Comparison

RISC vs Hacktivate

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

Head to head
About

RISC

Simulate a complete 32-bit mobile system, including CPU units and memory. Write and debug assembly code directly on the simulated hardware to understand its inner workings.

Highlights
  • 32-bit system simulation
  • CPU unit simulation
  • Memory subsystem simulation
  • Native assembly coding
  • Built-in debugger
  • Hardware analysis
Features
Read full description

RISC-V Assembly Simulator is a mobile 32-bit system simulator. The app simulates the entire system, all the way from each individual unit on a CPU to the memory subsystem. Write assembly natively to the CPU, with a built-in debugger so you can analyze your code and see what the hardware is doing. This app is designed to allow you to learn how to write assembly from your mobile device, simulating a real CPU at your devices maximum speed. Visualize how the hardware works if you want to, see all the registers, see your entire memory subsystem for each cycle. Learn the components of this individual CPU. This app currently supports the base Int for RV32 along with the M extension, allowing multiplication and division. Dual core systems are supported with the atomic instructions. This app features a built in assembler to allow you to learn to write code along with descriptive errors. Code along with Apple Intelligence, giving you advice and helping you fix bugs along the way (experimental). Natively integrated with your devices file system, allowing seamless transfer between devices and potentially other sources.

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

RISC4 screens
Hacktivate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: RISC at none against Hacktivate's 4. RISC also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and review sentiment (100% vs 89%). Hacktivate's advantage is ratings volume (33 vs 1). On price, 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

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RISC holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hacktivate has 33 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of RISC's written reviews are positive against 89% of Hacktivate's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RISC ships an update every 2 weeks, Hacktivate weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
RISC versus Hacktivate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRISCHacktivate
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.7 (33 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better88.7% of reviews
Number of ratings133 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS26.026.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB184 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatthew JacobsHudson Heavy Industries

Customer experience

RISC

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Hacktivate

All ratings33 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral6.1%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive88.7%
Neutral9.4%
Negative1.9%

Bugs and requests

RISC

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

RISC

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 RISC free?
RISC 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, RISC or Hacktivate?
RISC is rated higher. RISC averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Hacktivate averages 4.7 from 33 ratings.
Do RISC or Hacktivate have ads?
Neither RISC nor Hacktivate shows ads.
Which is updated more often, RISC or Hacktivate?
RISC ships an update every 2 weeks, and Hacktivate weekly. Most recently, RISC was updated on October 1, 2026 and Hacktivate on October 28, 2026.

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