Comparison

Hacktivate vs Blackbat

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

Head to head
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

About

Blackbat

Features
Read full description

Pass your cybersecurity certification without the 900-page textbook. Blackbat drills you on real exam questions in five-minute sessions — the same way language apps teach vocabulary. WHAT YOU GET • 2,000+ questions written against the real exam objectives • Six tracks: CompTIA Security+, Network+, A+, Cisco CCNA, AWS Cloud Practitioner, ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity • Four question formats, including log triage and command building — not just multiple choice • Short interactive courses when you want the concept before the questions • Misses come back in review drills, right before you'd forget them BUILT AROUND YOU Tell us your level and what you're studying for, and your path is ordered to match. Beginners start with fundamentals. People already in tech get the hands-on material first. KEEP THE HABIT Streaks, XP, daily challenges and a weekly leaderboard. Five minutes a day beats a three-hour cram you'll forget. FREE TO START 10 certification questions a day, free, forever. No account needed to begin. Blackbat Pro unlocks every bank with unlimited practice, unlimited hearts and no ads. BLACKBAT PRO Available monthly, every 3 months, or every 12 months. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel in your Apple ID account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://blackbatterminal.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

Hacktivate4 screens
Blackbat4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Hacktivate at none against Blackbat's shown. Blackbat's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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 and Blackbat sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. Both last shipped on November 5, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Hacktivate versus Blackbat: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHacktivateBlackbat
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (33 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews88.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings33 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS26.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size184 MB75 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHudson Heavy IndustriesMilind Bhatt

Bugs and requests

Hacktivate

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • 🐛 Useless but paid-for hint system

Requested features

1 request
  • Dark mode option

Blackbat

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
6 purchases

Blackbat

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Blackbat Pro 3 Months7 Days trial$12.993 Months
  • Blackbat Pro Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time3
  • 100 Gems$0.99
  • 100 Gems$3.99
  • 1400 Gems$8.99

Questions

Is Hacktivate free?
Hacktivate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Blackbat free?
Blackbat is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Hacktivate or Blackbat have ads?
Blackbat shows ads; Hacktivate does not.
Which is updated more often, Hacktivate or Blackbat?
Hacktivate ships an update weekly, and Blackbat weekly. Most recently, Hacktivate was updated on November 5, 2026 and Blackbat on November 5, 2026.

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