training platforms

KnowBe4 dominates the security awareness training market. But market dominance doesn’t mean every organization is best served by the leader.

Whether you’re evaluating options for the first time, outgrowing your current solution, or finding KnowBe4’s approach doesn’t fit your needs, alternatives exist across every price point and feature set.

This comparison examines what different platforms offer, where they excel, and which organizational contexts they serve best.

Before comparing platforms, understand why buyers look beyond the obvious choice:

Pricing concerns: KnowBe4’s per-user licensing creates significant costs at scale. Organizations with thousands of users or tight budgets explore alternatives with different pricing models.

Content approach: KnowBe4’s content library is extensive but some organizations find the style doesn’t resonate with their workforce. Training effectiveness depends on engagement, and engagement depends on content fit.

Feature requirements: Some organizations need capabilities KnowBe4 doesn’t prioritize: advanced simulations, specific compliance frameworks, or particular LMS integrations.

Vendor diversity: Mature security programs avoid single-vendor dependency. Evaluating alternatives ensures competitive pricing and informed decisions.

User experience: Platform interfaces vary significantly. Organizations switching from one platform often cite usability as a primary driver.

Full disclosure: this is our platform. We’ll describe what we offer honestly, including what we do well and where we’re building.

Interactive 3D simulations: Rather than video content followed by quizzes, RansomLeak exercises place employees in realistic scenarios where they must identify threats, make decisions, and experience consequences in simulated environments.

Engagement-first design: Exercises use gamification, branching narratives, and immediate feedback to maintain attention and drive completion. Our completion rates consistently exceed industry benchmarks.

SCORM compatibility: Export any content as SCORM packages for integration with existing LMS platforms. One-click export, tested compatibility across major systems.

Flexible deployment: Use our cloud platform for full analytics and campaign management, or deploy SCORM packages through your existing infrastructure.

• Organizations prioritizing engagement and behavior change over checkbox compliance
• Companies with existing LMS investments wanting SCORM-compatible content
• Teams that have tried video-based training and found it ineffective
• Organizations seeking interactive simulations without enterprise complexity

• Smaller content library than established market leaders (we’re growing)
• Newer platform means less market validation (we’re proving ourselves)
• Advanced enterprise features still in development

Competitive per-user pricing with volume discounts. Free trial available with no credit card required.

Explore RansomLeak exercises →

Proofpoint acquired Wombat Security and integrates awareness training with their email security platform.

Email security integration: Organizations using Proofpoint for email protection benefit from unified reporting and threat intelligence that informs training content.

Established content library: Years of development produced comprehensive training modules covering most security topics.

Enterprise scale: Proven deployment across large organizations with complex requirements.

Pricing: Enterprise-focused pricing may not suit smaller organizations.

Platform bundling: Highest value comes with full Proofpoint suite adoption, which may not align with your security architecture.

Content style: Traditional video-heavy approach may not maximize engagement for all audiences.

• Organizations already invested in Proofpoint email security
• Enterprise buyers seeking integrated security platforms
• Compliance-focused programs prioritizing completeness over engagement

Cofense focuses specifically on phishing simulation and response.

Phishing specialization: Deep focus on phishing simulation creates sophisticated testing capabilities.

Managed services: Options for fully-managed phishing programs reduce internal resource requirements.

Incident response integration: PhishMe’s origins created strong workflows for reporting and responding to real attacks.

Narrow focus: Less comprehensive general security awareness content compared to broader platforms.

Complexity: Advanced features create learning curves for program administrators.

Pricing model: Can become expensive for comprehensive programs.

• Organizations prioritizing phishing simulation over general awareness
• Security teams wanting managed simulation services
• Mature programs needing advanced simulation capabilities

Mimecast acquired Ataata to add awareness training to their email security platform.

Email security integration: Similar to Proofpoint, organizations using Mimecast for email benefit from integrated reporting.

Risk-based targeting: Training recommendations based on email security data and threat exposure.

