minulo vs ClearSpace: hide Reels and keep DMs, or block whole apps (2026)
ClearSpace and minulo solve different problems. Pick ClearSpace if you want to cut down on time spent in many kinds of apps: it blocks or limits whole apps, adds a pause before you open them, and has challenges and accountability partners. Pick minulo if you don't want to lose Instagram or TikTok entirely, only the Reels, Shorts and suggested posts: it opens 10 networks inside its own app with those parts hidden, DMs keep working, and hiding is free.
ClearSpace, listed on the App Store as “ClearSpace: Reduce Screen Time” and made by Clearspace Technologies, Inc., has been on the App Store since 2021. Its listing describes blocking and limiting any apps you find distracting, schedules for when apps can be used, a pause before an app opens so the urge weakens, screen time challenges, accountability partners, and streaks and budgets for your screen time. It works on whole apps, so it doesn't hide only Reels or Shorts inside them.
This page is written by the developer of minulo, so keep that in mind. ClearSpace facts come from its US App Store page (version 2.7.5, updated 2026-08-19), including its description and in-app purchase list, checked 2026-11-04. Features and prices can change.
| ClearSpace | minulo | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Clearspace Technologies, Inc. | Ayumu Kitabayashi |
| How it works | Blocks or limits whole apps you choose, with a pause before they open | Opens each network's official website inside the app and hides the parts you choose |
| Networks | Any app you choose, not only social media | Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X, Threads, Facebook, Pinterest, Reddit, LinkedIn, Snapchat (10) |
| Reels and Shorts | The listing doesn't mention hiding Reels or Shorts inside an app; the whole app is blocked or limited | Hidden, along with Explore, TikTok's For You and suggested posts. Normal videos keep working |
| DMs | While an app is blocked, its DMs are too | Kept. Every tab but DMs for Instagram and TikTok (free) |
| The official apps | Blocked or limited | 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 |
| Other features | Schedules, a pause before opening apps, screen time challenges, accountability partners, streaks and budgets | Free blocks of up to 2 hours; Sleep mode, longer blocks, Hard Mode and a Daily limit in Pro |
| Platforms | iPhone (iOS 16.0 or later) and Apple Vision | iPhone (iOS 16.4 or later), plus a Mac app for Safari and Chrome. No Android version |
| App languages | English | 13, including Japanese and Korean |
| US App Store ratings | 8,955, average 4.7 (on the App Store since 2021) | 1, average 4.0 (launched September 2026) |
| Price (US) | Free download. Premium in-app purchases: $6.99 a month, $44.99 a year (other Premium prices listed at $49.99 and $59.99), and Premium Family at $79.99 | Hiding is free; Pro is $9.99/month or $39.99/year |
Ratings were checked on the US App Store on 2026-11-04.
Pick ClearSpace if
- you want less time in many kinds of apps, not only social media;
- you'd rather have a pause before opening an app than a cleaned-up version of it;
- you want challenges, streaks or an accountability partner;
- you prefer an app with thousands of ratings behind it (8,955 in the US).
Pick minulo if
- you want to keep using Instagram or TikTok for DMs and friends' posts, just without Reels and Shorts;
- you need several networks, including Threads, X, Reddit or Snapchat, in one app;
- you want hiding to be free;
- you use a Mac, or want the app in a language other than English.
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. minulo is new and has few ratings so far.
Is minulo a good ClearSpace alternative?
It depends on what you want to stop. If you want to block or limit whole apps of any kind, ClearSpace does that, and it has many more ratings. If you want to keep Instagram, YouTube or TikTok for messages and normal videos while Reels, Shorts and suggested posts are hidden, minulo does that for 10 networks, and hiding is free.
Is ClearSpace free?
The download is free. The US App Store lists ClearSpace Premium in-app purchases at $6.99 a month and $44.99 a year, other Premium prices at $49.99 and $59.99, and Premium Family at $79.99 (checked 2026-11-04). The listing doesn't say which features need Premium. In minulo, hiding Reels, Shorts and suggested posts is free, and Pro is $9.99 a month or $39.99 a year.
Can ClearSpace block only Instagram Reels?
Its App Store listing describes blocking and limiting whole apps, not hiding Reels or Shorts inside them (checked 2026-11-04). While Instagram is blocked, its DMs are blocked too. minulo hides Reels, Shorts and suggested posts and leaves DMs working.
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