KnowBe4 is one of the most well-known Security Awareness Training (SAT) vendors on the market. The company delivers effective and engaging training modules that grant admins insights and statistics into pass rates. This gives admins a clear understanding of how effective the training is and how robust their human line of defense is. KnowBe4, however, is not the only effective SAT vendor on the market.
Before you decide to invest in a training solution, it is worth considering all the options available to you. Every organization will have specific vulnerabilities and requirements that they need the SAT solution to address, so the ideal solution for one organization might not necessarily be the right one for all. Before selecting a solution, you should identify the benefits that you want from the platform; it may be that you need training modules that focus on phishing identification and response, financial crime, or data protection. Some platforms will offer a broad range of modules, whilst others will focus on a specific topic or vulnerability.
When considering an SAT solution, there are a few features that you should look for: the platform should have effective reporting capabilities; admins should be kept abreast of user progress, allowing them to identify employees who may require further training; and admins should be able to deploy and schedule phishing simulations to test how employees respond in real world scenarios. Those who fail the training can be asked to repeat modules or to complete more training. Some solutions also utilize behavioral science to drive real, organization-wide change and keep your network safe.
In this shortlist, we’ll explore the top alternatives to KnowBe4. In each case, we’ll highlight the key features, and elements that make them stand out from their peers. We will also offer a recommendation as to the type of organization that would be best suited to each solution.
SafeTitan Security Awareness Training is a behavioral-driven SAT platform that engages users through relevant and interactive content. The modules and content are customizable, allowing organizations to tailor content to match their needs.
Why We Picked SafeTitan Security Awareness Training: We rate SafeTitan highly for its real-time intervention training and customizable, interactive content, offering enterprises and MSPs a powerful, user-focused solution to mitigate cyber risks.
SafeTitan Security Awareness Training Best Features: Key features include a comprehensive library of training courses, videos, quizzes, and gamified content, fully customizable to organizational needs. The platform offers realistic phishing simulation templates, automatically enrolling users who fail simulations into targeted training. Real-time intervention training monitors user behavior, flagging risky actions instantly, notifying admins, and assigning relevant modules to prevent breaches. The solution supports rapid deployment and integrates with compliance standards like GDPR and HIPAA, making it ideal for medium to large enterprises and MSPs.
What’s Great:
Real-time intervention for immediate risk mitigation
Extensive, customizable library of training and phishing templates
Automated retraining for users failing simulations
Rapid deployment with compliance support
Suitable for enterprises and MSPs
Pricing: Pricing is available upon request via TitanHQ’s sales team, tailored to organizational size and training requirements. Contact TitanHQ for quotes or trial details.
Who it’s for: SafeTitan Security Awareness Training is ideal for medium to large enterprises and MSPs seeking a customizable, behavior-driven SAT platform with real-time intervention and robust phishing simulations to enhance cybersecurity and compliance.
Adaptive Security is a next-gen, fully AI-native security awareness training platform launched in 2024. It combats AI-powered social engineering threats, including deepfake video, audio, and email/SMS phishing, using generative AI to deliver customized, engaging simulations.
Why We Picked Adaptive Security: We chose Adaptive Security for its innovative AI-generated phishing simulations and ability to create fully custom training modules, offering robust defense against real-world threats hitting your organization. In our tests we were impressed with its range of voice phishing, email phishing, and deepfake scenarios, plus its intuitive dashboard for monitoring campaign results.
Best Features: You can create fully custom training modules using Generative AI for awareness training and simulations, tailoring content from scratch or based on real-world attack examples. Training modules are highly interactive—for example, the platform can generate audio deepfakes of executives to highlight the risks of AI-social engineering. You can personalize content with a GenAI content builder to craft realistic scenarios for your employees, supported by comprehensive dashboards and reporting to track campaigns and performance.
Strengths:
Pricing: Contact the Adaptive team for pricing details.
Who it’s for: Adaptive Security is ideal for mid-sized to enterprise organizations seeking innovative, customizable training to counter AI-driven social engineering, standing out as a newer vendor backed by OpenAI and top tech investors.
