Linux Basics vs Hacktivate
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Linux Basics
Learn essential Linux commands and concepts through an interactive, gamified mobile experience. Gain practical, day-to-day knowledge and discover useful tips presented in a fun and engaging format.
- Interactive learning
- Gamified approach
- Practical daily knowledge
- Cool tips
- Easy to learn
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Our new mobile interactive and gamified approach makes it easy and fun to learn Linux usage from the basic, the app gives practical day to day knowledge and cool tips in a gameful way.
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.
- 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)
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Linux Basics at none against Hacktivate's 4. Linux Basics also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.5). Hacktivate's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and rating (4.7 vs 4.4). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Hacktivate sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Linux Basics asks for nothing beyond the download.
Hacktivate holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 50 and 32 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Linux Basics's written reviews are positive against 88% of Hacktivate's.
Linux Basics ships an update every 2 months, Hacktivate every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Linux Basics | Hacktivate |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (50 ratings) | 4.7 (32 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 76.7% of reviews | 87.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 50 — better | 32 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 18.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 39 MB | 184 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Gabi Karasin | Hudson Heavy Industries |
Customer experience
Linux Basics
Hacktivate
Bugs and requests
Linux Basics
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Hacktivate
Reported bugs
1 issue- 🐛 Useless but paid-for hint system
Requested features
1 request- Dark mode option
In-app purchases
Linux Basics
No in-app purchases
Hacktivate
- Hint Packet$0.99
- Hint Payload$3.99
- Hint Overload$9.99
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- Unlock Campaign$14.99
Questions
Is Linux Basics free?
Is Hacktivate free?
Which has better reviews, Linux Basics or Hacktivate?
Do Linux Basics or Hacktivate have ads?
Which is updated more often, Linux Basics or Hacktivate?
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