Comparison

HackerPillar vs HackTheNews

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

Head to head
About

HackerPillar

This app offers a streamlined and focused reading experience for Hacker News. It features a clean feed, readable comment threads, and a reader mode for articles. Users can save stories, read offline, and track discussions.

Highlights
  • Fast Hacker News feed
  • Readable comment threads
  • Focused Reader Mode
  • Saved stories and offline library
  • Thread tracking
  • Advanced search (Pro)
  • Home screen widget
Features
Read full description

HackerPillar helps you read Hacker News with less friction and more focus. Browse top stories in a clean, high-performance feed, open deep discussions with readable comment threads, and switch to Reader Mode for long-form articles. Save stories, read offline, and track threads you care about. Key features: - Fast, modern Hacker News feed - Readable comments with thread controls - Focused Reader Mode - Saved Stories + Offline Library - Thread tracking and activity checks - Advanced search and custom feeds (Pro) - Home screen widget support - Share extension for quick imports HackerPillar Pro unlocks: - HN account actions (login, vote, reply) - Advanced search and custom feeds - Extended reader and tracking features - Additional power-user tools across the app Subscription details: - Title: HackerPillar Pro - Length: Monthly and Yearly - Price: Pricing varies by region and is shown in-app before purchase - Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period - Manage or cancel in Settings > Apple ID > Subscriptions Privacy Policy: http://smartcodeapps.tech/hackerpillar-privacy-policy/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Built for people who read Hacker News every day.

About

HackTheNews

Features
Read full description

HackTheNews is the smartest way to stay current with Hacker News. Available on iOS, web, and mobile, our AI-powered platform delivers intelligent article and comment summaries—helping you find what matters most, wherever you are. ACCESS ANYWHERE Native iOS app for iPhone and iPad, plus a full-featured web app accessible from any browser. Sync your starred stories and preferences across all devices. Start reading on mobile, continue on desktop. AI-POWERED INTELLIGENCE • Get instant AI-generated article summaries before you read • Understand comment discussions without scrolling hundreds of replies • See key takeaways, arguments, and technical details at a glance • Scan dozens of stories in minutes instead of hours POWERFUL FEATURES • Browse Top Stories, New, Ask HN, Show HN, and Jobs • Smart tagging: Startups, AI/ML, DevOps, Security, Frontend, Backend, Mobile • Star stories to read later, synced across devices • Archive management to keep your feed clean • Tag-based navigation for topics that interest you PREMIUM FEATURES • Unlimited AI summaries with no restrictions • Advanced sorting by points, comments, or time • Tag filtering for specific technology categories • Story archiving Terms of Service: https://hackthenews.app/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://hackthenews.app/privacy-policy

Screenshots

HackerPillar4 screens
HackTheNews4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: HackTheNews at 15.1 against HackerPillar's 26.0. 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. HackerPillar sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month and HackTheNews sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
HackerPillar versus HackTheNews: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHackerPillarHackTheNews
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB39 MB
Age rating17+9+
DeveloperTaha BroachwalaHackTheNews

In-app purchases

1 purchases

HackerPillar

Subscriptions1
  • HackerPillar Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
2 purchases

HackTheNews

Subscriptions2
  • HackTheNews Premium Monthly$3.991 Month
  • HackTheNews Premium Yearly1 Month trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is HackerPillar free?
HackerPillar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HackTheNews free?
HackTheNews is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do HackerPillar or HackTheNews have ads?
Neither HackerPillar nor HackTheNews shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HackerPillar or HackTheNews?
HackerPillar ships an update fortnightly, and HackTheNews fortnightly. Most recently, HackerPillar was updated on June 1, 2026 and HackTheNews on September 10, 2026.

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