PRODUCT RESEARCH
FreeJoy
This research note is kept separate from the app profile so the main page stays focused on ranking data.
One-line positioning
FreeJoy is a free 'short dramas + web novels' app under iReader (Zhangyue Technology), operated by the Hong Kong entity HK IReader Technology Limited. It monetizes mainly through advertising and offers romance, revenge, workplace and fantasy dramas plus daily-updated web novels, with additional VIP subscriptions and virtual-coin purchases on iOS. Rebuilt from a 2019 iReader overseas reading product, it shifted to short dramas as its main distribution direction in 2026, complementing the group's paid platforms iDrama and PopoVibe.
Product & company
Store seller, developer and privacy-policy operator is HK IReader Technology Limited (BR No. 63814389, incorporated 2014 in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong). The iOS listing credits iReader Technology Co., Ltd., and Zhangyue Technology's FY2025 annual report lists 'HK Zhangyue' as a group entity. The mainland parent is Zhangyue Technology Co., Ltd. (SSE: 603533, headquartered in Beijing, legal representative Cheng Xiangjun).
Business model & format
Free to download with advertising-based monetization: the privacy policy lists over a dozen ad SDKs (Admob, Applovin, Pangle, Meta, Unity Ads, etc.) and the store marks the app as containing ads. The iOS version offers Noveltrove VIP subscriptions (about USD 9.99-14.99 weekly and USD 99.99-129.99 yearly) plus iCoins purchases, while third-party data shows no in-app purchases on Google Play, reflecting different monetization across platforms.
Growth & market
Cumulative installs exceed 1.2 million, with roughly 345K added in the 30 days around July 2026. In June 2026 Google Play recategorized the app from Books to Entertainment as it shifted to short dramas; it ranked 92nd in Brazil's Google Play Top Free Entertainment chart and ships updates about every 11 days (v13.4.0 as of August 2026). At group level, Zhangyue's short-drama business reached CNY 1.855 billion revenue in 2025 (+139.19% YoY), 57.20% of total revenue, with rising overseas investment.
Risks & watchpoints
FreeJoy is a separate product from the group's paid drama apps iDrama and PopoVibe and should not be confused with them (both FreeJoy and PopoVibe were rebuilt from legacy iReader reading packages). Monetization differs by platform: no IAP on Google Play but subscriptions and coin purchases on iOS. Ad density is high; users complain about frequent ad-gated unlocks between chapters and episodes, pressuring experience and ratings (low, small-sample rating on iOS and about 4.01 on Google Play). The app was rebuilt from a 2019 reading product and is still transitioning users and positioning. Servers are located in Singapore and multiple ad SDKs are integrated, raising privacy-compliance and data-security requirements.