minulo vs Sociano: two in-app browsers that hide Reels and keep DMs (2026)
minulo and Sociano work the same basic way: you open Instagram, YouTube and other networks inside the app, Reels and Shorts are hidden, and messages keep working. Pick Sociano if you want it to hide whole feeds on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Reddit, or want an iPad app. Pick minulo if you also use TikTok, Threads, Pinterest or Snapchat, or want hiding without paying: in minulo hiding is free, while some Sociano features need Sociano Pro.
Sociano, listed on the App Store as “Sociano: Block Reels & Shorts” and made by Jan Macura, opens supported networks inside what it calls a controlled browser. Its listing names 6: Instagram (Reels and Explore, with a DMs-only mode), YouTube (Shorts, including in search, with a Search-only mode), X (the For You feed), Facebook (Reels and the Home feed), LinkedIn (Home feed, My Network, Notifications and Jobs) and Reddit (Home feed and Popular). It also blocks chosen iPhone apps with Apple Screen Time, with daily limits, downtime schedules, focus sessions, Strict Mode and a pause before a network opens.
This page is written by the developer of minulo, so keep that in mind. Sociano facts come from its US App Store page (version 1.77, released 2026-10-12), including its description and in-app purchase list, checked 2026-11-04. Features and prices can change.
| Sociano | minulo | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Jan Macura | Ayumu Kitabayashi |
| How it works | Opens supported networks inside its own “controlled browser”; blocks other iPhone apps with Apple Screen Time | Opens each network's official website inside the app and hides the parts you choose |
| Networks | Instagram, YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Reddit (6). TikTok, Threads, Pinterest and Snapchat are not listed | Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X, Threads, Facebook, Pinterest, Reddit, LinkedIn, Snapchat (10) |
| What it can hide | Instagram Reels and Explore (optional: suggested posts, ads, saved posts); YouTube Shorts (optional: Home feed, watch-next); X For You (optional: Following); Facebook Reels and Home feed; LinkedIn Home, My Network, Notifications, Jobs; Reddit Home and Popular | Reels, Shorts, Explore, TikTok's For You and suggested posts |
| DMs | Kept “where supported”, per its listing. Instagram has a DMs-only mode | Kept. Every tab but DMs for Instagram and TikTok (free) |
| The official apps | Can block chosen apps with Apple Screen Time, with daily limits and schedules | Not changed, but minulo 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 | Daily limits, downtime schedules, focus sessions, Strict Mode, a pause before a network opens, Screen Time insights, weekly reviews and streaks | Free blocks of up to 2 hours; Sleep mode, longer blocks, Hard Mode and a Daily limit in Pro |
| Platforms | iPhone and iPad (iOS 17.0 or later) | 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 | 10, average 4.5 (on the App Store since May 2026) | 1, average 4.0 (launched September 2026) |
| Price (US) | Free download; “some features require Sociano Pro”. Sociano Pro is listed at $9.99 weekly, $9.99 monthly, $19.99 “Yearly Special” and $39.99 yearly | 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 Sociano if
- you want whole feeds gone on X, Facebook, LinkedIn or Reddit, not just the short videos;
- you want a Search-only mode for YouTube or a Marketplace-only mode for Facebook;
- you want usage insights, weekly reviews and streaks in the same app;
- you use an iPad.
Pick minulo if
- you need TikTok, Threads, Pinterest or Snapchat without the feed;
- you want hiding to be free;
- you want a free setting that shows only DMs on Instagram or TikTok;
- 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 Sociano alternative?
Yes, if you use TikTok, Threads, Pinterest or Snapchat, or want hiding without a subscription. Both apps open networks inside their own browser, hide Reels and Shorts, and keep messages. minulo covers 10 networks and hiding is free. Sociano covers 6 (Instagram, YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Reddit), can hide whole feeds on those, and says some features require Sociano Pro.
Is Sociano free?
The download is free, but its App Store listing says some features require Sociano Pro and doesn't list which ones. The US in-app purchases are $9.99 weekly, $9.99 monthly, $19.99 for a “Yearly Special” and $39.99 yearly (checked 2026-11-04). In minulo, hiding Reels, Shorts and suggested posts is free, and Pro is $9.99 a month or $39.99 a year.
Does Sociano work with TikTok?
Its App Store listing doesn't mention TikTok. It names Instagram, YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Reddit (checked 2026-11-04). minulo works with TikTok and hides the For You feed, and a free setting shows only DMs.
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