Remolo or Unified Remote
Unified Remote is a remote with many ready-made remotes for apps and custom remotes written in Lua; the full version is $4.99 once. According to its official FAQ it only works on the local network, and from outside through port forwarding on the router. Remolo is a Mac-only remote with access from any network in Pro, a clicker for talks and guest links.
Updated
| Remolo | Unified Remote | |
|---|---|---|
| Price on iPhone | free; Pro $2.99/mo or $14.99/yr | free; Full $4.99 once |
| Trackpad with gestures | yes; 3–4 fingers in Pro | yes |
| Keyboard | any language, F1–F12 | yes |
| Advance slides | Keynote, PowerPoint, Google Slides, PDF | Keynote, PowerPoint, Google |
| Talk timer | stopwatch; countdown with a buzz in Pro | in PowerPoint Advanced |
| Speaker notes on the phone | Keynote, PowerPoint (Pro) | not stated |
| Laser, drawing | laser, spotlight, marker (Pro) | not stated |
| The Mac’s screen on the phone | yes, with a magnifier (Pro) | Screen Viewer (Full) |
| Custom buttons and macros | buttons, chains, AppleScript and Shell | custom remotes in Lua (Full) |
| Control from anywhere | yes, built-in relay with end-to-end encryption (Pro) | — local network only; port forwarding suggested |
| Temporary access for someone else | one-time link for 1 hour, 1 day or 7 days (Pro) | not stated |
| Account needed | no | not stated |
| Apple Watch | yes (Pro) | not listed in the App Store |
| Windows PCs | no, Mac only | not stated |
Data from the official pages as of 6 October 2026; “not stated” means the official pages don’t mention it. All the alternatives side by side are on the Compare page.
When Unified Remote is the better pick
- You like writing your own remotes in Lua.
- You want a one-time purchase and don’t need access away from home.
When Remolo is the better pick
- Control from any network without port forwarding: a built-in relay with end-to-end encryption (Pro).
- Buttons and chains are set up with a mouse on the Mac or a finger on the phone — no code.
- A clicker with a timer, notes, a laser and Apple Watch.
- Guest access with a one-time link.
Questions
Do I need to open ports for Remolo?
No. When there is no direct path, Remolo connects through its relay, which only sees ciphertext.
Can Remolo run scripts?
Yes: buttons with AppleScript or Shell in Remolo Pro, if the Mac allows scripts.
A month of Pro for those who wait
The iPhone and iPad app is coming soon to the App Store, and Remolo Helper for Mac is already available.