Comparison

Shortlist VSF vs Pocket Cinema+

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, reviewing, and chatting with film characters using AI. Filmmakers can showcase their work and connect with fans.

Highlights
  • Browse festival lineup
  • Watch trailers and full films
  • Vote and review submissions
  • AI-powered fantasy chat with characters
  • Earn achievements and climb ranks
  • Creator profiles and filmography
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

Pocket Cinema+

Discover original, cinematic short-series across various genres, designed for mobile viewing. Earn rewards by watching content and engaging with the community. Unlock more stories and enjoy exclusive perks as a Cinephile member.

Highlights
  • Original cinematic short-series
  • Vertical and widescreen formats
  • Short, engaging episodes
  • Personalized recommendations
  • Earn Cinephile Coins
  • Cinephile community features
  • Ad-free viewing for members
Features
Read full description

Pocket Cinema is a new home for original, cinematic short-series, made for the way you watch today. Discover original stories across action, sci-fi, thriller, horror, drama, romance, westerns and more, with series designed specifically for your phone. ORIGINAL STORIES. NEW WORLDS. Explore a growing catalogue of Pocket Cinema Original Series from bold new voices and independent filmmakers. Whether you have a few minutes or want to watch an entire series, Pocket Cinema brings originals stories wherever you are. MADE FOR YOUR PHONE Some series are created specifically for immersive vertical viewing. Others are produced in widescreen. Each story is designed for its format from the beginning. SHORT EPISODES. BIG STORIES. Watch cinematic stories told through short, engaging episodes designed to fit into your day, without sacrificing character, atmosphere or ambition. DISCOVER WHAT’S NEXT Explore series across genres, discover personalized picks, see what’s trending and find your next favorite story. WATCH. ENGAGE. GET REWARDED. Earn Cinephile Coins through daily check-ins, watching and completing activities throughout Pocket Cinema. Use your coins to unlock more stories and keep watching. BECOME A CINEPHILE Join the Cinephile community and connect with fellow cinephiles through discussions, exclusive content, special perks and more. Cinephile members can enjoy benefits including: * Ad-free viewing * Early access to select releases * Exclusive content and behind-the-scenes material * High-resolution streaming * Member rewards and perks * Priority access to select Pocket Cinema events and merchandise opportunities STORIES WORTH CARRYING WITH YOU. From independent filmmakers to your screen, Pocket Cinema is building a new home for cinematic short-form storytelling. We believe great storytelling should be accessible to anyone with a smartphone. Pocket Cinema is home to original series created by filmmakers who care deeply about character, atmosphere and emotional impact, giving audiences a place to discover stories that stay with them long after the credits roll. Every Pocket Cinema Original is created with a commitment to memorable storytelling, cinematic craftsmanship and characters audiences can connect with. Your next favorite series fits right in your pocket. Download Pocket Cinema and start watching today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Shortlist VSF4 screens
Pocket Cinema+4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Pocket Cinema+ at 5.0 against Shortlist VSF's 4.5. Shortlist VSF's advantage is ratings volume (10 vs 3). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 Pocket Cinema+ sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pocket Cinema+ holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Shortlist VSF versus Pocket Cinema+: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShortlist VSFPocket Cinema+
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (10 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings10 — better3
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.416.4
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB78 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperVerticalsPocket Cinema LLC

Customer experience

Shortlist VSF

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

Pocket Cinema+

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 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
6 purchases

Pocket Cinema+

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$24.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$199.991 Year
One-time4
  • Starter Pack$4.99
  • Cinephile Pack$9.99
  • Director Pack$19.99
Show 1 more
  • Producer Pack$34.99

Questions

Is Shortlist VSF free?
Shortlist VSF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pocket Cinema+ free?
Pocket Cinema+ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Shortlist VSF or Pocket Cinema+?
Pocket Cinema+ is rated higher. Shortlist VSF averages 4.5 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Pocket Cinema+ averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Shortlist VSF or Pocket Cinema+ have ads?
Neither Shortlist VSF nor Pocket Cinema+ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shortlist VSF or Pocket Cinema+?
Shortlist VSF ships an update weekly, and Pocket Cinema+ weekly. Most recently, Shortlist VSF was updated on October 31, 2026 and Pocket Cinema+ on October 31, 2026.

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