Comparison

Narwhal for Reddit vs command_line

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

Head to head
About

Narwhal for Reddit

This app offers a highly customizable and efficient way to browse Reddit. Enjoy a seamless experience with features like simultaneous link and comment viewing, swipe-based voting, and personalized themes. It's designed for fast and efficient Reddit usage.

Highlights
  • View any subreddit
  • Simultaneous link and comment view
  • Swipe-based voting
  • Customizable themes
  • Save and hide links
  • Favorite subreddits
  • View orangereds
Features
Read full description

Narwhal 2 is the most customizable app for Reddit. This is an all new app designed from the ground up to be the successor to Narwhal 1. All of these features were designed specifically for fast, efficient use of Reddit: - View any and all subreddits - A seamless experience to see a link and its comments at the same time - Voting on posts and comments through a simple swipe - Create your own themes - Hide and save links to your reddit account - Add new posts to your favorite subreddit - View all of your orangereds - What are you waiting for!? Go ahead and download and browse reddit as much as you want! We are always trying to make the best reddit experience, so come visit our subreddit /r/narwhalapp and let us know what you want to see next! Due to Reddit now charging for their API, you must subscribe monthly to Narwhal 2 to use the app. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

command_line

A fast, terminal-style client for reading and participating in Hacker News discussions. Offers a focused interface with features like offline caching and story saving. Premium unlocks account actions and advanced tools for deeper engagement.

Highlights
  • Terminal-inspired interface
  • Browse all story types
  • Threaded comment discussions
  • Search Hacker News
  • Save stories with bookmarks
  • Offline caching
  • Account sign-in and participation
Features
Read full description

command_line is a fast, terminal-style Hacker News client built for readers who want speed, focus, and real participation. Browse top stories, new stories, best stories, Ask HN, Show HN, jobs, polls, profiles, and full discussion threads in a clean mobile experience designed to feel quick, dense, and intentional. Unlike many read-only Hacker News apps, command_line is built for both reading and doing. Free users can browse and read comfortably, while premium unlocks account-based actions and power-user tools. FREE FEATURES • Read Hacker News with a fast, terminal-inspired interface • Browse Top, New, Best, Ask HN, Show HN, Jobs, and Polls • Open full story discussions with threaded comments • Search Hacker News stories and discussions • Save stories with bookmarks for later • Use offline-friendly caching for faster repeat visits • View user profiles and activity • Enjoy a focused dark interface designed for mobile reading PREMIUM FEATURES • Sign in to your Hacker News account • Upvote stories and comments • Reply to discussions • Submit posts • Manage your account session from the app • Access RSS tools and advanced power-user features WHY command_line Most Hacker News clients feel outdated, slow, or limited. command_line was rebuilt to feel fast on every revisit, not just the first load. It combines quick browsing, cached reading, dense threaded discussions, and a terminal-style design that stands out from generic news apps. Whether you just want a better way to read Hacker News on mobile or a premium tool for participating in the community, command_line is built to help you move through the news quickly and stay close to the conversation. SUBSCRIPTION / PURCHASE INFO Premium is available as an optional monthly, yearly, or lifetime upgrade. Reading remains free. Premium unlocks account actions and advanced features such as sign-in, voting, replying, posting, and RSS tools. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your App Store account settings.

Screenshots

Narwhal for Reddit4 screens
command_line4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: command_line at freemium against Narwhal for Reddit's subscription. command_line also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5). Narwhal for Reddit's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 15 months) and ratings volume (17K vs 2). 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. Narwhal for Reddit sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and command_line sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

command_line holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Narwhal for Reddit has 17K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Narwhal for Reddit ships an update weekly, command_line every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Narwhal for Reddit versus command_line: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNarwhal for Redditcommand_line
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (17K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews69.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings17K — better2
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 15 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFreemium — better
Best chart rank#31 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB39 MB
Age rating17+9+
Developerrobot swingset, llc.Daniel Shaw

Customer experience

Narwhal for Reddit

All ratings17,192 ratings
Positive88.2%
Neutral2.8%
Negative9.0%
Written reviews971 reviews
Positive69.9%
Neutral5.9%
Negative24.2%

command_line

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Narwhal for Reddit

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Swipe gestures not working consistently
  • Video player controls freezing or malfunctioning
  • Keyboard issues causing input lag or freezes

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add ability to create and manage subreddit shortcuts
  • Improve search functionality to find specific subreddits
  • Implement a 'mark all as read' option for posts
  • Add support for saving posts to custom folders or categories

command_line

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Narwhal for Reddit

Subscriptions6
  • Narwhal Pro7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Narwhal Pro7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Narwhal Pro - Extra Support7 Days trial$5.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Narwhal Pro - Extra Support7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Narwhal Pro - Extra Support7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Narwhal Pro Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time3
  • Tip Jar $5$5.00
  • Tip Jar $10$10.00
  • Tip Jar $25$25.00
3 purchases

command_line

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Narwhal for Reddit free?
Narwhal for Reddit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is command_line free?
command_line is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Narwhal for Reddit or command_line?
command_line is rated higher. Narwhal for Reddit averages 4.5 out of 5 from 17K ratings, while command_line averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Narwhal for Reddit or command_line have ads?
Neither Narwhal for Reddit nor command_line shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Narwhal for Reddit or command_line?
Narwhal for Reddit ships an update weekly, and command_line every 15 months. Most recently, Narwhal for Reddit was updated on November 3, 2026 and command_line on October 24, 2026.

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