# Hacktivate: Capture the Flag — Cybersecurity challenges

> Cybersecurity challenge app with 240 missions and real-world hacking techniques. (iPhone/iPad app by Hudson Heavy Industries.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hacktivate-capture-the-flag/id6748286602 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Hudson Heavy Industries](https://appshunter.io/developer/1727337256)
- Category: Education, Games, Puzzle, Simulation
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 31 App Store ratings · 39 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.5 · 182 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-10-22
- Data updated: 2026-08-14
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hacktivate-capture-the-flag/id6748286602/reviews.md

## What is Hacktivate?

Crack codes. Break firewalls. Conquer the map.

Hacktivate is the ultimate cybersecurity challenge: a world map of 240 missions where every puzzle is built on real cybersecurity techniques hackers use. From classic ciphers to covert steganography, you’ll sharpen your brain while infiltrating deeper into the network.

No fluff. No filler. Just pure challenges.

- 240 graded missions across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and more – unlock all the continents with a one-time purchase.
- The Hacker’s Toolbox: hashing, encryption, XOR, ciphers, and beyond.
- Real-world attack techniques through Unix terminals, web browsers, digital forensics, SQL injection, and more.
- Global progression: unlock regions and learn different specialties each time.
- Comprehensive tutorials and documentation teach you the skills you need to win.
- Difficulty that scales: from rookies breaking their first code to cyber masterminds cracking the strongest firewalls.
- Play on iPhone, iPad, and Mac with a single purchase – your progress is auto-synced.
- Include 10 challenge hints for free, but you can buy more using in-app purchase.

Every lock is a challenge. Every mission is a test. Every solution pulls you deeper into the system.

The network is waiting, and your mission starts now!

Terms of service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

Privacy policy: https://www.hacktivate.app/privacy

Hacktivate for schools: https://www.hacktivate.app/schools

## Key features

- 240 graded cybersecurity missions
- Real-world hacking techniques
- Hacker's Toolbox (hashing, encryption, ciphers)
- Global progression across continents
- Comprehensive tutorials and documentation
- Scalable difficulty for all levels
- Cross-device sync (iPhone, iPad, Mac)

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock Campaign | $14.99 | one-time |
| Hint Payload | $3.99 | one-time |
| Hint Overload | $9.99 | one-time |
| Hint Packet | $0.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Hacktivate?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Great set of puzzles
- 👍 Fun and educational
- 👍 Brain-building
- 👍 Great idea, great implementation
- 👍 Great game

**Cons**

- 💰 The price of the full game

**Commonly reported bugs**

- 🐛 Useless but paid-for hint system

**Most requested features**

- Dark mode option

## Recent user reviews (10 of 39)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hacktivate-capture-the-flag/id6748286602/reviews.md

### 2/5 — ?

*2026-07-13*

Toolbox의 Input에 직접적인 수정을 가해도 그게 제대로 반영이 안됩니다.

### 5/5 — Wow

*2026-06-27*

This is exactly what has been needed for so long.  Very well done.

### 5/5 — Great way to keep up training

*2026-06-16*

This app is a great way to dust off your cybersecurity learnings and have a little fun along the way

### 4/5 — Suggestion

*2026-05-26*

Its a good app, but ,, I'd like to add multilingual settings so that the interface supports other languages, including Chinese. This would make the app more popular worldwide.

### 5/5 — Fun

*2026-05-17, version 1.12*

Fun

### 5/5 — A MUST-HAVE!

*2026-04-03*

I haven’t even finished the tutorials yet and I want to give a review! This is awesome! I will definitely be unlocking the rest of this game. I love games like this —  and there are not enough of them. I want this game to be successful and by proxy, the developer — Please continue to develop this game and more games like it. I can tell that this was a serious labor of love. You have gold here, and I fully support your success.  Thank you.

**Developer response:** Thank you for writing this delightful review! Hacktivate was indeed a labor of love for me – I had an absolute blast designing the various challenges so they provided lots of variety for players (and taught real techniques rather than fake, “hand-wavy” computer science!), making sure they fitted into different themes across the regions, and also injecting bits of fun into them – you have no idea how many domain names I bought while I was making the game, so that folks who were curious about Hacktivate Radio, Goat Stare, and similar would not be disappointed 😅

Thank you for playing Hacktivate – I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 🙌

### 3/5 — Very fun

*2026-04-02, version 1.10*

Great but why is it paid I really wanted to play more 😭

### 4/5 — LOVE IT

*2026-03-24, version 1.10*

I have been thoroughly enjoying this app
My only complaint is the app crashes when I click the “get more hints options” 
apart from that I love it

### 5/5 — Like the game, not the music

*2026-03-19*

Love the game, but to turn the music off, you must skip the tutorial for the Settings option to appear. This is not very obvious and it would be better if the Settings were available through the menu bar as well.

