# HackerX vs Hacktivate

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | HackerX | Hacktivate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hackerx-learn-ethical-hacking/id1542444199/reviews)** | [4.7 (33 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hacktivate-capture-the-flag/id6748286602/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.9K** | 33 |
| Positive reviews | 75.5% of reviews | **88.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 63 MB | 184 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nigel Crasto](https://appshunter.io/developer/1049691225) | [Hudson Heavy Industries](https://appshunter.io/developer/1727337256) |

## 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


### Hacktivate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hacktivate-capture-the-flag/id6748286602)

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:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hint Packet | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hint Payload | $3.99 | one-time |
| Hint Overload | $9.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Campaign | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 The price of the full game

**Reported bugs**

- 🐛 Useless but paid-for hint system

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*