Comparison

Hacktivate vs Cipher Forge

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 cybersecurity challenges with 240 real-world hacking technique missions. Progress through a global map, learning encryption, steganography, and more. Designed for educational use, it offers scalable difficulty and comprehensive tutorials.

Highlights
  • 240 graded cybersecurity missions
  • Real-world hacking techniques
  • Global progression map
  • Hacker's Toolbox (hashing, encryption, XOR)
  • Unix terminals and web browsers
  • Scalable difficulty
  • Cross-platform 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. Hacktivate: Education Edition is the same as the regular Hacktivate app, except it's paid up front so that schools and colleges can use it. - 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. 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

About

Cipher Forge

Read full description

CipherForge turns secret messages into an adventure. Choose from over a dozen cipher modes, chain them together for maximum mystery, or build your very own personal code in The Forge. CIPHER MODES INCLUDED: - Caesar Cipher: classic letter shift - Vigenere Cipher: keyword-powered encryption - Atbash: ancient A=Z, B=Y reversal - Rail Fence: zigzag message scrambling - Pig Latin: the classic playground code - Morse Code: dots and dashes like a telegraph operator - Substitution: swap every letter with a custom alphabet - Reverse: read it backwards - Number Cipher: replace letters with numbers - Elvish Script: mystical runic encoding - Invisible Ink: hide your message with decoy letters - Levi's Conundrum: alternating number substitution - The Caleb Protocol: swap every pair of letters - The Forge: design your own code where every letter maps to your secret symbol or word THE FORGE Create a completely personal cipher. Assign any word, symbol, or string to each letter of the alphabet, then share your custom codebook with friends so they can decode your messages. CHAIN CIPHERS TOGETHER Build multi-layer codes by stacking ciphers. Vigenere + Rail Fence + Caesar? Your message becomes nearly impossible to crack without knowing the full chain. SHARE WITH FRIENDS Generate a QR code or short text share code for any cipher mode. Friends scan or enter the code to import your exact cipher setup. No accounts needed. MESSAGE HISTORY Every message you encode or decode is saved locally so you can refer back to it later. Clear it any time. COMPLETELY PRIVATE CipherForge works 100% offline. No accounts. No ads. No tracking. No data ever leaves your device. Perfect for kids learning about cryptography, families playing secret message games, teachers introducing code-breaking concepts, and anyone who loves puzzles.

Screenshots

Hacktivate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Cipher Forge at Free against Hacktivate's $19.99. Hacktivate's advantage is device support. On in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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

Cipher Forge is free to download; Hacktivate costs $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Hacktivate versus Cipher Forge: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHacktivateCipher Forge
Price$19.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly—
AdsNo—
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — better—
Requires iOS18.517.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size184 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHudson Heavy IndustriesCurtis Wyattt

In-app purchases

None

Hacktivate

No in-app purchases

None

Cipher Forge

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hacktivate free?
Hacktivate costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cipher Forge free?
Cipher Forge is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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