Basic Questions
A single simple model drives short drama apps. Tiny vertical episodes are what you watch. You get the first few for free. Later ones need coins or a pass. That divide is the source of most confusion. Start with these five answers.
What is a short drama app, exactly?
It is an app that streams vertical video made for phones. Every series arrives as many short episodes. Plots lean on billionaires, revenge and hidden-identity reveals. Popular too are werewolf romances. ReelShort, DramaBox, ShortMax and My Drama are the leading apps. China is where the format started, as duanju.
How long does each episode run?
Most episodes last one to two minutes. Western vertical micro drama productions often aim for 60 to 100 seconds. A series usually has 20 to 100 episodes. Married at First Sight has 90 in ReelShort’s listing. Double Life, a ReelShort hit, lists 60. A full series can match a movie in length.
Why do episodes cut off at cliffhangers?
Free episodes usually end at that point. According to ReelShort, its first 5 to 15 are usually free. 8 to 10 is the figure cited in industry reporting. The paywall tends to land at peak tension. That timing is the business model. Viewers also list it among their top complaints.
Which companies own ReelShort, DramaBox and My Drama?
The owner of ReelShort is Crazy Maple Studio based in Sunnyvale, California. China’s COL Group is the backer of that studio. DramaBox is operated by StoryMatrix of Singapore, which belongs to Beijing Dianzhong Technology. Holywater is behind My Drama and was set up in Kyiv in 2020. Fox Entertainment picked up an equity stake in October 2025. ReelShort launched in 2022, while DramaBox launched in 2023.
Can I watch on a browser or a TV?
Yes, within limits. ReelShort’s website accepts Google, Facebook, Apple, TikTok and email logins. Progress carries over with the app. You can get free unlocks only in the app. My Drama runs a dedicated Apple TV app. We did not find a verified ReelShort TV app.
What It Costs
Money is the subject people ask about most. The figures shown are US App Store prices as of September 2026. They change by country, platform and promotion. Always check the price screen first. Treat each number as a rough guide. Here is what the listings show.
Is ReelShort actually free?
Partly, and the free part is genuine. The catch is what people searching “is reel short free” or “is reel short app free” are after. There is no charge for the download. The opening episodes are free. Later episodes require coins or a VIP pass. Ads and check-ins earn free coins.
How does the coin system work?
The currency that unlocks episodes is coins. ReelShort’s blog prices an episode at roughly 60 coins. Its smallest pack offers 500 coins for about $4.99. Larger packs add extra coins. You earn 100+ coins from a 7-day check-in streak. One rewarded ad opens two episodes.
Do coins ever expire?
It varies from app to app. Free reward coins usually expire, according to ReelShort. Coins you paid for do not run out. My Drama does things differently. Its terms cancel coins after 12 months of inactivity. Stay active and spend reward coins first.
What does a weekly pass cost?
In the US, the common price is about $19.99 a week. That price appears on ReelShort, ShortMax, DramaWave, GoodShort and My Drama. Some apps list cheaper plans. GoodShort starts around $5.99, and ShortMax lists $9.99. All these passes renew automatically. Four weeks you forget about cost four times as much.
Are there any monthly or yearly plans?
They exist on some apps. A yearly plan is listed on ReelShort’s blog at about $199.99. Its monthly price varies between pages. That figure is therefore unconfirmed. DramaWave’s listing shows roughly $36.99 a month. Only weekly passes appear for ShortMax in the US.
Can I watch for free, without paying?
Yes, provided you are patient. Each series’ free opening episodes are the place to start. Rewarded ads open up more. Maintain a daily check-in streak. On top of that, ReelShort runs official YouTube, TikTok and Dailymotion channels. Using all four together goes furthest.
Subscriptions and How to Cancel
Weekly passes keep renewing until you stop them. That comes as a surprise to plenty of people. Once you know where, cancelling is quick. Where to cancel depends on how you paid. Store purchases are cancelled through the store. Companies manage website purchases.
Does deleting the app cancel the subscription?
No, and this error is common. Apple says deleting an app does not stop its subscription. Google makes the same point about uninstalling. The same warning shows up in My Drama’s terms. The pass keeps renewing until you cancel. Always cancel, then delete.
How do I cancel on iPhone?
