Comparison

Hacki for Hacker News vs command_line

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

Head to head
About

Hacki for Hacker News

Access Hacker News content with this open-source client. Browse, search, and submit stories, manage favorites, leave comments, and participate in polls. Enjoy offline reading and receive notifications for replies.

Highlights
  • Hacker News account login
  • Browse stories by category
  • Search and submit stories
  • Favorite and pin stories
  • Comment and view polls
  • Offline reading
  • Reply notifications
Features
Read full description

Features: - Hacker News account login - Favorites sync - Hacker News Search - In-thread search - Ancestor lookup so you don't have to scroll back up to regain context - In-thread notification for new comments since your last visit - In-app notification for new replies to your comments or stories - Offline mode - Synced settings across devices - Favorites import and export - Open Hacker News link in Hacki via system share dialog - Share story or comment as image - Reply, vote, filter, block - Polls - True dark mode - Tablet support - Accent color and font customization - And more...

About

command_line

A fast, terminal-style client for reading and participating in Hacker News discussions. Offers a focused interface with features like offline caching and story saving. Premium unlocks account actions and advanced tools for deeper engagement.

Highlights
  • Terminal-inspired interface
  • Browse all story types
  • Threaded comment discussions
  • Search Hacker News
  • Save stories with bookmarks
  • Offline caching
  • Account sign-in and participation
Features
Read full description

command_line is a fast, terminal-style Hacker News client built for readers who want speed, focus, and real participation. Browse top stories, new stories, best stories, Ask HN, Show HN, jobs, polls, profiles, and full discussion threads in a clean mobile experience designed to feel quick, dense, and intentional. Unlike many read-only Hacker News apps, command_line is built for both reading and doing. Free users can browse and read comfortably, while premium unlocks account-based actions and power-user tools. FREE FEATURES • Read Hacker News with a fast, terminal-inspired interface • Browse Top, New, Best, Ask HN, Show HN, Jobs, and Polls • Open full story discussions with threaded comments • Search Hacker News stories and discussions • Save stories with bookmarks for later • Use offline-friendly caching for faster repeat visits • View user profiles and activity • Enjoy a focused dark interface designed for mobile reading PREMIUM FEATURES • Sign in to your Hacker News account • Upvote stories and comments • Reply to discussions • Submit posts • Manage your account session from the app • Access RSS tools and advanced power-user features WHY command_line Most Hacker News clients feel outdated, slow, or limited. command_line was rebuilt to feel fast on every revisit, not just the first load. It combines quick browsing, cached reading, dense threaded discussions, and a terminal-style design that stands out from generic news apps. Whether you just want a better way to read Hacker News on mobile or a premium tool for participating in the community, command_line is built to help you move through the news quickly and stay close to the conversation. SUBSCRIPTION / PURCHASE INFO Premium is available as an optional monthly, yearly, or lifetime upgrade. Reading remains free. Premium unlocks account actions and advanced features such as sign-in, voting, replying, posting, and RSS tools. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your App Store account settings.

Screenshots

Hacki for Hacker News4 screens
command_line4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hacki for Hacker News at none against command_line's 3. Hacki for Hacker News also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 15 months) and ratings volume (40 vs 2). command_line's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.6). On price, ads and device support 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. command_line sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Hacki for Hacker News asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

command_line holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hacki for Hacker News has 40 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hacki for Hacker News ships an update every 3 days, command_line every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Hacki for Hacker News versus command_line: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHacki for Hacker Newscommand_line
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (40 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings40 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 15 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB39 MB
Age rating17+9+
DeveloperJiaqi FengDaniel Shaw

Customer experience

Hacki for Hacker News

All ratings40 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive88.2%
Neutral5.9%
Negative5.9%

command_line

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Hacki for Hacker News

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

command_line

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Hacki for Hacker News free?
Hacki for Hacker News is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is command_line free?
command_line is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Hacki for Hacker News or command_line?
command_line is rated higher. Hacki for Hacker News averages 4.6 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while command_line averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Hacki for Hacker News or command_line have ads?
Neither Hacki for Hacker News nor command_line shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hacki for Hacker News or command_line?
Hacki for Hacker News ships an update every 3 days, and command_line every 15 months. Most recently, Hacki for Hacker News was updated on October 13, 2026 and command_line on October 8, 2026.

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