Source-backed analysis10
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
10 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
DramaBox Review
Vertical short-drama app: free to install, unlock episodes with ads, coins or a plan
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- iOS
- Android
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
DramaBox suits people who enjoy vertical short dramas in episodes of a few minutes and will watch ads or pay to keep going. The catch is cost: the weekly App Store membership is 199,000 ₫, over 800,000 ₫ across a month, and the terms say fees are non-refundable.
Best for: People who watch vertical short dramas on their phone
Skip it if: Anyone who wants a flat, predictable monthly cost
Pros
- Free to install, with some episodes unlockable through ads
- Strong store ratings: 4.4/5 on the Vietnam App Store and 4.5/5 on Google Play
- Interface in 11 languages (including English, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean) and a library the Google Play listing says is updated frequently
Cons
- The weekly plan adds up quickly, and App Store price items are hard to tell apart
- The terms say all fees are non-refundable
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- Account and watch-history deletion built into the app
Cons
- Shares the installed-app list with AdMob on consent and relies on several ad SDKs
- Some Vietnam App Store reviews report unexpected charges, surprise renewals, or ads after paying
Best for
- Viewers who follow only a few series and will watch ads to unlock episodes
Skip it if
- Anyone who dislikes ads and cross-app tracking
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
DramaBox is a vertical short-drama app published by StoryMatrix Pte. Ltd. of Singapore. Wikipedia describes StoryMatrix as a subsidiary of Beijing-based Dianzhong Technology and dates the launch to April 2023; the app first licensed and translated Chinese short dramas, then moved into originals. Each series is a run of short episodes watched in a vertical feed. It is on iOS and Android, with an interface in 11 languages, Vietnamese included.
The Google Play description says the app is free to download and use, with optional subscriptions. Episodes unlock through ads, coins or a membership. The homepage sorts titles into genres such as Urban, CEO, Romance, Revenge and Werewolf, and viewers get a personal watchlist and playback settings. One Google Play review says each ad unlocks one episode, with a cap of eight a day.
Pricing and value
According to VietnamNet (29 September 2026), the weekly App Store membership is 199,000 ₫, with 129,000 ₫ for the first three weeks, and the annual plan is 1,990,000 ₫. Because billing is weekly, a regular viewer pays more than 800,000 ₫ a month, while the annual plan works out to about 165,833 ₫ a month but is paid upfront. The terms say all fees are non-refundable. On the Vietnam App Store, some users report unexpected charges or renewals they did not notice.
On scale, Sensor Tower data cited by VietnamNet puts DramaBox and ReelShort at nearly 140 million USD each in in-app revenue in Q1 2026. Against ReelShort, NetShort or ShortMax, the differences lie in the catalogue and pricing rather than the format, so compare live store prices before subscribing.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Miễn phí (quảng cáo, xu)
PersonalFree
Free to download and watch, with ads and in-app purchases. VietnamNet describes the usual short-drama model: the opening episodes are free, then some content is locked and viewers wait, check in daily or watch ads to unlock episodes or earn coins. DramaBox's terms say coins work only inside the app and cannot be exchanged for money.
Membership (weekly)
PersonalContact sales
According to VietnamNet (29 September 2026), the weekly App Store membership costs 199,000 ₫, with a 129,000 ₫ promotional rate for the first three weeks. Kept for a full month, the weekly plan comes to more than 800,000 ₫. The Vietnam App Store also lists Membership items at 29,000 ₫ and 249,000 ₫ and Special offer items at 19,000 ₫ and 29,000 ₫, without stating the billing period.
Membership (annual)
Personal₫165,833/mo
1,990,000 ₫ per year according to VietnamNet (29 September 2026), about 165,833 ₫ a month. Paid upfront for the whole year.
- Free plan limits
- Some episodes are free. Others need ads, coins or a membership; a highly upvoted Google Play review says one ad unlocks one episode, up to eight a day.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
The Terms of Service (section 7.1) state that all fees are in US dollars and non-refundable. Purchases through the App Store or Google Play also fall under the store's refund rules, and auto-renewing memberships are managed in Apple or Google account settings.
