The Basics
Every short drama app uses the same simple model. You watch vertical episodes that are very short. The first few are free. Later ones cost coins or a pass. Most of the confusion begins with that split. Begin with these five answers.
What is a short drama app?
It plays vertical video designed for phones. Many tiny episodes reelshort tv website make up each series. Billionaires, revenge and hidden-identity reveals are favorite plot elements. Werewolf romances are likewise popular. Leading the pack are ReelShort, DramaBox, ShortMax and My Drama. Originally, the format emerged in China as duanju.
What is the length of each episode?
Most episodes run one to two minutes. Shoots in the West often aim for 60 to 100 seconds. A series usually has 20 to 100 episodes. For Married at First Sight, ReelShort lists 90. Its hit Double Life series lists 60. A full series can rival a movie in length.
Why do episodes stop right at cliffhangers?
That is usually where free episodes end. ReelShort states that the first 5 to 15 are usually free. Industry reports cite 8 to 10. The paywall tends to fall at peak tension. The business model is that timing. Viewers also rank it among their top complaints.
Who is behind ReelShort, DramaBox and My Drama?
ReelShort is owned by Crazy Maple Studio in Sunnyvale, California. China’s COL Group funds that studio. Singapore’s StoryMatrix, part of Beijing Dianzhong Technology, operates DramaBox. My Drama is a Holywater app, and the company was founded in Kyiv in 2020. Fox Entertainment picked up an equity stake in October 2025. ReelShort debuted in 2022, while DramaBox followed in 2023.
Can I watch in a browser or on TV?
Yes, though there are limits. My Drama has an Apple TV app. We came across no verified ReelShort TV app at all. On ReelShort’s website, you can log in with Google, Facebook, Apple, TikTok or email. Your progress syncs with the app. Free unlocks work only in the app.
Pricing
Money is the subject people ask about most. The figures reflect US App Store prices as of September 2026. These prices differ by country, platform and promotion. Always start by looking at the pricing screen. Treat each number as a rough guide. This is what listings show.
Is ReelShort free to watch?
Partly, and the free portion is real. The catch is what people searching “is reel short free” or “is reel short app free” are after. Downloading costs nothing. Opening episodes come free. Coins or a VIP pass are needed for the later ones. You can earn free coins with ads and check-ins.
How does the coin system work?
Coins serve as the currency that opens episodes. ReelShort’s blog prices an episode at roughly 60 coins. The smallest pack runs roughly $4.99 for 500 coins. Larger packs come with extra coins. A 7-day check-in streak earns 100+ coins. Watching one rewarded ad unlocks two episodes.
Do coins expire?
The answer depends on the app. According to ReelShort, free reward coins usually expire. The coins you paid for do not expire. My Drama handles coins differently. Under its terms, coins are forfeited 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. You will see it listed by ReelShort, ShortMax, DramaWave, GoodShort and My Drama. Cheaper tiers show up in some apps. ShortMax’s listing shows $9.99, while GoodShort starts near $5.99. Every one of these passes renews on its own. Forget for four weeks and you pay four times as much.
Can I get a monthly or yearly plan?
They exist on some apps. ReelShort’s blog puts a yearly plan at around $199.99. Different pages give different monthly prices. So that figure remains unconfirmed. DramaWave’s listing shows about $36.99 a month. In the US, ShortMax shows only weekly passes.
Can I watch for free, without paying?
Yes, if you have patience. Start by watching each series’ free opening episodes. Unlock more by watching rewarded ads. Maintain a daily check-in streak. ReelShort also has official YouTube, TikTok and Dailymotion channels. You get the most by combining all four.
Subscriptions and How to Cancel
A weekly pass keeps renewing until you stop it. Plenty of people are surprised by that. Cancelling is quick once you know where. The right place depends on how you paid. Purchases made in a store are cancelled by that store. Purchases on a website are the company’s to handle.
Does deleting the app cancel the subscription?
No, and this error is common. According to Apple, removing an app does not end its subscription. Google makes the same point about uninstalling. The same warning shows up in My Drama’s terms. Until you cancel, the pass renews. Cancel first, and then delete.
How do I cancel on an iPhone?
Begin by opening the Settings app. Tap on your name at the top. After that, select Subscriptions. Select the drama app from the list. Tap Cancel and confirm the cancellation. Do it a day before renewal to be safe.
