HACK for Hacker News YC Reader icon
HACK for Hacker News YC Reader: Comprehensive iOS App Review

by Pranoy Chowdhury

4.7
IOSBooks
HACK delivers an ad-free Hacker News experience with push notifications, cross-device sync, and intuitive navigation. Designed for tech professionals and enthusiasts seeking streamlined access to tech news and community discussions.

Detailed Review

HACK for Hacker News YC Reader represents a dedicated iOS client application for accessing Y Combinator's Hacker News platform, positioning itself as a premium alternative to the website and other third-party clients through its clean interface and robust feature set. The application eliminates advertising and subscription models while providing full account integration, enabling users to engage with the Hacker News ecosystem through a polished mobile experience. Core functionality includes comprehensive story browsing with nested comment threading, swipe gestures for voting and favoriting content, and the ability to submit new posts with draft saving capabilities. The implementation of push notifications for reply tracking distinguishes HACK from many competitors, providing real-time alerts for community interactions without requiring constant manual refresh. Cross-device support across iPhone, iPad, and Mac ensures continuity for users transitioning between Apple devices throughout their daily workflow. The user interface employs a minimalist design philosophy with thoughtful touch interactions, including tap-to-collapse comment threads and intuitive swipe gestures that reduce navigation friction. Real-world usage patterns suggest particularly strong utility for professionals monitoring industry discussions during commutes or between meetings, where quick engagement with relevant content takes priority over extended browsing sessions. The absence of visual clutter and advertising creates a focused reading environment appropriate for consuming technical content. With no user reviews available at time of publication, assessment relies solely on feature analysis and developer specifications. The application's 4.67 rating suggests positive reception, though the absence of detailed feedback prevents examination of specific user experiences or potential edge cases that might emerge during extended usage. The application's primary strengths lie in its ad-free experience and notification system, though limitations may include dependency on Hacker News' API stability and potential feature gaps compared to the web interface. Ideal for regular Hacker News participants who prioritize mobile accessibility and want to stay current with community interactions through push notifications rather than manual checking.

Key Features

  • Push notifications for replies provide immediate alerts when users receive comments on their posts or threads, eliminating manual refresh requirements
  • Cross-device synchronization supports seamless transition between iPhone, iPad and Mac environments maintaining reading progress and preferences
  • Swipe gesture controls enable quick voting and favoriting actions without navigating to individual story pages, streamlining interaction
  • Nested comment presentation with collapsible threads maintains Hacker News' discussion structure while optimizing for mobile screen dimensions
  • Draft saving functionality for post submissions allows users to compose and refine content before publishing to the community

Why Users Love It

Completely ad-free experience
Real-time reply notifications

Perfect for: Tech professionals and enthusiasts regularly engaging with Hacker News

Screenshots

HACK for Hacker News YC Reader screenshot 1HACK for Hacker News YC Reader screenshot 2HACK for Hacker News YC Reader screenshot 3HACK for Hacker News YC Reader screenshot 4HACK for Hacker News YC Reader screenshot 5HACK for Hacker News YC Reader screenshot 6

App Details

Developer

Pranoy Chowdhury

Platform

ios

Rating

4.7

Last Updated

9/7/2025