StillTabs vs minulo: which Reels blocker should you use?
StillTabs and minulo work the same way: both open Instagram, YouTube and other networks inside their own app with Reels and Shorts removed, and both keep your DMs. The difference is the price and what comes with it: StillTabs is completely free with no in-app purchases, while minulo's Sleep mode, Work mode, Hard Mode, daily limit and blocks longer than two hours need Pro at $9.99 a month or $39.99 a year. Pick StillTabs if you want everything free with analytics off by default; pick minulo if you need TikTok or Snapchat, or want the official apps locked with Screen Time.
Side by side
| StillTabs | minulo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free. No subscription, no in-app purchases | Free download; Pro $9.99 a month or $39.99 a year (7-day trial on yearly) |
| Removes Reels, Shorts, suggested posts | Yes | Yes (free) |
| Keeps DMs | Yes | Yes |
| Strictness | Four modes, all free: Off, Standard, Strict, Blackout (only search, profiles and DMs) | Per-item hiding free; Sleep mode, Work mode and Hard Mode are Pro |
| Daily limit, long blocks | Not a feature: StillTabs removes the feeds instead of timing you | Pro only (free blocks up to 2 hours) |
| Stopping the habit of opening the official app | Home Screen icons named Instagram, YouTube and so on open StillTabs; no Screen Time permission | Locks the official apps with Screen Time (Family Controls) permission |
| Networks | Instagram, YouTube; Facebook, X, Reddit in beta | 10, including TikTok, Threads, Snapchat, Pinterest and LinkedIn |
| Accounts | Up to 5 per platform | Not stated |
| App Store privacy label | Data Not Linked to You: product interaction, user content and diagnostics | Data Not Linked to You: also lists Device ID, Purchase History and Advertising Data |
| In-app analytics | Off until you turn them on | PostHog analytics described in its policy; we found no opt-out described for the iPhone app |
| Website trackers | None | minulo.app sends PostHog events from every page |
| Privacy policy and terms | English; own terms | Japanese only; no terms of its own (Apple's standard licence) |
| Languages | English | 13 |
| Other devices | iPhone only | Also a Mac app and browser extensions |
| Requires | iOS 16.0 | iOS 16.4 |
| App Store ratings (US) | New, none yet | 1 rating (8 in Japan) |
Where StillTabs is better
- Nothing to pay for. Every StillTabs feature is free. With minulo, the features that make it stricter (Sleep, Work and Hard Mode, a daily limit, blocks over two hours) cost $39.99 a year.
- Analytics are opt-in. StillTabs sends nothing until you switch analytics on, and its label lists less. minulo's label also lists Device ID, Purchase History and Advertising Data, and its website loads an analytics script on every page; stilltabs.com loads none (we checked 17 sites).
- A privacy policy you can read. StillTabs' policy is in English and lists every event; minulo's is only in Japanese, and it has no terms of its own.
- The habit fix needs no permission. StillTabs' Home Screen icons named after each platform open StillTabs, so your thumb goes where it always did. minulo's equivalent asks for Screen Time access to lock the official apps. How the icons work.
- It feels like the app. StillTabs draws Instagram's toolbar natively, keeps each tab loaded and uses edge swipes. What that looks like.
- Several accounts. Up to five sign-ins per platform.
Where minulo is better
- More networks. TikTok, Threads, Snapchat, Pinterest and LinkedIn are covered; StillTabs has none of those.
- It can lock the official apps with Screen Time, if you want a hard barrier.
- Scheduled modes and limits, if you're willing to pay for Pro.
- 13 languages, a Mac app and browser extensions. StillTabs is English and iPhone only for now.
- A few ratings already, and frequent updates since its September 2026 launch.
What neither can do
Both show each network's website inside their own app, so some features of the official apps aren't there in either, such as calls. minulo lists voice messages and posting Stories as unavailable. Both can briefly miss something when a network changes its site.
Common questions
Is minulo free?
Partly. Hiding Reels, Shorts and suggested posts is free. Sleep mode, Work mode, Hard Mode, a daily limit and blocks longer than two hours need Pro, at $9.99 a month or $39.99 a year on the US App Store. StillTabs has no paid tier at all.
Is StillTabs or minulo better for Instagram DMs only?
Both keep DMs. StillTabs' Blackout mode, free, leaves only search, profiles and messages. minulo can hide every tab except DMs for free too.
Does StillTabs support TikTok like minulo?
No. StillTabs covers Instagram and YouTube, with Facebook, X and Reddit in beta. If you need TikTok or Snapchat, minulo covers them.
Which one collects less data?
Both labels say "Data Not Linked to You". StillTabs' analytics are off until you turn them on; minulo's label also lists Device ID, Purchase History and Advertising Data, and its policy describes PostHog analytics without an opt-out for the iPhone app that we could find.
Who wrote this comparison?
The makers of StillTabs. Every fact about minulo links to its App Store page, privacy policy or website, checked 8 November 2026. If something changed, tell us and we will fix it.
StillTabs is free on the App Store, for iPhone. No subscription, no in-app purchases, no account. iOS 16 or later.
Sources
- StillTabs on the App Store (price, privacy label): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stilltabs-block-reels-shorts/id6761367777
- StillTabs privacy policy: https://stilltabs.com/privacy
- minulo on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6809352229
- minulo on the Japanese App Store (ratings): https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id6809352229
- minulo privacy policy: https://minulo.app/privacy.html
- minulo website: https://minulo.app/