How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Hoxhunt suits measurable behavior change with gamified adaptive simulations, while Proofpoint ZenGuide suits enterprises already on Proofpoint email security.
- Mimecast Engage suits Mimecast customers with Core and Pro tiers, while Infosec IQ suits cost-effective training from $15 per user per year for 100 to 499 learners.
- SoSafe suits European teams from €625 per month with 50 seats included, while Huntress suits SMBs and MSPs at $2.08 per learner per month list.
- Cofense PhishMe suits mature response teams that want simulations plus SOC triage, while Microsoft Attack Simulation suits Microsoft 365 E5 tenants at no extra license cost.
- Phishing simulation must run with consent and transparency: simulations teach staff to spot real attacks, they are never real phishing, and programs should reward reporting rather than punish clicks.
Quick comparison
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The best KnowBe4 alternatives
#1Hoxhunt
Best for: Measurable behavior change4.8/5 on
G2 (3,773 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit hoxhunt.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Hoxhunt is the behavior change pick, leaning on behavioral science and AI-driven personalization to deliver micro-learning and adaptive simulations that adjust difficulty per user. It covers email, Teams, SMS, voice, and deepfake simulations, with instant coaching when a user clicks or reports. Maturity bands in one report put no-program organizations at 25 to 35 percent failure rates, mature programs at 5 to 10 percent, and highly mature behavior-based programs at 2 to 5 percent. Pricing is per employee, scoped to headcount and capabilities, after a scoping call.
The trade off is behavior change against quote opacity. Hoxhunt moves failure rates measurably, but pricing requires a sales process. Hoxhunt fits security-mature mid-market to enterprise teams that want behavior change past the compliance checkbox.
What we like- Gamified adaptive-difficulty phishing simulation across email, Teams, SMS, voice, and deepfake
- Per-user difficulty and cadence
- Instant coaching on click or report
- 4.8 out of 5 on G2 with 3,738 reviews
- Maturity bands as an industry reference
Watch out for- Quote on request after a 30-minute scoping call
- Reported contracts from about $10,000 per year
- Per-user pricing often 5 to 15 percent lower than the target for mid-market in one report, but not published
- Enterprise focus
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Proofpoint ZenGuide is the Proofpoint customer pick, tying simulation templates to real-world attack patterns observed through Proofpoint email security, with adaptive groups, pathways, ThreatFlip from live attacks, and Human Risk Explorer signals. It suits large enterprises already running Proofpoint email security that want threat-intel-driven simulations. Pricing is not published and ZenGuide is sold inside the Collaboration Security Prime bundle, though standalone training is reported at $15 to $25 per user annually.
The trade off is threat intel against bundle lock-in. ZenGuide simulations reflect live attacks, but pricing sits inside a bundle. Proofpoint ZenGuide fits large enterprises on the Proofpoint stack.
What we like- Threat-intelligence-driven simulations tied to real attack patterns
- Adaptive Groups and Pathways
- ThreatFlip from live attacks
- Human Risk Explorer signals
- Report Suspicious button
- 4.5 out of 5 on G2 with 337 reviews
Watch out for- Not published pricing, sold inside the Collaboration Security Prime bundle
- Standalone training reported at $15 to $25 per user annually
- Enterprise bundling is where most large customers land
- Best value only on the Proofpoint stack
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Mimecast Engage is the Mimecast customer pick, offering short monthly modules, email simulations, QR templates, and a Human Risk Command Center on Engage, with human-risk-based scoring and a short-form video cadence. New buys run on Engage Core or Engage Pro tiers, since older Awareness Training is end-of-sale. Pricing is not published, so this guide lists it as See website.
The trade off is Mimecast fit against product transition. Engage suits Mimecast customers well, but buyers should confirm they are buying Engage, not the end-of-sale product. Mimecast Engage fits Mimecast email security customers wanting a bundled add-on.
