Reels blockers with no subscription: five free options for iPhone (2026)

Updated 8 November 2026 · By the StillTabs team

How we picked

On 8 November 2026 we opened the US App Store page of every Reels and Shorts blocker we know, and read its in-app purchase list. An app is on the "truly free" list only if that list is empty or holds only tips or donations. We then read each app's description, website and privacy policy. Prices are US prices.

We make StillTabs, so we are not neutral. That is why every fact about another app links to its source at the bottom of this page.

The truly free options, side by side

StillTabs

StillTabs opens Instagram and YouTube inside its own app with Reels, Shorts, Explore, suggested posts, "For you" feeds and autoplay removed. DMs, stories, search, subscriptions and posts from people you follow stay. Facebook, X and Reddit are in beta; on Facebook only the Reels tab is reliably hidden.

• Four modes, all free: Off, Standard, Strict and Blackout. Blackout leaves only search, profiles and DMs (Instagram only for messages).
• Home Screen icons named Instagram, YouTube and so on open StillTabs, so the habit of tapping the old icon leads somewhere calm. No Screen Time permission needed (how the icons work).
• It feels like the app: Instagram's toolbar is drawn natively, tabs stay loaded, and edge swipes work. Up to five accounts per platform.
• Privacy: analytics are off unless you turn them on. Pages load straight from each platform, so passwords and messages never pass through StillTabs.

FeedOff

FeedOff works much like StillTabs: it shows the real sites in its own app with Reels, Shorts, Explore, For You and suggested posts hidden. It covers six networks, including LinkedIn. Its "Shield" uses Screen Time to block the real apps on a schedule, and that also works for TikTok. Its policy says it has no analytics and no server, and its filter rules are public on GitHub.

Nope

Nope is a Safari extension for Instagram and YouTube with 17 separate toggles, such as hiding Reels, Shorts, Explore, Stories or comments. Its App Store listing describes turning it on in Safari's settings and using Instagram and YouTube in Safari; its website says the app can also open them itself. Its privacy policy says it has no accounts, no analytics and no tracking. Its last App Store update was in May 2026.

Slowth

Slowth is a Safari extension whose code is open source (GPLv3) for YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, and it can block TikTok's website entirely. A Strict mode locks your settings for 24 hours. An optional feature watches the screen through iOS screen recording, analysed on the device, and blocks the official Instagram or YouTube app with Screen Time when it spots Shorts, Reels or Stories. Its in-app purchases are voluntary donations; its GitHub page says there is no mandatory subscription.

ScreenZen

ScreenZen is different: it does not filter feeds by default, it adds a delay before you open an app, limits how often you open it, and can block it on a schedule. Its website calls it donation-supported, and its only in-app purchases are tips. It separately sells a companion device called halo on its website. Its 4.0 release notes add a "Minimal" option to use Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Reddit without Reels, Shorts or endless feeds; we have not tested it.

Free to download, but they sell a subscription

These apps cost nothing to install, but their US in-app purchase lists include paid plans. The range below is the lowest and highest price on that list today.

Paid plans compared

Where the other free apps are better than StillTabs

• Less data on the label. FeedOff, Nope and Slowth all declare "Data Not Collected". StillTabs declares "Data Not Linked to You", even though its analytics stay off until you turn them on.
• More networks. FeedOff adds LinkedIn and can block TikTok. Slowth can block TikTok's site. StillTabs has no TikTok or Snapchat.
• Blocking the real apps. FeedOff, Slowth and ScreenZen can lock the official apps with Screen Time. StillTabs never locks or changes other apps.
• Open source. Slowth's code is open source, and FeedOff's filter rules are public.
• Other devices. Nope and FeedOff have Chrome extensions, and Slowth runs on Mac. StillTabs is iPhone only.
• Track record. ScreenZen has over 53,000 ratings. StillTabs is new and has none yet.

