently you have to pay
  10. [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
  11. [R10] Universal remote for Roku tv 2/5 · US Scammer it is trying to get a virus on my phone: Other than that it mostly works
  12. [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
  13. [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.
  14. [R16] Universal remote for Roku tv 1/5 · US Awful: Every 2 clicks there’s an add
  15. [R115] The Roku App (Official) 5/5 · US Love it: No ads , easy to access , i would say 10/10. best remote app to use i hope they do not add any ads anytime soon
  16. [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