Hacker News for macOS vs Anything API
Side-by-side comparison of features, pros & cons, pricing, and community votes (2026).
🏆 Anything API leads with 672 upvotes
A native macOS client for Hacker News, built with SwiftUI
Hacker News for macOS is a sleek, native desktop client designed for avid Hacker News users who want a more engaging and efficient browsing experience. Built entirely with SwiftUI, it offers a visually appealing grid layout with article thumbnails, making it easier to discover interesting stories at a glance. The app allows users to read articles side-by-side with comment threads, use a dedicated reader mode to focus on the content, and enjoy full dark mode support for comfortable viewing in low-light environments. With features like 15+ keyboard shortcuts, built-in ad blocking, and adjustable text scaling, it caters to power users seeking speed and customization. Logging in with a Hacker News account enables bookmarking, hiding items, and syncing preferences across sessions, enhancing the overall experience. As a free and open-source tool, it provides a modern alternative to the traditional website, appealing to developers, news enthusiasts, and open-source advocates alike.
Pros
- Native macOS experience with SwiftUI for smooth performance and UI consistency
- Enhanced reading experience with side-by-side articles and reader mode
- Customizable with keyboard shortcuts, dark mode, and text scaling
- Built-in ad blocking for distraction-free browsing
- Syncs bookmarks and preferences across sessions when logged in
Cons
- Limited to macOS, not available on other platforms
- Some advanced features may require manual setup or familiarity with open-source tools
- Potentially less feature-rich compared to web-based or more mature apps
Best for
- • Frequent Hacker News readers looking for a faster, more immersive experience
- • Developers and tech enthusiasts who want quick access to stories and comments
- • Users seeking a distraction-free environment with ad blocking
- • Those who prefer a customizable interface with keyboard shortcuts
Pricing: Free and open-source, with no paid tiers or in-app purchases, making it accessible to all users at no cost.
Any website. We deliver the API.
Anything API is an innovative platform that bridges the gap for websites lacking public APIs. It empowers users to convert their browser-based interactions into robust, production-ready APIs without extensive coding. By simply describing the task, users can have custom functions built that directly call the target website, enabling seamless integration and automation. These custom API endpoints can be deployed serverless, scheduled via Cron, or accessed through standard API calls, making it highly versatile for developers, automation enthusiasts, and businesses seeking to extend functionality of web services. Its unique approach of translating manual browser work into programmable endpoints distinguishes it from traditional API providers, offering a flexible solution for accessing data or automating tasks on virtually any website.
Pros
- Transforms any website into a custom API without coding
- Flexible deployment options including serverless and scheduled tasks
- User-friendly task description process simplifies API creation
- Supports automation and integration with existing systems
- Highly versatile for various web scraping and data extraction needs
Cons
- Limited details on pricing structure and plans
- Potential challenges with highly dynamic or complex websites
- Reliance on agent-generated functions may require occasional updates
Best for
- • Extracting data from websites lacking public APIs
- • Automating repetitive browser tasks through API calls
- • Building integrations for custom web workflows
- • Monitoring website changes or content updates
Pricing: Likely operates on a pay-as-you-go or subscription-based model, with possible tiered plans depending on usage volume and features. Specific pricing details are not publicly disclosed, suggesting a custom or variable pricing approach.