The True Cost of Being a Vertical Lover

FanTalk: The True Cost of Being a Vertical Lover 💸

Vertical dramas often revolve around billionaires, CEOs, and luxury lifestyles. But let’s get real—most of us aren’t rolling in cash like the characters we watch. And while I’m not here to give you an economics lecture, it’s time we talk about the real cost of being a Vertical Lover because… it’s expensive!

So Many Apps, So Much Money

There are over 100 apps where you can watch Verticals, and while many primarily stream Chinese series, more platforms are chasing the Western market with English-speaking Verticals. If you’re an occasional viewer, you can manage by stacking coins, watching ads, and unlocking one series here and there.

But if you’re a compulsive viewer like me, you know ads aren’t an option. With so many new releases each week, it’s impossible to keep up using only coins.

That’s why platforms push you toward their in-app stores, where buying a single series can easily cost over $50 USD depending on the episode count and app.

The Subscription Trap

Subscriptions are the next logical step. They range from $9.99 USD per week to $249 USD per year. But the problem isn’t just the price—it’s the fact that your favorite actors and series are spread across multiple apps, forcing you to subscribe to more than one.

Right now, I have seven yearly subscriptions. Thanks to sales and Apple subscription history, I managed to snag some at lower prices, but it’s still a significant financial commitment.

And no, I can’t (and won’t) subscribe to over 100 apps, no matter how much I love Billionaire stories—and trust me, no billionaire has proposed to me yet to fund my addiction!

The Exclusive Series Dilemma

What happens when your favorite actor has a new series, or a highly-praised Vertical drops exclusively on an app you don’t have? You’re left with two choices:

1. Skip it and deal with the FOMO.

2. Or turn to VertiMotion (you know what I mean 😉).

I’ve tried to avoid VertiMotion because I genuinely want to support VertiLand and its actors through official channels. But it’s becoming unsustainable. I can’t pay $24 USD for a weekly sub every time there’s just one or two exclusives I want to watch.

Platforms Need to Listen

Platforms want their slice of the cake, but launching more and more apps isn’t the solution. All it does is push viewers toward VertiMotion, whether they want to or not.

Instead of creating new platforms, they should:
✅ Invest in quality production studios.
✅ Improve working conditions for cast and crew.
✅ Create fresh, diverse, and respectful storylines.
✅ Focus on building strong, fewer platforms with rich libraries.

This would help VertiLand grow while keeping viewers willing to pay to support their favorite actors officially—without going bankrupt.

Final Thoughts

I want to keep supporting all the talented actors and creators in VertiLand through official channels, but I won’t destroy my finances for it. Platforms need to listen, or VertiMotion will become the primary channel for many, not out of choice but necessity.

What are your thoughts on the cost of watching Verticals?
Let’s discuss it in the comments below, and remember, every opinion matters, so let’s respect each other while navigating this together.