Basics
One simple model underpins short drama apps. What you watch are tiny vertical episodes. The first few are free. Later ones cost coins or a pass. Most of the confusion begins with that split. These five answers are the place to start.
What is a short drama app?
It is an app that streams vertical video made for phones. A series is broken into many tiny episodes. ReelShort, DramaBox, ShortMax and My Drama lead the market. The storylines gravitate toward billionaires, revenge and hidden-identity reveals. Well liked Please Marry My Husband too are werewolf romances. The format started out in China, under the name duanju.
How long is each episode?
Most run one to two minutes. Western shoots often aim for a length of 60 to 100 seconds. Usually, a series runs to 20 to 100 episodes. Married at First Sight shows 90 in ReelShort’s listing. ReelShort’s hit Double Life series lists 60. A full series can run as long as a movie.
Why do episodes stop at cliffhangers?
That is usually the spot where free episodes end. ReelShort says its first 5 to 15 episodes are usually free. Industry coverage gives a figure of 8 to 10. The lock tends to fall at peak tension. That timing is the business model. It is also a top viewer complaint.
Who are the owners of ReelShort, DramaBox and My Drama?
The owner of ReelShort is Crazy Maple Studio based in Sunnyvale, California. That studio is supported by China’s COL Group. DramaBox is run by Singapore’s StoryMatrix, a part of Beijing Dianzhong Technology. My Drama is a Holywater product, and Holywater was founded in Kyiv in 2020. Fox Entertainment took an equity stake in October 2025. ReelShort launched in 2022, while DramaBox launched in 2023.
Can I watch in a web browser or on TV?
Yes, with limits. On ReelShort’s website, you can log in with Google, Facebook, Apple, TikTok or email. Your viewing progress syncs with the app. You can get free unlocks only in the app. My Drama offers an Apple TV app. We did not find a verified ReelShort TV app.
Costs
Questions about money come up most. All prices below are from the US App Store as of September 2026. These prices differ by country, platform and promotion. Consider every figure approximate. Always start by looking at the pricing screen. This is what listings show.
Is ReelShort free?
Partly, and the free portion is genuine. The catch is what people searching “is reel short free” or “is reel short app free” want. Downloading is free. Opening episodes cost nothing. For later ones, you need coins or a VIP pass. You can earn free coins from ads and check-ins.
How do the coins work?
Coins are the in-app currency that unlocks episodes. ReelShort’s blog prices an episode at roughly 60 coins. Its smallest pack gives 500 coins for about $4.99. Bigger packs come with bonus coins. Watching one rewarded ad unlocks two episodes. A 7-day check-in streak earns 100+ coins.
Do the coins expire?
That depends on the app. According to ReelShort, free reward coins usually expire. Paid coins do not. Things work differently at My Drama. Under its terms, coins are forfeited after 12 months of inactivity. Keep active and use reward coins first.
What does a weekly pass cost?
In the US, the common price is about $19.99 a week. This price appears on ReelShort, ShortMax, DramaWave, GoodShort and My Drama. A few apps show cheaper options. ShortMax’s listing shows $9.99, while GoodShort starts around $5.99. Every one of these passes auto-renews on its own. Forget for four weeks and you pay four times as much.
Can I get a monthly or yearly plan?
Some apps sell them. According to ReelShort’s blog, a yearly plan costs about $199.99. Its monthly price varies between pages. That makes the figure unconfirmed. DramaWave shows a monthly price of roughly $36.99. ShortMax lists only weekly passes in the US.
Is it possible to watch without paying?
Yes, if you are patient. Each series’ free opening episodes are the place to start. Watch rewarded ads to unlock more. Keep a daily check-in streak alive. On top of that, ReelShort runs official YouTube, TikTok and Dailymotion channels. Using all four together goes furthest.
Managing and Cancelling Subscriptions
Until you stop them, weekly passes keep renewing. That catches out plenty of people. Once you know where, cancelling is quick. The place depends on how you paid. App stores cancel what was bought in them. Companies manage website purchases.
Will deleting the app cancel my subscription?
No, and this is a common mistake. Apple says removing an app does not cancel its subscription. Google says the same of uninstalling. My Drama’s terms repeat that warning. The pass does not stop renewing until you cancel. Cancel first, delete afterward.
How do I cancel a subscription on iPhone?
