Comparison

command_line vs Hacker News Headlines

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

Head to head
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session from the app • Access RSS tools and advanced power-user features WHY command_line Most Hacker News clients feel outdated, slow, or limited.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.

About

Hacker News Headlines

Access the latest technology, startup, and programming news with a fast and reliable reader. Enjoy a clean interface, easy navigation of comment threads, and enhanced readability. This app offers a pure content experience without ads or subscriptions.

Highlights
  • Clean, modern interface
  • Fast and reliable performance
  • Easy comment thread navigation
  • Readable typography
  • Ad-free experience
Features
Read full description

Stay Ahead with the Latest Tech News Dive into the world of technology, startups, programming, and more with the ultimate Hacker Headlines. This app delivers the top stories and discussions right to your fingertips with unparalleled speed and usability. Key Features: * Beautiful Design: Enjoy a clean, modern interface that's a pleasure to use. * Fast and Reliable: Get the latest updates with lightning-fast performance. * Enhanced Reading: Navigate large comment threads easily and enjoy readable typography. * Ad-Free Experience: No ads, no subscriptions, just pure content. Feedback and Support: Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us at d.piromnia@gmail.com or visit our GitHub page https://github.com/dipiro/Hacker-Headlines.

Screenshots

command_line4 screens
Hacker News Headlines4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hacker News Headlines at none against command_line's 3. command_line's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. Hacker News Headlines asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for command_line against 5.0 for Hacker News Headlines. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
command_line versus Hacker News Headlines: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parametercommand_lineHacker News Headlines
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Number of ratings22
Update frequencyEvery 15 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB3 MB
Age rating9+17+
DeveloperDaniel ShawDzmitry Pirozhnik

Customer experience

command_line

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

Hacker News Headlines

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

In-app purchases

3 purchases

command_line

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$99.99
None

Hacker News Headlines

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is command_line free?
command_line is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hacker News Headlines free?
Hacker News Headlines is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, command_line or Hacker News Headlines?
command_line and Hacker News Headlines are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do command_line or Hacker News Headlines have ads?
Neither command_line nor Hacker News Headlines shows ads.

Other comparisons