**Developer response:** Hello! I’m glad you’re enjoying the game. Thank you for your suggestion – the latest Hacktivate update adds a second Settings button during the tutorial, as requested. I hope this helps!

### 5/5 — Really nice

*2026-03-14, version 1.10*

I saw that app suggested and I’ve completed the tutorial in one seating! Wow that it’s so nice because you learn and at the same time you’re having fun. Great game for geek who love computer stuff.

## Frequently asked questions about Hacktivate

### What is Hacktivate's learning methodology?

Hacktivate uses a hands-on approach with 240 graded missions that simulate real-world cybersecurity techniques. Comprehensive tutorials and documentation are provided to teach users the necessary skills to solve challenges.

### How does Hacktivate track user progress?

Users progress globally by unlocking regions and learning different specialties. Progress is automatically synced across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices with a single purchase.

### What are the pricing details for Hacktivate?

The app is free to download and offers 10 challenge hints for free. Additional hints can be purchased via in-app purchases. Unlocking all continents and missions requires a one-time purchase.

### Is Hacktivate suitable for beginners?

Yes, Hacktivate features difficulty that scales from rookies breaking their first code to cyber masterminds. Tutorials and documentation are available to help new users learn.

### Does Hacktivate have ads?

No, Hacktivate does not contain advertisements. The app is free to download and monetizes through optional in-app purchases for hints and a one-time purchase to unlock all content.

### What devices does Hacktivate support?

Hacktivate is available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. A single purchase allows users to play and sync progress across all supported devices.

### How often is Hacktivate updated?

The latest version is 1.12, and the app was last updated on April 30, 2026. Specific update frequency is not detailed, but recent updates indicate ongoing development.

### What do users like most about Hacktivate?

User reviews highlight the great set of puzzles, its fun and educational nature, and its brain-building capabilities. Users praise the great idea and its great implementation.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.13 — 2026-08-06

It's time to upgrade your skills with the Stormbringers and 10 new challenges to keep you on your toes! They forge JavaScript under pressure – not to break systems, but to build precision tools. If your code can’t fight, it won’t survive.

### 1.12 — 2026-04-30

Prepare yourself for the Code Nomads – they speak in pixels, mask intent with beauty, and leave behind only questions! This Hacktivate update adds 10 new challenges in Central Asia, helping take your skills to the next level.

If you're enjoying Hacktivate, please leave a review on the App Store!

### 1.11.2 — 2026-04-19

This update corrects a bug in the Rogue Instance challenge in Packetstorm.

### 1.11.1 — 2026-04-06

This update corrects a bug in the Solar Legion tutorial.

### 1.11 — 2026-04-05

This is the biggest Hacktivate update yet! Dragonsworn joins the game, but all is not as it seems and it's up to you to save the day!

Also in this release:

- You can now adjust music and sound volume during the tutorial.
- There's a new Reset Progress button in the Settings menu.
- Transform Audio is much, much faster, and no longer requires manual toolbox execution.

Thank you for playing Hacktivate - if you're enjoying the game, please leave a review!

## Apps similar to Hacktivate

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Linux Basics](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/linux-basics/id1643338147) | 4.4 (50) | Free | Education |
| [Be Native Dev - Learn Swift](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/be-native-dev-learn-swift/id6745868769) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Education |
| [The Assembler](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-assembler/id1631691804) | 4.8 (10) | Free | Education |
| [bitrig](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bitrig/id6747835910) | 3.3 (56) | Free | Education |
| [SwiftHub: Learn, Build & Hire](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swifthub-learn-build-and-hire/id1539940969) | — | Free | Education |
| [Black Hole Vision](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/black-hole-vision/id6737292448) | 4.7 (15) | Free | Education |

## More apps by Hudson Heavy Industries

- [Unwrap](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/unwrap/id1440611372)
- [Pocket Assembler](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-assembler/id6737518265)
- [Study Latin and Greek - SPQR](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/study-latin-and-greek-spqr/id6741210856)
- [Hands Off: Put Down your Phone](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hands-off-put-down-your-phone/id6745459798)
- [SPQR Education Edition](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spqr-education-edition/id6749261711)

All apps by Hudson Heavy Industries: https://appshunter.io/developer/1727337256

## Related topics

[hacking apps games](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/hacking-apps-games) · [hacking games](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/hacking-games) · [cybersecurity games](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cybersecurity-games) · [security games cyber](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/security-games-cyber) · [learn ethical hacking app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/learn-ethical-hacking-app) · [cryptography](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/cryptography) · [capture the flag](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/capture-the-flag) · [learn ethical hacking](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/learn-ethical-hacking) · [flags capture](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/flags-capture) · [tryhackme](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/tryhackme) · [ethical hacking](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ethical-hacking) · [project breach](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/project-breach) · [blooket hacks](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/blooket-hacks)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-14.*