Comparison

HackerX vs Hacktivate

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

Head to head
About

HackerX

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
Read full description

Want to become an ethical hacker to make your career in hacking? Learn cybersecurity and hacking basics and advanced skills using this amazing app - Learn Ethical Hacking - Ethical Hacking Tutorials. On this Ethical Hacking Learning app, you will be able to start with the basics of cybersecurity and hacking so that you can build your skills around it. You can build your hacking skills on the go from Hacking Tutorials on this app. COURSE CONTENT • Understand the basics of Hacker • Know who is known as a Hacker and what is Hacking? • Introduction of security • Types of Hackers • Know about malware • What is Virus - Trojans & Worms You will be able to uncover a lot about the world of cybersecurity and potential vulnerabilities that can exist in computer systems and computer networks of today's world. Learn hacking skills online for free with Learn Ethical Hacking app. This ethical hacking learning app is a free IT and cyber security online training network offering in-depth hacking courses for noobs, intermediate and advanced hackers. With a course library spanning topics such as ethical hacking, advanced penetration testing and digital hacking forensics, this app is the best place to learn hacking skills online. With this app, anyone can take a hacking course. Our app-based learning platform is free and open to all who wish to learn. This is because our app's goal is to make IT, cyber security, penetration testing, and ethical hacking available to everyone, regardless of circumstance. As you start out on your hacking journey It is important to understand what it means to be an ethical hacker. Ethical hackers are hackers who penetrate networks with the goal of uncovering that network’s weaknesses on the owner’s behalf. This way the network owner is better able to secure their system from malicious attacks. If this sounds like something you are interested in pursuing, then you have come to the right place. SUPPORT US If you have any feedback for us, please write us an email and we will be happy to help you out. If you have liked any feature of this app, feel free to rate us on app store and share with other friends.

About

Hacktivate

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
Read full description

Crack codes. Break firewalls. Conquer the map. Hacktivate is the ultimate cybersecurity challenge: a world map of 240 missions where every puzzle is built on real cybersecurity techniques hackers use. From classic ciphers to covert steganography, you’ll sharpen your brain while infiltrating deeper into the network. No fluff. No filler. Just pure challenges. - 240 graded missions across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and more – unlock all the continents with a one-time purchase. - The Hacker’s Toolbox: hashing, encryption, XOR, ciphers, and beyond. - Real-world attack techniques through Unix terminals, web browsers, digital forensics, SQL injection, and more. - Global progression: unlock regions and learn different specialties each time. - Comprehensive tutorials and documentation teach you the skills you need to win. - Difficulty that scales: from rookies breaking their first code to cyber masterminds cracking the strongest firewalls. - Play on iPhone, iPad, and Mac with a single purchase – your progress is auto-synced. - Include 10 challenge hints for free, but you can buy more using in-app purchase. Every lock is a challenge. Every mission is a test. Every solution pulls you deeper into the system. The network is waiting, and your mission starts now! Terms of service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Privacy policy: https://www.hacktivate.app/privacy Hacktivate for schools: https://www.hacktivate.app/schools

Screenshots

HackerX4 screens
Hacktivate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Hacktivate at weekly against HackerX's every 6 weeks. Hacktivate also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 76%). HackerX's advantage is ratings volume (2.9K vs 33) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. HackerX sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Hacktivate sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for HackerX against 4.7 for Hacktivate. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HackerX has 2.9K ratings behind it against 33, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of HackerX's written reviews are positive against 89% of Hacktivate's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HackerX ships an update every 6 weeks, Hacktivate weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
HackerX versus Hacktivate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHackerXHacktivate
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.9K ratings) — better4.7 (33 ratings)
Positive reviews75.5% of reviews88.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.9K — better33
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size63 MB184 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNigel CrastoHudson Heavy Industries

Customer experience

HackerX

All ratings2,816 ratings
Positive93.9%
Neutral2.0%
Negative4.1%
Written reviews466 reviews
Positive75.5%
Neutral7.9%
Negative16.5%

Hacktivate

All ratings33 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral6.1%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive88.7%
Neutral9.4%
Negative1.9%

User reviews

HackerX

From 2.9K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Hacktivate

From 33 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

  • 💰 The price of the full game

Bugs and requests

HackerX

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

6 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • More advanced content
  • Ability to skip lessons based on prior knowledge
  • Better support and troubleshooting
  • Sync progress across devices
Show 1 more
  • More certification options

Hacktivate

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • 🐛 Useless but paid-for hint system

Requested features

1 request
  • Dark mode option

In-app purchases

2 purchases

HackerX

One-time2
  • Limited Time Special Discount!$9.99
  • Hacking Lifetime Access Plan$24.99
4 purchases

Hacktivate

One-time4
  • Hint Packet$0.99
  • Hint Payload$3.99
  • Hint Overload$9.99
Show 1 more
  • Unlock Campaign$14.99

Questions

Is HackerX free?
HackerX 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, HackerX or Hacktivate?
HackerX is rated higher. HackerX averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.9K ratings, while Hacktivate averages 4.7 from 33 ratings.
Do HackerX or Hacktivate have ads?
Neither HackerX nor Hacktivate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HackerX or Hacktivate?
HackerX ships an update every 6 weeks, and Hacktivate weekly. Most recently, HackerX was updated on November 3, 2026 and Hacktivate on November 5, 2026.

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