HackIllinois vs Illinois
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HackIllinois
This app enhances the hackathon experience by providing event schedules, point-earning opportunities through QR scans and duels, and a shop for redeeming prizes. Users can track their progress, view rankings, and manage check-ins for food and events.
- Event schedule and details
- Point system via QR scans and duels
- Prize redemption in Point Shop
- Personal progress and rank tracking
- Event check-in functionality
- Countdown timer for hacking
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Download the official HackIllinois 2026 app for a complete in-person hackathon experience! With our app, you can: - See how much time you have left to hack! - View the time, location, and other details for all of our events. - Scan QR codes at events to obtain points! - Play duels against other members for points. - Get checked in by staff for food and other events. - Redeem points for merchandise and raffle prizes through our newly improved Point Shop! - View your rank, points, and other personal information. - and more!
Illinois
Navigate the University of Illinois with this comprehensive digital companion. Access class schedules, your student ID, campus maps, and event information. Utilize an AI assistant for university-related questions and discover wellness resources.
- Customizable home screen
- Class schedules and locations
- Digital student ID and bus pass
- AI-powered university assistant
- Interactive campus maps with amenities
- Campus event listings
- Wellness resources
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Your digital companion to the University of Illinois, the Illinois app is for you, whether you’re a student, a Fighting Illini fan, an employee, or a first-time visitor. Features include: • A customizable home screen to make the app your own • Campus map with amenities like ADA entrances, all-gender restrooms, and lactation spaces • Class schedules, locations, and building floor plans • Illini ID, library card, and MTD bus pass • Digital business card • Wellness and safety resources, including SafeWalk requests and 24/7 crisis hotlines • Residence hall dining menus tailored to your food preferences • Groups: create or join one, or explore the official Illinois communities you’re already part of • University events, including Fighting Illini sports, Campus Recreation group fitness classes, arts, culture, and more Your quickest path to support is to report issues at https://go.illinois.edu/AppFeedback.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: HackIllinois at 100% against Illinois's 11%. HackIllinois also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.7) and ads (none vs shown). Illinois's advantage is ratings volume (117 vs 32). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
HackIllinois holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 32 and 117 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of HackIllinois's written reviews are positive against 11% of Illinois's.
HackIllinois ships an update daily, Illinois every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | HackIllinois | Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (32 ratings) — better | 2.7 (117 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 10.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 32 | 117 — better |
| Update frequency | Daily — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 46 MB | 124 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ACM UIUC | University of Illinois |
Customer experience
HackIllinois
Illinois
In-app purchases
HackIllinois
No in-app purchases
Illinois
No in-app purchases
