# NSScreencast vs Hacktivate

The clearest difference is update cadence: Hacktivate at weekly against NSScreencast's every 2 months. NSScreencast's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.7) and ratings volume (119 vs 33). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NSScreencast sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month and Hacktivate sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

NSScreencast holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 119 and 33 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 87% of NSScreencast's written reviews are positive against 89% of Hacktivate's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

NSScreencast ships an update every 2 months, Hacktivate weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NSScreencast | Hacktivate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (119 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nsscreencast-learn-swift/id1130799278/reviews)** | [4.7 (33 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hacktivate-capture-the-flag/id6748286602/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **119** | 33 |
| Positive reviews | 87.0% of reviews | **88.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 9 MB | 184 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fickle Bits, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/337473128) | [Hudson Heavy Industries](https://appshunter.io/developer/1727337256) |

## What reviewers say

### NSScreencast

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nsscreencast-learn-swift/id1130799278)

Access hundreds of high-quality video tutorials for iOS, Mac, and Swift development. Stay updated with regularly released screencasts covering a wide range of topics, from learning Swift to building applications. Stream or download episodes in HD quality.

**Highlights:** Hundreds of iOS and Swift development videos, Regularly updated screencasts, Download or stream episodes, iPad Picture-in-Picture and Multitasking support, AirPlay to AppleTV, Track unwatched and favorite videos

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $17.99 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $164.99 | per year |


### Hacktivate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hacktivate-capture-the-flag/id6748286602)

Engage in a cybersecurity challenge with 240 missions across a global map, utilizing real hacking techniques. Learn skills from basic ciphers to advanced firewalls, with tutorials and scalable difficulty.

**Highlights:** 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)

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

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

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 The price of the full game

**Reported bugs**

- 🐛 Useless but paid-for hint system

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NSScreencast free?

NSScreencast is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Hacktivate free?

Hacktivate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, NSScreencast or Hacktivate?

NSScreencast is rated higher. NSScreencast averages 4.9 out of 5 from 119 ratings, while Hacktivate averages 4.7 from 33 ratings.

### Do NSScreencast or Hacktivate have ads?

Neither NSScreencast nor Hacktivate shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NSScreencast or Hacktivate?

NSScreencast ships an update every 2 months, and Hacktivate weekly. Most recently, NSScreencast was updated on October 21, 2026 and Hacktivate on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*