Comparison

Shortlist VSF vs Microhouse Films

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Shortlist VSF

Discover and watch the best vertical short films from around the world. Engage with content by voting, writing reviews, and even chatting with film characters via AI. Filmmakers can showcase their work and connect with fans.

Highlights
  • Browse festival lineup
  • Watch trailers and full films
  • Vote on submissions
  • Write reviews and rate films
  • AI-powered character chat
  • Creator profiles
  • Achievements and ranks
Features
Read full description

Shortlist is the official app of the Vertical Shorts Festival. The home of the best vertical short films from around the world. Browse the full festival lineup, watch trailers, cast your votes, and help decide which films deserve the spotlight. Every voice counts. WATCH & DISCOVER Stream trailers and full submissions from emerging and established filmmakers. From drama to horror, comedy to documentary — every genre, every style. VOTE & REVIEW Cast your vote on every film. Write reviews, rate performances, and see how your picks stack up against the rest of the community. Climb the ranks as you engage. FANTASY CHAT Go beyond the screen. Chat with characters from your favorite films using AI — explore their world, ask them anything, and experience the story from a new angle. ACHIEVEMENTS & RANKS The more you engage, the higher you climb. Earn ranks as a Reviewer, Voter, Critic and more. Build your reputation in the festival community. CREATOR PROFILES Are you a filmmaker? Your work is front and center. Fans can follow your profile, see your full filmography, and engage directly with your submissions. UPGRADE TO PRO Get a PRO badge, triple your vote influence, access full submissions, and unlock 30 Fantasy Chat messages to start. Support the festival and get more from every visit. Join the Shortlist community! Watch, vote, and be part of the festival. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Microhouse Films

Experience bingeable vertical drama series with fast-paced, episodic storytelling. Watch short, addictive episodes or full seasons, with new stories arriving regularly. Enjoy exclusive original content and a curated selection of premium picks.

Highlights
  • Bingeable vertical video series
  • Short, addictive episodes
  • Full-screen mobile viewing
  • Exclusive MHF Originals
  • Unlock episodes with Credits
  • Browse by Featured, New, Top Chart
Read full description

Microhouse Films — Small Space. Big Stories. Bingeable vertical video series, built to be watched one tap at a time. Fast-paced, episodic storytelling packed with cliffhangers, twists, and characters you'll follow to the final scene. Swipe through a feed of short, addictive episodes, or dive into a series and watch it season by season. New stories arrive regularly, so there's always something fresh to start. WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT • Full-screen vertical episodes made for mobile — no awkward cropping, no clutter. • Start for free. Every series lets you watch free episodes before you commit. • Unlock more with Credits — keep going the moment a cliffhanger hits. No subscription, ever. • MHF Originals. Exclusive series you won't find anywhere else. • Premium picks. A curated lineup of standout, high-production stories. • Browse your way — Featured, New Releases, Top Chart, Coming Soon, and Browse All. HOW IT WORKS Open the app and start watching — free episodes are ready to go. Hooked? Unlock the next episode instantly with Credits. Buy Credit packs anytime via secure in-app purchase, and use them across any series. Sign in to keep your unlocked episodes and library with you. MADE FOR BINGEING Every episode is short enough for a coffee break and gripping enough to make "just one more" impossible. Two minutes or two hours, Microhouse Films meets you where you are. No subscriptions. No commitments. Just stories worth your time. Questions or feedback? support@microhousefilms.com Privacy Policy: https://microhousefilms.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://microhousefilms.com/terms

Screenshots

Shortlist VSF4 screens
Microhouse Films4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Microhouse Films at 4.8 against Shortlist VSF's 4.5. Microhouse Films also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 8 days) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Shortlist VSF sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Microhouse Films sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Microhouse Films holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 39 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shortlist VSF ships an update every 8 days, Microhouse Films every 4 days. Both last shipped on November 9, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Shortlist VSF versus Microhouse Films: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShortlist VSFMicrohouse Films
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (10 ratings)4.8 (39 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1039 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB38 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperVerticalsVetrai, LLC

Customer experience

Shortlist VSF

All ratings10 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%

Microhouse Films

All ratings33 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral3.0%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Shortlist VSF

Subscriptions2
  • PRO Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • PRO Annual$29.991 Year
One-time3
  • Chat Pack Small$0.99
  • Chat Pack Medium$2.49
  • Chat Pack Large$7.99
10 purchases

Microhouse Films

Subscriptions1
  • Front Row Club$2.497 Days
One-time9
  • Encore$2.49
  • Cameo Credit Pack$2.49
  • Featured Credit Pack$4.49
Show 6 more
  • Matinee Credit Pack$5.49
  • Headliner Credit Pack$7.49
  • Box Set Credit Pack$10.99
  • Marquee$21.99
  • Gala$24.99
  • Festival$28.99

Questions

Is Shortlist VSF free?
Shortlist VSF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Microhouse Films free?
Microhouse Films is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Shortlist VSF or Microhouse Films?
Microhouse Films is rated higher. Shortlist VSF averages 4.5 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Microhouse Films averages 4.8 from 39 ratings.
Do Shortlist VSF or Microhouse Films have ads?
Neither Shortlist VSF nor Microhouse Films shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shortlist VSF or Microhouse Films?
Shortlist VSF ships an update every 8 days, and Microhouse Films every 4 days. Most recently, Shortlist VSF was updated on November 9, 2026 and Microhouse Films on November 9, 2026.

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