Where StillTabs is better

• A real app feel without Safari. Slowth works in Safari, and Nope's App Store listing describes a Safari extension. StillTabs gives each platform its own home, with a native Instagram toolbar and tabs that stay loaded.
• Strictness levels in one tap. Blackout mode leaves only search, profiles and DMs.
• No permissions to grant. No Screen Time access, no screen recording, no device management and no Safari extension.
• Several accounts. Up to five per platform.
• No trackers on our site. stilltabs.com loads no third-party trackers (we checked 17 sites).

Which one should you pick?

• You want Instagram and YouTube to feel like apps, minus Reels and Shorts: StillTabs or FeedOff.
• You also need LinkedIn, or want the real apps locked: FeedOff.
• You are happy using Safari: Nope or Slowth.
• You want to open fewer apps, not filter them: ScreenZen.

More on the trade-offs: the hidden costs of Reels blockers and how to check a screen time app.

Common questions

Is there a Reels blocker with no subscription?

Yes. StillTabs, FeedOff and Nope have no in-app purchases on the US App Store. Slowth sells only optional donations and ScreenZen only optional tips. All five were checked on 8 November 2026.

What is a free SocialLite alternative?

StillTabs and FeedOff both show Instagram and YouTube inside their own app without Reels or Shorts and have no in-app purchases. SocialLite is free to download, but its US in-app purchases range from $3.99 to $47.90. See our SocialLite alternative page.

Is ScreenZen completely free?

Its in-app purchases are only tips, from $5 to $40, and its website calls it donation-supported. It mainly delays or blocks whole apps rather than removing Reels from inside them.

Do free Reels blockers keep Instagram DMs?

StillTabs, FeedOff, Nope and Slowth all hide Reels while keeping messages. StillTabs' Blackout mode goes further and leaves only search, profiles and DMs.

Can a free app block Reels inside the official Instagram app?

Slowth has an optional feature that watches the screen through iOS screen recording and blocks the whole Instagram app with Screen Time when it detects Reels. StillTabs, FeedOff and Nope instead show Instagram without Reels in their own app or in Safari.

Who wrote this comparison?

The makers of StillTabs. Every fact about another app comes from its US App Store page, listing data, website or privacy policy, checked on 8 November 2026; every link is listed under Sources below, starting with StillTabs on the App Store. More about us: About StillTabs. If something has changed, tell us and we will fix it.

Sources

Facts about other apps and platforms come from their App Store listings, help pages and own websites, checked on 8 November 2026. Prices and labels change; the links show the current version.

1. StillTabs on the US App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6761367777
2. StillTabs website: https://stilltabs.com
3. FeedOff on the US App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6815511380
4. FeedOff listing data: https://itunes.apple.com/lookup?id=6815511380&country=us
5. FeedOff website: https://feedoff.app
6. FeedOff privacy policy: https://feedoff.app/privacy
7. Nope on the US App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6768192042
8. Nope listing data: https://itunes.apple.com/lookup?id=6768192042&country=us
9. Nope website: https://nope-app.com
10. Nope privacy policy: https://nope-app.com/privacy
11. Slowth on the US App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6764140763
12. Slowth listing data: https://itunes.apple.com/lookup?id=6764140763&country=us
13. Slowth website: https://malina.page/slowth/
14. Slowth support page: https://malina.page/slowth/support.html
15. Slowth privacy policy: https://malina.page/slowth/privacy.html
16. Slowth on GitHub: https://github.com/skar404/slowth
17. ScreenZen on the US App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1541027222
18. ScreenZen listing data and release notes: https://itunes.apple.com/lookup?id=1541027222&country=us
19. ScreenZen website: https://screenzen.co
20. SocialLite on the US App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6757661674
21. minulo on the US App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6809352229
22. Fluid Friction on the US App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6782510849
23. ScrollGuard on the US App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6754183872
24. Scroll Less on the US App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6741134096
25. Opal on the US App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1497465230
26. one sec on the US App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id1532875441

Related

• The best apps to block Reels and Shorts on iPhone in 2026
• The free SocialLite alternative: StillTabs
• What "free" Reels blockers and screen-time apps really cost
• Is there a free app to block Reels and Shorts?