Open the Settings app first. Tap your name at the top of the screen. Next, select Subscriptions. Tap the drama app. Tap Cancel and confirm it. Act a day before renewal to be safe.
How do I cancel on Android?
Begin by opening the Google Play Store app. Head to your Subscriptions list. There, pick the drama app. Tap Cancel and follow the steps shown. Keep in mind that uninstalling does not cancel anything. Look at the list again to confirm the change.
Can I cancel from inside the app?
Sometimes, but cancelling through the store is safer. ShortMax’s terms note an in-app option under About Subscription. For store buyers, they point to App Store or Google Play. Apple and Google only have control over what they billed. If you bought on the website, reach out to the company. Take a screenshot of every cancellation.
Why was I charged once a free trial ended?
Trial wording can be confusing. ShortMax’s developer admits its “free trial” and “24 hours free” labels confused people. Passes renew 24 hours before expiry, its terms say. The renewal is charged at the same price. One day before any trial ends, cancel. Then confirm the store shows it cancelled.
Refund Questions
Refunds depend on who took your money. Google deals with Play charges. App Store charges are handled by Apple. Website charges go through the companies. No route guarantees a refund. The table below maps each path.
| Where the payment was made | How to cancel | Refund path | Things to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone (App Store) | Settings, your name, Subscriptions, Cancel | The Report a Problem page from Apple | Deleting the app does not cancel it |
| Android (Google Play) | Google Play, Subscriptions, Cancel | Google within 48 hours, then the developer | Uninstalling alone does not cancel |
| Website | The app company’s account page or support | The app company alone | Often non-refundable, according to My Drama’s terms |
How do I request an Apple refund?
Apple’s Report a Problem page is the place to go. Sign in with the Apple ID that paid. Choose the charge, then explain briefly. Within 24 to 48 hours, Apple usually replies. It is Apple that decides, not the app maker. Cancel the pass as well, or it will renew.
How does a Google Play refund work?
Timing is key here. Within 48 hours of purchase, you may get a refund, Google says. Go directly through Google Play to request it. After that window, get in touch with the developer. ReelShort tells users to go to Profile, then Feedback. When a renewal surprises you, act fast.
What happens with website purchases?
Those are handled by the app company. Neither Apple nor Google can help there. Under My Drama’s terms, web purchases are non-refundable except where law requires. Under its terms, EU and UK users have a 14-day withdrawal right. Other companies decide their rules for themselves. Before paying online, read the terms.
Can unused coins be refunded?
Usually not, as the terms say. My Drama’s terms treat coin purchases as final. Unless its own fault makes a product unusable, ShortMax declines refunds. With accidental purchases, a store request may help. Buy the smallest coin pack until a series hooks you. Mistakes then cost less.
Look-Alike Apps and Safety
Name mix-ups are everywhere here. A misspelling can lead to minor unrelated apps. Big brands get copied by some sites. A few downloads are not safe. Your money is protected by using real names. The answers below sort real from fake.
Is Real Short a real app?
No, not that we found. Real Short is a misspelling of ReelShort. Other misspellings are “real short app”, “realshot”, “reel shot” and likely “shot shorts”. The real name is a single word. The seller shown on the App Store is New Leaf Publishing. Before downloading, verify that.
What are the ReelBox, DailyShort and GoldShort TV apps?
All three are small, unrelated apps. ReelBox, which people find via “reel box” or “reelbox tv”, shows 50K+ Android installs. There is no link between it and 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?
Very likely, but unconfirmed. SHORTTV LIMITED in Hong Kong is ShortMax’s legal entity. Visitors to its website land on ShortTV’s site. Both apps arrived in September 2023. No official rename announcement could be found. Searching “short tv” or “short max” also turns up unrelated apps.
Is it safe to use mod APKs and coin generators?
No, and none are official. A mod APK is an altered app copy from outside official stores. An unofficial modified version is how one DramaBox look-alike describes its download. Coin generators are not official either. You can’t verify what they actually do. Stick to the official stores and websites.
Why does ReelShort have a low rating on Trustpilot?
ReelShort’s Trustpilot page shows a score of 1.3 out of 5 from 250 reviews. Being charged after cancelling is a common complaint. Complaints about weekly auto-renewals come up often. Other reviewers mention coin prices and denied refunds. Any review site reflects people who chose to post. Read it as a list of things to check rather than a final verdict.
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