ScreenZen alternatives if you want Reels and Shorts gone, not the whole app (2026)
ScreenZen is a free, donation-supported app that slows you down before you open a distracting app: a wait that can grow each time, interruptions while you scroll, daily goals and optional strict blocks. It works on whole apps, so once Instagram or YouTube is open, Reels and Shorts are there too. If you want to keep using Instagram for DMs without Reels, an app that hides only those parts fits better: minulo, SocialLite and UNDOOMED do it in their own view, and ScrollGuard does it in Safari. If you like ScreenZen's approach but want other options, one sec and Opal also limit whole apps.
This page is written by the developer of minulo. Facts about other apps come only from their US App Store pages (description, price and US ratings) and their official websites, checked on 2026-10-21.
| App | How it limits you | Does it remove Reels and Shorts? | Price (App Store page) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ScreenZen (52,088 US ratings) | A wait before opening an app that can increase each time, interruptions while scrolling, app goals, messages like “Is this important?”, strict blocks by time range or number of opens, and locks on its own settings. Its website says it also blocks websites. | No. It limits the whole app; its App Store description does not mention hiding Reels or Shorts. | Free download; supported by donations (in-app purchases), no subscription per its website. |
| one sec (23,735) | Adds a pause, such as a deep breath, when you open an app you chose; can send you out after a set time. | No. After the pause the whole app opens. | Free for one app; one sec pro for more. |
| Opal (90,085) | Blocks the apps and websites you choose on a schedule, with daily app limits and a Deep Focus mode that cannot be cancelled. | No. While Instagram is blocked, its DMs are blocked too. | Free download; in-app purchases. |
| ScrollGuard (114) | A Safari extension that hides feeds, Reels, Stories and Explore on social media websites. | Yes, in Safari. DMs keep working, per its website. | Free; Premium adds unlimited custom filters. |
| SocialLite (13,610) | Its own focused view of social networks that removes short-form video feeds, recommendations and Explore while keeping DMs. | Yes, inside SocialLite. | Free download; in-app purchases. |
| UNDOOMED (107) | Opens seven networks in its own browser and filters the page; Messages Only mode and hourly or daily caps. | Yes, inside UNDOOMED (no TikTok or Snapchat). | Free download; advanced filters need Pro. |
| minulo (new, 0 US ratings) | Opens each network's official website inside the app and hides the parts you choose. Can lock the official apps with Screen Time and send you to minulo instead. Covers Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X, Threads, Facebook, Pinterest, Reddit, LinkedIn, Snapchat (10). | Yes, inside minulo. DMs, friends' posts and search keep working. | Hiding is free. Pro adds schedules, Locked Mode, blocks longer than 2 hours and multiple block lists. |
What is a good ScreenZen alternative if I only want to stop Reels and Shorts?
Use an app that hides those parts instead of slowing down the whole app. minulo, SocialLite and UNDOOMED show social networks in their own view with Reels and Shorts hidden, and ScrollGuard does the same in Safari. In minulo, hiding is free on 10 networks, and it can lock the official Instagram and TikTok apps so you land in minulo instead.
Does ScreenZen block Instagram Reels?
Not on their own. ScreenZen works on whole apps: it can make you wait before Instagram opens, interrupt you while you scroll, or block Instagram completely. Once Instagram is open, Reels are there as usual. Its App Store description does not mention hiding Reels or Shorts.
Is ScreenZen free?
Yes. ScreenZen is a free download and its website describes it as donation-supported with no subscription. minulo is also free for hiding Reels, Shorts and suggested posts and for locking the official apps for up to 2 hours at a time; Pro is a subscription for schedules and longer blocks.
Can I use ScreenZen and minulo together?
They do different jobs. ScreenZen can add a wait or a limit to apps that are not social media, while minulo removes Reels, Shorts and For You inside the social networks you keep for messages.
What does ScreenZen do better than an app that hides Reels?
ScreenZen works with any app and with websites, and it has 52,088 US ratings averaging 4.9. Its wait that grows each time is a good fit if your problem is opening many different apps on autopilot. If your problem is Reels and Shorts in particular, hiding them lets you keep using DMs without waiting.
Sources
- App Store: ScreenZen- Screen Time Control (checked 2026-10-21)
- ScreenZen official website (checked 2026-10-21)
- App Store: one sec | screen time + focus (checked 2026-10-21)
- App Store: Opal: Screen Time Control (checked 2026-10-21)
- App Store: ScrollGuard: Block Reels (checked 2026-10-21)
- App Store: SocialLite-Block Reels&Shorts (checked 2026-10-21)
- App Store: UNDOOMED: Reels & Feed Blocker (checked 2026-10-21)
- App Store: minulo: Block Reels & Shorts (checked 2026-10-21)