Short-form content: Micro-learning approach suits organizations seeking minimal time commitment.

Platform dependency: Value proposition strongest within Mimecast ecosystem.

Acquisition integration: Ataata integration still maturing in some areas.

Limited customization: Less flexibility than some alternatives for custom content needs.

• Existing Mimecast email security customers
• Organizations preferring micro-learning formats
• Buyers seeking integrated email security and training

SANS brings their technical training reputation to security awareness.

Technical credibility: SANS brand recognition matters for technical audiences who value authoritative content.

Comprehensive content: Deep library covering topics beyond basic awareness.

Role-based training: Strong differentiation for technical vs. non-technical audiences.

Premium pricing: SANS quality commands premium pricing that may exceed budgets.

Technical orientation: Content may be more technical than general workforce needs.

Less modern UX: Platform interface reflects enterprise software more than modern SaaS.

• Organizations with technical workforces valuing SANS credibility
• Buyers prioritizing content depth over engagement features
• Companies with training budgets supporting premium solutions

Terranova focuses on human risk management with awareness training as a component.

Behavior-focused approach: Emphasis on behavior change beyond simple awareness metrics.

Multilingual content: Strong internationalization for global organizations.

Compliance alignment: Content mapped to specific regulatory requirements.

Complex positioning: Platform capabilities can be difficult to evaluate quickly.

Market presence: Lower visibility than market leaders may concern some buyers.

• Global organizations needing multilingual content
• Compliance-driven programs requiring specific regulatory mapping
• Buyers interested in behavior-focused approaches

Before comparing platforms, clarify what matters most:

Must-haves:

• What features are non-negotiable?
• What integrations are required?
• What compliance requirements must be met?
• What budget constraints exist?

Nice-to-haves:

• What features would improve the program?
• What future needs should you plan for?
• What would make administration easier?

Platform demos should address:

• Admin experience for program management
• User experience for employees
• Reporting and analytics capabilities
• Integration processes
• Content library breadth and quality

Before committing, test with real users:

• Deploy to a small group
• Measure completion rates and engagement
• Gather user feedback
• Evaluate admin effort required
• Confirm integration functionality

Consider costs beyond licensing:

• Implementation and configuration effort
• Ongoing administration time
• Content customization needs
• Training for program administrators
• Integration maintenance

About content:

• How frequently is content updated?
• Can we preview the full library before purchase?
• How do you handle content that doesn’t resonate with our users?
• What customization options exist?

About phishing simulation:

• How realistic are simulation templates?
• Can we create custom simulations?
• How do you handle false positives (mail security catching simulations)?
• What reporting is available at individual, department, and organizational levels?

About integration:

• Which LMS platforms have you tested with?
• What’s the SCORM export process?
• How do you integrate with our email system?
• What SSO options are supported?

About support:

• What’s included in base pricing vs. additional cost?
• What’s typical response time for issues?
• Is there a customer success resource assigned to our account?
• How do you help us succeed, not just use the platform?

KnowBe4 remains the right choice if:

• You’re satisfied with current results
• Budget isn’t a primary constraint
• Content style resonates with your workforce
• You value market leadership and ecosystem size

Consider alternatives when:

• Engagement and completion rates are disappointing
• Pricing creates budget pressure at scale
• Specific features are missing that you need
• Your organization outgrew the initial solution

We’re the right fit if:

• Interactive simulations matter more than content volume
• SCORM compatibility is required
• Engagement drives your training effectiveness
• You want to experience quality training before committing

KnowBe4’s market position doesn’t make it universally optimal. The right security awareness platform depends on your organizational context, priorities, and constraints.

Define requirements clearly. Evaluate multiple options. Test before committing. The platform that creates behavior change for your workforce, regardless of market share, is the one worth choosing.

Experience interactive security training that prioritizes engagement. Try our free exercises. No sales pitch, just quality training you can evaluate on your own terms.