ESET, a global cybersecurity leader, protects over one billion users with solutions spanning endpoint protection, Security Awareness Training (SAT), and Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services. ESET’s SAT platform strengthens organizational security by helping employees identify and report threats through engaging, regularly updated training and phishing simulations.
Why We Picked ESET Security Awareness Training: We rate ESET highly for its interactive, gamified training and robust phishing simulations, delivering an easy-to-deploy solution that drives secure behavior across organizations.
ESET Security Awareness Training Best Features: Key features include engaging training modules with gamified quizzes, role-playing, and interactive sessions covering topics like password safety, email protection, web security, and threat response. Ongoing phishing simulations, built from prebuilt and customizable templates, reinforce learning, with refresher courses to address evolving threats. Admins can track individual user progress, test scores, and metrics via a user-friendly dashboard. The platform supports compliance with HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, NIST, ISO/IEC 27001(2), GDPR, and CCPA, and offers seamless setup and user onboarding.
What’s Great:
Gamified, interactive training with regular updates
Customizable phishing simulation templates
Detailed user progress tracking via dashboard
Supports compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, and more
Easy setup and user onboarding
Pricing: Pricing is available by contacting via ESET’s sales team. Contact ESET for quotes or demo details.
Who it’s for: ESET Security Awareness Training is ideal for organizations of all sizes seeking engaging, compliant security awareness training with robust phishing simulations and easy-to-manage tools to enhance cybersecurity.
Hoxhunt is a leading Human Risk Management platform that transforms security awareness training by combining AI, behavioral science, and automation to drive measurable behavior change. It helps employees detect and report advanced threats, strengthening organizational cybersecurity.
Why We Picked Hoxhunt Security Awareness Training: We rate Hoxhunt highly for its AI-driven, personalized training and gamified approach, delivering high engagement and measurable risk reduction for enterprises.
Hoxhunt Security Awareness Training Best Features: Key features include personalized learning paths tailored to each employee’s role, location, and skill level, powered by an AI engine that adapts training in real time. Gamified micro-trainings with rewards like badges and leaderboards achieve up to 40x higher engagement rates than industry standards. Real-time analytics show a 10x increase in real threat reporting and a 98% reduction in false positives, saving approximately 900 SOC analyst hours monthly. The platform supports 30+ languages, integrates with Microsoft Outlook and Google Workspace, and complies with GDPR, CCPA, and SOC 2 Type II standards.
What’s Great:
AI-driven, personalized learning paths for each user
Gamified micro-trainings with 40x industry-average engagement
10x increase in threat detection, 98% fewer false positives
Saves ~900 SOC analyst hours monthly
Global scalability with 30+ language support
Pricing: Pricing is available upon request via Hoxhunt’s sales team, tailored to user licenses and service levels. Contact Hoxhunt for quotes or demo details.
Who it’s for: Hoxhunt is ideal for organizations of all sizes, particularly enterprises and global firms, seeking a behavior-driven security awareness platform with AI-powered personalization and measurable risk reduction.
Barracuda, a trusted leader in email and network security, delivers multi-layered cybersecurity solutions for enterprises. Barracuda Security Awareness Training provides engaging training content, advanced phishing simulations, and detailed admin reporting to strengthen organizational defenses against evolving threats.
Why We Picked Barracuda Security Awareness Training: We rate Barracuda highly for its responsive phishing simulations and customizable training, offering a granular, user-friendly solution that enhances threat response across enterprises.
Barracuda Security Awareness Training Best Features: Key features include monthly content bundles with infographics, posters, and campaigns to maintain ongoing training and compliance. Admins can build custom training plans or use prebuilt templates and the Quick Launch tool to deploy campaigns in minutes. The platform supports simulated phishing via email, SMS, voicemail, and physical media (USB/SD cards), with advanced features like time-stamping, phone home macros, and geolocation for realistic scenarios. A dedicated email plugin lets users report phishing emails, feeding granular data to admins for tailored training adjustments. The Content Center Marketplace offers a hub for selecting relevant content, and the solution leverages real-world threat intelligence. It can be purchased standalone or within Barracuda’s Email Protection stack, supporting compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
What’s Great:
Monthly new content and training bundles for continuous training
Advanced phishing simulations (email, SMS, voicemail, physical)
Granular reporting via email plugin and admin dashboard
Quick Launch tool for fast campaign setup
Integrates with Barracuda’s Email Protection stack
Pricing: Contact Barracuda’s sales team for pricing details, tailored to organizational size and whether purchased standalone or as part of the Email Protection stack. Quotes and demos are available.
