21 October 2025 • Cyber security
Security awareness training is only effective if your employees actually engage with it. But as you know, most training programs are, to be frank, boring. Luckily, there are outliers. In this article, I’ve listed five security awareness platforms with the most focus on creating high engagement rates.
Why most security awareness platforms fail to engage users
Ask the average user about any traditional security awareness training platform, and they’ll most likely sigh.
It’s time-consuming. It’s pushed top-down. It’s boring, almost clinical. They don’t see the value in it.
Most platforms have invested nothing into making training a worthwhile experience. They count on the fact that it’s compliance-driven and therefore mandatory. The content is dry, uses long-winded videos, and there is nothing that triggers any form of gratification or intrinsic motivation.
Another problem is that the approach leads to a negative experience for users. The platforms send out phishing simulations and ‘punish’ users who click the link by sending them to training. Not exactly motivating.
That’s why it’s so hard for security professionals to get employees to engage with training. You take on a subscription with one of these platforms, only to have to chase your employees around the office for them to actually use it.
How to select a platform that truly engages users
There are hundreds of training programs out there, so picking the right one is challenging. Here’s what you should look out for.
Accessibility: Easy to use for all employees, has a mobile app for frontline workers, sends notifications
Positive approach: Has a positive approach and celebrates wins instead of punishing mistakes.
Gamification: Has a leaderboard, badges, fun storylines and other gamification elements to make the learning experience fun and rewarding.
Micro-learning: Offers short, regular training sessions instead of long-winded videos that take up to 20 minutes.
The 4 most engaging security awareness platforms that I could find
Here are the most engaging platforms I came across in my search:
- Guardey
- SoSafe
- Pistachio
- Hoxhunt
For each platform I’ve written down why I think they’re best at engaging users and collected some reviews from people who use it.
1. Guardey
Guardey is a gamified security awareness training platform that’s often compared to Duolingo — short, playful, and genuinely fun. Instead of long training sessions or punishment-based phishing tests, Guardey uses weekly challenges that reward progress and spark friendly competition between colleagues.
Here’s why they succeed in keeping users engaged:
- Friendly competition: Points, badges, and leaderboards make training feel like a team sport instead of a compliance chore.
- Micro-learning: Weekly challenges take just a few minutes, so training fits easily into everyone’s schedule.
- Recognizable storylines: Content is built around everyday work situations that actually happen, making it relatable and memorable.
- Positive approach: Instead of punishing mistakes, Guardey rewards participation and improvement, creating a safe learning culture.
- Mobile app: Frontline workers can play and learn on the go — no desktop required.
A possible con is that Guardey doesn’t include video content. On the plus side, that keeps the experience lightweight and fast. But for teams that prefer visual storytelling, it might feel like something’s missing.
User review
“Our training participation is through the roof! Guardey has brought out the competitive nature of our employees. Some colleagues have even set up their own competitions in Microsoft Teams group chats.” — Inexto
→ Start a 14-day free Guardey trial
2. SoSafe
SoSafe focuses on gamified microlearning and personalized phishing simulations. The platform’s strength lies in its interactive content and behavioural design, which helps employees build lasting security habits.
Here’s what stands out:
- Personalized learning paths: Content adapts to users’ knowledge level and role.
- Interactive modules: Quizzes, mini-games, and visual storytelling keep it interesting.
- Positive tone: Focused on awareness and empowerment rather than fear.
Possible con: Some training modules rely on long videos with no skip function, which can frustrate returning users.
User review
“What I like best about SoSafe is its user-centric approach to security awareness. The platform makes learning engaging through interactive content and personalized phishing simulations, which really helps to build a proactive security culture within the organization. One thing I dislike about SoSafe is the length of some of the videos in the modules. If you need to restart a module, there’s no option to skip ahead, which can be frustrating, especially when you’re already familiar with the content.” — G2
3. Pistachio
Pistachio takes a radically lightweight approach to awareness training. No login, no portal, no friction. Users receive quick security questions straight to their inbox or phone, which makes participation effortless.
Here’s what makes it engaging:
- Zero friction: No need to log in; questions arrive via email or notification.
- Fast format: One short interaction at a time keeps the learning habit alive.
- Automated phishing tests: Relevant and adaptive to employee behaviour.
Possible con: It can feel too shallow. There’s little gamification and limited depth beyond the quick questions, which may not sustain engagement long-term.
User review
“It’s easy to implement, and easy to engage with. Random security-related questions delivered to your inbox, no platforms to log in to. Phishing simulations are automated and are relevant, which provides a better level of engagement.” — G2
4. Hoxhunt
Hoxhunt built its reputation around personalized phishing simulations that double as microlearning moments. The platform gamifies reporting and rewards users who spot phishing attempts quickly and accurately.
Here’s what makes it engaging:
- Adaptive phishing drills: Tailored to each user’s skill level.
- Immediate feedback: Users learn instantly from mistakes or correct reports.
- Gamified progression: Points and badges encourage competition and mastery.
Possible con: The heavy focus on phishing simulations can make the overall tone feel negative — more about catching mistakes than celebrating learning.
User review
“As a user, I find the phishing drills very engaging and realistic. They help me stay alert and practice spotting suspicious emails in a safe way. The feedback after each drill is simple and easy to follow, which makes it a good learning experience.” — G2
Final thoughts
If engagement is your main goal, Guardey stands out with its consistent rhythm, positive tone, and true gamification. It’s one of the few platforms that manages to make security awareness genuinely fun.
SoSafe is a strong runner-up if you want more structured learning and visual content, while Pistachio is great for frictionless, lightweight awareness.
Hoxhunt is a go-to for phishing simulations, though it leans more on habit-building than gamified storytelling.
