minulo vs Awhile: Instagram without Reels, compared (2026)
Awhile and minulo both open the real Instagram website inside their own app and hide Reels there, while DMs keep working.
Awhile does only Instagram and goes deep on it. minulo covers 10 networks, YouTube Shorts and TikTok included.
This page is written by the developer of minulo, so keep that in mind. Awhile facts come from its US App Store page (version 1.5.3, released 2026-10-20) and its website (awhile.app), checked 2026-11-02. Features and prices can change.
| Awhile | minulo | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Loads the Instagram website inside its own browser and applies your filters on the phone. It does not change the native Instagram app | Opens each network's official website inside the app and hides the parts you choose |
| Networks | Instagram only | Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X, Threads, Facebook, Pinterest, Reddit, LinkedIn, Snapchat (10) |
| Free | Hiding Feed, Reels, Explore and Stories; one Instagram account with no daily limit; grayscale, scroll reminders, PIN controls and daily stats | Hiding Reels, Shorts, Explore and suggested posts on all 10 networks; locking the official apps (up to 2 hours per block) |
| Paid features | Messages Only, a chronological Following Only feed, up to 10 accounts, a session timer and detailed 7-day stats (Premium) | Schedules, blocks longer than 2 hours, Hard Mode and multiple block lists (Pro) |
| Messages only | Messages Only (Premium) | Every tab but DMs for Instagram and TikTok (free) |
| The official apps | Left unchanged. Optional Screen Time reminders for the native Instagram app on iPhone and iPad | Can lock them with Screen Time; the block screen has an Open in minulo button. While an app is locked, its notifications don't arrive |
| Platforms | iPhone and iPad (iOS 16.4 or later) and Android (Google Play) | iPhone (plus a Mac app for Safari and Chrome). No Android version |
| App languages | About 20, including Japanese and Korean | 13, including Japanese and Korean |
| US App Store ratings | 4, average 4.5 (2026-11-02; on the App Store since May 2026) | 1, average 4.0 (2026-11-02; launched September 2026) |
| App Store privacy label | Data Not Linked to You: Usage Data, Diagnostics | Data Not Linked to You: Purchases, Identifiers, Usage Data, Diagnostics, Other Data |
| Price (US) | Free; Premium in-app purchases are listed at $2.99 and $14.99. Its website describes a one-time Lifetime purchase (€9.99) and a monthly plan with a 3-day free trial | Hiding is free; Pro is $9.99/month or $39.99/year |
Ratings, prices and privacy labels are from the US App Store, checked 2026-11-02.
Pick Awhile if
- Instagram is the only app you need help with;
- you want a chronological Following Only feed, or switch between several Instagram accounts;
- you'd rather pay once than subscribe;
- you use Android;
- you want an app whose privacy label lists only usage data and diagnostics.
Pick minulo if
- you also want Shorts gone on YouTube, or TikTok, Threads, X and others cleaned up;
- you want Instagram for DMs only without paying;
- you keep opening the real Instagram app and want it locked, with its icon leading to minulo;
- you also want the same on a Mac.
minulo shows each network's website rather than the official app, so screens look a little different from the app. While minulo locks an official app, that app's notifications don't arrive.
Is Awhile free?
The Reels filter is free: Feed, Reels, Explore and Stories can be hidden on one account with no daily limit. Messages Only, Following Only and more accounts are Premium. In minulo, the DMs-only setting for Instagram is free.
Does Awhile work with YouTube Shorts?
No. Its App Store page covers Instagram only. minulo hides Shorts on YouTube and covers 10 networks.
Does Awhile block the real Instagram app?
No. It says it does not modify the native Instagram app; on iPhone and iPad it offers optional Screen Time reminders for it. minulo can lock the official Instagram app with Screen Time, and its block screen has an Open in minulo button. While the app is locked, Instagram's own notifications don't arrive.
Is Awhile safe to use?
Its App Store privacy label (checked 2026-11-02) lists only usage data and diagnostics, not linked to you, and its description says Instagram content, credentials and login cookies are not sent to its developer, ARCKONE. Its 1.5.3 release notes say usage statistics and crash reports are now on by default; you can turn them off in Settings > Security > Privacy. minulo's label lists purchases, identifiers, usage data, diagnostics and other data, all not linked to you.
Sources