Best 10 KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training Alternatives (2026)

SafeTitan is a behavior-driven security awareness training platform from CyberSentriq, that acts on risky user actions as they happen, rather than waiting for the next scheduled training cycle. Built for enterprises and MSPs, it bundles real-time intervention with phishing simulation and compliance-mapped content. For organizations looking beyond KnowBe4’s template-driven approach, SafeTitan’s automated response to risky behavior offers a different operational model.

CyberSentriq Key Features

The standout capability is real-time intervention training. When a user does something risky, SafeTitan notifies admins and assigns targeted training immediately, closing the gap between mistake and education. The phishing simulation library includes realistic templates that automatically enroll users who fail into retraining workflows. Training content spans courses, videos, quizzes, and gamified modules, all customizable. Compliance mapping for GDPR and HIPAA is built in, which reduces the time spent generating reports for regulators. The platform supports multi-tenant management with MSP-focused campaign automation, making it straightforward to run programs across multiple client environments.

What Customers Say

Users praise the MSP-focused campaign automation and the quality of phishing templates. Support teams are consistently mentioned as responsive during onboarding. Something to be aware of is that some customers mention the per-tenant M365 setup process takes longer than they expected compared to competing platforms.

Our Take

We think SafeTitan is a strong KnowBe4 alternative if you want training that reacts to user behavior in real time rather than running on fixed schedules. The instant intervention model means employees get corrective training at the moment it matters most, not weeks later in a quarterly session. MSPs managing multiple tenants will appreciate the multi-client automation that simplifies campaign oversight.

Adaptive Security is an AI-native platform launched in 2024 to tackle the social engineering threats that legacy training tools weren’t built for: deepfake audio, AI-generated phishing, voice cloning, and video manipulation. Backed by $136 million in total funding from the OpenAI Startup Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, and Bain Capital Ventures, it offers generative AI-powered content creation that goes well beyond the static template libraries most KnowBe4 users are familiar with.

Adaptive Security Key Features

The GenAI content builder creates fully custom training modules and simulations from scratch, including realistic audio deepfakes of executives and personalized phishing scenarios matching specific business contexts. The direct mail injection system for Outlook-level phishing simulations avoids email gateway link scanning, which eliminates the false positives that plague traditional testing tools. The platform covers voice phishing, SMS attacks, and video deepfakes alongside standard email scenarios. Teams integration adds a second notification channel, and the real-time analytics dashboard tracks campaign performance across every simulation type.

What Customers Say

Customers report M365 implementation in under a month, with some describing setup as near-turnkey. Support responds within 24 hours and actively incorporates product feedback. Users note the platform evolves quickly with frequent feature additions. One area reviewers mention is that reporting could offer more flexibility for generating stakeholder-ready exports.

Our Take

We think Adaptive Security is the strongest KnowBe4 alternative if AI-powered social engineering is a real concern for your organization. KnowBe4’s template library is extensive but doesn’t generate custom deepfake or voice phishing content. Adaptive addresses that gap directly. If you only need basic phishing awareness without AI-specific scenarios, you may not need these capabilities yet, but for organizations facing sophisticated AI-driven attacks, we haven’t seen another platform match this depth.

ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training (ECAT) is a gamified security awareness platform from the established endpoint security vendor. We think it’s a solid KnowBe4 alternative for organizations that want engaging, interactive training with broad compliance coverage and a simpler deployment experience.

ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training Key Features

The gamified approach is the standout. Training modules use interactive quizzes, role-playing scenarios, and context-driven sessions that explain why certain behaviors matter, not just what to do. Modules are short and focused, which helps prevent training fatigue. The phishing simulation library provides prebuilt and customizable templates that can be deployed to specific users or groups with no limits on how many simulations you run. Users who fail a phishing simulation are automatically enrolled in refresher courses. Reputation scoring assigns each user a score based on quiz performance, and individual and departmental leaderboards encourage improvement. ECAT supports HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, NIST, ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, and CCPA compliance requirements.