What we like- Short monthly modules and email simulations
- Human Risk Command Center on Engage
- Human-risk-based scoring
- Short-form video cadence
- Core and Pro tiers
- Good for Mimecast customers
Watch out for- Not published pricing
- Older Awareness Training is end-of-sale, with new buys on Engage Core or Engage Pro
- Module access limitations noted in some reviews
- 4.0 out of 5 on G2 with 25 reviews for the older product
Starting price$15 per user per year
Free planNo
Infosec IQ is the cost-effective pick, with Standard and Enterprise plans, strong value ratings in reviews, and ease of use cited by reviewers. Pricing is reported from $15 per user per year for 100 to 499 learners in one comparison, though the vendor does not publish pricing in another guide, so confirm a quote for your learner count. Infosec IQ rates 4.5 out of 5 on G2 with 654 reviews and suits mid-market teams.
The trade off is value against price transparency. Infosec IQ costs less than many rivals, but published prices are reported, not vendor-listed. Infosec IQ fits mid-market teams that want cost-effective training with good ease of use.
What we like- From $15 per user per year for 100 to 499 learners in one report
- Standard and Enterprise plans
- Cost-effective with strong value in reviews
- Ease of use cited by reviewers
- 4.5 out of 5 on G2 with 654 reviews
Watch out for- Pricing not published by the vendor in one guide, so the $15 figure is reported
- Enterprise pricing on request
- Smaller content depth than the target library in some reports
- Implementation effort varies
Starting price€625 per month
Free planNo
SoSafe is the European team pick, publishing list prices where most rivals quote on request, with Core and Advanced plans billed annually from €625 per month with 50 seats included. It suits European teams with GDPR needs and mid-market companies that want published pricing before a sales call. SoSafe is one of only three vendors publishing list prices in one October 2026 guide.
The trade off is price transparency against seat minimums. SoSafe publishes prices, but the 50-seat base binds very small teams. SoSafe fits European mid-market teams that want published pricing.
What we like- Publishes list prices, unlike most rivals
- Core and Advanced plans billed annually
- From €625 per month with 50 seats included
- Good for European teams with GDPR needs
- Gamified elements in some reports
Watch out for- Euro pricing needs conversion for US buyers
- 50-seat inclusion means small teams pay the same base
- Advanced features need the Advanced plan
- Smaller US presence than rivals
Starting price$2.08 per learner per month
Free planNo
Huntress Managed Security Awareness Training is the SMB and MSP pick, offering a fully managed program with sub-10-minute setup, story-based Curricula episodes, managed scheduling, Phishing Defense Coaching, and a Custom Content Creator. Pricing is published at $2.08 per learner per month list, or $1.75 at 100 learners, with volume discounts, a 12-month term, and a 50-seat minimum direct. Huntress suits SMBs and MSP-managed clients with no dedicated awareness-training staff.
The trade off is managed ease against control. Huntress runs the program for you, but custom control is less than self-managed platforms. Huntress fits SMBs and MSPs that want a managed program without staffing it.
What we like- Fully managed program with sub-10-minute setup
- Per-learner pricing with volume discounts
- 12-month term
- 50-seat minimum direct
- $2.08 list, $1.75 at 100 learners
- Curricula story-based content
- Phishing Defense Coaching
Watch out for- 50-seat minimum for direct buys
- Managed program means less custom control
- MSP pricing varies
- Smaller enterprise depth than Hoxhunt and Proofpoint
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Cofense PhishMe is the mature SOC pick, combining simulations across email, smishing, vishing, and QR codes with one-click reporting into Triage, so reported phish flow directly to SOC workflows. Its Competency Dashboard measures competency, not just completion, which suits teams that tie reported phish to SOC outcomes. Pricing is not published, so this guide lists it as See website.
The trade off is SOC integration against training breadth. PhishMe connects simulations to response better than most, but its training library focus is narrower. Cofense PhishMe fits mature response teams that want simulations plus SOC triage.
