The 8 best security awareness training software platforms in 2026, compared

In brief: Security awareness training software trains employees to recognize phishing, social engineering and unsafe behaviour, and gives you the completion and phishing-simulation data that NIS2 and ISO 27001 auditors ask for. We compared eight platforms on simulations, languages, gamification, compliance reporting and what users say on G2 and Capterra. Our pick: Guardey, the all-round first choice for SMEs, mid-sized teams and enterprises: weekly three-minute training, phishing simulations included, no admin work. KnowBe4, Proofpoint and Hoxhunt are the alternatives if you specifically want a large legacy content library or threat-intel-driven simulations and have a team to run them. The comparison table and buyer’s checklist are below.

According to the Verizon 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report, the human element was present in around 60% of breaches: a click, a reused password, a misdirected email. Technology filters most attacks; the rest is decided by what your employees do. That is why the right security awareness training software matters, and why we analyzed eight platforms and thousands of reviews on websites such as G2 and Capterra to help you find the best one.

The 8 best security awareness training platforms at a glance

Review scores change; click through to G2 for the current number and the full reviews.

How to choose a security awareness training software provider

Not all awareness platforms are created equal — and depending on your team size, culture, and goals, the right choice can look very different. Below, we break down the key things to consider before choosing a provider. You’ll see these same categories come back in every vendor breakdown to help you compare apples to apples.

💰 Pricing range

Let’s be honest: pricing is often opaque in this market. Many vendors don’t publish rates publicly, which forces you into demos before knowing if it’s even in budget. And when they do give pricing, it’s not always apples-to-apples — some charge per feature, others per user, some bundle everything. That’s why we’ll highlight pricing transparency, total cost, and what you actually get for your money with each vendor.

👓 Learning style

Are you getting video lessons, quizzes, phishing simulations — or a mix of all three? Some platforms offer personalized content, gamification, or interactive formats. Others stick to basic modules that can feel dry or repetitive. We’ll explain what the training actually looks like, how it’s delivered, and whether it holds people’s attention.

⏱️ Training frequency & duration

Do you want training every week, every month, or just once a year? Some vendors send out micro-learnings regularly, others leave it to admins to plan everything. We’ll show how flexible each platform is, how much time users spend on training, and how much effort it takes to run campaigns.

🗣️ Languages & localization

If your team spans multiple regions, language support is key. But it’s not just about having translations — it’s about how natural the content feels. Is it “local enough” to resonate? Or does it sound like an American export with a Dutch subtitle? We’ll call out who gets localization right (and who doesn’t).

👩‍💻 Integrations & admin features

Admin experience matters more than vendors like to admit. A platform might look slick on the user side but feel clunky or rigid in the backend. We’ll evaluate how easy it is to set up training, manage users, pull reports, and connect to tools like Microsoft 365, Teams, or your SSO provider.

☀️ What sets them apart

This is where we highlight each vendor’s edge. Whether it’s top-tier phishing simulations, Netflix-style video content, or automation that actually works — we’ll surface what they do best so you can match it to your needs.

🚩 Possible red flags

Every platform has downsides. Maybe the training feels too basic. Maybe the dashboards are a mess. Maybe pricing creeps up fast. In this section, we won’t hold back. You’ll get a straight look at where the platform might fall short.

🏆 Best for…

Finally, we’ll summarize who the platform is best suited for — small teams or large enterprises, hands-off admins or high-control setups, content-first buyers or phishing-first defenders. If a platform isn’t a fit for your situation, you’ll know here.

Security awareness software, platform or LMS: what is the difference?

The terms are used interchangeably, but they describe different things:

• Security awareness training software delivers the training content and tracks who completed what. The minimum you need for a compliance report.
• Security awareness platform adds phishing simulations, reporting, automation and integrations (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, HR systems), so training and testing happen in one place. This is what most of the tools below are.
• LMS (learning management system) is a generic training system in which you can also load security content. Fine if you already have one and only need a yearly module; weak if you want simulations and behaviour data.

Which platform fits your company size?

The 8 best security awareness training software platforms in 2026, reviewed

1. Guardey
2. Proofpoint
3. KnowBe4
4. Usecure
5. Phished
6. Hoxhunt
7. Metacompliance
8. NINJIO

1. Guardey

What it is. Guardey turns security awareness training into a weekly habit: short, gamified challenges of three minutes in which employees make decisions in realistic scenarios (phishing, passwords, social engineering, deepfakes) and get feedback on every answer. Phishing simulations are included, and reports are built for NIS2, ISO 27001, IBP, NEN 7510 and 40+ other frameworks.

