# HackerX vs Penetration Tester Exam 2026

The clearest difference is update cadence: HackerX at every 6 weeks against Penetration Tester Exam 2026's every 10 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. HackerX sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Penetration Tester Exam 2026 sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

HackerX ships an update every 6 weeks, Penetration Tester Exam 2026 every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HackerX | Penetration Tester Exam 2026 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hackerx-learn-ethical-hacking/id1542444199/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2.9K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 10 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Size | 63 MB | 55 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nigel Crasto](https://appshunter.io/developer/1049691225) | [Snap Prep OU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1711932790) |

## What reviewers say

### HackerX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hackerx-learn-ethical-hacking/id1542444199)

Learn the fundamentals and advanced techniques of ethical hacking and cybersecurity. This app offers comprehensive courses for beginners and experienced individuals, covering topics from basic hacking concepts to penetration testing and digital forensics. Gain practical skills to secure systems and build a career in the field.

**Highlights:** Learn cybersecurity basics, Advanced hacking skills, Ethical hacking tutorials, Penetration testing, Digital forensics, Beginner-friendly lessons

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Limited Time Special Discount! | $9.99 | one-time |
| Hacking Lifetime Access Plan | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Great teaching
- 💡 Beginner-friendly
- 🚀 Straightforward lessons
- 👍 Organized and simple

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy tests and quizzes
- 💰 Paywall for full access
- 🔍 Requires external tools/websites
- 🔍 Outdated content
- 🔍 Limited free content

**Reported bugs**

- Lessons not displaying properly
- Inability to select answers in tests
- App freezing or getting stuck on loading screens
- Compatibility issues with Mac OS

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- More advanced content
- Ability to skip lessons based on prior knowledge
- Better support and troubleshooting
- Sync progress across devices


### Penetration Tester Exam 2026

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penetration-tester-exam-2026/id6480476665)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| GiAC GPEN Weekly Full Access | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| GiAC GPEN Monthly Full Access | $29.99 | per month |
| GPEN Monthly Full Access | $34.99 | per month |
| GPEN Quarterly Full Access | $55.99 | per 3 months |
| GPEN Quarterly Full Access | $59.99 | per 3 months |
| GPEN Semiannual Full Access | $75.99 | per 6 months |
| GPEN Semiannual Full Access | $79.99 | per 6 months |
| GPEN Annual Full Access | $109.99 | per year |
| GPEN Annual Full Access | $119.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HackerX free?

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

### Is Penetration Tester Exam 2026 free?

Penetration Tester Exam 2026 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do HackerX or Penetration Tester Exam 2026 have ads?

Neither HackerX nor Penetration Tester Exam 2026 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HackerX or Penetration Tester Exam 2026?

HackerX ships an update every 6 weeks, and Penetration Tester Exam 2026 every 10 months. Most recently, HackerX was updated on November 3, 2026 and Penetration Tester Exam 2026 on November 4, 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.*