Who it’s for: Barracuda Security Awareness Training is ideal for organizations of all sizes seeking a responsive, customizable security awareness solution with advanced phishing simulations and detailed analytics to improve threat response.
Cofense PhishMe is a SaaS-based phishing awareness training and simulation platform that sharpens users’ ability to spot and respond to social engineering threats. With immersive, real-world scenarios and customizable content, it equips organizations to stay ahead of evolving phishing and BEC attacks.
Why We Picked Cofense PhishMe: We rate Cofense PhishMe highly for its vast library of industry-specific templates and granular reporting, delivering a powerful, adaptable solution to train users against real-world threats.
Cofense PhishMe Best Features: Key features include a library of over 1,500 customizable phishing email templates, landing pages, attachments, and AI-driven recommendations, allowing admins to tailor campaigns to industry-specific threats like BEC and phishing. Admins can schedule 12-month training plans with follow-ups in advance. The Cofense Reporter email plugin enables users to flag suspicious emails, helping admins gauge campaign success. Ready-to-use education modules cover social engineering, password hygiene, data protection, physical security, and SMiShing (SMS phishing). Extensive reporting tracks user progress, enabling tailored training adjustments. The platform integrates with Cofense’s phishing detection and response tools and supports compliance with GDPR and HIPAA.
What’s Great:
1,500+ customizable, industry-specific phishing templates
AI-driven recommendations for realistic scenarios
Cofense Reporter plugin for user reporting
Granular reporting to track and adjust training
Integrates with Cofense’s phishing detection tools
Pricing: Contact Cofense’s sales team for pricing details, tailored to organizational size and training needs. Quotes and demos are available.
Who it’s for: Cofense PhishMe is ideal for organizations of all sizes seeking a robust phishing training and simulation platform with up-to-date, customizable content and strong integration with phishing defense tools.
Huntress Security Awareness Training is a fully managed solution that delivers engaging, narrative-driven lessons to help employees identify and report cyber threats. By handling everything from lesson curation to phishing simulations, Huntress simplifies cybersecurity training while keeping it effective and user-friendly.
Why We Picked Huntress Security Awareness Training: We rate Huntress highly for its managed, narrative-based approach and expert-designed content, offering an intuitive solution that boosts engagement and compliance with minimal admin effort.
Huntress Security Awareness Training Best Features: Key features include fully managed learning paths and phishing simulations, curated by Huntress’ security experts, with detailed monthly reports to track progress. The platform offers versatile, real-world lessons tailored for all technical levels, plus custom content creation through content authoring software. Simulated phishing scenarios, managed by experts, ensure realistic training, while a unique cyber threat character, DeeDee, enhances user engagement. The solution supports compliance with NERC CIP, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, and HIPAA, and features swift onboarding and simplified billing for easy implementation.
What’s Great:
Fully managed lessons and phishing simulations
Narrative-driven content with DeeDee character for engagement
Custom content creation and detailed monthly reports
Compliant with NERC CIP, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, and HIPAA
Swift onboarding and simplified billing
Pricing: Contact Huntress’ sales team for pricing details, tailored to organizational size and training needs. Quotes and demos are available.
Who it’s for: Huntress Security Awareness Training is ideal for organizations of all sizes, especially those in regulated industries, seeking a managed, engaging, and compliant training solution that’s easy to implement and maintain.
Based in California, NINJIO is a Security Awareness Training (SAT) provider known for anime-style training videos. Offering engaging content, personalized phishing simulations, and detailed reporting, NINJIO’s solutions, NINJIO AWARE and NINJIO PHISH, help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity defenses.
