The Basics
Short drama apps follow one simple model. Very short vertical episodes are what you watch. The first few come free. Coins or a pass pay for the later ones. That divide is the root of most confusion. The five answers below are a good place to start.
What is a short drama app?
It is an app that streams vertical video made for phones. Each series splits into many tiny episodes. The plots favor billionaires, revenge and hidden-identity reveals. Werewolf romances likewise enjoy broad Declan Clifford short drama popularity. ReelShort, DramaBox, ShortMax and My Drama are the leaders. The format started out in China, under the name duanju.
How long does each episode run?
Most clock in at one to two minutes. Western productions often go for runtimes of 60 to 100 seconds. Usually, a series has 20 to 100 episodes. ReelShort’s listing for Married at First Sight shows 90. Double Life, a ReelShort hit, lists 60. A complete series can be as long as a movie.
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. Reports from the industry cite 8 to 10. The paywall tends to fall at peak tension. That timing is the business model. It is also one of the top viewer complaint.
Which companies own ReelShort, DramaBox and My Drama?
Crazy Maple Studio in Sunnyvale, California is behind ReelShort. China’s COL Group stands behind that studio. Singapore’s StoryMatrix, part of Beijing Dianzhong Technology, operates DramaBox. My Drama comes from Holywater, which was founded in Kyiv in 2020. Fox Entertainment picked up an equity stake in October 2025. In terms of launch dates, ReelShort came in 2022, and DramaBox in 2023.
Is it possible to watch in a browser or on TV?
Yes, within limits. There is an Apple TV app for My Drama. We came across no verified ReelShort TV app at all. Google, Facebook, Apple, TikTok and email logins are all offered on ReelShort’s website. Your viewing progress syncs with the app. Free unlocks are possible only in the app.
Costs
Questions about money come up most. All figures show US App Store prices as of September 2026. They differ by country, platform and promotion. Each number should be treated as approximate. Before anything else, always look at the price screen. Below is what the listings show.
Is ReelShort free to use?
Partly, and the free part is genuinely free. The catch is what people searching “is reel short free” or “is reel short app free” want. Opening episodes cost nothing. Downloading is free. For later ones, you need coins or a VIP pass. Free coins come from ads and check-ins.
How do the coins work?
Episodes are unlocked with coins, the in-app currency. ReelShort’s blog puts an episode at about 60 coins. Its smallest pack gives 500 coins for roughly $4.99. Bigger packs add extra coins. A 7-day check-in streak earns 100+ coins. Watching one rewarded ad unlocks two episodes.
Do the coins expire?
That depends on the app. Free reward coins usually expire, says ReelShort. Coins you paid for do not expire. Things work differently at My Drama. Under its terms, coins are forfeited after 12 months of inactivity. Spend reward coins first and stay active.
What is the price of a weekly pass?
The usual US price is about $19.99 a week. ReelShort, ShortMax, DramaWave, GoodShort and My Drama show it. A few apps show cheaper options. ShortMax lists a $9.99 tier, and GoodShort’s pricing starts near $5.99. Every one of these passes renews automatically. Overlooking it for four weeks costs four times as much.
Are there monthly or yearly plans?
Some apps sell them. ReelShort’s blog puts a yearly plan at roughly $199.99. Different pages give different monthly prices. So we treat that figure as unconfirmed. DramaWave lists a monthly price of roughly $36.99. In the US, ShortMax shows only weekly passes.
Can I watch for free, without paying?
Yes, as long as you are patient. Start with each series’ free opening episodes. Watch rewarded ads to unlock more. Maintain a daily check-in streak. There are also official ReelShort channels on YouTube, TikTok and Dailymotion. Using all four together goes furthest.
Subscriptions and Cancellation
A weekly pass renews until you stop it. Plenty of people do not expect that. Cancelling takes little time once you know where. How you paid determines the place. App stores cancel what was bought in them. Website purchases are handled by the company.
Will deleting the app cancel my subscription?
No, and this is a common mistake. According to Apple, removing an app does not end its subscription. Google makes the same point about uninstalling. My Drama’s terms carry the same warning. The pass does not stop renewing until you cancel. Always cancel, then delete.
How do I cancel a subscription on iPhone?
Open the Settings app first. At the top, tap your name. Then tap Subscriptions. Pick the short drama app. Tap Cancel, then confirm. Do it a day before renewal to be safe.
