SocialLite vs ScrollGuard: how the two Reels blockers differ on iPhone (2026)
minulo sits between the two: like SocialLite it is an app of its own that can lock the official apps, like ScrollGuard it lists TikTok, and hiding is free on all 10 networks it covers.
SocialLite opens social networks in its own focused view and, per its release notes, can block the official apps and send you there. ScrollGuard is a Safari extension that hides feeds, Reels, Stories and Explore on social media websites, and its website says a separate Android version works inside the native apps. Both are free to download with paid upgrades.
- Install minulo from the App Store and open Instagram, YouTube, TikTok or another network inside it.
- Log in on the network's own sign-in page. minulo does not receive or store your password.
- Tap the gear next to the network and turn on what you want gone, such as Reels and Explore on Instagram or Shorts on YouTube. Hiding is free.
- In the Block tab, lock the official apps with Screen Time, free for up to 2 hours per block. The block screen has an Open in minulo button.
Written by Ayumu Kitabayashi, the developer of minulo, which competes with both apps. Prices and privacy labels come from the US App Store, checked on 2026-11-01. Other facts come from each app's App Store page, release notes and website as cited in our earlier comparisons. Apple notes that privacy labels are written by developers and not verified by Apple.
| SocialLite | ScrollGuard | minulo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Its own focused view of social networks | A Safari extension with a switch for each part. On iPhone it also creates web app versions, per its website | Opens each network's official website inside the app |
| Networks | Instagram, YouTube and other platforms. TikTok is not mentioned | Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, X, Reddit, LinkedIn on iPhone, per its website | 10, including TikTok, Threads, Pinterest and Snapchat |
| Official apps | Can block them and redirect to SocialLite, per its release notes | Left unchanged on iPhone | Locks them with Screen Time and offers Open in minulo |
| Notifications | Push notifications for Instagram and Snapchat, per its release notes | Not stated in the sources we used | None. A blocked official app's notifications don't arrive |
| Other devices | The App Store lists iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision. Android isn't mentioned | A separate Android version, per its website. Requires iOS 18 | iPhone and a Mac app (Safari and Chrome). No Android |
| Price (US App Store) | Free download. Pro $6.99 to $17.99 a month or $19.99 to $47.90 a year depending on the offer; Family $12.99 a month | Free download. ScrollGuard Pro is listed at $3.99, $19.99, $29.99 and $59.99, without saying what each includes | Hiding is free. Pro is $9.99 a month or $39.99 a year |
| Privacy label | Data Used to Track You: Identifiers. Data Not Linked to You: purchases, contact info (email, name, phone), identifiers, usage data | Data Not Linked to You: usage data (product interaction) only | Data Not Linked to You only (purchases, device ID, usage and diagnostics; checked 2026-10-23) |
Pick SocialLite if
you want Instagram or Snapchat notifications while Reels stay hidden; you want the official apps blocked so that tapping them sends you to the quieter view; or you want the app with far more ratings and reviews behind it.
Pick ScrollGuard if
you would rather stay in Safari than use a separate app; you also use Android; you want its Strict Mode, which locks settings with a password you can give to someone else, or its adult content filter; or you want the shortest privacy label of the three.
Where minulo fits
minulo works the same basic way as SocialLite: it opens each network's official website inside the app and hides the parts you choose, and it can lock the official apps. The differences are TikTok and Snapchat (minulo covers both, 10 networks in all), a free messages-only setting (Every tab but DMs for Instagram and TikTok) and free hiding with no time limit. Locking is free for up to 2 hours per block, and schedules, longer blocks, Hard Mode and multiple block lists are in minulo Pro.
Limits, so you can decide honestly: hidden parts are hidden only inside minulo, and the official apps don't change. While minulo blocks an official app, that app's notifications don't arrive, and minulo sends none of its own. Posting Stories, voice messages and calls aren't available. minulo is for iPhone, with a Mac version that works in Safari and Chrome, and there is no Android version yet. It is new, with few ratings. See what minulo can't do.
Which is better, SocialLite or ScrollGuard?
It depends on where you want to scroll. SocialLite is an app of its own that can block the official apps and has push notifications for Instagram and Snapchat. ScrollGuard stays in Safari, lists TikTok and has an Android version. minulo is an app of its own that also lists TikTok, and hiding is free.
Is ScrollGuard safe?
On the US App Store (checked 2026-11-01), ScrollGuard's privacy label lists only Data Not Linked to You, usage data for analytics. SocialLite's label lists Identifiers under Data Used to Track You. Apple notes that developers write these labels and Apple does not verify them.
Does SocialLite block apps or work in a browser?
Its release notes say it can block native apps and redirect to SocialLite with custom shield screens. Its App Store description doesn't mention Safari. ScrollGuard is the one that works through Safari.
Do SocialLite or ScrollGuard work with TikTok?
ScrollGuard's website lists TikTok for iPhone. SocialLite's App Store page doesn't mention TikTok. minulo opens TikTok with For You hidden while messages keep working, for free.
Which one is cheaper?
Both are free to download. SocialLite's Pro costs $6.99 to $17.99 a month or $19.99 to $47.90 a year depending on the offer. ScrollGuard Pro is listed at $3.99 to $59.99 without a breakdown. In minulo, hiding is free and Pro is $9.99 a month or $39.99 a year (US App Store).
Can either one remove Reels from the official Instagram app?
No. On iPhone, ScrollGuard works through Safari and web apps, and SocialLite blocks the official app and sends you to its own view. minulo works the same way as SocialLite here.
Sources