Hacktivate vs Opcodes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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)
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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
Opcodes
This app provides a comprehensive reference for retro CPU opcodes, including detailed descriptions, assembly examples, and historical context. It covers eighteen iconic processors and offers features like search, sorting, and filtering for easy exploration of historical computing information.
- Opcode reference for 18 iconic processors
- Detailed instruction descriptions
- Hex, octal, decimal values
- Flags affected, addressing modes, cycle counts
- Assembly code examples
- CPU history and pinout diagrams
- Simple assembler/disassembler
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Opcodes – The Retro CPU Reference The definitive opcode reference for the legendary processors that launched the personal computer revolution. Whether you're a retrocomputing enthusiast, a student of computer history, writing code for classic hardware, or just a big old nerd - the Opcodes app gives you everything you need. Eighteen iconic processors covered: Intel 4004 · Intel 8008 · Intel 8080 · Intel 8085 · Intel 8088 · Zilog Z80 · Motorola 6800 · Intel 8085 · Motorola 6809 · MOS 6502 · Signetics 2650 · RCA 1802 - SC/MP · Motorola 68000 · Intel 8086 · WDC 65816 · Texas Instruments TMS9900 · INMOS Transputer · ARM2 For every opcode: • Full description of what the instruction does. • Hex, octal, and decimal values. • Flags affected. • Addressing modes and cycle counts. • Assembly code examples - including loops, conditionals, and common patterns. More than just opcodes: • CPU history and historical context. • IC pinout diagrams. • Notable systems that used each CPU, with memory maps and other background information. • Chip variants and successors. • A silly card game(!) • Simple assembler / disassembler for many CPUs. Built for exploration: • Search for opcodes by name or category. • Sort by mnemonic, opcode byte, or category. • Filter by category, Quick Find with a colorful map. • Undocumented instructions clearly marked and optionally displayed. More than microprocessors: • Information on key support chips: video, sound, memory and more. Cool design: • Clean, readable layout optimised for quick reference. • Multiple colour themes. • Full "dark mode" support. Everything is included with absolutely no in-app purchase required. Recent additions: • Quiz game - test your CPU knowledge! • Share CPU cards - beautiful shareable images showing specs and history for any processor • External references - curated links to community resources for all 18 CPUs • "Opcodes display first" setting - choose whether selecting a CPU shows opcodes or info first • Chip-maker colour themes - Zilog, MOS Tech, and Motorola replace the old themes • Enhanced 6502 docs - JMP page boundary bug, BRK behaviour, and Read-Modify-Write quirks • Fixed Scratchpad hang when switching tabs
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Opcodes at free against Hacktivate's free with in-app purchases. Opcodes also leads on iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). Hacktivate's advantage is ratings volume (33 vs 6). On price, rating, update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Hacktivate sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Opcodes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Opcodes holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hacktivate has 33 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Hacktivate ships an update weekly, Opcodes every 8 days. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.
| Parameter | Hacktivate | Opcodes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (33 ratings) | 4.8 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 88.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 33 — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 8 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 18.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 184 MB | 58 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hudson Heavy Industries | John Kennedy |
Customer experience
Hacktivate
Opcodes
Bugs and requests
Hacktivate
Reported bugs
1 issue- 🐛 Useless but paid-for hint system
Requested features
1 request- Dark mode option
Opcodes
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Hacktivate
- Hint Packet$0.99
- Hint Payload$3.99
- Hint Overload$9.99
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- Unlock Campaign$14.99
Opcodes
- Buy Me a Coffee$0.99
Questions
Is Hacktivate free?
Is Opcodes free?
Which has better reviews, Hacktivate or Opcodes?
Do Hacktivate or Opcodes have ads?
Which is updated more often, Hacktivate or Opcodes?
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