If you’re in the video streaming business, you already know the days when having a slick mobile app and a responsive website were enough. People from all over the world watch their favorite videos on numerous platforms. Roku is one of the most popular ones. This post will show you how to make an app for Roku that will reach millions of people. We’ll also speak about the costs of development and the features you need to include.
Roku in 2025
Millions of people use Roku devices or smart TVs to watch their favorite movies and shows. The platform secures the living room. Many people use Roku because it is often considered one of the best streaming platforms in North America. It works with smart TVs, dongles, set-top boxes, and more. Roku allows you to generate revenue through AVOD, SVOD, TVOD, and pay-per-view. If you don’t include Roku in your multi-platform strategy, you’re losing money.
You might think, “We have an app for both iOS and Android.” Isn’t it possible to port it? Not really. There are special regulations and chances for Roku Application Development.
1. The BrightScript/SceneGraph Factor
Unlike iOS and Android, Roku apps’ UI is built with BrightScript and SceneGraph. Your average developer might have trouble with these less common languages and frameworks. To create for Roku, you need to be an expert:
Get around UI limits.
Make it easier for users to find their way around by using intuitive interfaces.
Make sure that all eligible devices work as well as possible.
You need to learn these skills or work with someone who does to make your app look professional.
2. Need for Certification
Roku has strict rules for approving apps before they can be sold in the Channel Store. This isn’t like sending a web app to your server overnight. You have to:
Follow the rules for when to interact (channel load times are important).
Playing media on different devices should be smooth.
Pass all UI/UX criteria.
Fail any of these, and you’ll be stuck in review limbo while your competitors go live.
3. Device Diversity and Limitations
Roku isn’t just one device. You have:
Low-end sticks with limited texture memory.
High-end Roku TVs with better performance.
Your app has to adapt. For instance, you can’t just shove high-resolution images everywhere. Some teams even use AWS Lambda to dynamically convert images for Roku’s limits. If you want consistency, you’ll have to test on multiple devices and handle these differences gracefully.
How Do You Create a Roku App That Doesn’t Just Work but Wows?
1. Design With the User in Mind
You’re not just porting a web UI. Roku users navigate with remotes. That changes everything:
Large, readable text.
Simple, clear menus.
Intuitive navigation with focus states.
If you make users hunt for the “Play” button, you’ll lose them.
2. Build Resilient Architecture
Your backend should deliver:
Optimized streams for different bitrates.
Fast metadata responses.
Seamless authentication.
Don’t forget that users expect Netflix-level reliability, even if you’re a niche platform.
3. Embrace Advertising and Monetization
Roku’s built-in support for advertising is a major revenue opportunity. But you need to plan:
Ad Formats: VAST, VPAID, VMAP — Roku supports them all.
Server-Side vs Client-Side Ad Insertion: Choose based on your infrastructure.
Personalized Ads: Analyze viewer data to target ads better.
Beyond ads, Roku supports subscriptions, pay-per-view, and electronic sell-through. A good Roku application development partner can help you weave these into your app.
4. Ensure Cross-Platform Consistency
Your users don’t care about technical limits. They just want to:
Start a movie on their phone.
Finish it on Roku.
Keep progress and watch history in sync.
That means your Roku app has to talk nicely with your mobile and web apps. Think about authentication, user profiles, and content libraries as shared assets.
Wondering How Much It Costs to Develop a Roku TV App?
With over 300 completed projects under our belt, Roku Application Development can design an app in any niche, from dating to IPTV. Contact us today for a free project estimate within 48 hours.