Open the Settings app to begin. At the top, tap your name. After that, choose Subscriptions. Pick the drama app. Tap Cancel and confirm your choice. For safety, act a day before the renewal date.
How can I cancel on Android?
Open the Google Play Store app. Next, go to your Subscriptions list. There, select the drama app. Tap Cancel and work through the prompts. Remember that uninstalling cancels nothing. Check the list once more to confirm the change.
Can I cancel from inside the app?
Sometimes, but the store path is the safer bet. In ShortMax’s terms, there is mention of an in-app option under About Subscription. Store buyers are sent 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. Save a screenshot of every cancellation.
Why was I charged once a free trial ended?
The wording of trials can confuse. ShortMax’s “free trial” and “24 hours free” labels confused people, its developer admits. Passes renew 24 hours before expiry, its terms say. The renewal is charged at the same price. Cancel one day before any trial ends. Then check the store shows it cancelled.
Refund Questions
Refunds come down to who took your money. Play charges are handled by Google. Apple handles App Store charges. The companies handle their own website charges. No route promises a refund. This table lays out each path.
| Where you paid | How to cancel | Where to seek a refund | Things to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone (App Store) | Settings, your name, Subscriptions, Cancel | Apple’s Report a Problem site | Deleting the app won’t cancel |
| Android (Google Play) | Google Play, Subscriptions, Cancel | Google within 48 hours, later the developer | Uninstalling won’t cancel |
| Website | The app company’s account page or support | Only the app company | Often non-refundable, per My Drama’s terms |
How do I request an Apple refund?
Use Apple’s Report a Problem page. Log in using the Apple ID that paid. Pick the charge and explain in a few words. A reply from Apple usually comes within 24 to 48 hours. Apple, not the app maker, decides. Also cancel the pass, or it renews.
How do Google Play refunds work?
Here, timing matters most. According to Google, you may get a refund within 48 hours of purchase. Ask for it directly through Google Play. After that window passes, contact the developer. For ReelShort, the path is Profile, then Feedback. Act fast when a renewal surprises you.
What about website purchases?
Those are handled by the app company. Neither Apple nor Google can help there. My Drama’s terms treat web purchases as non-refundable except where law requires. EU and UK users get a 14-day withdrawal right under its terms. Each other company sets its own rules. Check the terms before paying online.
Can unused coins be refunded?
Usually not, and the terms confirm it. My Drama’s terms treat coin purchases as final. ShortMax declines refunds unless its own fault makes a product unusable. With accidental purchases, a store request may help. Stick to the smallest pack until a series grabs you. Then mistakes cost you less.
Look-Alike Apps and Safety
Here, name confusion is everywhere. Small unrelated apps turn up after misspellings. Certain sites copy well-known brands. A handful of downloads are unsafe. Real names safeguard your money. These answers tell real from fake.
Is Real Short an app?
No, not that we found. Real Short is simply ReelShort misspelled. That applies to “real short app”, “realshot”, “reel shot” and probably “shot shorts” too. The real name is one word, not two. New Leaf Publishing is its App Store seller. Make sure of that before downloading.
What are ReelBox, DailyShort and GoldShort TV?
All three are small, unrelated apps. ReelBox, found through “reel box” or “reelbox tv”, has 50K+ Android installs. It is not linked to ReelShort or DramaBox. Often typed “daily short”, DailyShort has 100K+ installs. GoldShort TV, an Android TV app, has 10K+ installs. Most searchers are probably looking for GoodShort.
Is ShortTV the same as ShortMax?
Very likely, though not confirmed. The legal entity behind ShortMax is SHORTTV LIMITED in Hong Kong. Visitors to its website are redirected to ShortTV’s site. Both launched in September 2023. No official rename announcement turned up. Unrelated apps also appear when you search “short tv” or “short max”.
Are mod APKs and coin generators safe to use?
No, and none of them is official. Altered app copies from outside official stores are what mod APKs are. One look-alike of DramaBox calls its download an unofficial modified version. Coin generators are not official either. There is no way for you to verify what they do. Stay with official stores and websites.
Why is ReelShort rated low on Trustpilot?
On Trustpilot, ReelShort’s page shows 1.3 out of 5 from 250 reviews. Charges after cancelling are a common complaint. Weekly auto-renewals often come up. Other reviewers mention coin prices and refused refunds. What any review site reflects is the people who chose to post. Use it as a checklist rather than a verdict.
