# IKAWA Home — user reviews > 35 indexed App Store user reviews of IKAWA Home by IKAWA ltd., rated 1.80/5 from 39 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ikawa-home/id1187816119/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ikawa-home/id1187816119.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 4 · 4★ 1 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 6 · 1★ 25 ## Newest reviews (14 of 35) ### 1/5 — Garbage *2023-01-23, version 3.1.3* Doesn’t work ### 1/5 — Just broke *2023-01-06, version 3.1.3* This app works great as long as you don’t log in and use it. Once you do that, it will crash and you can only roast whatever was the last profile you used. The Bluetooth also takes forever to link to the app which is probably unrelated. On a positive note, the machine itself works and have never had any issues so as long as you roast 1 type of bean for 1 profile it’s the best £1200 you could ever spend. ### 1/5 — App Doesn’t Work *2022-12-10, version 3.1.2* I am unable to do my very first roast upon receiving the new IKAWA home because the roaster is defaulting to a coffee and roast level I do not desire. The first attempt to edit it to a Light roast kept re-triggering back to Medium. I deleted the app and re-installed it. I then was able to edit the existing Medium template to Light, but it will not save. The loading wheel continues for 10-15 minutes, and restarting the app has not solved the issue. Ready to return this because after being so excited to get this product, it is rendered useless by an app that cannot support the roaster. Perhaps the IKAWA Pro app is better, but from my understanding, it doesn’t not work with the IKAWA Home roaster. What a shame. ### 1/5 — Not launching after updating ios *2022-06-13, version 3.1.1* ios home app does not launch after ios updates. What is going on? ### 1/5 — Doesn’t launch *2022-06-07, version 3.1.1* The app crashes after logging in ### 1/5 — New update *2022-05-15, version 3.1.1* I can’t add IKAWA coffee recipe and my own coffee recipe ### 1/5 — Bait and switch, untrustworthy, poor business practice, buggy software *2022-05-12, version 3.1.1* So you wanted an Ikawa roaster, well they have changed their business model for hobby users. If you want to build your own roast profile like you’ve been able to go since the roaster was first released, you will now have to pay $33 per month. Talk about bait and switch. I suspect they are trying to deter professionals from using the home version which is a quarter of the cost of the pro roaster, by crippling the software. In addition, the software is extremely buggy. There is no response from their developers. The in app reporting system dumps the logs into the ether, you find even get a confirmation email, and no one responds. Except for the sales department, they are happy to take your call. I wanted to like this company, their tag line is “here for you”, should be more like “here for your money”. Be critical with who you choose to do business with, it matters. Update: 5/12/2022 it took Ikawa 6 months to fix the temperature for each node not displaying because it was cut off of the left side. I like how they call this an “improvement” in the update log. ### 1/5 — It stuck in open up the app. *2022-05-05* Please fix it. Once it is disconnected, it is stuck when it open up. ### 1/5 — Great machine, terrible app experience *2022-04-12, version 3.0.4* I’ve had this machine for almost half a year now and while it’s been amazing for roasting at home, the app is downright terrible. It crashes every time I go into my recipes, unless I create a new one. It doesn’t detect my machine like 90% of the time causing me to have to restart the machine or reconnect my bluetooth over and over again. I filed multiple bug reports within the app and no-one has ever gotten back to me. This is a $1000 machine, y’all really need to do better. ### 1/5 — Pay to create your own profile??? *2022-04-03, version 3.0.4* Was tempted to buy a roaster, but it’s mad to ask for extra money (monthly!) for a possibility to create your own roasting profile. That sorted my dilemma- definitely not buying, thank you very much. ### 1/5 — Machine Good, App Bad *2022-03-29, version 3.0.4* What a horrible experience this is. Almost nothing works. My roasts don’t get saved, there’s essentially no reason to add a coffee to my list. It doesn’t -do- anything. DO NOT PAY $34 for the graph editor!! It’s useless. Recipes are almost non-existent. I wanted to love this product so much, all I can say is the app is TRULY a ripoff but the machine is nice. ### 2/5 — $34 to edit your own recipe or keep buying beans from them. *2022-01-08, version 3.0.4* First of all, this unit is not cheap, it’s over $1000, however, for the money, it’s very well built, well engineered and has great esthetics. After committing to buying the roaster, you scan the QR code on beans they provide you, and you roast away, it’s easy, simple, and quick. But then you decide you want to roast differently, or you may want to roast your own beans, well, that’s going to cost you $34 a month, that’s an extra $408 a year just on having the ability to use one function of their app and edit your own roast. Don’t like it? Keep buying their beans and keep scanning those QR codes. If you want to learn to scan a QR code and press a button, and you don’t want to learn to roast at all, this is the roaster for you. It’s basically the equivalent of a Nespresso machine to brewing coffee, but if you want to use this machine to it’s maximum potential, be prepared for the additional costs. ### 2/5 — Too expensive for graph editor. *2021-12-26, version 3.0.4* It cost $ 34 a month to use the graph editor, too expensive!!! Not very happy about that. ### 2/5 — Can't use chinese word *2021-12-21, version 3.0.4* It can’t use chinese word for title after update .and bulid the file and change file name to save is difficult. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Good Machine, Terrible App *2025-04-06, version 3.1.4* I love the machine itself. Beautiful design and great functionality. The app on the other hand is infuriating. The app does not save roast profiles consistently, even for IKAWA’s own beans. It is difficult to create profiles for beans that are not from IKAWA, and the information input allowed is insufficient. The ability to track roasts was a large consideration in purchasing this roaster, and honestly, after 4 months of using the machine and app, I am very disappointed and frustrated. I contacted IKAWA about the roast profiles not being tracked months ago and was told it was a known issue, but nothing has changed. ### 1/5 — AMAZING ROASTER… the App is BRUTAL to use 😕 *2024-12-13* Very disappointed… I was so excited to get the IKAWA Home roaster and their around the world starter kit (amazing green coffee berry variety). I got it to work once after 30min of trying… today (my second day of ownership) 30 min of trying on/off, reloading App… The Bluetooth connection right from the start has been glitchy at BEST! 😡 EVERYTHING OPERATIONALLY relies on the App via Bluetooth to make the roaster to work. Please work out the glitches. I’m using an iPhone 14 Pro and have the latest update. ### 1/5 — I can’t even sign in *2024-10-04, version 3.1.4* Just bought my roaster and I can’t even sign into this app. Now I’m reading reviews and dining out my $1300 roaster is a popcorn popper if I don’t pay for a monthly subscription that lets me use it. hahahhahahhahahjajahhahahha Ready to get your roaster back IKAWA? ### 1/5 — Love the idea but hate the money grab *2024-02-26, version 3.1.4* I like my machine but my biggest problem is the lack of customization. For something I paid almost $1300 you think I could make a custom roast without paying for a subscription. Simple money grab and it’s my biggest disappointment. While I’ll still use my IKAWA home roaster I recommend alternatives to others who ask me for this simple reason. ### 1/5 — Want to be locked into their coffee or pay a monthly subscription? *2023-12-06, version 3.1.4* I had the Ikawa Home Roaster pulled up and was ready to buy it. Thankfully I decided to check the app out before making such a big purchase. There are “recipes” for Ikawa’s coffees, so you’ll be fine as long as you buy from them. But this is the world’s most expensive razor blade handle for those razor blades, and even if their coffee is fairly priced and very good, I would never buy a roaster to be locked in to one store. How easy is it to roast your own coffee? Turns out that you need to pay a monthly subscription to have access. Looking for confirmation? Go to Ikawa’s “Creating your own roast recipes using Graph Editor” blog post. Right now is it at least $34 a month for that subscription, but with all subscriptions, they can raise that price and you have no option to go elsewhere. I went digging for how people are dealing with that. Some posts were from people who had sold their machine. It was great for Ikawa, but they couldn’t replicate great results for other beans using the existing profiles. Some posts were for people who would manually stop the roast a certain period of time after the first crack, removing the benefits of automation this roaster provides. I can’t support a roaster that I don’t own the hardware and software I need to use it, so I’m really glad I didn’t make the mistake of buying this one. I wish Ikawa was more upfront about the cost and need for the subscription. I’m glad I hesitated. This roaster could have been such a cool offering. ### 1/5 — 해도 너무하네요. *2023-11-02* 때려 부숴버리고 싶음. ### 1/5 — Worst app since the update *2023-06-21, version 3.1.4* Very hard to handle since the update, drops login and take forever to log back in. Editing profiles became harder. I hate using the machince since. ### 1/5 — Fails in basic function *2023-05-01* I just got my Ikawa Home roaster and scanned the code from one of the bean samples. The app connects to the roaster, but when I go to the bean that I just added to the app, I cannot send the recipe to the roaster. Pressing “send to roaster” crashes the app. The crash is infinitely repeatable. I turned the roaster on and off, I deleted and reinstalled the app, and I tried re-adding the bean to the coffee list. The app just keeps crashing when you try to send the recipe t the roaster. It fails to accomplish its essential function. ### 1/5 — Required app extorts fees for roaster functionality you already paid for *2023-04-19* The $1,300 roaster has all the hardware needed to precisely adjust the time, inlet air temp, and flow for roasting coffee. However, nothing can be adjusted on the roaster. You have to use the app to make the adjustments, but the app charges a perpetual fee to provide the ajustments that are built into the $1,300 coffee roaster. So, it is not a $1,300 coffee roaster. I've used my current roaster for more than 12 years. If the fees don't increase (a big "if") then the app requires a 50% additional cost over the purchase price of the roaster simply to use the roaster's full feature set. Imagine buying a car where you had to pay a monthly fee to open the back doors! The argument that Ikawa would make is that most people use the front doors on a four door sedan the majority of the time, so they've allowed people who want to use the installed back doors on the car to pay them for the priviledge to use hardware that they already paid for. The greed here is immense. ### 1/5 — Love the roaster, hate the app. *2023-02-26, version 3.1.3* This app Hass to be the most difficult to use, terrible interface, nothing works properly app I’ve ever used. It’s bizarre that you can charge $1300 for great device to roast coffee and spend absolutely no time effort or resources to make the app work properly. I am within the 30 day window to return the roaster and I might have to do that because I am way too frustrated to keep using this application. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Counting up finally here *2020-05-16, version 2.1* The long waited counting down timer has faintly arrived. Thanks for the hard work. BTW, is the firmware also updated along with this app update? Just thought it could be working better side by side. ### 5/5 — Great, with few updates ! *2019-05-08, version 1.4.2* The app is great but please please make the resolution native for IPhone X+ , as well as public depository for roast profiles , forum is great and all that but it can be difficult looking for a profile to suit your needs! ### 4/5 — AMAZING ROASTER… the App is can use some work 😕 *2025-03-03, version 3.1.4* I was so excited to get the IKAWA Home roaster and their around the world starter kit (amazing green coffee berry variety). I got it to work once after 30min of trying… today (my second day of ownership) 30 min of trying on/off, reloading App… The Bluetooth connection right from the start has been glitchy at BEST! 😡 A few weeks of use, I’ve realized that I need to turn my Bluetooth off, then on to catch the device. EVERYTHING OPERATIONALLY relies on the App via Bluetooth to make the roaster to work. It’s a bit of a pain, but sweet ride after that. Please work out the glitches. I’m using an iPhone 14 Pro and have the latest update. ### 4/5 — Improved *2023-11-12, version 3.1.4* I bought the Ikawa Pro way back from the SCAA in Seattle 2014(?). Enjoyed using it to have more repeatable sample roasts over my 2 barrel Probat. Fast forward 9 years and I’m no longer in the coffee industry but I still love coffee. So, i ended up buying the Ikawa Home Roaster Black Friday 2022. At the time, I didn’t realize that you couldn’t tweak the roasts the way I wanted to without paying the monthly fee. That’s really the only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars. I’m not experiencing any of the problems other reviewers have had. And, i am paying for the subscription to customize roasts. Hope this review helps ### 4/5 — Very easy to use *2022-04-13, version 3.0.4* The reviewer who wrote that a subscription is needed to customise recipes must have misunderstood. That is for more technical levels of customisation than I would imagine a home roaster needing. There are several options with the basic app, such as degrees of darkness and speed of roasting and with explanations of how the settings would impact the bean. It works better on my iPad, but my iPhone is on a beta iOS version. ### 3/5 — New app deleted all my recipes *2021-11-09, version 3.0* The new app looks clean but be warned - it deletes all your recipes. ### 3/5 — Some good stuff but setup back on the profile developing features *2019-09-09, version 2.0* First off, the roaster itself is awesome. Very easy to use (once you get the profile to your liking) and robust. It’s definitely a five-star machine. Now about the app - I like the new profile management that now deletes old profiles on other devices. Previously, I was trying not to sync them, and if I accidentally did, I had to delete so many old profiles one at a time. However, I like the previous version much better when it comes to the profile editing and the time display. It was much easier to change only either the temperature or the time at a time by tapping the point and moving the hairline on either axis. Now it moves freely in both axises, I have to be extra careful not to change the other axis that I don’t want to change. It may sound easy to keep the value on the other axis, but not so easy to do so on a touch screen. Another thing I don’t like about the new version is that it stopped showing the elapsed time and showing the remaining time instead. I have to record the remaining times first then convert them to the elapsed times afterwards when I try a new or tweaked profile. This is very painful. I looked for some settings to change the behavior but I couldn’t. Hopefully Ikawa make them configurable in the next iteration. Finally, a bug - when you scroll the screen while roasting, sometimes the chart doesn’t get redrawn correctly. Old versions had a similar problem but less annoying because they used to draw the path on the char that gave me an idea on where it stands in the roasting process. ### 2/5 — App mostly works, but not well, $5.99 to edit recipes? *2025-01-13, version 3.1.4* I love the IKAWA hardware but the app is pretty mediocre. So so UX, no real grouping sorting or other ways to organize. But charging $6 a month just to be able to get more fine tune control on my roasting for a $1300 machine is just, frankly, greed. The app is not nearly good enough to warrant spending money on it. Making my purchase of the machine pretty questionable. Since the app is literally the only way to roast with it. ### 2/5 — Good roaster, poor app *2024-10-01, version 3.1.4* Ikawa’s roaster has been described as the kind of coffee roaster that Apple would make. Unfortunately, the app, which is absolutely critical to the operation of the roaster, is poorly executed. In the two years I have owned the roaster there have been few improvements and the app remains buggy and glitchy. Also the customization feature of the app, which allows you to create custom roast profiles is a monthly add-on. Something they don’t tell you when you buy the roaster. ### 2/5 — Buggier than a tropical rainforest *2022-05-11, version 3.0.4* This app is good when it decides it wants to work. But that’s rare. Paying the high price of this machine and not even being able to roast coffee creates an awful experience. Each time I purchase a new bag, the app will not let me send the new roast to the machine. It takes an hour or two of reinstalling the app, turning the machine back on and off.. it’s a nightmare. Extremely buggy and has difficulty performing a simple function, sending a coffee roast to the machine! I’m ready to return my machine. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-02.*