Our Take

We were impressed by how the gamification drives higher engagement than passive video-based training. The content is designed so that even the least technical employees can understand the concepts, and the short, focused modules mean admins can assign specific training without overloading users. Setup is straightforward; employee emails can be imported via CSV and training courses deployed within a few clicks. Pricing starts at $250 for 10 users on the premium plan, and there’s a free plan covering approximately 60 minutes of training. ESET also lets you reassign licenses when employees are offboarded, which is good to see. With that said, the platform does not support multiple languages, which limits it for multinational teams. If you want engaging, gamified training with strong compliance coverage and a simple admin experience, ESET is well worth considering.

Hoxhunt uses AI-driven personalization and gamification to transform security awareness from something employees tolerate into something they actively engage with. If your KnowBe4 engagement rates are in single digits, Hoxhunt’s approach to adaptive, individualized training addresses that problem directly. The platform reports 40x higher engagement rates than industry averages.

Hoxhunt Key Features

The AI engine adapts training to each employee’s role, location, and skill level in real time, delivering micro-training sessions in bite-sized segments that fit into daily workflows rather than quarterly hour-long sessions. Gamification drives participation through badges, leaderboards, and rewards. Integration with Microsoft Outlook and Google Workspace lets employees report suspicious emails directly from their inbox with instant feedback. The platform supports 30+ languages for global deployments and maintains GDPR, CCPA, and SOC 2 Type II compliance.

What Customers Say

Customers report a 10x increase in real threat reporting with 98% fewer false positives, saving approximately 900 SOC analyst hours monthly by reducing noise in security queues. Users say the phishing simulations stay realistic without being too obvious, and the phish-a-friend feature gets employees actively participating in security culture. Some reviewers mention badge qualification requirements could be clearer.

Our Take

We think Hoxhunt is the best KnowBe4 alternative if measurable behavior change is your primary goal. Where KnowBe4 tracks completion percentages, Hoxhunt tracks actual risk reduction through behavioral data. The AI personalization means employees get training matched to their actual skill level rather than one-size-fits-all modules. The SOC time savings from reduced false positives add operational value beyond the training itself.

Phished is an automated security awareness platform built around behavioral risk scoring and ML-driven phishing simulations. The platform learns which phishing emails individual users are likely to click on and tailors simulations to each person’s patterns, which is a meaningful differentiator from platforms that send the same template to everyone. We think Phished is a strong alternative if you want behavioral risk scores that quantify individual vulnerability rather than just completion metrics.

Phished Key Features

Phished auto-generates simulations covering BEC, insider threats, and spear-phishing, and schedules campaigns autonomously on a recommended 15-day cadence. The Behavioral Risk Score tracks each employee’s interactions over time, identifying who is improving and who remains susceptible. Users report suspected phishing via a button in their Microsoft 365 client; correct reports are congratulated, while failures trigger training at the point of failure on that specific topic. The Phished Academy delivers bite-sized micro-learning modules with articles and limited video content, and admins can create quizzes. Reporting includes Hall of Fame and Wall of Shame views by user and department.

Our Take

We were impressed by how much Phished delivers with how little ongoing effort. Configuring a campaign takes minutes and once set up, simulations run on schedule without extra work; this is a real advantage over platforms that require more hands-on campaign management. The personalization is the real strength; because every user receives simulations based on their own click history, testing is more accurate and realistic. Something to be aware of is that the training content library is limited and doesn’t provide enough material for comprehensive awareness training across a range of topics. Templates and training are available in nine languages, though Spanish content is limited.

Arctic Wolf takes a fully managed approach to security awareness, handling content creation, scheduling, and campaign oversight so your team doesn’t have to. If you’re looking for a KnowBe4 alternative because you don’t have the staff to manage a self-service platform, Arctic Wolf’s hands-off delivery model addresses that gap directly.

Arctic Wolf Managed Security Awareness Key Features

The platform delivers bi-weekly microlearning sessions via password-free email links, keeping content digestible and accessible without login overhead. Rapid-response training addresses new threats as they emerge rather than waiting for quarterly curriculum updates. Pre-packaged phishing simulations draw from real attacks with immediate remediation content for anyone who clicks. The fully managed model means Arctic Wolf handles everything: content creation, scheduling, and campaign oversight. The Phishtel Engine analyzes email threats automatically, providing threat-level assessment without manual triage.

