Comparison

TERMinator vs HackUDC OS

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

Head to head
About

TERMinator

Connect to Bulletin Board Systems and SSH servers with a retro terminal client. Experience authentic CP437 ANSI art rendering, classic fonts, and ZMODEM file transfers. Manage your connections with a phonebook and quick connect options.

Highlights
  • Telnet and SSH connections
  • CP437/ANSI art rendering
  • Classic bitmap fonts
  • ZMODEM file transfer
  • Scrollback history
  • Phonebook management
Features
Read full description

TERMinator is a retro BBS terminal client for iOS. Connect to Bulletin Board Systems and SSH servers with authentic CP437 ANSI art rendering, multiple classic fonts, and ZMODEM file transfers. Features: - Telnet and SSH connections - Pixel-perfect CP437/ANSI art with Metal rendering - Multiple screen modes (80x25, 80x40, 80x50, 132x25, 132x50) - Classic bitmap fonts including IBM VGA, Topaz, and more - ZMODEM file upload and download - Scrollback history - Session logging - Phonebook with drag-to-reorder and thumbnails - Quick Connect buttons for favorite BBSes - Zoom and pan controls - Clickable URL detection - Export/import BBS lists

About

HackUDC OS

Features
Read full description

hackOS is the official HackUDC app: the whole hackathon in your pocket, whether you're here to participate or to organize. FOR PARTICIPANTS • Schedule: the day-by-day program, with search and reminders. • Judging queue: your team's position, estimated wait and assigned room, in real time. • Live Activities: queue, deadlines, meals and your badge on the Lock Screen, the Dynamic Island and Apple Watch. • Badge and entry: your QR codes at hand, and saved to Apple Wallet. • Projects: create and edit your project, add photos, invite your team, read each challenge's briefing and submit before the deadline. • Networking: scan badges and sponsor booths to save people and companies to your Contacts. Edit your bio, links, CV and photo. • Notifications: judging turns, schedule changes and announcements, with a dedicated inbox and full control over reminders. • No signal, no problem: the schedule and your data are stored securely on your device. FOR STAFF AND ORGANIZERS • Check-in: scan badges, assign or replace them. • Presence: track attendees' entries and exits. • Meals and activities: log by scanning and instantly detect duplicates. • Judging queues: call teams, see who is presenting and manage their participation. • Attendees: search the full list with their real-time status. • NFC scanning or manual entry, even offline.

Screenshots

TERMinator2 screens
HackUDC OS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: TERMinator at every 8 days against HackUDC OS's every 2 weeks. On price, ads, 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TERMinator ships an update every 8 days, HackUDC OS every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
TERMinator versus HackUDC OS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTERMinatorHackUDC OS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (9 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings9 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size120 MB70 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPhil WhittemoreGPUL

In-app purchases

None

TERMinator

No in-app purchases

None

HackUDC OS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TERMinator free?
TERMinator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HackUDC OS free?
HackUDC OS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do TERMinator or HackUDC OS have ads?
Neither TERMinator nor HackUDC OS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TERMinator or HackUDC OS?
TERMinator ships an update every 8 days, and HackUDC OS every 2 weeks. Most recently, TERMinator was updated on October 24, 2026 and HackUDC OS on October 28, 2026.

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