Hacktivate: Capture the Flag

Name: Hacktivate: Capture the Flag
Rating: 4.7 (32 reviews)
Author: Hudson Heavy Industries

Cybersecurity challenges

Free · In‑App Purchases

32 Ratings
Age Rating

4+
Years
Category

Education
Developer

Hudson Heavy Industries
Language

EN
English
Size

193.3
MB

Crack codes. Break firewalls. Conquer the map. Hacktivate is the ultimate cybersecurity challenge: a world map of 240 missions where every puzzle is built on real cybersecurity techniques hackers use. From classic ciphers to covert steganography, you’ll sharpen your brain while infiltrating deeper into the network. No fluff. No filler. Just pure challenges. - 240 graded missions across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and more – unlock all the continents with a one-time purchase. - The Hacker’s Toolbox: hashing, encryption, XOR, ciphers, and beyond. - Real-world attack techniques through Unix terminals, web browsers, digital forensics, SQL injection, and more. - Global progression: unlock regions and learn different specialties each time. - Comprehensive tutorials and documentation teach you the skills you need to win. - Difficulty that scales: from rookies breaking their first code to cyber masterminds cracking the strongest firewalls. - Play on iPhone, iPad, and Mac with a single purchase – your progress is auto-synced. - Include 10 challenge hints for free, but you can buy more using in-app purchase. Every lock is a challenge. Every mission is a test. Every solution pulls you deeper into the system. The network is waiting, and your mission starts now! Terms of service: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula Privacy policy: https://www.hacktivate.app/privacy Hacktivate for schools: https://www.hacktivate.app/schools

Events

CHALLENGE
Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Explore cybersecurity through interactive challenges and learn practical ways to keep yourself and others secure online.

Ratings & Reviews

4.7

out of 5

32 Ratings

Have fun while exploring your computer skills
11/04/2025
AdamsMorganDC
Having spent a lot of time on Paul Hudson’s Hacking With Swift website while I was learning SwiftUI, I had try this app. There are plenty of tutorial challenges to try for free. These challenges are varied entry level computer concepts and this makes the free version of the app worth it for people to see if they like playing with these techniques. I enjoyed them enough that for me it was easily worth the paid one time fee to continue on.

Developer Response
I'm glad you're enjoying Hacktivate! There are a huge range of challenges in the game, and my brain is always thinking up new surprises 😎
Have fun while exploring your computer skills
11/04/2025
AdamsMorganDC

Having spent a lot of time on Paul Hudson’s Hacking With Swift website while I was learning SwiftUI, I had try this app. There are plenty of tutorial challenges to try for free. These challenges are varied entry level computer concepts and this makes the free version of the app worth it for people to see if they like playing with these techniques. I enjoyed them enough that for me it was easily worth the paid one time fee to continue on.
Developer Response 11/11/2025
I'm glad you're enjoying Hacktivate! There are a huge range of challenges in the game, and my brain is always thinking up new surprises 😎
A MUST-HAVE!
Apr 3
R.Oles
I haven’t even finished the tutorials yet and I want to give a review! This is awesome! I will definitely be unlocking the rest of this game. I love games like this — and there are not enough of them. I want this game to be successful and by proxy, the developer — Please continue to develop this game and more games like it. I can tell that this was a serious labor of love. You have gold here, and I fully support your success. Thank you.

Developer Response
Thank you for writing this delightful review! Hacktivate was indeed a labor of love for me – I had an absolute blast designing the various challenges so they provided lots of variety for players (and taught real techniques rather than fake, “hand-wavy” computer science!), making sure they fitted into different themes across the regions, and also injecting bits of fun into them – you have no idea how many domain names I bought while I was making the game, so that folks who were curious about Hacktivate Radio, Goat Stare, and similar would not be disappointed 😅Thank you for playing Hacktivate – I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 🙌
A MUST-HAVE!
Apr 3
R.Oles

I haven’t even finished the tutorials yet and I want to give a review! This is awesome! I will definitely be unlocking the rest of this game. I love games like this — and there are not enough of them. I want this game to be successful and by proxy, the developer — Please continue to develop this game and more games like it. I can tell that this was a serious labor of love. You have gold here, and I fully support your success. Thank you.
Developer Response May 18
Thank you for writing this delightful review! Hacktivate was indeed a labor of love for me – I had an absolute blast designing the various challenges so they provided lots of variety for players (and taught real techniques rather than fake, “hand-wavy” computer science!), making sure they fitted into different themes across the regions, and also injecting bits of fun into them – you have no idea how many domain names I bought while I was making the game, so that folks who were curious about Hacktivate Radio, Goat Stare, and similar would not be disappointed 😅Thank you for playing Hacktivate – I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 🙌
Amazing! But a bit pricey.
11/19/2025
Jicabrera
Hi Paul! First, congrats on putting out a novel, entertaining, and educative game! It really shows all the dedication. Having said that, I feel like the price might be too steep. For every person buying it at $20 there could have been 10 people buying it at $10 or 50 at $5. I understand you have to make a living (and you should, and keep developing new things!!) but I feel you probably would get way more purchases if the price was lower. My 2 cents. Thanks again for building this!
Amazing! But a bit pricey.
11/19/2025
Jicabrera

Hi Paul! First, congrats on putting out a novel, entertaining, and educative game! It really shows all the dedication. Having said that, I feel like the price might be too steep. For every person buying it at $20 there could have been 10 people buying it at $10 or 50 at $5. I understand you have to make a living (and you should, and keep developing new things!!) but I feel you probably would get way more purchases if the price was lower. My 2 cents. Thanks again for building this!
Awesome Puzzle Challenge
Mar 12
jdhill777
I used to compete with Cyber Skyline challenges and since graduating I miss completing cyber challenges without having to compete in a full CTF. This is exactly what I am looking for. One thing though, I played around with the hints and while clicking “get more hints” it crashes the app immediately and I am not able to get any more hints.
Awesome Puzzle Challenge
Mar 12
jdhill777

I used to compete with Cyber Skyline challenges and since graduating I miss completing cyber challenges without having to compete in a full CTF. This is exactly what I am looking for. One thing though, I played around with the hints and while clicking “get more hints” it crashes the app immediately and I am not able to get any more hints.

This update is preparation for Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Version 1.13.1 Sep 10

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Accessibility

Information

Seller: Hudson Heavy Industries Ltd
Size: 193.3 MB
Category: Education
Compatibility: Requires iOS 18.5 or later.

iPhone
Requires iOS 18.5 or later.

iPad
Requires iPadOS 18.5 or later.

Mac
Requires macOS 15.5 or later.

Apple Vision
Requires visionOS 2.5 or later.
Languages: English
Age Rating: 4+

4+

Learn More
In-App Purchases: Yes

Unlock Campaign $14.99

Hint Payload $3.99

Hint Overload $9.99

Hint Packet $0.99

Learn More