Comparison

Hack Ex 2 vs Shadow Node

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

Head to head
About

Hack Ex 2

Engage in real-time multiplayer hacking battles. Scan targets, exploit their defenses, steal virtual crypto, and build your hacking arsenal. Join crews for coordinated raids and climb the leaderboards to become the top hacker.

Highlights
  • Real-time multiplayer hacking
  • PvP raids and daily missions
  • Scan and exploit targets
  • Build and upgrade hacking tools
  • Steal and stash virtual crypto
  • Crew up for coordinated attacks
  • Climb leaderboards and ranks
Features
Read full description

Hack Ex 2 is a real-time multiplayer hacking game where every target is a real player. Scan the network, break through firewalls, crack passwords, and drain crypto wallets — while other hackers try to do the same to you. This is the sequel to Hack Ex, the original mobile hacker simulator played by millions. Rebuilt from the ground up with crews, PvP raids, a shared Crew Server, daily missions, and a deeper endgame. SCAN & EXPLOIT Find targets, read their defenses, and launch your attack. Bypass the firewall to get in, then crack the password to reach the wallet. STEAL & STASH Drain crypto (in-game) from rival wallets, then move it to Cold Storage before someone hacks you back. BUILD YOUR ARSENAL Upgrade your Bypasser, Password Cracker, Spam, Rootkit, Siphon virus, and more. Use a Keygen to unlock software on the cheap. Every upgrade makes you faster and deadlier. UPGRADE YOUR RIG From a basic Raider to the Nova Ultra, your device and network speed decide how fast your hacks land. Faster rig, more targets per hour. DEFEND OR GET WRECKED Firewall, Antivirus, Password Encryptor: layer your defenses or wake up to an empty wallet and a trashed reputation. CREW UP Join a crew for encrypted chat, coordinated PvP raids, and crew-wide Rootkit debuffs on rival hackers. NEW: CREW SERVER Pool Crypto into your crew's treasury and build a shared server that buffs every member: • CPU: faster firewall bypasses and password cracks • NIC: faster downloads and uploads • RAM: extra Spam slots for every member • Uplink: more targets on every scan • Storage: room for more members Keep the treasury funded to keep the server online. The strongest crews run the strongest hardware. CLIMB THE RANKS Daily missions, login streaks, and PvP leaderboards. Reach Level 50, then trigger the Reboot Protocol to start over with exclusive hardware and passive abilities. CUSTOMIZE YOUR DEVICE Unlock wallpapers as you upgrade. Collect themed packs like NetRunner, Sentinel, and the Legacy Collection. PLAY IN YOUR LANGUAGE Available in 12 languages, on phones, tablets, and foldables. Free to play. No hacking knowledge required. This is not a real hacking tool — this is a game. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://hackex.net/privacy

About

Shadow Node

Infiltrate global networks and breach high-security servers to mine data fragments. Progress even while offline with your botnet, and invest in upgrades to increase your hacking efficiency. Unlock permanent bonuses through a strategic prestige system to ascend to hacker supremacy.

Highlights
  • Progressive Hacking Network
  • Idle Gameplay with Botnet
  • Deep Upgrade System
  • Strategic Prestige System
  • Milestones & Achievements
  • Immersive Cyberpunk Atmosphere
Features
Read full description

Welcome to Shadow Node – the ultimate hacker idle experience. You are an elite hacker on a mission to infiltrate global networks, breach high-security servers, and mine valuable data fragments. Your ultimate goal? The legendary Shadow Node—a network so secretive it is only spoken of in whispers on the deepest dark web forums. Are you ready to bring the digital world to its knees? FEATURES Progressive Hacking Network Work your way up from simple local networks to complex government databases. Every successful hack brings you closer to the top of the digital food chain. Idle Gameplay: Your Botnet Never Sleeps Progress even while you’re offline. Your scripts automatically gather data fragments while you're away. Return to collect massive rewards—perfect for hackers on the go. Deep Upgrade System Invest in cutting-edge hacking tools, AI assistants, massive botnets, and quantum processors. Optimize your mining rate with hundreds of unique upgrades. Strategic Prestige System Perform a strategic reset to unlock permanent bonuses and multipliers. Plan your ascension carefully to exponentially increase your earning potential. Milestones & Achievements Complete challenging objectives to unlock legendary Dark Matter upgrades that fundamentally transform your gameplay. Immersive Cyberpunk Atmosphere Experience an atmospheric soundtrack and a dark aesthetic designed to pull you deep into the world of cybercrime. HIGHLIGHTS Offline Progression: Your mining operations run 24/7. Fully Customizable: Tweak visual effects, haptic feedback, and choose from multiple languages. Mobile Optimized: Smooth gameplay and intuitive touch controls. PREMIUM MODE (Optional) Maximize your efficiency with the Premium Upgrade: 2x Mining Rate: Double the speed of your data extraction. Ad-Free: No interruptions, just pure hacking. Instant Boosts: Get immediate payouts with zero delays. Leave no trace. Download Shadow Node now and begin your ascent to hacker stardom!

Screenshots

Hack Ex 24 screens
Shadow Node4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Shadow Node at 5.0 against Hack Ex 2's 4.4. Hack Ex 2's advantage is ratings volume (92 vs 1). On price, update cadence, 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. Hack Ex 2 sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Shadow Node sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Shadow Node holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hack Ex 2 has 92 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hack Ex 2 ships an update every 6 days, Shadow Node weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Hack Ex 2 versus Shadow Node: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHack Ex 2Shadow Node
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (92 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews49.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings92 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterWeekly
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB132 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCNC Apps, LLCNETBYTE UG (haftungsbeschränkt)

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Hack Ex 2

Subscriptions2
  • Hacker Pass$4.991 Month
  • Elite Pass$9.991 Month
One-time7
  • 100 Credits$0.99
  • 210 Credits$1.99
  • Starter Kit$2.99
Show 4 more
  • 550 Credits$4.99
  • 1150 Credits$9.99
  • 2350 Credits$19.99
  • 6000 Credits$49.99
1 purchases

Shadow Node

One-time1
  • Premium$1.99

Questions

Is Hack Ex 2 free?
Hack Ex 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shadow Node free?
Shadow Node is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Hack Ex 2 or Shadow Node?
Shadow Node is rated higher. Hack Ex 2 averages 4.4 out of 5 from 92 ratings, while Shadow Node averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Hack Ex 2 or Shadow Node have ads?
Both Hack Ex 2 and Shadow Node show ads.
Which is updated more often, Hack Ex 2 or Shadow Node?
Hack Ex 2 ships an update every 6 days, and Shadow Node weekly. Most recently, Hack Ex 2 was updated on November 13, 2026 and Shadow Node on November 9, 2026.

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