Privacy
The privacy policy (updated 18 July 2026) is issued by StoryMatrix Pte. Ltd. of Singapore, and the server holding personal data is in Singapore. The app collects viewing, search and transaction activity, device identifiers, IP address and, with consent, the list of installed apps, which is shared with AdMob for advertising. The policy names third-party SDKs including Sensors Data, Firebase, Facebook, AppLovin MAX and AppsFlyer. Account deletion, watch-history deletion and a switch for personalised recommendations are all in the app. The terms set a minimum age of 12, while the App Store rates the app 18+. The App Store privacy label says identifiers and usage data are used to track you across other companies' apps.
DramaBox alternatives
6.4/10PineDrama
TikTok's vertical short-drama app: free to install, 1–3 minute episodes, TikTok login
6.2/10NetShort
Vertical short-drama app: 17-language UI, free early episodes, VIP adds HD and downloads
Frequently asked questions
Is DramaBox free?
It is free to download and part of the content can be watched with ads. Other episodes need coins or a membership.
How much is a DramaBox membership in Vietnam?
VietnamNet (29 September 2026) reports 199,000 ₫ for the weekly App Store plan and 1,990,000 ₫ for the annual one. Prices change, so check the store.
Does DramaBox offer refunds?
The Terms of Service say all fees are non-refundable. For store purchases you can still ask Apple or Google under their own policies.
How do I delete a DramaBox account?
According to the privacy policy: Profile > Settings > Account Deletion in the app.
Review evidence & sources10
Scores
- Ease of use
- 7.5
- Features
- 6.8
- Value for money
- 4.8
- Performance
- 7.0
- Support
- 5.0
- Privacy & security
- 5.0
Why this score
Vertical feed and genre filters are easy to pick up, and both stores rate it 4.4-4.5/5. Points off because unlocking through ads, coins and many price items interrupts viewing.
Why this score
Large short-drama library, watchlist and playback settings; but it is a single format and the sources do not mention offline downloads.
Why this score
Weekly plan at 199,000 ₫ (over 800,000 ₫ a month if kept), annual at 1,990,000 ₫; fees are non-refundable; store reviews complain about high prices or unexpected charges.
Why this score
Over 100 million Google Play installs and second on the Vietnam App Store entertainment chart (VietnamNet, September 2026); no independent benchmarks, and one App Store review complains about background battery drain.
Why this score
Only a feedback email and in-app feedback; the public support site holds just the terms and privacy policy, with no billing or cancellation guides.
Why this score
The policy is clear about what it collects and allows in-app deletion, but it shares the installed-app list with AdMob on consent, uses several ad SDKs and tracks across apps per the App Store label.
What users say
- App Store (Vietnam)4.4/5 · 19,000
- Google Play (Vietnam)4.5/5 · 5,680,000
Sources
- Vendor-providedTrang chủ DramaBoxNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedChính sách quyền riêng tư DramaBoxNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedĐiều khoản dịch vụ DramaBoxNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedTrang hỗ trợ DramaBoxNov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store (Việt Nam)Nov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store (Việt Nam) - đánh giáNov 10, 2026
- storeGoogle Play (Việt Nam)Nov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedWikipedia - DramaBoxNov 10, 2026
- pressAppfigures - Short drama apps (2024-04-11)Nov 10, 2026
- pressVietnamNet (2026-09-29)Nov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- StoryMatrix Pte. Ltd.
- Headquarters
- Singapore
- Launched
- 2023
- Category
- Entertainment
Capabilities
- Mobile app
Platforms
- iOS
- Android
Interface languages
- English
- Vietnamese
- Japanese
- Korean
- Spanish
- French
- German
- Indonesian
- Portuguese
- Chinese
- Thai
Integrations
- Facebook Login
- Google Sign-In
Support
Change history
- Update.VietnamNet reports DramaBox second on the Vietnam App Store entertainment chart, behind PineDrama.
- Update.Privacy policy last updated.
- Update.Passes 100 million Google Play downloads.
Full change history (7)
- Company.Selected for the Disney Accelerator program.
- Update.Reaches 50 million Google Play downloads.
- Update.Appfigures ranks DramaBox second by consumer spending (close to 34 million USD) and third by downloads (7 million) among short-drama apps in Q1 2024.
- Launch.DramaBox launches, first licensing and translating Chinese short dramas, later producing originals.
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