Strengths

• Weekly three-minute challenges keep knowledge fresh instead of a yearly module nobody remembers
• Gamification that works: points, team competition and a company-wide leaderboard drive participation without reminders
• Live within a day via Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace integration; clear dashboards, no admin learning curve

Where it falls short

• Not a massive video library: if you need long-form certification courses, you will supplement elsewhere
• The weekly rhythm is the product; organizations that only want a once-a-year compliance tick will not use it to its potential

What users say. Customers consistently point to participation. One admin: “The uptick in training participation has been fantastic. Guardey doesn’t take a lot of time. And most of all, it’s fun. Employees have even set up their own little competitions internally.” (source)

Pricing. Priced on user count alone, no minimum team size, no add-ons; public pricing and a 14-day free trial, no sales call needed.

Best for. The all-round first choice: SMEs, mid-sized teams and enterprises that want continuous training that employees actually complete. You can try the challenges for free or schedule a demo.

2. Proofpoint

What it is. Proofpoint’s security awareness product is part of its enterprise email-security ecosystem: a very large content library with phishing simulations driven by Proofpoint’s own threat intelligence.

Strengths

• Simulations based on real, current attack campaigns seen in Proofpoint’s email security
• Huge template and module library with videos, quizzes and some gamified content
• Tight integration with Microsoft 365, Azure AD and the rest of the Proofpoint stack

Where it falls short

• Heavy platform: reviewers mention clunky dashboards, multiple logins and a steep learning curve
• Translations and tone are often described as “too American” by non-US customers; price is prohibitive for SMBs

What users say. “The UI is not very intuitive” is a recurring theme on G2, alongside praise for the depth of the content.

Pricing. Quote-based, enterprise-level.

Best for. Alternative for large enterprises that already run Proofpoint email security and want awareness training tightly integrated with it.

3. KnowBe4

What it is. KnowBe4 is the most recognized name in the market: the largest library of phishing templates and training modules, backed by an aggressive sales organization. Almost every CISO has heard of it, and reviews mention both the breadth of content and the dated feel of the platform.

Strengths

• The largest template and content library on the market, with hundreds of phishing scenarios
• Solid integrations with Active Directory, HR systems and LMS platforms
• Strong compliance reporting at scale

Where it falls short

• Modules of 20–30 minutes and minimal gamification: reviewers describe the content as repetitive and the UX as outdated
• Opaque pricing with frequent upselling; smaller companies often feel priced out

What users say. Admins praise the volume and criticise the time it takes: “too many clicks to get simple things done” is typical feedback. Several Guardey customers switched for exactly that reason: read why this international school moved from KnowBe4 to Guardey.

Pricing. Tiered (Silver to Diamond), quote-based; see their pricing page and our KnowBe4 pricing breakdown.

Best for. Alternative for enterprises that want the biggest possible library and have a security team to manage it. See also our KnowBe4 alternatives.

4. Usecure

What it is. Usecure is a UK-based platform aimed at MSPs and small businesses: short video modules and quizzes, assigned automatically based on a personal risk profile per employee, with the uPhish simulation tool included.

Strengths

• Adaptive training: a baseline test builds a risk profile and the platform assigns modules per employee
• Simple dashboard, quick onboarding, built for MSPs that manage many small clients
• Choice between a playful and a corporate tone for the content

Where it falls short

• Reviewers report the modules get repetitive even when technically different
• Reporting and integrations are basic; larger organizations outgrow it

What users say. “Very easy to use” and “some of the training can get a bit repetitive” sit side by side in most G2 reviews.

Pricing. Per user, more affordable than the enterprise vendors; quote required for exact numbers.

Best for. Alternative for small businesses that buy through an MSP and want automated, low-touch training.

5. Phished

What it is. Phished is a Belgian platform focused on automated phishing simulations, with short video lessons and quizzes layered on top. Once configured it runs largely hands-off, sending randomized simulations and matching training to each user’s behaviour.

Strengths

• Strong automation: simulations and follow-up training run with minimal admin input
• Localized phishing templates for many countries and languages
• Risk scores and behavioural metrics per user

Where it falls short

• Training content is phishing-centric and, according to reviewers, simplistic and repetitive for a broader awareness program; no real gamification
• Reporting looks good but lacks depth; for smaller companies the training is only sold bundled with simulations

What users say. “A great platform to organize automated phishing exercises” with the wish for “more in-depth reporting” summarizes the G2 feedback.

Pricing. Quote-based, per user per month, bundled with simulations below 500 users.

Best for. Second option if you want another European vendor and your priority is hands-off phishing simulation rather than culture change. See also Phished vs Guardey.