How do I cancel on an Android phone?
To start, open the Google Play Store app. Find your Subscriptions list. Pick the short drama app in that list. Tap Cancel and work through the prompts. Keep in mind that uninstalling cancels nothing. To confirm the change, recheck the list.
Can I cancel inside the app?
Sometimes, but cancelling through the store is safer. An in-app option under About Subscription is described in ShortMax’s terms. Those terms direct store buyers to App Store or Google Play. Apple and Google control only what they billed. Buyers on the website should get in touch with the company. Screenshot every cancellation.
Why was I charged once a free trial ended?
The way trials are worded can confuse. ShortMax’s developer acknowledges its “free trial” and “24 hours free” labels confused people. Passes renew 24 hours before expiry, its terms say. The renewal costs the same price. One day before any trial ends, cancel. Then check that the store shows it as cancelled.
Refunds
Who took your money decides how refunds work. Play charges are handled by Google. App Store charges are handled by Apple. The companies deal with their own website charges. No route promises a refund. This table lays out every path.
| Where you bought | How you cancel | Refund path | Things to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone (App Store) | Settings, your name, Subscriptions, Cancel | The Report a Problem page from Apple | Deleting the app won’t cancel |
| Android (Google Play) | Google Play, Subscriptions, Cancel | Google in the first 48 hours, then the developer | Uninstalling does not cancel |
| Website | The app company’s account or support | The app company alone | Often non-refundable, per My Drama’s terms |
How do I get an Apple refund?
Go to Apple’s Report a Problem page. Use the billed Apple ID to log in. Pick the charge and explain briefly. Within 24 to 48 hours, Apple usually replies. Apple, not the app maker, makes the call. Remember to cancel the pass too, or it will renew.
How do refunds from Google Play work?
Here, timing matters most. Google says you may get a refund within 48 hours of purchase. Ask for it directly through Google Play. Contact the developer once that window has passed. ReelShort users are pointed to Profile, then Feedback. Move fast if a renewal catches you by surprise.
What about website purchases?
The app company handles those. Apple and Google cannot step in there. Under My Drama’s terms, web purchases are non-refundable except where law requires. EU and UK users get a 14-day withdrawal right under its terms. Other companies set their rules for themselves. Before you pay online, read the terms.
Can I get a refund for unused coins?
Usually not, and the terms confirm it. Under My Drama’s terms, coin purchases are final. Unless its own fault makes a product unusable, ShortMax refuses refunds. Requests through the store may help with accidental buys. Stick to the smallest bundle until a series hooks you. Mistakes then cost less.
Safety and Copycat Apps

Confusion over names is everywhere here. Misspelled names lead to small unrelated apps. Certain sites copy big brands. A few downloads are not safe. Real names protect your money. The answers below sort real from fake.
Is there an app called Real Short?
No, not that we could find. Real Short is a misspelled version of ReelShort. That applies to “real short app”, “realshot”, “reel shot” and probably “shot shorts” too. The real name is written as one word. On the App Store, its seller is New Leaf Publishing. Before downloading, verify that.
What are the ReelBox, DailyShort and GoldShort TV apps?
They are small, unrelated apps. ReelBox, located through “reel box” or “reelbox tv”, has 50K+ Android installs. There is no link between it and ReelShort or DramaBox. Often typed “daily short”, DailyShort has 100K+ installs. With 10K+ installs, GoldShort TV is an Android TV app. Most people searching probably mean GoodShort.
Are ShortTV and ShortMax the same app?
Very likely, although it is unconfirmed. ShortMax’s legal entity is SHORTTV LIMITED in Hong Kong. Visitors to its website are redirected to ShortTV’s site. Both went live in September 2023. No official rename announcement turned up. A search for “short tv” or “short max” also surfaces 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 likewise unofficial. There is no way for you to verify what they do. Only use official stores and websites.
Why is ReelShort rated low on Trustpilot?
From 250 reviews, ReelShort’s Trustpilot page shows 1.3 out of 5. Being charged after cancelling is a frequent complaint. Weekly auto-renewals frequently come up. Others mention coin prices and refused refunds. Any review site reflects the people who chose to post. Treat it as a list of things to check, not a verdict.