Why We Picked NINJIO Security Awareness Training: We rate NINJIO highly for its engaging, anime-style videos and managed phishing simulations, delivering a customizable, behavior-focused solution that drives lasting user improvement.
NINJIO Security Awareness Training Best Features: Key features include NINJIO AWARE, a robust SAT platform with bite-sized, 3-4 minute training videos based on real-world phishing and cybersecurity incidents, available in anime or corporate animation styles. The platform uses behavioral science to tailor training based on user vulnerabilities identified through phishing simulations, with new content added monthly. NINJIO PHISH, a managed phishing simulation service, integrates with AWARE, allowing admins to customize and schedule simulations or have them fully managed. Detailed analytics provide insights into user performance and organizational risks, enabling targeted follow-up training. The solution supports compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, and is highly customizable to fit diverse learning environments.
What’s Great:
Engaging anime-style or corporate training videos
Managed phishing simulations with customizable options
Behavioral science-driven, personalized training
Detailed analytics for user and organizational risk
Compliant with GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS
Pricing: Contact NINJIO’s sales team for pricing details, tailored to organizational size and training needs. Quotes and demos are available.
Who it’s for: NINJIO Security Awareness Training is ideal for midsized and enterprise organizations seeking engaging, customizable SAT with managed phishing simulations and memorable content to improve cybersecurity behavior.
Based in Sunnyvale, CA, Proofpoint provides cybersecurity and compliance solutions to protect against email, web, cloud, and social media threats. Proofpoint Security Awareness Training, a cloud-based platform (formerly ThreatSim from Wombat Security, acquired in 2018), combines phishing simulations, modular content, risk scoring, and detailed reporting to strengthen user defenses.
Why We Picked Proofpoint Security Awareness Training: We rate Proofpoint highly for its engaging content and multi-channel phishing simulations, offering a user-friendly solution that effectively trains users across diverse threat vectors.
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training Best Features: Key features include modular, engaging training content designed to help users identify and respond to cyberthreats, including spear phishing. The ThreatSim feature delivers simulations for email, USB, and SMS-based phishing, leveraging a library of over 700 real-world templates. The PhishAlarm email plugin allows users to report suspicious emails, enhancing incident tracking. Admins can generate Very Attacked People (VAP) reports to identify high-risk users, supported by granular analytics for targeted training. The platform supports compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SOC 2, and integrates seamlessly with Proofpoint’s email security tools.
What’s Great:
Multi-channel phishing simulations (email, USB, SMS)
PhishAlarm plugin for user-driven reporting
Very Attacked People reports for risk prioritization
Over 700 real-world phishing templates
Integrates with Proofpoint email security
Pricing: Contact Proofpoint’s sales team for pricing details, tailored to organizational size and training needs. Quotes and demos are available.
Who it’s for: Proofpoint Security Awareness Training is ideal for SMBs and organizations using Proofpoint’s email security tools, seeking comprehensive, engaging training across email, USB, and SMS threats with strong reporting capabilities.
SANS Institute Security Awareness offers comprehensive training through its EndUser Training and Phishing Platform. These solutions combine to deliver effective security awareness training, helping users of all skill levels improve their cybersecurity practices.
Why We Picked SANS Security Awareness Training: We rate SANS highly for its expert-designed, flexible training modules and robust analytics, providing a tailored solution that strengthens user cybersecurity skills.
SANS Security Awareness Training Best Features: Key features include SANS EndUser Training with over 50 modules featuring animations, videos, interactive games, and illustrations, customizable to suit various learning styles. Admins can schedule training over 12 months and choose from pre-made templates across five difficulty levels for streamlined deployment. The Phishing Platform enables realistic simulations to test user responses. A data dashboard tracks progress, identifies high-risk users, and generates C-suite reports, aligning with the SANS Security Awareness Maturity Model. The platform supports compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, making it suitable for regulated environments.
