# Hack Tycoon vs EmberForge

The clearest difference is device support: Hack Tycoon at 3 against EmberForge's 1. Hack Tycoon also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Hack Tycoon sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and EmberForge sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hack Tycoon | EmberForge |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[3.7 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/emberforge-idle-tycoon/id6792414502/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **6** |
| Positive reviews | — | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | Every 5 days |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 39 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yousef Alenezi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1092319508) | [BRAXTON REED CHANDLER](https://appshunter.io/developer/6792414504) |

## What reviewers say

### Hack Tycoon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hack-tycoon-dark-protocol/id6759050105)

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Gem Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Starter Pack | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium Gem Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |
| Large Gem Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Premium Pass | $4.99 | one-time |
| Mega Gem Pack | $9.99 | one-time |


### EmberForge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/emberforge-idle-tycoon/id6792414502)

Build a blacksmithing empire through tapping and strategic upgrades. Hire workers to generate gold even when offline, and unlock powerful producers to expand your business. Features a deep progression system with prestige mechanics and cosmetic customization.

**Highlights:** Tap-to-earn core gameplay, Multiple tiers of producers, Reforge and Ascension prestige systems, Offline earnings, Achievements and daily rewards, Cosmetic forge skins

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Auto Tapper | $1.99 | one-time |
| Starter Bundle | $1.99 | one-time |
| Obsidian Skin | $1.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |
| Efficient Offline | $2.99 | one-time |
| Gilded Skin | $2.99 | one-time |
| Dragonfire Skin | $4.99 | one-time |
| Ember Shard Pack | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hack Tycoon free?

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

### Is EmberForge free?

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

### Do Hack Tycoon or EmberForge have ads?

Both Hack Tycoon and EmberForge show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hack Tycoon or EmberForge?

Hack Tycoon ships an update every 5 days, and EmberForge every 5 days. Most recently, Hack Tycoon was updated on October 25, 2026 and EmberForge on October 31, 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.*