Comparison

The Lonely Hacker vs HackStack

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

Head to head
About

The Lonely Hacker

Explore a vast open world and engage in realistic hacking simulations. Learn various cybercrime methods and attack vectors using exclusive tools. This game offers a unique adventure with mini-games to keep you entertained.

Highlights
  • Realistic hacking software and hardware
  • Big open world with real countries
  • Learn hacking methods and attack vectors
  • Customized and different adventures
  • Mini-games included
Features
Read full description

Turn your phone into the best digital weapon and become a true master of technology. You will hack everything you can imagine within an enormous open world and coordinate 100% realistic attacks with the tools we have designed exclusively for you. Live a customized and different adventure each time you submerge into the cybercrime world. You will learn every method used by modern hackers and dominate all the attack vectors, from the most common up to the most exclusive ones, known only by security experts and the most dangerous cybercriminals. The knowledge you obtain through the detailed tutorial that will teach you how to use each one of the tools available will also serve you in real-life to better understand the digital world we live in. You will be more aware of the dangers lurking behind each corner in the labyrinth that is the internet and you will feel like a true hacker. Features: - Big open world with all the real countries to travel to and hack every device possible! - Realistic hacking software and hardware! - Mini-games for when you get tired of hacking! Enjoy! A game published by "The Lonely Developer" - An independent developer

About

HackStack

Features
Read full description

Build your hacking empire from nothing. HackStack is an idle clicker set in a cybersecurity underworld. You tap to run exploits, deploy tools that earn while you sleep, research new tech, and build out your rig. It's a cyberpunk parody of the infosec world with real hacking history baked into every corner. EXECUTE exploits to earn CREDS, your in-game currency. Start with a humble Port Scanner. End up running Neural Exploits and a Digital Consciousness. Every tool you deploy keeps earning even when you close the app. RESEARCH 24 tools across 6 categories. Each one comes with an intel card covering real cybersecurity history and lore. 177 cards to find. BUILD YOUR RIG. Upgrade your CPU, RAM, GPU, Storage, Cooling, and PSU. Better hardware means faster research and access to higher-tier tools. EARN CERTIFICATIONS across three branches: Offensive, Defensive, and Management. 23 certs, 69 tiers. They shape how you play and what you can unlock. SURVIVE BREACHES. Phishing attacks, ransomware, DDoS, insider threats. They show up unannounced, they mess with your income, and you need to deal with them fast. COMPLETE DAILY OPS for XP. Quick wins, standard missions, and challenge-tier operations. Something different every day. PRESTIGE when you're ready. Wipe your progress, earn Shadow Creds, buy permanent upgrades, and come back stronger. Free to play. No pay-to-win. Made by one developer who thought Cookie Clicker needed more firmware implants.

Screenshots

The Lonely Hacker4 screens
HackStack4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HackStack at Free against The Lonely Hacker's $0.99. HackStack also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). The Lonely Hacker's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

HackStack is free to download; The Lonely Hacker costs $0.99 up front. HackStack sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. The Lonely Hacker asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Lonely Hacker ships an update every 2 months, HackStack weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
The Lonely Hacker versus HackStack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe Lonely HackerHackStack
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (21 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews78.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings21 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size604 MB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSabin TrupsorJacob Woodfield

In-app purchases

None

The Lonely Hacker

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

HackStack

One-time4
  • Remove Banner Ads$2.99
  • Remove Offline Ads$2.99
  • Remove Ops Ads$2.99
Show 1 more
  • Remove All Ads$6.99

Questions

Is The Lonely Hacker free?
The Lonely Hacker costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is HackStack free?
HackStack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do The Lonely Hacker or HackStack have ads?
HackStack shows ads; The Lonely Hacker does not.
Which is updated more often, The Lonely Hacker or HackStack?
The Lonely Hacker ships an update every 2 months, and HackStack weekly. Most recently, The Lonely Hacker was updated on September 21, 2026 and HackStack on September 15, 2026.

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