Hacktivate vs CipherQuest
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
CipherQuest
Learn cybersecurity concepts through interactive puzzles and simulated challenges. Master topics like Linux, cryptography, and web security in a gamified experience with hands-on labs. Progress through skill paths and earn rewards as you capture flags.
- 211 bite-sized challenges
- Simulated terminal and labs
- Learn Linux and command line
- Cryptography and web security
- Digital forensics and recon
- Earn XP and unlock badges
- Offline play
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Cybersecurity, turned into a puzzle game. CipherQuest breaks real security concepts into 211 bite-sized, hands-on challenges you can play anywhere. No setup, no virtual machines, no risk — just you, a simulated terminal, and a flag to capture. Inspired by Capture-The-Flag (CTF) competitions, CipherQuest teaches the concepts security professionals use every day, wrapped in a fast, gamified experience. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN - Linux & the command line — ls, cat, grep, find, permissions, file systems - Cryptography — Base64, hex, Caesar, ROT13, Vigenère, Morse, hashing - Web security — SQL injection, XSS, IDOR, CSRF, SSRF, JWT, and the fixes for each - Recon & scanning — port and service discovery, banner reading, open-source intelligence - Digital forensics — log analysis, packet inspection, steganography, file carving - Memory safety — buffer overflows, ASLR, and why modern defenses exist - Reverse engineering, networking fundamentals, and connected-device security INTERACTIVE LABS This isn't multiple choice. Every lab is a self-contained simulation that runs on your device: - A SQL injection console with a schema browser — see exactly why unsanitized input breaks a login - An XSS lab that runs your payload against a fake page so you can watch the flaw happen - An animated port and service scanner - A network map you explore host by host - A password-hash lab that shows why weak passwords fall in seconds - An encoder/decoder tool bench and a fully simulated Linux terminal BUILT TO KEEP YOU LEARNING - Earn XP and level up as you go - Unlock badges and keep daily streaks - Step-by-step tutorials on every challenge — start as a complete beginner - Hints when you're stuck, flags when you win - Slick neon terminal design with satisfying animations 13 skill paths. 211 levels. Easy to expert. FREE TO START Play the first 10 levels free. Unlock all 211 levels and every interactive lab with a single one-time purchase — no subscription, ever. 100% SIMULATED, 100% OFFLINE CipherQuest never connects to, scans, or interacts with any real system. Every "server", "database" and "network" in the app is fictional data generated on your device. The app provides no tools that work against real systems and no content about circumventing the security of any device, platform or operating system. Whether you're studying for a security certification, prepping for CTF competitions, or just curious how digital security actually works, CipherQuest is the most enjoyable way to build the fundamentals. Download CipherQuest and capture your first flag today.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CipherQuest at none against Hacktivate's 4. CipherQuest also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.5). Hacktivate's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly) and ratings volume (32 vs 1). On price, ads and monetization model 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. CipherQuest asks for nothing beyond the download.
CipherQuest holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hacktivate has 32 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Hacktivate ships an update every 5 days, CipherQuest monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Hacktivate | CipherQuest |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (32 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 87.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 32 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 184 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Hudson Heavy Industries | Heorhii Kozlovskyi |
Customer experience
Hacktivate
CipherQuest
Bugs and requests
Hacktivate
Reported bugs
1 issue- 🐛 Useless but paid-for hint system
Requested features
1 request- Dark mode option
CipherQuest
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
CipherQuest
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Hacktivate free?
Is CipherQuest free?
Which has better reviews, Hacktivate or CipherQuest?
Do Hacktivate or CipherQuest have ads?
Which is updated more often, Hacktivate or CipherQuest?
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