Reforo is a mobile remote control application for Roku TV devices on iOS and Android.
Product velocity
Maintenance
Daily rank 🇺🇸
#174
Utilities · grossing
Sentiment
4.5
111k reviews
Nemesis
TV Remote - Universal Control
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
Users hire Reforo to replace lost or broken physical television remotes with a convenient, phone-based interface. The job it serves is immediate device control without the friction of locating physical hardware.
For Roku TV owners seeking a mobile-based alternative to physical remote controls.
What does it look like?
Key features
Scans local Wi-Fi to pair with Roku devices, reducing onboarding friction and increasing ad-inventory exposure.
Touch-sensitive area for menu scrolling, increasing session duration and ad-impression inventory.
Direct shortcuts to streaming apps, reinforcing daily usage habits to maintain ad-supported DAU.
How much does it cost?
Monetization relies on ad-supported free access, with no clear subscription or one-time purchase gates identified.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentperformanceopaqueShow more...
Reforo - Remote for Smart TV is currently in a maintenance phase, with the latest release occurring 221 days ago. The development trend is stagnant, as the last two updates have focused exclusively on generic reliability and bug fixes rather than new features. With only two distinct versions identified in the recent window, the release cadence is insufficient to suggest active feature development. The publisher provides no insight into the roadmap, as all recent changelogs remain opaque.
Who built it?
KRAFTWERK 9
13+ apps tracked · Utilities
Universal TV Remote ·
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Remote Control for TCL Roku TVUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
The recent review mood reads frustrated. Users appreciate the remote functionality provides a convenient alternative for users who frequently misplace their physical television controllers, but report aggressive monetization tactics and frequent full-screen advertisements disrupt the core utility of the remote control interface.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- The remote functionality provides a convenient alternative for users who frequently misplace their physical television controllers
- Aggressive monetization tactics and frequent full-screen advertisements disrupt the core utility of the remote control interface
84 of 99 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Frustrated overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 2 more frustration themes and 1 user request, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Reforo - Remote for Smart TV
How's the Utilities market?
Reforo maintains a strong iOS install base, but the 2.7-star Android rating suggests significant technical friction compared to the official Roku Smart Home app. The reliance on ad-supported monetization creates a competitive disadvantage against first-party hardware tools.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
By EVOLLY.APP
This app maintains a massive user base in the exact same Roku remote niche, representing the primary alternative for users seeking a universal control solution.
- Supports a broader range of TV brands beyond Roku, capturing a wider universal remote audience
- Maintains a significantly larger install base that creates a strong network effect for troubleshooting community support
Unlock the deeper market read.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Reforo - Remote for Smart TV
Where is it heading?
The Roku remote market is consolidating around first-party hardware support and universal alternatives. Reforo's maintenance-mode cadence and ad-heavy monetization leave it exposed to churn as users migrate to more stable, less intrusive competitors.
- Frequent reports of connectivity failures post-update erode user trust, leading to increased churn on the Android platform.
- Aggressive ad-supported monetization disrupts the core remote utility, causing users to seek alternatives that offer cleaner interfaces.
The SWOT
- Automatic TV detection reduces onboarding friction
- Localized pricing could capture users frustrated by the current ad-heavy free tier
Next best moves
Pivot the ad-heavy free tier to a one-time purchase model because users report ads block navigation during critical moments → reduce churn
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
The app's high iOS rating is a liability…
Read the full takeFeature gaps
Native smart home camera management (available in Roku Smart Home but absent here) +1
Since the last report: The analysis now emphasizes the threat posed by the official Roku Smart Home app and identifies specific feature gaps in camera management and universal device support.
Bottom line
Reforo provides a functional digital remote, but its aggressive ad-supported model causes significant user frustration, so the PM should prioritize a one-time purchase option to stabilize the user base against official Roku competition.
Unlock 2 critical frictions, 2 market threats, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Reforo a good alternative to the official Roku remote?
Does Reforo work with non-Roku TVs?
Is the free version of Reforo usable?
What is a free alternative to Reforo?
Sources
Report last updated