What’s Great:
Over 50 customizable modules with diverse content
Pre-made phishing templates across five difficulty levels
Data dashboard for progress tracking and C-suite reports
Flexible learning styles for all skill levels
Compliant with GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS
Pricing: Contact SANS Institute’s sales team for pricing details, tailored to organizational size and training needs. Quotes and demos are available.
Who it’s for: SANS Security Awareness Training is ideal for mid-sized and enterprise organizations seeking high-quality, flexible security awareness training with expert-designed content and strong analytics to enhance cybersecurity practices.
Multilingual content with phishing simulation and compliance tools.
Interactive training platform with phishing simulations and analytics.
Cloud-native MSP focussed platform for phishing defense and employee training.
Phishing simulation platform emphasizing realistic attack scenarios and reporting.
Selecting the right Security Awareness Training (SAT) solution as an alternative to KnowBe4 involves aligning the platform with your organization’s cybersecurity goals, workforce needs, and budget. Consider these key steps to make an informed choice:
Assess Your Workforce and Risk Profile: Evaluate your employee count, technical skill levels, and primary threats (e.g., phishing, social engineering) to ensure the solution fits your organization’s size and risk exposure.
Define Compliance and Engagement Goals: Identify regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS) and desired training outcomes, such as improved phishing detection or behavioral change, to meet compliance and security needs.
Prioritize Scalability and Ease of Deployment: Choose a solution that supports your current user base and can scale for growth or remote work, with quick setup to minimize IT burden.
Focus on critical features to ensure effective training and measurable outcomes:
Engaging and Varied Content: Look for platforms with interactive modules, videos, and gamified elements (e.g., Hoxhunt’s adaptive training, Curricula’s storytelling) to boost engagement and retention across diverse learning styles.
Realistic Phishing Simulations: Prioritize solutions with customizable, real-world phishing tests (e.g., SafeTitan’s automated lures, Proofpoint’s ThreatSim) and real-time feedback to train employees effectively.
Robust Reporting and Analytics: Ensure dashboards with clear metrics on user progress, risk scores, and campaign results (e.g., NINJIO’s Risk Algorithm) to track improvements and identify at-risk users.
Automation and Integration: Verify automated scheduling, user provisioning, and integration with tools like Microsoft 365 or LMS platforms to streamline administration and compliance.
Balance functionality with usability to maximize adoption and efficiency:
User-Friendly Interface: Avoid complex platforms that frustrate admins or employees, opting for intuitive interfaces and minimal setup (e.g., CybeReady’s automated workflows) to ensure ease of use.
Vendor Support Quality: Select providers with responsive support, detailed documentation, and resources like training webinars or forums to assist with onboarding and optimization.
Testing and Trials: Use demos, free trials (e.g., offered by Mimecast or SANS), or independent user reviews to validate content quality, simulation effectiveness, and fit before committing.
Our guide to the leading alternatives to KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training provides a comprehensive overview of platforms designed to educate employees and strengthen cybersecurity through engaging training and phishing simulations. The article evaluates tools based on features like interactive content, realistic phishing tests, robust analytics, and automation, catering to organizations of all sizes. It emphasizes balancing engagement, scalability, and ease of use to reduce human-driven risks, ensure compliance, and build a resilient security culture in the face of evolving threats like phishing and ransomware.
Key Takeaways:
Engaging Training Drives Change: Top alternatives offer gamified, story-driven content and frequent micro-learning to improve employee awareness and behavior.
Automated Phishing Simulations: Choose platforms with real-world, customizable simulations and real-time coaching to sharpen employee defenses against social engineering.
Actionable Insights: Prioritize solutions with clear reporting and automated workflows to track progress, reduce admin burden, and meet compliance needs.
We’ve explored the leading alternatives to KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training, highlighting how these tools empower organizations to combat cyber threats through engaging education and phishing simulations. Now, we’d love to hear your perspective—what’s your experience with SAT platforms? Are features like gamified training, automated simulations, or detailed analytics critical for your organization’s cybersecurity strategy?
Selecting the right SAT solution can transform how you build a security-conscious workforce, but challenges like employee engagement or setup complexity can arise. Have you found a standout platform that’s improved your phishing resistance, or encountered hurdles with scalability or usability? Share your insights to help other organizations navigate the SAT landscape and choose the best tool for their needs.