What Customers Say

Users appreciate the always-on content updates that keep training relevant to current threats rather than going stale between annual refreshes. Fast onboarding and minimal administrative lift appeal to organizations without dedicated training administrators. Some customers note the fully managed model limits the ability to tailor content to specific organizational risks or compliance requirements beyond the standard curriculum.

Our Take

We think Arctic Wolf is the right KnowBe4 alternative if reducing administrative overhead matters more than deep customization. KnowBe4 gives you extensive control but demands staff time to manage campaigns, build content, and analyze results. Arctic Wolf handles all of that. The bi-weekly microlearning cadence and managed delivery solve the consistency problem that kills many awareness programs when nobody has time to run them.

Barracuda is a leading email and network security vendor that specializes in providing enterprise-scale, multi-layered security solutions for organizations globally. Barracuda Security Awareness Training is its powerful awareness training product that offers powerful awareness training content, phishing simulations, and admin reporting capabilities. Security Awareness Training can either be purchased standalone or alongside Barracuda’s powerful Email Protection stack to provide total email protection.

Barracuda Security Awareness Training Key Features

The platform simulates phishing across four channels: email, SMS (smishing), voicemail (vishing), and found physical media such as USB drives and SD cards. Advanced simulation features include time-stamping, phone home macros, and geolocation for realistic attack scenarios. A dedicated email plugin lets users report suspicious emails while feeding granular data back to admins for tailoring training based on actual reporting patterns. The platform captures more than 16,000 data points for analysis, enabling detailed user risk scoring and benchmarking. Monthly content bundles include infographics, posters, and campaign materials for ongoing compliance awareness. The Quick Launch tool deploys campaigns in minutes using prebuilt templates, and the Content Center Marketplace provides a hub for selecting relevant materials. The platform supports GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS compliance and integrates with Barracuda’s Email Protection stack or runs standalone.

What Customers Say

Customers say the platform is effective for phishing training, particularly praising the multi-language support and realistic simulations. Users also highlight easy integration with Active Directory as a standout strength. Several reviewers flag that the admin interface has a learning curve, with multiple steps required to create campaigns. Users coming from simpler platforms may find the interface overwhelming initially, though the simulation depth is considered worth the effort once familiar.

Our Take

We think Barracuda is a good KnowBe4 alternative if your threat model extends beyond email to SMS, voicemail, and physical media attacks. KnowBe4 focuses primarily on email-based phishing simulations; Barracuda tests across four vectors with advanced tracking features like geolocation. The admin interface is more complex than some competitors, but for security teams that need thorough multi-vector social engineering testing across multiple channels, the simulation depth justifies the learning curve.

Huntress delivers security awareness training through narrative-driven content featuring DeeDee, a recurring cyber threat character that makes lessons memorable instead of forgettable. For organizations switching from KnowBe4 because employees aren’t engaging with training, Huntress’s story-based approach and fully managed delivery offer a different model entirely.

Huntress Managed Security Awareness Training Key Features

The platform runs on an automated monthly cadence with experts managing lesson curation and phishing simulations after initial setup. Short, professionally produced videos use storylines and animation that employees actually talk about rather than treating as a chore. Setup takes under 10 minutes for new tenants, and automated assignments eliminate the hours spent manually scheduling campaigns. Custom content creation through authoring software allows tailoring when needed. Monthly reports track progress, and the platform supports NERC CIP, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, and HIPAA compliance requirements.

What Customers Say

Users consistently praise the engaging content, noting it’s far better than alternatives they’ve used previously. Phishing simulations catch more users than expected, automatically assigning remediation training. Some customers note that training video pacing feels slow, dashboards could provide more detailed per-user performance insights, and audio remains English-only even with translated subtitles. Support runs through chat and email only, with no phone option.

Our Take

We think Huntress is a strong KnowBe4 alternative if employee engagement is your biggest challenge. KnowBe4’s library is vast but relies on a traditional training format that many employees tune out. Huntress’s narrative-driven content with the DeeDee character creates something employees actually remember. The fully managed approach eliminates the admin burden, and the 10-minute tenant setup is among the fastest we’ve seen. If you need adaptive scheduling based on individual performance, other platforms offer more flexibility, but for effective, low-maintenance training managed by security practitioners, Huntress delivers.

