Apps like ReelShort: nine alternatives, ordered by ratings

The apps most like ReelShort are DramaBox, GoodShort, NetShort, DramaWave, ShortMax, FlickReels, StardustTV, My Drama and Shortical: each sells coins and an auto-renewing plan and has more than 50,000 ratings on the US App Store. The other nine are ordered by US App Store rating count. We don't rank them on which shows are better, because that is taste.

ReelShort, as the yardstick

ReelShort is run by Crazy Maple Studio, Inc., a California company, and published on the App Store as NewLeaf Publishing. It holds 4.7 from 504K US ratings (read October 2, 2026). The US listing shows one subscription at $19.99, billed weekly per its legal text, and one-time purchases from $4.99 to $29.99. Its website plays episodes: 1 to 13 were free on the series we opened on October 6, 2026, then 60 coins each. Its Italian listing describes an ad and daily-bonus route. More in our ReelShort review.

Nine alternatives, and ours

1. TotalShort (our app)

We make TotalShort, so weigh this one accordingly. It is smaller and different from ReelShort: six Italian short drama series, made with AI and labeled "AI series", set in places like Lake Como, Milan and Puglia, with Italian audio, some English audio, and subtitles in 13 languages. On Google Play (read October 15, 2026; updated October 14) the first 8 episodes of every series are free, then 1 a day per series. Paid episodes are 30 coins (€0.30), coins never expire, and you start as a guest with no sign-up. VIP is €5.99 a week or €59.99 a year via Google Play.

Limits: six series, no real actors, Android only for now (iPhone version coming soon), and no ratings yet.

Best for: ReelShort fans curious about Italian-set romance and revenge with a fixed free allowance. TotalShort review

2. DramaBox

DramaBox has the largest rating base we track: 4.8 from 867K US ratings (October 2, 2026). Sensor Tower estimated about $120 million in Q1 2025 in-app revenue, close to ReelShort's $130 million. Two differences matter. DramaBox is rated 18+ on the US store, while ReelShort is 13+. And its Membership prices ($5.99, $17.99, $19.99) come without a billing period on the listing. Its website, checked October 6, 2026, is a catalog rather than a player.

Best for: the biggest catalog-style app if you only watch on a phone. DramaBox review

3. GoodShort

GoodShort holds 4.9 from 527K US ratings (October 2, 2026). Its weekly VIP is listed from $5.99, against ReelShort's single $19.99 weekly subscription, and coin packs run from $4.99 for 500 coins. On goodshort.com, the series we opened on October 6, 2026 had 9 free episodes, then 46 to 56 coins an episode, a little under ReelShort's 60. Its user agreement sets the minimum age at 12; ReelShort's terms say 18.

Best for: a lower listed weekly price than ReelShort. GoodShort review

4. NetShort

NetShort, with 4.7 from 214K US ratings (October 2, 2026), is the app whose free model looks most like ReelShort's ad route: its description lists free viewing with ads, and VIP removes them where available. On netshort.com we watched as a visitor with no sign-in; the series we opened had 9 free episodes, then 50 coins each (October 6, 2026). In the app, weekly VIP is listed from $19.99, the same entry point as ReelShort.

Best for: ReelShort's ads-for-episodes approach, plus a browser player. NetShort review

5. DramaWave

DramaWave, from SKYWORK AI PTE LTD, holds 4.9 from 180K US ratings and lists 25 interface languages to ReelShort's 22 (October 2, 2026). Weekly VIP starts at $7.99, and there is a monthly VIP at $36.99, an option ReelShort's App Store listing doesn't show. It plays in a browser at m.mydramawave.com, where we started an episode with English subtitles on October 6, 2026. Its terms say under-18s need a parent's consent.

Best for: a cheaper weekly entry plus a monthly alternative. DramaWave review

6. ShortMax

ShortMax, from SHORTTV LIMITED, has 4.6 from 177K US ratings and an 18+ rating (October 2, 2026). Its description claims more than 50,000 titles in 19 languages, promises "multilingual subtitles and professional dubbing", and lists offline downloads. The Weekly Pass Pro is listed at $9.99 and $19.99, with one-time purchases from $3.49 to $24.99. The listing doesn't say how many episodes are free, so open the first one and see where the lock appears.

Best for: adults who want to download episodes before a flight. ShortMax review

7. FlickReels

FlickReels holds 4.8 from 105,513 US ratings (October 6, 2026). ReelShort sells interactive stories where you choose what happens; FlickReels has its own twist, an "AI Co-Creation" feature to build a story with AI, alongside regular dramas and AI-powered content. Its website played episodes 1 to 10 of the series we checked. Plans: Weekly Membership at $12.99 or $19.99, Monthly at $39.99, which beats two weeks at $19.99.

Best for: viewers who like the idea of shaping a story. FlickReels review

8. StardustTV

StardustTV, from Hongxing Media Co., Limited, has 4.72 from 78,528 US ratings and a 13+ rating, the same age label as ReelShort (read October 15, 2026). Its subscription is the closest match to ReelShort's: "valid for 7 days", billed weekly and listed from $19.99, though lines at $24.99 and $29.99 also appear. Coins come in packs of 500 for $4.99 and 2,000 for $19.99. One difference: its description says it uses AI-assisted production, while ReelShort's listing doesn't mention AI.

