Source-backed analysis8
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.
8 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
ShortMax Review
Vertical short-drama app with a large catalogue, many languages, coins or a weekly pass
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- iOS
- Android
- Web
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
ShortMax suits vertical short-drama fans who want a broad catalogue with dubbing, subtitles and offline downloads. The trade-offs are non-refundable top-ups, pricey weekly passes and many store reviews complaining about ads, coins and cancelling.
Best for: Vertical short-drama fans who want many genres with subtitles or dubbing
Skip it if: Anyone who wants fixed, transparent, refundable pricing
Pros
- Over 100 million Google Play installs, rated 4.3/5 from about 2.19 million reviews
- The store listing cites 50,000+ titles, subtitles, dubbing, offline downloads, playback speed control, a watchlist and picture-in-picture
- The App Store lists 20 interface languages, including English, Vietnamese and Japanese
Cons
- Top-ups and balances are non-refundable under the agreements
- Only 4.0/5 on the Vietnam App Store, with reviews often citing interrupting ads and paid coins
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- Besides the iOS and Android apps, titles can be played on the shorttv.live website
Cons
- Advertising IDs are used for tracking and device IDs may be shared with third parties
- No public help centre; contact is by email or the in-app Feedback option
Best for
- Viewers who download episodes to watch offline on the go
Skip it if
- People who dislike ads and advertising-ID tracking
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
ShortMax is a vertical short-drama app from SHORTTV LIMITED, a company registered in Hong Kong; on Google Play it is listed under SHORTMAX LIMITED. Apptopia dates the Android release to 13 September 2023. It runs on iOS and Android, and titles can also be played on the shorttv.live website.
The store description cites 50,000+ short dramas and movies in 19 languages, with episodes of about one minute. Genres include contemporary romance, CEO stories, werewolf romance, mafia, revenge and time travel. Listed features are subtitles, professional dubbing, offline downloads, adjustable playback speed, a watchlist, picture-in-picture and recommendations based on viewing habits. The website has Dramas and Fandom sections.
Pricing and value
The app is free to download, with ads and in-app purchases. The Vietnam App Store lists Weekly Pass Pro items from 79,000 ₫ to 249,000 ₫ and one-time purchases from 59,000 ₫ to 299,000 ₫. Per the terms, subscribers get free viewing, no ads (rewarded ads excluded) and 1080P, and the pass auto-renews 24 hours before expiry. The Recharge Agreement says completed top-ups are not refundable, so check prices before paying. The terms point to the in-app About Subscription section for cancelling auto-renewal; some Google Play reviewers say they were billed directly rather than through Google Play and could not cancel from the store's subscription settings.
Google Play shows over 100 million installs and 4.3/5 from about 2.19 million reviews; the Vietnam App Store shows 4.0/5 from about 19,000 ratings. BGR (10 October 2026) lists ShortMax alongside DramaBox, GoodShort, Playlet and NetShort and cites over 30 million monthly viewers. Against ReelShort or DramaBox, ShortMax leans on dubbed titles and language coverage; the bigger differences are catalogue and pricing, so compare live store prices before topping up.
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Miễn phí (quảng cáo, xu)
PersonalFree
Free to download, with ads and in-app purchases. The privacy policy says users top up to buy coins in the app. Which episodes are free and which need coins or a paid pass varies by title; the website does not spell this out.
Weekly Pass Pro
PersonalContact sales
The Vietnam App Store lists seven Weekly Pass Pro items from 79,000 ₫ to 249,000 ₫ (weekly, going by the name). Per the terms, subscribers get free viewing, no ads (rewarded ads excluded) and 1080P, and the pass auto-renews 24 hours before expiry. A pass bought in the app or on the website does not carry over to the TikTok Mini Programs version.
One-time Purchase
PersonalContact sales
The Vietnam App Store lists three one-time purchases: 59,000 ₫, 99,000 ₫ and 299,000 ₫. The page does not say what each one contains.
- Free plan limits
- Some content is free with ads; the rest needs coins or a paid pass.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
The Recharge Agreement (updated 24 June 2025) says a successful top-up is final, with no refunds or changes unless the product or service is unusable, and no returns or exchanges of virtual goods. The Terms of Service (updated 28 July 2026) say the account balance is non-refundable unless the terms say otherwise. Refunds apply only when the service is unusable for a reason on ShortMax's side, and requests need the recharge details, a reason and proof.
