# Hacker Reader vs HackStream

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hacker Reader at none against HackStream's 1. Hacker Reader also leads on iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). HackStream's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. HackStream sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Hacker Reader asks for nothing beyond the download.

Hacker Reader ships an update every 2 months, HackStream every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hacker Reader | HackStream |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hacker-reader/id6754137305/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 65 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | +9 | 12+ |
| Developer | [Daniel Capistrano Sarinho Paiva](https://appshunter.io/developer/1580657892) | [FiveSheep OU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1725654318) |

## What reviewers say

### Hacker Reader

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hacker-reader/id6754137305)

A native iOS client for Hacker News offering a streamlined reading experience with home screen widgets, community interaction, and a beautiful, dark-mode-friendly design. Securely log in to upvote, comment, and bookmark stories.

**Highlights:** Browse all story categories, Upvote stories and comments, Secure login with HN account, Post comments and replies, Bookmark stories, Home screen widgets, Dark mode support

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### HackStream

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hackstream-hackernews-feed/id6757635951)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Notifications | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hacker Reader free?

Hacker Reader is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is HackStream free?

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

### Do Hacker Reader or HackStream have ads?

Neither Hacker Reader nor HackStream shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hacker Reader or HackStream?

Hacker Reader ships an update every 2 months, and HackStream every 3 weeks. Most recently, Hacker Reader was updated on October 24, 2026 and HackStream on October 19, 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.*