Comparisons
Apps like ReelShort, and what they cost to finish a show.
The shows look alike. The pricing does not. Here is what each model means once you are forty episodes into a series.
Updated September 26, 20266 min read
ReelShort put vertical short dramas on the map outside China, and it is still what most people search for when they want more. But the shows are only half the choice. The other half is how the app charges you once the free episodes run out.
The two pricing models
- Pay per episode. The first episodes of a show are free, then each episode costs coins. This is the model ReelShort and most short drama apps use. It is cheap to start and adds up over a 60 to 100 episode series.
- Free with ads. Every episode is free, and an ad plays between episodes. A subscription removes the ads rather than unlocking the story. This is how Sutorichat works.
| Feature | ReelShort | Sutorichat |
|---|---|---|
| Free episodes | The first episodes of each show | Every episode, in the app |
| Later episodes | Unlocked with coins or VIP | Free, with an ad between episodes |
| What VIP does | Unlocks every episode | Removes the ads |
| Upload your own show | No | Yes |
What to look for in a short drama app
- The cost to finish, not to start. Multiply the per-episode price by the number of episodes in a show you like.
- How often new shows arrive. Weekly releases keep a catalog worth coming back to.
- Local pricing. Apps that price by country charge far less outside the US.
Frequently asked questions
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