Comparison

HackStack vs Root Access

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

Head to head
About

HackStack

Features
Read full description

Build your hacking empire from nothing. HackStack is an idle clicker set in a cybersecurity underworld. You tap to run exploits, deploy tools that earn while you sleep, research new tech, and build out your rig. It's a cyberpunk parody of the infosec world with real hacking history baked into every corner. EXECUTE exploits to earn CREDS, your in-game currency. Start with a humble Port Scanner. End up running Neural Exploits and a Digital Consciousness. Every tool you deploy keeps earning even when you close the app. RESEARCH 24 tools across 6 categories. Each one comes with an intel card covering real cybersecurity history and lore. 177 cards to find. BUILD YOUR RIG. Upgrade your CPU, RAM, GPU, Storage, Cooling, and PSU. Better hardware means faster research and access to higher-tier tools. EARN CERTIFICATIONS across three branches: Offensive, Defensive, and Management. 23 certs, 69 tiers. They shape how you play and what you can unlock. SURVIVE BREACHES. Phishing attacks, ransomware, DDoS, insider threats. They show up unannounced, they mess with your income, and you need to deal with them fast. COMPLETE DAILY OPS for XP. Quick wins, standard missions, and challenge-tier operations. Something different every day. PRESTIGE when you're ready. Wipe your progress, earn Shadow Creds, buy permanent upgrades, and come back stronger. Free to play. No pay-to-win. Made by one developer who thought Cookie Clicker needed more firmware implants.

About

Root Access

Features
Read full description

Root Access is a roguelite hacker simulator. Take on jobs from a dark web hub, slip into cover identities, and crack layered security systems — all from a terminal-styled interface that feels like the real thing. Every operation is a fresh run. Choose a difficulty, pick your cover, prep your loadout, and execute through a chain of phases: recon, acquire, sabotage, train, and hack. Your vitals - energy, stress, and heat - decay as you play, and a bad call can blow your cover and burn your alias. Build Your Hideout • Server Rack: generate intel packets over time and buy session boosters • Workshop: craft, tune, and splice your own exploit modules • Library: run passive research to discover new blueprints • Safe House: clear notoriety levels and manage your cover pool • Black Market: rotating featured modules, caches, and VIP-gated stock Master the Systems • 6 skill trees with specialization branches, prestige and respec • 250+ module codex with per-rarity craft weighting and splice modifiers • 6-level Notoriety system — higher risk, higher rewards, harsher busts • Procedural side contracts with 19 condition types • Location-based game modifiers that reshape each run Play Your Way • Roguelite runs with a living economy and long-term progression • Rank up from Script Kiddie to Shadow Architect across 50 ranks • Titles and codex milestones reward deep play • Daily login rewards, server-synced cloud saves, and rewarded ads Monetization is optional and transparent. Crypto packs, one-time bundles, and a Hacker Pro monthly subscription unlock extra slots, faster research, daily re-rolls, and boosted login rewards. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://docs.bilak.dev/root_access_privacy_policy.pdf

Screenshots

HackStack4 screens
Root Access4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: HackStack at weekly against Root Access's every 3 weeks. Root Access's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. HackStack sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Root Access sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HackStack ships an update weekly, Root Access every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Ā· 4 level
HackStack versus Root Access: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHackStackRoot Access
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size68 MB79 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJacob WoodfieldSergii Bilak

In-app purchases

4 purchases

HackStack

One-time4
  • Remove Banner Ads$2.99
  • Remove Offline Ads$2.99
  • Remove Ops Ads$2.99
Show 1 more
  • Remove All Ads$6.99
10 purchases

Root Access

Subscriptions1
  • Hacker Pro$6.991 Month
One-time9
  • Hash Dust$0.99
  • Operative's Kit$2.99
  • Starter Pack$4.99
Show 6 more
  • Cold Wallet$4.99
  • Dark Pool$9.99
  • Shadow Fund$9.99
  • Zero-Day Protocol$14.99
  • Whale Drop$19.99
  • Satoshi Cache$49.99

Questions

Is HackStack free?
HackStack is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Root Access free?
Root Access is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do HackStack or Root Access have ads?
Both HackStack and Root Access show ads.
Which is updated more often, HackStack or Root Access?
HackStack ships an update weekly, and Root Access every 3 weeks. Most recently, HackStack was updated on September 15, 2026 and Root Access on September 27, 2026.

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