Comparison

Hacked News vs command_line

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

Head to head
About

Hacked News

Features
Read full description

Hacked News is an app for exploring news articles from Hacker News. Browse, search and view specific computer science and entrepreneurship articles. Explore the Search tab and Jobs tabs. Access to everything Hacker News all in one place!

About

command_line

A fast, terminal-style client for reading and participating in Hacker News discussions. Offers a focused interface with features like offline caching and story saving. Premium unlocks account actions and advanced tools for deeper engagement.

Highlights
  • Terminal-inspired interface
  • Browse all story types
  • Threaded comment discussions
  • Search Hacker News
  • Save stories with bookmarks
  • Offline caching
  • Account sign-in and participation
Features
Read full description

command_line is a fast, terminal-style Hacker News client built for readers who want speed, focus, and real participation. Browse top stories, new stories, best stories, Ask HN, Show HN, jobs, polls, profiles, and full discussion threads in a clean mobile experience designed to feel quick, dense, and intentional. Unlike many read-only Hacker News apps, command_line is built for both reading and doing. Free users can browse and read comfortably, while premium unlocks account-based actions and power-user tools. FREE FEATURES • Read Hacker News with a fast, terminal-inspired interface • Browse Top, New, Best, Ask HN, Show HN, Jobs, and Polls • Open full story discussions with threaded comments • Search Hacker News stories and discussions • Save stories with bookmarks for later • Use offline-friendly caching for faster repeat visits • View user profiles and activity • Enjoy a focused dark interface designed for mobile reading PREMIUM FEATURES • Sign in to your Hacker News account • Upvote stories and comments • Reply to discussions • Submit posts • Manage your account session from the app • Access RSS tools and advanced power-user features WHY command_line Most Hacker News clients feel outdated, slow, or limited. command_line was rebuilt to feel fast on every revisit, not just the first load. It combines quick browsing, cached reading, dense threaded discussions, and a terminal-style design that stands out from generic news apps. Whether you just want a better way to read Hacker News on mobile or a premium tool for participating in the community, command_line is built to help you move through the news quickly and stay close to the conversation. SUBSCRIPTION / PURCHASE INFO Premium is available as an optional monthly, yearly, or lifetime upgrade. Reading remains free. Premium unlocks account actions and advanced features such as sign-in, voting, replying, posting, and RSS tools. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your App Store account settings.

Screenshots

Hacked News4 screens
command_line4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hacked News at none against command_line's 3. On price, update cadence, ads 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. command_line sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Hacked News asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hacked News ships an update every 8 months, command_line every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and July 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Hacked News versus command_line: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHacked Newscommand_line
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 months — betterEvery 15 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreemium
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB39 MB
Age rating9+9+
DeveloperCarey McGheeDaniel Shaw

In-app purchases

None

Hacked News

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

command_line

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Hacked News free?
Hacked News is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is command_line free?
command_line is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Hacked News or command_line have ads?
Neither Hacked News nor command_line shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hacked News or command_line?
Hacked News ships an update every 8 months, and command_line every 15 months. Most recently, Hacked News was updated on September 17, 2026 and command_line on July 23, 2026.

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