Comparison

Surfboard vs HackTheNews

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

Head to head
About

Surfboard

This app acts as a personalized news aggregator, allowing users to easily organize and curate content from various online sources into a single, streamlined feed. It offers a customizable reading experience with features like dark/light mode adaptation and respects system text size settings for accessibility.

Highlights
  • Effortless URL management
  • Customizable content curation by topics
  • Streamlined single feed
  • SwiftUI interface
  • SwiftData for reliable data handling
  • System setting adaptation (dark/light mode)
  • Accessibility-focused design
Currently charting
Read full description

Surfboard - RSS Reader is not just an app; it's your personalized news concierge. Designed for the savvy, on-the-go individual, Surfboard transforms how you interact with the online world of news, blogs, and stories. Effortless Organization: Easily add and manage URLs with our Feeds feature. No more jumping between sites - get all your favorite content in one streamlined feed. Customized Content Curation: Our Topics feature allows you to categorize your feeds, ensuring you only see what interests you. Tailor your news experience to your personal tastes and preferences. State-of-the-Art Technology: Enjoy a smooth, responsive interface crafted with SwiftUI. Experience quick, reliable data handling thanks to SwiftData - all leading to a more enjoyable reading experience. A Reading Experience Tailored to You: Surfboard automatically adapts to your preferred system settings. Whether you're a fan of dark mode or prefer light mode, the app adjusts to your choice, ensuring a comfortable reading environment. Accessibility-First Design: We recognize the importance of accessibility. That's why Surfboard respects your device's text size settings, making it easier for everyone, including users with visual impairments, to read and enjoy content. Why Choose Surfboard? In a world overloaded with information, Surfboard is your personal filter, bringing you directly to what matters most. It's not just about staying updated; it's about staying informed in the most convenient, personalized way possible. With Surfboard, you control the waves of information. Dive into a world where content meets convenience. Welcome to Surfboard - RSS Reader. Your news, refined and defined by you.

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

Surfboard3 screens
HackTheNews4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HackTheNews at Free against Surfboard's $4.99. HackTheNews also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.0). Surfboard's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#118 vs unranked). On update cadence, 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

HackTheNews is free to download; Surfboard costs $4.99 up front. HackTheNews sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Surfboard asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Surfboard versus HackTheNews: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurfboardHackTheNews
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#118 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB39 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperIan LeonHackTheNews

In-app purchases

None

Surfboard

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

HackTheNews

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

Questions

Is Surfboard free?
Surfboard costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is HackTheNews free?
HackTheNews is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Surfboard or HackTheNews have ads?
Neither Surfboard nor HackTheNews shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Surfboard or HackTheNews?
Surfboard ships an update fortnightly, and HackTheNews fortnightly. Most recently, Surfboard was updated on October 27, 2026 and HackTheNews on October 20, 2026.

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