Basics

The model behind short drama apps is a simple one. What you watch are very short vertical episodes. You get the first few for free. Coins or a pass unlock the later ones. Most of the confusion starts with that split. Begin with these five answers.

What is a short drama app?

It plays vertical video built for phones. Many bite-size episodes make up each series. Plots lean on billionaires, revenge and identity reveals. Werewolf romances are also popular. Leading the pack are ReelShort, DramaBox, ShortMax and My Drama. China is where the format started, as duanju.

How long does each episode run?

Most episodes run one to two minutes. Western Rise of the Titan King online shoots often go for a length of 60 to 100 seconds. Usually, a series has 20 to 100 episodes. ReelShort lists 90 episodes for Married at First Sight. Double Life, a ReelShort hit, lists 60. A full series can be as long as a movie.

Why do episodes stop at cliffhangers?

That is usually the point where free episodes end. ReelShort notes that the first 5 to 15 are usually free. Industry coverage gives a figure of 8 to 10. The lock tends to arrive right at peak tension. That timing is essentially the business model. It is also a top complaint from viewers.

Which companies own ReelShort, DramaBox and My Drama?

ReelShort is a Crazy Maple Studio app, and the studio is based in Sunnyvale, California. China’s COL Group supports that studio. Singapore’s StoryMatrix, part of Beijing Dianzhong Technology, runs DramaBox. Holywater makes My Drama and was set up in Kyiv in 2020. An equity stake went to Fox Entertainment in October 2025. In terms of launch dates, ReelShort came in 2022, and DramaBox in 2023.

Can I watch in a browser or on TV?

Yes, though there are limits. My Drama is available on Apple TV through its own app. We did not find a verified ReelShort TV app. ReelShort’s website offers Google, Facebook, Apple, TikTok and email logins. The app and the site share your progress. You can get free unlocks only in the app.

Pricing

The most frequent questions are about money. The prices below are from the US App Store as of September 2026. Country, platform and promotion all change them. Take each number as approximate. Always start by checking the price screen. This is what the listings show.

Is ReelShort free?

Partly, and the free part is genuinely free. What people searching « is reel short free » or « is reel short app free » want is the catch. The download is free. The opening episodes cost nothing. For later ones, you need coins or a VIP pass. Free coins come from ads and check-ins.

How do coins actually work?

Coins act as the currency that opens episodes. According to ReelShort’s blog, an episode costs about 60 coins. The smallest pack costs roughly $4.99 for 500 coins. Bigger packs include bonus coins. You earn 100+ coins from a 7-day check-in streak. One rewarded ad opens two episodes.

Do coins ever expire?

The answer depends on the app. Free reward coins usually expire, says ReelShort. Coins you paid for do not run out. My Drama does things differently. Its terms say coins are forfeited after 12 months of inactivity. Keep active and use reward coins first.

What does a weekly pass cost?

The typical price in the US is about $19.99 a week. It is listed by ReelShort, ShortMax, DramaWave, GoodShort and My Drama. A few apps show cheaper options. GoodShort starts near $5.99, and ShortMax lists $9.99. Every one of these passes auto-renews on its own. Four forgotten weeks cost four times as much.

Are there monthly or yearly plans?

Some apps provide them. ReelShort’s blog lists a yearly plan at around $199.99. The monthly price varies between pages. So we treat that figure as unconfirmed. DramaWave lists around $36.99 a month. In the US, ShortMax offers weekly passes only.

Can I watch without paying anything?

Yes, as long as you are patient. Start with each series’ free opening episodes. Use rewarded ads to unlock more. Maintain a daily check-in streak. There are also official ReelShort channels on YouTube, TikTok and Dailymotion. Combining all four gets you the most.

Managing and Cancelling Subscriptions

Weekly passes do not stop renewing until you stop them. That catches out plenty of people. Cancelling is fast once you know where. The right place depends on how you paid. Store purchases are cancelled in the store. Companies deal with website purchases.

Does deleting the app cancel my subscription?

No, and it is a common mistake. Deleting an app does not end its subscription, according to Apple. The same goes for uninstalling, according to Google. My Drama’s terms repeat that warning. The pass does not stop renewing until you cancel. Cancel first, delete afterward.