How can I cancel on Android?
Start by opening the Google Play Store app. Then go to your Subscriptions list. Pick the drama app there. Tap Cancel, then follow the prompts. Uninstalling, remember, cancels nothing. To confirm the change, recheck the list.
Is it possible to cancel inside the app?
Sometimes, but cancelling through the store is safer. In ShortMax’s terms, there is mention of an in-app option under About Subscription. They send store buyers to App Store or Google Play. Only what Apple and Google billed is under their control. Website buyers should get in touch with the company. Screenshot each and every cancellation.
Why was I charged once a free trial ended?
The way trials are worded can confuse. ShortMax’s developer admits its “free trial” and “24 hours free” labels confused people. Passes renew 24 hours before expiry, according to its terms. The same price applies to the renewal. Cancel a day before any trial ends. Afterward, check that the store shows it cancelled.
Refunds
The refund route depends on who took your money. Google handles Play charges. Apple handles App Store charges. Companies handle website charges. No route promises a refund. The table below maps each path.
| Where you paid | How you cancel | Refund path | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone (App Store) | Settings, your name, Subscriptions, Cancel | Apple’s Report a Problem page | Deleting the app does not cancel |
| Android (Google Play) | Google Play, Subscriptions, Cancel | Google within 48 hours, then the developer | Uninstalling does not cancel it |
| Website | The app company’s account or support | The app company alone | Often non-refundable, as My Drama’s terms state |
How can I get an Apple refund?
Apple’s Report a Problem page is the place to go. Use the billed Apple ID to log in. Select the charge and explain briefly. Apple usually responds within 24 to 48 hours. Apple, not the app maker, decides. Also cancel the pass, or it renews.
How do refunds from Google Play work?
What matters most here is timing. Within 48 hours of purchase, you may get a refund, according to Google. Request it via Google Play directly. Once that window closes, contact the developer. ReelShort users are pointed to Profile, then Feedback. If a renewal surprises you, act quickly.
What happens with website purchases?
Those purchases go through the app company. Apple and Google can’t step in there. Web purchases are non-refundable except where law requires, according to My Drama’s terms. Its terms give EU and UK users a 14-day withdrawal right. Other companies make their own rules. Check the terms before paying online.
Can I refund unused coins?
Usually not, and that is in the terms. Under My Drama’s terms, coin purchases are final. ShortMax turns down refunds unless its own fault makes a product unusable. Store requests may help with accidental buys. Buy the smallest pack until a series grabs you. Mistakes then cost less.
Safety and Look-Alike Apps
Confusion over names is everywhere here. A misspelling can lead to minor unrelated apps. Big brands get copied by some sites. A few downloads are not safe. Using the real names protects your money. These answers separate real from fake.
Is Real Short an app?
No, we could not find one. Real Short is a misspelled version of ReelShort. Other variants are “real short app”, “realshot”, “reel shot” and probably “shot shorts”. The correct name comes as a single word. Its App Store seller is New Leaf Publishing. Before downloading, verify that.
What are ReelBox, DailyShort and GoldShort TV?
These are small, unrelated apps. ReelBox, located through “reel box” or “reelbox tv”, counts 50K+ Android installs. It is not linked to ReelShort or DramaBox. DailyShort, which people often type as “daily short”, has 100K+ installs. GoldShort TV is an Android TV app that has 10K+ installs. Most searchers probably mean GoodShort.
Is ShortTV the same as ShortMax?
Very likely, though it remains unconfirmed. ShortMax’s legal entity is SHORTTV LIMITED in Hong Kong. ShortMax’s website redirects to ShortTV’s site. Both debuted in September 2023. No official rename announcement turned up. A search for “short tv” or “short max” also brings up unrelated apps.
Is it safe to use mod APKs and coin generators?
No, and not a single one is official. Altered app copies from outside official stores are what mod APKs are. One DramaBox look-alike calls its download an unofficial modified version. Coin generators are equally unofficial. What they do is something you cannot verify. Only use official stores and websites.
Why does ReelShort have a low rating on Trustpilot?
On Trustpilot, ReelShort’s page shows 1.3 out of 5 from 250 reviews. Being charged after cancelling is a common complaint. Weekly auto-renewals are frequently mentioned. Coin prices and refused refunds are mentioned by others. Any review site reflects those who chose to post. Read it as a list of things to check rather than a final verdict.