What we like- Email, smishing, vishing, and QR simulations
- One-click report into Triage for SOC response
- Competency Dashboard, not completion-only
- Ties reported phish to SOC outcomes
- Good for mature response teams
Watch out for- Not published pricing
- SOC integration needs a mature response team
- Smaller training library focus than rivals
- Enterprise price for smaller teams
Starting priceIncluded in E5
Free planNo
Microsoft Attack Simulation Training is the Microsoft tenant pick, included as a license feature with Microsoft 365 E5 or the Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 add-on, with E3 tenants getting a trial subset. It lets Microsoft shops run attack simulations inside the existing security stack at no extra license cost for E5 tenants. Training depth trails dedicated SAT vendors, but for E5 tenants the incremental cost is zero.
The trade off is zero incremental cost against dedicated depth. Attack Simulation Training costs nothing extra for E5 tenants, but it is not a full SAT platform. Microsoft Attack Simulation Training fits Microsoft 365 E5 tenants that want simulations without a new vendor.
What we like- Included with Microsoft 365 E5 or Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 add-on
- E3 tenants get a trial subset
- No extra license cost for E5 tenants
- Simulations inside the Microsoft security stack
- Good for Microsoft shops
Watch out for- License feature, not a standalone product
- E3 tenants get only a trial subset
- Training depth trails dedicated SAT vendors
- Best value only inside Microsoft 365
How we chose
We compared published October 2026 security awareness comparisons, recording published prices and reported figures separately, since only three vendors in one guide publish list prices while most quote on request. We favored platforms with distinct strengths, behavior change, Proofpoint threat intel, Mimecast bundling, cost-effective training, European published pricing, managed SMB programs, SOC triage, and Microsoft inclusion, and we listed Hoxhunt, Proofpoint, Mimecast, and Cofense as See website because their pricing is quote based. We weighed behavior change, simulation breadth, and managed effort separately, since no single platform leads on all three.
How to choose a KnowBe4 alternative
Start with existing stack: Proofpoint shops should shortlist ZenGuide, Mimecast shops should shortlist Engage, and Microsoft E5 tenants should start with Attack Simulation Training at no extra cost. Next, match program goal: behavior change should shortlist Hoxhunt, cost-effective training should shortlist Infosec IQ, European published pricing should shortlist SoSafe, and managed SMB programs should shortlist Huntress. Then confirm simulation ethics: run simulations with organizational consent and transparency, announce that simulations happen, reward reporting, and never use simulations as real phishing or punishment. Finally, measure failure rates over time, since mature programs land at 5 to 10 percent and highly mature programs at 2 to 5 percent in one report. A platform that fits your stack, your goal, and your simulation ethics will change behavior without eroding trust.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best KnowBe4 alternative overall?
Hoxhunt suits behavior change, Proofpoint suits Proofpoint shops, Infosec IQ suits cost-effective training, and Huntress suits managed SMB programs, so the best pick depends on stack and goal.
Is there a free security awareness training alternative?
Curricula is reported free for organizations up to 1,000 employees in one report, while most platforms here are paid, though Microsoft E5 tenants get simulations at no extra license cost.
Why do security awareness prices vary so much?
Most vendors quote on request by headcount and capabilities, while only a few publish list prices, so reported figures cover different seat counts and tiers.
Should phishing simulations punish employees who click?
No. Simulations teach staff to spot real attacks, they are never real phishing, and programs should reward reporting rather than punish clicks, or trust erodes.
What failure rate should a mature program reach?
Mature programs land at 5 to 10 percent failure rates and highly mature behavior-based programs at 2 to 5 percent in one report, versus 25 to 35 percent with no program.
Does Microsoft 365 include phishing simulation?
Yes for E5 tenants: Attack Simulation Training is included with Microsoft 365 E5 or the Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 add-on, while E3 tenants get a trial subset.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Proofpoint ZenGuide
Mimecast Engage
Infosec IQ
SoSafe
Huntress Managed SAT
Cofense PhishMe
Microsoft Attack Simulation Training