Source-backed analysis9
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.
9 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
iQIYI Review
Chinese, Korean and Thai dramas, anime and shows, with a free ad-supported tier
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- Web
- iOS
- Android
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
iQIYI suits people who enjoy Asian dramas and shows and want to watch for free before deciding on VIP. Points to weigh: VIP pricing is confusing (the Vietnamese App Store lists several prices for the same plan and the iQ.com VIP page shows none), and in 2024 Vietnamese regulators asked iQIYI to comply with rules on cross-border paid TV services.
Best for: Viewers of Chinese, Korean and Thai dramas, BL series and anime with subtitles
Skip it if: Those who want a clear, fixed VIP price list before subscribing
Pros
- Free ad-supported viewing; VIP skips ads and unlocks 1080P and multi-device viewing
- Multi-language subtitles, 4K video and Dolby Audio, per the App Store description
- Rated 4.6/5 on Google Play in Vietnam (over 1.5 million ratings) and 4.8/5 on the Vietnamese App Store (over 155,000)
Cons
- Confusing VIP pricing: monthly Gold VIP appears at two prices on the US App Store (6.99 and 8.99 USD) and at three on the Vietnamese App Store (39,000, 49,000 and 59,000 VND), and the iQ.com VIP page shows none
- Broad data collection, including installed app lists and inferred data such as age range and gender
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- iQIYI Originals and early-access episodes for VIP, per the app description
Cons
- In October 2024 Vietnam's Ministry of Information and Communications asked iQIYI to comply with rules on cross-border paid TV services
Best for
- People who want to try ad-supported free viewing before subscribing to VIP
Skip it if
- People looking for Hollywood films or live sports
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
What it is
iQIYI is an online video service founded by Baidu in 2010 according to Wikipedia, headquartered in Beijing and listed on Nasdaq since 29 March 2018. The international iQ.com site and the iQIYI app carry Chinese, Korean and Thai dramas, shows, anime, BL series and short dramas, plus iQIYI Originals.
Plans and pricing
The app description says a large selection can be watched for free; VIP removes ads and unlocks early episodes. The iQ.com VIP page lists four perks (multi-device viewing, 1080P, advanced viewing and ad skipping) but no prices. On the Vietnamese App Store, the monthly Gold VIP plan appears at three prices (39,000, 49,000 and 59,000 VND), a quarterly Gold plan at 169,000 VND and monthly Diamond VIP at 89,000 VND. On the US App Store, Standard VIP is 8.99 USD and Premium VIP 11.99 USD a month.
In Vietnam
VietnamNet reported on 13 August 2019 that iQIYI had begun serving Vietnam with Vietnamese subtitles, at 49,000 VND a month for Gold VIP and 59,000 VND for Diamond VIP at the time. On 28 October 2024 VietnamPlus reported that the Ministry of Information and Communications asked iQIYI to fully comply with rules on cross-border paid TV services because it was still streaming TV programmes in breach of Decree 71/2022/ND-CP.
More analysis
Versus alternatives
iQIYI's Chinese and Asian drama focus competes directly with WeTV, Bilibili and Rakuten Viki, while Netflix is broader on Western content. Before subscribing, check the current prices and catalogue for your region on the app's payment screen.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Miễn phí (có quảng cáo)
PersonalFree
The app description says a large selection can be watched for free; VIP removes ads and adds perks.
Standard VIP
Personal$8.99/mo/user
Monthly price on the US App Store. The iQ.com VIP page lists the perks: multi-device viewing, 1080P, advanced viewing and ad skipping.
Premium VIP
Personal$11.99/mo/user
Monthly price on the US App Store. The US App Store also lists Gold VIP (6.99 and 8.99 USD a month) and Diamond VIP (9.99 and 11.99 USD a month).
- Free plan limits
- Free viewing with ads; VIP skips ads and unlocks early access to new episodes, per the app description.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
The sources opened do not state a refund policy. For purchases via the App Store or Google Play, check that store's policy.