Best for: a weekly plan priced like ReelShort's that unlocks every story. StardustTV review

9. My Drama

My Drama, published by Holy Water Limited, has 4.7 from 54K US ratings and a 16+ rating (October 6, 2026). Its description promises full access to more than 80 exclusive original series, and Wikipedia records a 2025 deal with Fox Entertainment for over 200 vertical series. The listing shows coins, "Premium", "Refill" subscriptions from $2.99 to $19.99 and "Full Access" at $19.99, without stating periods. Read the payment sheet before you confirm.

Best for: original series rather than a huge mixed library. My Drama review

10. Shortical

Shortical, from Short Entertainment LTD, has 4.7 from 53,798 US ratings and has been on the App Store since July 2025. Like ReelShort, it plays in the browser: Room Service offered episodes 1 to 13 free on October 6, 2026. Also like ReelShort, it sells its own web plans, cancelled under Profile > Unsubscribe rather than in Apple or Google. In the app, weekly VIP is listed at $9.99 and $19.99.

Best for: a ReelShort-style mix of app and website. Shortical review

How we picked

To count as "like ReelShort", an app needed the same business model (free download, coins per episode, a renewing plan) and at least 50,000 US App Store ratings, read October 2, 6 or 15, 2026. That leaves out smaller apps such as CandyJar, Playlet, StoryReel, VibeShort and Kalos TV, which you'll find on the compare page. Ordering is by rating count only. Our how we rate page explains the method, and the overall list is on the home page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to ReelShort?

We don't pick one on taste. By numbers: DramaBox has the most US ratings (867K), GoodShort lists the lowest weekly VIP among these ($5.99), and NetShort's ad-supported free tier is closest to ReelShort's ad route. Our ReelShort vs DramaBox and ReelShort vs ShortMax pages compare head to head. Watch the free episodes of one series on two apps before paying either.

Is there an app like ReelShort but cheaper?

On weekly plans listed on the US App Store, GoodShort starts at $5.99, DramaWave at $7.99, and ShortMax and Shortical at $9.99, all below ReelShort's $19.99 weekly subscription. ReelShort's own website offers $9.99 for the first week, then $19.99. Listings show ranges, prices change by country and over time, and the payment sheet is the figure that counts.

Which apps like ReelShort play in a browser?

When we checked on October 6, 2026: GoodShort (9 free episodes on the series we opened), NetShort (9), Shortical (13), FlickReels (10) and DramaWave (a browser player at m.mydramawave.com). DramaBox's site is a catalog. TotalShort does not play in a browser. Details are in our guide to watching short dramas online.

Is there an app like ReelShort for teenagers?

ReelShort is 13+ on the App Store, but its terms say it is not for users under 18. GoodShort's user agreement sets 12, and FlickReels, StardustTV and Shortical are 13+ on the store. DramaBox and ShortMax are 18+, and My Drama is 16+. Whichever app a teen uses, set purchase approval on the phone before the first install.

Can I use my ReelShort coins in another app?

No. Coins, VIP and website plans stay with ReelShort. Before switching, cancel any subscription where you bought it: in Apple or Google settings for the app, or in your ReelShort account for a website plan. Deleting the app does not cancel anything. Our cancellation guide walks through both phones, including the case where the subscription doesn't show up because you paid on the web.

Is ReelShort AI?

ReelShort's listing talks about "Hollywood-quality" live-action series and interactive stories; it doesn't say its series are made with AI. Among the alternatives, FlickReels advertises AI-powered content and AI Co-Creation, StardustTV says it uses AI-assisted production, Shortical's terms say its services are based on AI technology, and TotalShort labels every series as AI-made. See our AI short drama apps list.

Sources

1. App Store (US), ReelShort, DramaBox, GoodShort, NetShort, DramaWave and ShortMax listings, read October 2, 2026.
2. App Store (US), FlickReels, My Drama and Shortical listings, read October 6, 2026.
3. App Store (US), StardustTV listing (Hongxing Media Co., Limited): rating, age rating, description and in-app purchases, read October 15, 2026; Playlet and Kalos TV listings, rating counts, read October 15, 2026.
4. Google Play, TotalShort: Short Drama Series listing, read October 15, 2026: play.google.com.
5. Sensor Tower, "State of Short Drama Apps 2025", July 2025: sensortower.com.
6. Wikipedia, "Microdrama", read October 6, 2026: en.wikipedia.org.
7. ReelShort, DramaBox, GoodShort, NetShort, DramaWave, FlickReels and Shortical websites, visited October 6, 2026.
8. ReelShort Terms of Use (Crazy Maple Studio, Inc.), updated October 20, 2025; GoodShort User Agreement, read October 6, 2026; Shortical Subscription Policy, revised September 10, 2026.