How do I cancel on an iPhone?

Begin by opening the Settings app. Next, tap your name at the top. Then go to Subscriptions. Choose the short drama app. Tap Cancel, then confirm. For safety, act a day before renewal.

How do I cancel on Android?

First, open the Google Play Store app. Next, go to your Subscriptions list. Find the drama app there and select it. Tap Cancel, then follow the prompts. Do not forget that uninstalling cancels nothing. Check the list again to confirm the change.

Is it possible to cancel inside the app?

Sometimes, though the store route is safer. In ShortMax’s terms, there is mention of an in-app option under About Subscription. They point store buyers to App Store or Google Play. Apple and Google control only what they billed. If you bought on the website, reach out to the company. Keep a screenshot of every cancellation.

Why was I charged once a free trial ended?

Trial wording can be confusing. ShortMax’s developer admits that its « free trial » and « 24 hours free » labels puzzled people. Under its terms, passes renew 24 hours before expiry. You pay the same price for the renewal. Make sure to cancel a day before any trial ends. After that, confirm the store shows it cancelled.

Refunds and Money Back

The refund route depends on who took your money. App Store charges go through Apple. Google takes care of Play charges. Website charges go through the companies. No route guarantees a refund. This table shows every path.

How do I get a refund from Apple?

Apple’s Report a Problem page is the place to go. Use the billed Apple ID to log in. Choose the charge and explain briefly. Apple’s reply usually arrives within 24 to 48 hours. Apple makes the call, not the app developer. Also cancel the pass, or it renews.

How does a Google Play refund work?

Timing is key here. Within 48 hours of purchase, you may get a refund, according to Google. Go directly through Google Play to request it. Contact the developer once that window has passed. ReelShort users are directed to Profile, then Feedback. When a renewal surprises you, act quickly.

What about website purchases?

Those are dealt with by the app company. Apple and Google cannot help with those. My Drama’s terms label web purchases non-refundable except where law requires. Its terms offer a 14-day withdrawal right to EU and UK users. Other companies set their own rules. Before paying online, read the terms.

Can I refund unused coins?

Usually not, as the terms say. Coin purchases are final, according to My Drama’s terms. ShortMax refuses refunds, unless its own fault makes a product unusable. A store request may help with accidental purchases. Until a series hooks you, buy the smallest coin pack. That way, mistakes cost less.

Staying Safe from Look-Alike Apps

Name confusion is widespread here. Misspelled names send you to minor unrelated apps. Some sites mimic big brands. A handful of downloads are unsafe. Using the real names protects your money. Real and fake are sorted out in these answers.

Is Real Short a real app?

No, not that we were able to find. ReelShort is the correct spelling, and Real Short is a misspelling of it. So are « real short app », « realshot », « reel shot » and probably « shot shorts » too. The real name is a single word. New Leaf Publishing is its App Store seller. Make sure of that before downloading.

What are the ReelBox, DailyShort and GoldShort TV apps?

They are small apps, and they are unrelated. ReelBox, which people find via « reel box » or « reelbox tv », shows 50K+ Android installs. It is not linked to ReelShort or DramaBox. DailyShort, often typed « daily short », has 100K+ installs. GoldShort TV is an app for Android TV that has 10K+ installs. Most searchers are likely looking for GoodShort.

Are ShortTV and ShortMax the same app?

Very likely, although it is unconfirmed. The legal entity behind ShortMax is SHORTTV LIMITED in Hong Kong. Visitors to its website land on ShortTV’s site. Both apps launched in September 2023. No official rename announcement could be found. Unrelated apps also appear when you search « short tv » or « short max ».

Are mod APKs and coin generators safe?

No, and none of them is official. Mod APKs are altered app copies from outside official stores. One DramaBox look-alike describes its download as an unofficial modified version. Coin generators, too, are unofficial. What they do is something you cannot verify. Stick to the official stores and websites.

Why does ReelShort have a low rating on Trustpilot?

From 250 reviews, ReelShort’s Trustpilot page shows 1.3 out of 5. A frequent complaint is being charged after cancelling. Weekly auto-renewals often come up. Others mention coin prices and refused refunds. What any review site reflects is the people who chose to post. Treat it as a list of things to check rather than a verdict.