Infosec is a leading security awareness training provider that offers not only engaging awareness training and phishing simulations, but also a range of skills training courses and certifications. Infosec IQ is its awareness training and phishing simulation solution that specializes in providing engaging and relevant personalized training to help users stay secure both in the workplace and at home.

Infosec IQ Key Features

The platform delivers role-based training that matches content to job functions rather than running everyone through identical modules. Its library of over 3,000 resources is mapped to NIST’s nine core security behaviors, covering interactive modules, bite-sized videos, “choose your own adventure” games, assessments, and newsletters. Admins can choose from over 1,000 phishing email templates and set pre-built campaigns to run automatically. The PhishNotify email reporting plugin lets users report suspected phishing emails and enables admins to track campaign progress. Three pricing tiers are available: Standard, Enterprise, and Infosec IQ + Skills, with all tiers including unlimited awareness training and phishing simulations. Dedicated client success managers work with organizations at their current maturity level to build programs that match their readiness.

What Customers Say

Customers consistently praise the support as exceptional, with frequent follow-ups ensuring everything works properly. Account reps and client success managers are regularly recognized for being easy to reach and simplifying complex issues. Users say the content gets strong internal reviews and pricing is budget-friendly for the capabilities provided. Some users report that integration with Active Directory can be difficult, and others note that older training videos can feel dated. Some reviewers also note limited options for adding attachments to phishing simulations.

Our Take

We think Infosec IQ is a good KnowBe4 alternative if role-specific training is more important to you than volume of phishing templates. KnowBe4 has more simulation content, but Infosec IQ’s NIST-mapped, role-based library addresses the relevance problem that makes employees disengage from generic modules. The dedicated client success support helps organizations at every maturity level build effective programs, and the budget-friendly pricing makes it accessible for teams that don’t need the most advanced behavioral analytics.

Proofpoint is one of the world’s leading email security providers, specializing in securing businesses and their data against advanced threats and email compromise. Proofpoint ZenGuide, formerly Proofpoint Security Awareness Training (developed by Wombat Security Technologies and acquired by Proofpoint in 2018), is its sophisticated security awareness training solution that combines modular training and assessment, phishing simulations and testing, risk scoring, and granular reporting capabilities all on one platform.

Proofpoint ZenGuide Key Features

The ThreatSim library includes over 700 real-world phishing templates spanning email, USB, and SMS vectors. The platform can take actual sophisticated phishing attempts, neutralize them, and convert them into training materials, which is more effective than generic templates. VAP (Very Attacked People) reports surface which individuals are being targeted most frequently, letting you prioritize training resources toward actual high-risk users rather than treating everyone identically. The PhishAlarm email plugin lets users report suspicious emails directly, feeding incident data back to admins. The Adaptive Groups feature automates training assignments based on user risk profiles. Compliance coverage includes GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SOC 2. The platform is available in Standard and Enterprise packages and can be purchased standalone or as part of the Proofpoint Essentials stack for SMBs.

What Customers Say

Customers praise the responsive support with quick callback availability. Account managers meet monthly to help select appropriate templates. Users appreciate the extensive template library and the ability to add policy acceptance workflows like PCI DSS acknowledgment before accessing sensitive data. Some users report that the interface can be cumbersome to navigate, and some note that certain phishing email templates feel dated. Some reviewers also flag that limited sender email flexibility reduces the realism of certain simulations.

Our Take

We think Proofpoint ZenGuide is the strongest KnowBe4 alternative if you’re already using Proofpoint email security. The integration means real threat data flows directly into your training program through VAP reports, so you’re training the people who actually need it most based on who’s being targeted. The 700+ real-world template library and the ability to convert live phishing attempts into training materials add practical depth. We recommend it particularly for existing Proofpoint customers and SMBs using the Proofpoint Essentials stack, but the standalone value is solid for any team that wants training driven by real threat intelligence.