Privacy
The privacy policy (updated 27 September 2026) is issued by SHORTTV LIMITED, registered in Hong Kong. The app collects account details, device and advertising IDs (GAID/IDFA), viewing and search history, IP address, region and transaction data; payment providers handle card details and the company keeps only the transaction ID, amount and currency. Data may be shared with payment, data and marketing partners, and the California section says the company does not sell personal information. Access, correction and deletion requests go to [email protected]. The terms require users to be 18 or older; the App Store rates the app 18+ while Google Play rates it 12+. Google Play's Data safety section says the app may share device IDs with third parties, encrypts data in transit and lets users request deletion.
ShortMax 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 ShortMax free?
It is free to download and some content can be watched with ads. Other episodes need purchased coins or a paid pass.
How much is ShortMax in Vietnam?
The Vietnam App Store lists Weekly Pass Pro from 79,000 ₫ to 249,000 ₫ and one-time purchases from 59,000 ₫ to 299,000 ₫. Prices change, so check the store.
Does ShortMax give refunds?
Generally no. The Recharge Agreement and terms allow refunds only when the service is unusable for a reason on ShortMax's side, and a request needs the recharge details, a reason and proof.
Does ShortMax support Vietnamese?
Yes, the App Store lists Vietnamese among the app's 20 languages. The store page does not say how many titles have Vietnamese subtitles or dubbing.
Review evidence & sources8
Scores
- Ease of use
- 7.2
- Features
- 7.0
- Value for money
- 4.8
- Performance
- 6.8
- Support
- 4.6
- Privacy & security
- 5.0
Why this score
The listing describes a watchlist, recommendations and picture-in-picture; 4.0/5 on the Vietnam App Store and 4.3/5 on Google Play point to a decent experience, with frequent ad and coin complaints.
Why this score
Subtitles, dubbing, offline downloads, 1080P for subscribers and a large catalogue; still a single content format.
Why this score
Weekly Pass Pro items up to 249,000 ₫ and one-time purchases up to 299,000 ₫ on the Vietnam App Store; top-ups are non-refundable and passes auto-renew.
Why this score
Over 100 million installs, and BGR lists it among the big short-drama apps with over 30 million monthly viewers; no independent performance data.
Why this score
Email and in-app feedback only, with no help centre. The three most-upvoted Google Play reviews (195 to 1,454 helpful votes) all describe weeks of failed cancellation or repeated charges; the developer's replies only ask for an email or user ID.
Why this score
The policy is explicit and says personal data is not sold, but the app collects advertising IDs and viewing history and may share device IDs; deletion is by email.
What users say
- App Store (Vietnam)4.0/5 · 19,000
- Google Play (Vietnam)4.3/5 · 2,190,000
Sources
- Vendor-providedTrang chủ ShortMax (shorttv.live)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedChính sách quyền riêng tư ShortMaxNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedĐiều khoản dịch vụ ShortMaxNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedThỏa thuận nạp tiền ShortMaxNov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store (Việt Nam)Nov 10, 2026
- storeGoogle Play (Việt Nam)Nov 10, 2026
- review-siteApptopia - ShortMax (Google Play)Nov 10, 2026
- pressBGR (2026-10-10)Nov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- SHORTTV LIMITED
- Headquarters
- Hong Kong SAR China
- Launched
- 2023
- Category
- Entertainment
Capabilities
- Mobile app
- Works offline
- AI features
Platforms
- iOS
- Android
- Web
Interface languages
- English
- Vietnamese
- Chinese
- Japanese
- Korean
- Spanish
- French
- German
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Thai
- Indonesian
Support
Change history
- Update.BGR includes ShortMax in its list of free short-drama apps, citing over 30 million monthly viewers.
- Update.ShortMax updates its Privacy Policy.
- Update.ShortMax updates its Terms of Service.
Full change history (5)
- Update.ShortMax updates its Recharge Agreement.
- Launch.Apptopia lists the Android version of ShortMax as launched on Google Play.
About the author
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