Comparison

Linux Basics vs Hacktivate

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Interactive learning
  • Gamified approach
  • Practical daily knowledge
  • Cool tips
  • Easy to learn
Features
Read full description

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.

About

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.

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
Read full description

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

Linux Basics4 screens
Hacktivate4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Hacktivate sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Linux Basics asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Linux Basics versus Hacktivate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLinux BasicsHacktivate
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (50 ratings)4.7 (32 ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.7% of reviews87.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings50 — better32
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.1 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB184 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGabi KarasinHudson Heavy Industries

Customer experience

Linux Basics

All ratings50 ratings
Positive82.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive76.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative6.7%

Hacktivate

All ratings32 ratings
Positive90.6%
Neutral6.3%
Negative3.1%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive87.8%
Neutral9.8%
Negative2.4%

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

None

Linux Basics

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Hacktivate

One-time4
  • Hint Packet$0.99
  • Hint Payload$3.99
  • Hint Overload$9.99
Show 1 more
  • Unlock Campaign$14.99

Questions

Is Linux Basics free?
Linux Basics is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hacktivate free?
Hacktivate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Linux Basics or Hacktivate?
Hacktivate is rated higher. Linux Basics averages 4.4 out of 5 from 50 ratings, while Hacktivate averages 4.7 from 32 ratings.
Do Linux Basics or Hacktivate have ads?
Neither Linux Basics nor Hacktivate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Linux Basics or Hacktivate?
Linux Basics ships an update every 2 months, and Hacktivate every 5 days. Most recently, Linux Basics was updated on September 8, 2026 and Hacktivate on September 19, 2026.

Other comparisons