Comparison

Loops by Pixelfed vs Ctrl+Shift+3

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Loops by Pixelfed

Create and discover short videos on a decentralized network. Enjoy authentic content without ads, tracking, or algorithmic manipulation. Take control of your social media experience.

Highlights
  • Create short videos
  • Discover videos
  • Federated network
  • No ads
  • No tracking
  • Authentic content
Read full description

Create and discover short videos in a federated network that puts you in control. No ads, no tracking, no manipulative algorithms — just authentic content from real people.

About

Ctrl+Shift+3

Features
Read full description

Ctrl+Shift+3 was created because social media got out of hand. A clear sign is the fact that countries are passing laws preventing certain age groups from using social media. This tells you it's as risky as smoking or drinking alcohol. We offer a calmer, more sane space to share thoughts and links. No likes, follows, or other vanity counts. Features: - A shared chronological stream of public posts. Newest first. No algorithmic "For You" by default. - An optional wave button. Turn it on to see posts with a lot of comments first, with newer posts favored so old ones do not stay stuck on top (plus light randomization). Turn it off to return to newest-first. - Subscribe to people from their profile (privately... no follower counts). Your Subs feed shows their main-feed posts in chronological order. - A public page for each account: bio, posts, optional wall posts from others, and RSS. You control whether visitors can write on your profile. - Flat comments under a post... readable conversation without nested threads competing for attention. - Connect related posts when the community agrees the link makes sense. Ideas can point to each other over time. - Private groups called Clicks (aka cliques) for friends, family, or a shared topic. Membership is required to enter. Signed-in people can browse the directory and request to join; moderators decide. - Mention someone to get their attention. Pings collect mentions, comment notices, Click invites, and join-request notices in one place. You can optionally receive a daily email digest of unread pings (review your settings). - Block haters. A one-way way to stop seeing someone’s posts and comments, and to limit how they interact with you. - Polls: On the Feed, in a Click, or on a profile wall, use the poll toggle next to the compose label to post a timed poll instead of a plain thought. - Art: Art opens a 40×40 text "paint" grid. - Swipe right to open the chatroom. If it's not available you'll see a schedule showing the next date/time that it will open. - Old posts with 3 or less comments might get bubbled back up for a second chance at some love. - Transparent moderation with logged actions and reasons. Platform and Click moderators can keep spaces usable without silent black-box systems. - Optional offline reading mode. - Your data: Delete your account and your writing is replaced with placeholders.

Screenshots

Loops by Pixelfed4 screens
Ctrl+Shift+34 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Ctrl+Shift+3 at every 2 days against Loops by Pixelfed's every 3 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Loops by Pixelfed ships an update every 3 months, Ctrl+Shift+3 every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Loops by Pixelfed versus Ctrl+Shift+3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLoops by PixelfedCtrl+Shift+3
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (29 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings29 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size65 MB5 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperDaniel SupernaultWilliam Wilcosky

In-app purchases

None

Loops by Pixelfed

No in-app purchases

None

Ctrl+Shift+3

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Loops by Pixelfed free?
Loops by Pixelfed is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ctrl+Shift+3 free?
Ctrl+Shift+3 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Loops by Pixelfed or Ctrl+Shift+3 have ads?
Neither Loops by Pixelfed nor Ctrl+Shift+3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Loops by Pixelfed or Ctrl+Shift+3?
Loops by Pixelfed ships an update every 3 months, and Ctrl+Shift+3 every 2 days. Most recently, Loops by Pixelfed was updated on October 30, 2026 and Ctrl+Shift+3 on November 6, 2026.

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