6. Hoxhunt

What it is. Hoxhunt is an enterprise platform built around adaptive, gamified phishing simulations that get harder as employees improve, with a micro-lesson after every simulation and a strong Outlook reporting integration.

Strengths

• Some of the most realistic and adaptive phishing simulations on the market
• Gamification (stars, leaderboards, achievements) that users genuinely engage with
• One-click reporting via the Outlook integration; good language coverage

Where it falls short

• Expensive and not transparent about pricing; no self-serve trial
• Scoring penalizes late reports and holidays; simulations become recognizable as “Hoxhunt emails” over time; admin side is time-consuming

What users say. “After a while it becomes more a matter of looking for Hoxhunt emails rather than being aware of phishing” is a typical G2 review, next to praise for the simulation quality. We compared Hoxhunt and Guardey in detail.

Pricing. Quote-based, multi-year enterprise contracts; no public pricing.

Best for. Alternative for enterprises with a dedicated security team and the budget to run a tailored program. See also what is Hoxhunt.

7. MetaCompliance

What it is. MetaCompliance combines video-based training, phishing simulations and policy management in one platform, with a “Netflix-style” content library and strong multilingual support.

Strengths

• Large, frequently updated library of short videos, nano-learnings and quizzes, plus the option to build custom content
• Excellent language coverage for global campaigns; Microsoft Teams integration and SSO
• Policy management and attestation built in, which regulated organizations appreciate

Where it falls short

• Steep admin learning curve: campaign setup across languages and departments takes time
• No gamification; reporting lacks deep drill-downs; no public pricing or trial

What users say. “Quite a large platform, and not everything can be found as easily as we would like” captures the G2 consensus; support staff are praised by name.

Pricing. Quote-based, serving small business to enterprise.

Best for. Alternative for organizations where policy management and multilingual compliance campaigns are the main need, and that have the time to run the platform.

8. NINJIO

What it is. NINJIO delivers security awareness as short animated episodes (three to five minutes) that dramatize real cyber incidents, released monthly, with an optional phishing simulation tool.

Strengths

• Cinematic, story-driven content that employees actually enjoy and talk about
• Topics stay current, often based on recent headlines
• SCORM export and Microsoft 365 / Entra ID integration; “Friends & Family” licensing to train beyond the workplace

Where it falls short

• One episode per month is the rhythm; the format is passive video, not interactive practice
• The new admin platform draws complaints about stability, missing features and reporting; limited multilingual information; the cartoon style is not for every audience

What users say. “The reporting functionality is lacking” is the most common criticism on G2, next to high engagement scores. See also what is NINJIO.

Pricing. Quote-based; reviewers describe it as not a budget tool for small businesses.

Best for. Alternative if story-based video is the priority and your team likes the animated format.

What users say: review patterns across G2 and Capterra

We read through recent reviews of all eight platforms on G2 and Capterra. The patterns that come back:

• Completion is the real problem. The most common complaint about enterprise platforms is not content quality but that employees don’t finish the modules. Short, frequent formats score consistently higher on “employee engagement”.
• Admin time is underestimated. KnowBe4 and Proofpoint reviewers praise the depth and criticise the setup effort. Smaller platforms win on “we were live the same day”.
• Reporting decides renewals. Reviewers in regulated sectors rate platforms on whether an auditor accepted the report without follow-up questions.
• Language coverage matters more in Europe. Several reviews from German, French and Dutch companies mention machine-translated content as a reason to switch.

Read the reviews yourself: G2 security awareness training category and Capterra security awareness training software.

The final verdict: choose a security awareness training vendor based on gamification

The number of cyber crime victims have grown dramatically over the past few years. In 2026, it only makes sense to do everything you can to turn your employees into a strong human firewall that recognizes cyber threats and acts accordingly.

For advanced security awareness training that is recurring, engaging, and most of all effective, sign up for Guardey or plan a personalized demo.

Frequently asked questions

How much does security awareness training software cost?

It depends on platform, company size and whether phishing simulations are included. Enterprise platforms are quote-based and usually sold per user per year; several SME-focused platforms, including Guardey, publish their prices so you can calculate the total before you talk to sales.

Is security awareness training mandatory under NIS2?

Yes. Article 21(2)(g) of NIS2 lists cyber hygiene practices and cybersecurity training as a minimum measure, and management must follow training too (Article 20). ISO 27001 (control A.6.3) and the GDPR (Article 39) contain similar requirements.

How long does it take to roll out?

Cloud platforms with Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace integration can be live within a day. Enterprise platforms with custom content and role-based programs typically take several weeks.

Do I need phishing simulations as well as training?

Yes, if you want to measure behaviour rather than completion. Training teaches; simulations show whether it worked. Most platforms in this list include both.