# Hacktivate vs DFE Forensics Essentials Prep

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DFE Forensics Essentials Prep at none against Hacktivate's 4. DFE Forensics Essentials Prep also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.5). Hacktivate's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 4 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Hacktivate ships an update every 5 days, DFE Forensics Essentials Prep every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hacktivate | DFE Forensics Essentials Prep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (32 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hacktivate-capture-the-flag/id6748286602/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **32** | — |
| Positive reviews | 87.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 184 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hudson Heavy Industries](https://appshunter.io/developer/1727337256) | [Davy Raitt](https://appshunter.io/developer/1795318281) |

## What reviewers say

### Hacktivate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hacktivate-capture-the-flag/id6748286602)

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:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hint Packet | $0.99 | one-time |
| Hint Payload | $3.99 | one-time |
| Hint Overload | $9.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Campaign | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great set of puzzles
- 👍 Fun and educational
- 👍 Brain-building
- 👍 Great idea, great implementation
- 👍 Great game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 The price of the full game

**Reported bugs**

- 🐛 Useless but paid-for hint system

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option


### DFE Forensics Essentials Prep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dfe-forensics-essentials-prep/id6758678052)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hacktivate free?

Hacktivate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is DFE Forensics Essentials Prep free?

DFE Forensics Essentials Prep is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Hacktivate or DFE Forensics Essentials Prep have ads?

Neither Hacktivate nor DFE Forensics Essentials Prep shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hacktivate or DFE Forensics Essentials Prep?

Hacktivate ships an update every 5 days, and DFE Forensics Essentials Prep every 4 months. Most recently, Hacktivate was updated on October 7, 2026 and DFE Forensics Essentials Prep on September 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*