# EXPLORER Connect vs HackVault

The clearest difference is price: EXPLORER Connect at Free against HackVault's $9.99. EXPLORER Connect also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.5). HackVault's advantage is update cadence (every 5 months vs every 10 months). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

EXPLORER Connect is free to download; HackVault costs $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

EXPLORER Connect ships an update every 10 months, HackVault every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on July 31, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | EXPLORER Connect | HackVault |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $9.99 |
| Rating | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explorer-connect/id983965032/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 26 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 18.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Thrane & Thrane AS](https://appshunter.io/developer/983965031) | [Francisco Piedra](https://appshunter.io/developer/1820471944) |

## What reviewers say

### EXPLORER Connect

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explorer-connect/id983965032)

Manage and operate EXPLORER BGAN terminals with ease. This application allows you to monitor terminal status, configure settings, and even use your smartphone as a satellite phone for making and receiving calls.

**Highlights:** Satellite phone capability, Terminal status dashboard, Configuration settings, Terminal pointing assistance, SIP phone settings

**In-app purchases:** none


### HackVault

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hackvault/id6748651021)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EXPLORER Connect free?

EXPLORER Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is HackVault free?

HackVault costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do EXPLORER Connect or HackVault have ads?

Neither EXPLORER Connect nor HackVault shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, EXPLORER Connect or HackVault?

EXPLORER Connect ships an update every 10 months, and HackVault every 5 months. Most recently, EXPLORER Connect was updated on July 31, 2026 and HackVault on September 14, 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.*