Let us know which solution you recommend to help us improve our list!
Email based attacks are always evolving as attackers know how sophisticated and technical cybersecurity defenses have become. While AI and ML capabilities allow technical solutions to catch a higher proportion of suspicious emails than before, sometimes it takes a human user to notice that something is “off”. If a user has completed security awareness training, they will be better placed to identify what is “off” and not fall for the trick.
Implementing a strong SAT solution can directly reduce the likelihood of these tricks succeeding. In fact, in 2022, IBM calculated that effective employee training reduces the average impact of a data breach by $247,000 USD. This is a significant figure that could have a real impact on your organization’s longer-term resilience.
It is important to take cybersecurity seriously as the consequences of not doing so can be severe. Cyber threats are so broad in their various forms and range of potential impacts that a single technological approach simply would not do the trick. By empowering your human line of defense, you can prevent a wide range of threats from coming to fruition.
It is worth breaking down the consequences of cyberattacks to understand what is at stake. Lots of these effects are interconnected and an organization can suffer multiple consequences simultaneously.
When a user knows what indicators to look for, they are better able to notice when something suspicious happens. They can then report the activity, thereby keeping other users safe, as well as themselves. If users do not know how to recognize and report suspicious content, they are not only putting themselves at higher risk, but also other users. Part of SAT is about creating a more open dialogue within an organization to make it easier to talk about and prevent attacks.
There is no real limit to what topics should be covered by an SAT solution; the most important thing is that your training addresses the unique vulnerabilities and risks that your organization faces.
However, some common topics covered by SAT include:
Whatever the topic is, users should be taught how to identify each attack (or what signs to look out for) and then how to react. Rather than just ignoring a suspicious message to protect themselves, users should report this content to relevant parties to prevent anyone else falling victim.
Ensuring that all your employees have carried out SAT is mandated by multiple prominent compliance and regulatory frameworks. Compliance frameworks suggest using SAT due to the fact that it is relatively low effort but has a high reward.
When the training is broken down across the whole year, it amounts to minutes each month. This continuous approach not only reduces the time that users have to devote to it, but it ensures that their knowledge is continually topped up, and they can engage with bitesize, digestible modules.
Many compliance frameworks – including GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS – as well as insurance brokers, will expect your organization to carry out SAT. Without it, you are not taking all the necessary steps to protect your organization.
KnowBe4 is a security awareness and training (SAT) provider that aims to empower employees to make smarter, safer decisions. The platform currently has over 1,300 items in its content library, allowing organizations and users to gain essential knowledge on cybersecurity threats and responses. The phishing training content is available in 34 languages, making it a viable solution for multinational organizations operating across the globe.
KnowBe4 uses AI to monitor user behavior and phishing test results to tailor training and ensure that it is effective and insightful. KnowBe4’s content is gamified, which makes it a more enjoyable experience to take part in. The solution is frequently praised by users for its sleek UI, its ease of use, and its large content library.
Mirren McDade is a senior writer and journalist at Expert Insights, spending each day researching, writing, editing and publishing content, covering a variety of topics and solutions, and interviewing industry experts. She is an experienced copywriter with a background in a range of industries, including cloud business technologies, cloud security, information security and cyber security, and has conducted interviews with several industry experts. Mirren holds a First Class Honors degree in English from Edinburgh Napier University.
Craig MacAlpine is CEO and Founder of Expert Insights. Before founding Expert Insights in August 2018, Craig spent 10 years as CEO and founder of EPA Cloud, an email security provider that rebranded as VIPRE Email Security following its acquisition by Ziff Davies, formerly J2Global (NASQAQ: ZD) in 2013. Craig is a passionate security innovator with over 20 years of experience helping organizations to stay secure with cutting-edge information security and cybersecurity solutions. Using his extensive experience in the email security industry, he founded Expert Insights with the singular goal of helping IT professionals and CISOs to cut through the noise and find the right cybersecurity solutions they need to protect their organizations.