# HackIllinois vs Y Combinator

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HackIllinois at 100% against Y Combinator's 50%. HackIllinois also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 3 weeks) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 32 and 26 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of HackIllinois's written reviews are positive against 50% of Y Combinator's.

HackIllinois ships an update daily, Y Combinator every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HackIllinois | Y Combinator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hackillinois/id1451755268/reviews)** | [4.3 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/y-combinator/id6464718392/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **32** | 26 |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Daily** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 46 MB | 84 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ACM UIUC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1200368579) | [Y Combinator](https://appshunter.io/developer/1706164044) |

## What reviewers say

### HackIllinois

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hackillinois/id1451755268)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Y Combinator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/y-combinator/id6464718392)

Access Y Combinator's extensive library of startup content, including YouTube videos, podcasts, and essays. It also serves as a mobile client for Hacker News, offering the latest startup news for founders and programmers. Additional features are available for YC-funded founders.

**Highlights:** Organized YC YouTube videos, Startup School content, On-the-go podcast listening, Hacker News mobile client, YC founder-only knowledge base, Access Bookface feed and messages

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HackIllinois free?

HackIllinois is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Y Combinator free?

Y Combinator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, HackIllinois or Y Combinator?

HackIllinois is rated higher. HackIllinois averages 4.7 out of 5 from 32 ratings, while Y Combinator averages 4.3 from 26 ratings.

### Do HackIllinois or Y Combinator have ads?

Neither HackIllinois nor Y Combinator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HackIllinois or Y Combinator?

HackIllinois ships an update daily, and Y Combinator every 3 weeks. Most recently, HackIllinois was updated on June 5, 2026 and Y Combinator on September 18, 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.*