Privacy
The data controller is IQIYI International Singapore Pte. Ltd., with its primary data centre in Singapore. The policy (version updated 6 November 2026) lists email or phone, payment details, viewing and search history, device identifiers, IP-based approximate location, installed app lists, advertising IDs and inferred data such as age range and gender. iQIYI says it does not sell personal information for money, but shares data with affiliates, payment and advertising partners; the US section mentions sharing for cross-context behavioural advertising with an opt-out. Users have rights to access, correct, delete, withdraw consent and turn off personalisation in the app; for users in Vietnam the policy lists a 2-working-day response period.
iQIYI alternatives
7.3/10Netflix
Subscription films and series with plans priced by country; US plans from $8.99/month
6.5/10Bilibili
Licensed anime with multilingual subtitles plus community videos, for Southeast Asia
Frequently asked questions
Can I watch iQIYI for free?
Yes. The app description says a large selection can be watched at no cost. VIP removes ads and adds perks.
How much is VIP?
On the US App Store, Standard VIP is 8.99 USD and Premium VIP 11.99 USD a month. On the Vietnamese App Store, monthly Gold VIP is listed at 39,000, 49,000 and 59,000 VND, quarterly Gold at 169,000 VND, and Diamond VIP at 89,000 VND a month. The iQ.com VIP page shows no prices, so check what you will actually pay on the app's payment screen.
Does iQIYI support Vietnamese?
Yes. The App Store lists Vietnamese among the interface languages, and VietnamNet's 2019 report also noted Vietnamese subtitles.
Does iQIYI sell personal data?
The policy says it does not sell personal information for money but shares data with advertising and other partners; the US section offers an opt-out from behavioural advertising.
Review evidence & sources9
Scores
- Ease of use
- 7.5
- Features
- 7.2
- Value for money
- 7.3
- Performance
- 7.5
- Support
- 5.5
- Privacy & security
- 5.5
Why this score
Mobile apps and a web version with multi-device viewing. VIP comes under several names (Standard, Premium, Gold, Diamond) and price points, which makes choosing harder.
Why this score
Multi-language subtitles, 4K and Dolby Audio per the App Store description, plus early episodes for VIP. The sources reviewed do not clearly mention offline downloads.
Why this score
Free viewing with ads; on the US App Store Standard VIP is 8.99 USD and Premium VIP 11.99 USD a month (on the Vietnamese App Store, Gold VIP runs 39,000 to 59,000 VND and Diamond VIP 89,000 VND). iQ.com lists no prices and one plan has several price points, which makes comparison harder.
Why this score
Google Play in Vietnam shows 4.6/5 over more than 1.5 million ratings and the Vietnamese App Store 4.8/5 over 155,000. Beyond store ratings, no independent source on streaming quality was found.
Why this score
The policy gives a privacy email ([email protected]) and a 2-working-day response period for users in Vietnam, but the sources reviewed list no chat or phone support.
Why this score
A pledge not to sell data for money and rights to delete and turn off personalisation, but broad data collection and sharing with advertising partners.
What users say
- Google Play (Vietnam) - iQIYI4.6/5 · 1,511,282
- App Store (US) - iQIYI4.8/5 · 59,925
- App Store (Vietnam) - iQIYI4.8/5 · 155,749
Sources
- Vendor-providediQ.com VIP pageNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providediQIYI international Privacy PolicyNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providediQ.com homepageNov 10, 2026
- storeGoogle Play listing (Vietnam)Nov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (US)Nov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (Vietnam, in-app VND prices)Nov 10, 2026
- pressVietnamNet - Chinese digital content firms flock to Vietnam (2019-08-13)Nov 10, 2026
- pressVietnamPlus - Chinese broadcasting services provider required to follow Vietnamese law (2024-10-28)Nov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedWikipedia - iQIYINov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- iQIYI, Inc. / IQIYI International Singapore Pte. Ltd.
- Headquarters
- China
- Launched
- 2010
- Category
- Entertainment
Capabilities
- Mobile app
Platforms
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Interface languages
- English
- Vietnamese
- Japanese
- Chinese
- Spanish
- French
- Korean
- German
- Portuguese
- Thai
- Indonesian
Support
- Help center
Change history
- Update.The Ministry of Information and Communications asks iQIYI to comply with law on cross-border paid TV services as it still streamed TV programmes, per VietnamPlus.
- Launch.VietnamNet reports iQIYI has begun service in Vietnam with Vietnamese subtitles, at 49,000 VND Gold VIP and 59,000 VND Diamond VIP per month.
- Company.iQIYI lists in the US on Nasdaq as IQ, raising $2.25 billion.
Full change history (4)
- Launch.The service launches as Qiyi, founded by Baidu in January 2010; it is renamed iQIYI in November 2011.
About the author
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