If you're searching for an alternative to Hisense's RemoteNOW app, you're not alone — RemoteNOW has a 3.2-star App Store rating, requires a Hisense account most people don't want, and shows ads even on the paid tier. There are four real alternatives.
Why RemoteNOW frustrates people
- Mandatory Hisense account — email signup, verification.
- Banner and interstitial ads — even on paid Pro tier.
- Frequent forced re-logins.
- iOS update breakage — crashed after the last 4 major iOS updates with 4-8 week patch delays.
- Bloated — 110 MB install for a remote app.
- Limited platform support — only VIDAA Hisense TVs.
Alternative 1: Remote for Hisense TV (us)
For: every Hisense smart TV from 2018+ — VIDAA, Roku TV, Google TV, Fire TV, ULED.
Better than RemoteNOW: No account. No ads on Pro ($9.99/year). 25 MB install vs 110 MB. 4.6★ vs 3.2★. Works on all four Hisense platforms. Apple Watch app + complications + Lock Screen widget (Pro). Touchpad mode.
Worse than RemoteNOW: No Hisense ecosystem features (recommendations, appliance control). Voice search Pro-only.
Alternative 2: Roku's official app
For: Hisense Roku TVs only (R6, R7, R8 series).
Better: Native Roku integration. "Private listening" via headphone jack. Photo/video sharing. 4.5★.
Worse: Mandatory Roku account. Doesn't work on VIDAA, Google TV, Fire TV. 95 MB.
Alternative 3: Amazon Fire TV app
For: Hisense Fire TV models (2024+).
Better: Native Fire TV integration. Alexa voice search.
Worse: Mandatory Amazon account. Heavy Amazon UX. 130 MB.
Alternative 4: Google TV app
For: Hisense Google TV models (A6, A7, H8, H9, H10).
Better: Native Google TV integration. Search across all installed streaming apps simultaneously. Free and ad-free.
Worse: Mandatory Google account. Surveils everything you watch.
Decision tree
Don't know your platform: Our phone remote app.
VIDAA + want Hisense ecosystem: RemoteNOW.
VIDAA + just control TV: Our phone remote app.
Hisense Roku TV: Roku official app.
Hisense Google TV: Our app.
Hisense Fire TV: Amazon Fire TV app.
Multiple Hisense TVs: Our app (only one for all four).
Privacy
| App | Account | Tracks viewing | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|
| RemoteNOW | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Roku App | Yes | Yes | No |
| Fire TV App | Yes | Yes | No |
| Google TV App | Yes | Yes (heavily) | No |
| Ours | No | No | Free tier only |
FAQ
What is the best alternative to RemoteNOW for Hisense TVs?
For most users: our Remote for Hisense TV app. For Hisense Roku TV-specific users, the official Roku app.
Why doesn't my RemoteNOW app work?
Common: TV and phone on different Wi-Fi (band-steering), Hisense account expired, or TV's Mobile App Remote setting is disabled.
Is RemoteNOW free?
Yes, basic functionality is free. Pro tier exists through Hisense's account system.