Apps like ReelShort, and how to make your own show
The apps most like ReelShort are DramaBox, ShortMax, GoodShort, FlickReels, NetShort, DramaWave, MoboReels, Reelflix and Kalos TV. All ten are listed under Entertainment on the App Store and are built to watch vertical short dramas, and their listings sell weekly or monthly VIP plans, coin packs or one-time purchases. Only FlickReels' listing offers to help you craft a story of your own. If what you want is your own show, agent-media makes one from Claude, and Episode 1 is $1.
Ten apps like ReelShort
Each line comes from the app's own listing on the US App Store, read on November 4, 2026. The listings are linked below. Listings change, so open one before you subscribe.
- ReelShort, from New Leaf Publishing: a streaming app for vertical mini series, in 22 languages. It sells a subscription and one-time purchases, and the listing says the subscription is billed weekly.
- DramaBox, from STORYMATRIX: short dramas to watch on the go, in 16 languages. It sells memberships and special offers, and the listing says it contains advertising.
- ShortMax, from SHORTTV: short dramas, reels and TV videos, in 20 languages. It sells a weekly pass and one-time purchases, and contains advertising.
- GoodShort, from Singapore New Reading Technology: original dramas and movies, in 16 languages. It sells coin packs, weekly VIP and a weekly subscription, and contains advertising.
- FlickReels, from FARSUN: short dramas, in 16 languages, with weekly and monthly memberships. It is the only listing here with an AI co-creation feature to craft your own story; it does not say whether that story becomes a video.
- NetShort, from NETSTORY: popular short dramas, in 17 languages. It sells weekly VIP and one-time purchases, and contains advertising.
- DramaWave, from SKYWORK AI: vertical series and movies. It sells weekly and monthly VIP memberships. Its description promises dramas across 18 languages, and the store lists 29.
- MoboReels, from CHANGDU (HK) Technology: short drama series in English. It sells coin packs, check-in reward packs and weekly or monthly VIP, and contains advertising.
- Reelflix, from Hainan Manggu Network Technology: short plays and dramas, in 10 languages. It sells weekly, monthly and yearly memberships and coin packs.
- Kalos TV, from Storyverse: original short dramas, in 12 languages. It sells gold coin packs and VIP plans, and contains advertising.
What they have in common
They are watch apps. Every listing above is in the Entertainment category, and nine of the ten describe watching only: you browse a catalog of vertical shows, open episode 1 and swipe to the next.
They charge the same way. The in-app purchases on the listings are weekly or monthly VIP plans, coin packs and one-time purchases, and most of the apps also show ads. That is the business model of the format: eMarketer describes it as freemium, mixing paid episode unlocks with advertising.
So if ReelShort is not working for you, the difference between these apps is mostly the catalog and the plan, not the format. Read the in-app purchase list on the listing before you pay, and check whether a plan renews weekly.
A ReelShort or DramaBox alternative for making shows
None of these apps is built for making your own series. agent-media is. You describe the show in Claude, and it writes the season plan, casts two leads and up to six friends or rivals, and shows you each episode's script and price before it films. Episodes are vertical 9:16, 15 to 60 seconds, with captions burned in, no watermark and the same cast in every episode: the same format as the shows on these apps, made by you.
“Using agent-media, make me a 10-episode revenge drama about a hotel maid who turns out to own the hotel. Interview me first.”
- Tell Studio your idea
- Approve your cast and script
- Film Episode 1 for $1
The connect steps for Claude open right after checkout.
Many shows? Monthly plans: $49/mo for 300 seconds · $149/mo for 1,200 seconds
What making your own costs
Episode 1 of your own show is $1: one 30-second episode at 480p. A micro drama, ten 30-second episodes at 480p with the same cast, is $49 one-time, Episode 1 included. It is not a subscription. Writing the story and getting a quote in the chat cost nothing, and you see each price before anything is filmed.
A short drama we made, episode 1
The Second Key, episode 1: Claire was fired on Monday, and on Friday she tells her old boss she bought the building. Five lines, two leads, one question for episode 2.
- CLAIRE
You fired me Monday.
- VICTOR
It is Friday. You’re still fired.
- CLAIRE
Your rent pays me now.
- VICTOR
You bought one office?
- CLAIRE
I bought the building.
Questions
What apps are like ReelShort?
DramaBox, ShortMax, GoodShort, FlickReels, NetShort, DramaWave, MoboReels, Reelflix and Kalos TV all stream vertical short dramas, like ReelShort, according to their App Store listings read on November 4, 2026.
Is there an app like ReelShort where you make your own drama?
Of the ten listings above, only FlickReels offers an AI co-creation feature for your own story, and it does not say the result is a video. agent-media is built for making a series: you describe it in Claude and approve the plan, the cast and each script before each episode is filmed.
How do apps like ReelShort and DramaBox charge?
Their listings sell weekly or monthly VIP plans, coin packs and one-time purchases, and most also show ads. Check the in-app purchase list on the listing before you subscribe.
How much does it cost to make my own short drama?
On agent-media, Episode 1 of your own show is $1. Ten 30-second episodes with the same cast are $49 one-time, Episode 1 included.
Stop scrolling their shows. Make yours.
Episode 1 of your own show costs $1. Micro drama, 10 episodes: $49 one-time.