Security awareness training platforms deliver phishing simulation, educational content, and behavioral change programs to reduce human risk. Side-by-side comparison across 3 tools — descriptive only, no recommendations.
6 min readData verified: May 20263 tools compared
KnowBe4
Security Awareness Training
Paid
Per-user annual pricing across four tiers (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond)
list pricing typically $20-$30/user/year for smaller deployments; published rates decrease with volume; reportedly negotiated 22-55% below list at scale (25-35% mid-market, 40-50% enterprise 1,000+)
Custom enterprise pricing (per-user annual subscription)
pricing not publicly listed; quoted by Phished sales based on user count, content scope, and contract length
Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond. List pricing approximately $20-$30/user/year for smaller deployments; Diamond tier ranges from ~$2.65/user/month down to ~$1.70/user/month with volume and three-year commitments. Negotiated discounts typically 22-55% below list per CheckThat.ai community data (25-35% mid-market, 40-50% enterprise 1,000+ users)
Free under MIT License
no commercial tier from the upstream project (GitHub: gophish/gophish); community-maintained; commercial services available from third parties (red team consultancies, MSPs using GoPhish as their engine)
Custom enterprise pricing
Phished does not publicly list per-user rates; quoted by sales based on user count, languages, and contract term; Phished reports $16M+ ARR with 6,000+ customers and 2M+ users as of Q1 2026
Pricing tier
Paid
Free / OSS
Paid
Free tier / trial
Trial only
No permanent free tier; free trial available for evaluation; demo and proof-of-value campaigns via KnowBe4 sales
Free tier
Software permanently free; no commercial version
Trial only
No permanent free tier; demo and trial via Phished sales; no public self-service signup
Volume discounts
Per-user pricing decreases with volume
multi-year commitments (especially three-year) unlock significant additional savings; CheckThat.ai community data suggests enterprise (1,000+ users) commonly achieves 40-50% below list; non-profit and competitive upgrade discounts available
Not applicable
software is free
Per-user pricing scales with volume
multi-year terms unlock additional savings; MSP partner program with multi-tenant management for partners serving multiple SMB clients
Hidden costs
Add-on products (PhishER Plus for inbox threat triage, Compliance Plus for…
compliance training, SecurityCoach for real-time coaching, KCM GRC platform) priced separately; advanced features feature-gated to higher tiers may force upgrades over time; change management and dedicated program leadership often determine ROI more than the platform itself
Sending infrastructure (SMTP server or commercial relay), domain registration…
for sending domains (often a fresh look-alike domain per campaign), engineering time for template design, target list management, result analysis, legal review and authorization, training content creation (none included), monitoring and alerting infrastructure, optional commercial support from third-party consultancies
Custom pricing means contract structure varies
buyers should clarify what's included (languages, advanced content, ZIM, BRS reporting, integrations); MSP partners may have specific markup structures; offline / USB-drop phishing not in the standard scope
↗ Deployment & integrations
3 dimensions
Deployment
SaaS multi-tenant cloud
web-based admin console; KnowBe4 Learner mobile app for end-user training delivery; data residency options for EU, US, and other regions; SOC 2 Type II audited platform
Single static binary on Windows, macOS, Linux, BSD
official Docker container available; runs on localhost:3333 by default; supports any SMTP relay for sending (your own mail server, SendGrid, AWS SES, etc.); HTTPS for the admin UI strongly recommended in production
SaaS multi-tenant cloud
Belgium-headquartered (Leuven) with EU data residency available; admin console is web-based; runs largely on autopilot after initial configuration; minimal IT involvement after setup
Typical deployment time
Hours to days for basic phishing simulation and training deployment
weeks for full program rollout with policy design, executive sponsorship, baseline metrics, and integration setup; ongoing program management is the long-term commitment
Minutes for initial install (download binary, run, log in via web UI)
hours to days for first production campaign with proper sending domain, SPF/DKIM/DMARC alignment, template design, and target list curation; weeks for mature program with API automation, custom reporting, and integration with internal tooling
Hours to days for initial configuration (user sync, simulation whitelisting,…
IdP integration); platform then runs automatically — Phished's positioning is 'set and forget' security awareness, with admin checking progress rather than managing campaigns
Key integrations
Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Google Workspace, Active Directory for SSO/user sync
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for phishing simulation whitelisting and PAB reporting button; SIEM forwarding (Splunk, Sentinel, QRadar) via API; ServiceNow, Jira; Slack, Teams; SecurityCoach integrates with EDR/XDR vendors for behavioral coaching triggers
REST API with Python client library (gophish/api-client-python) for full…
programmatic control; integrates with any SMTP server; outputs results in JSON for ingestion into SIEMs, BI tools, custom dashboards; no native IdP, MDM, SIEM, or LMS integrations (build via API)
Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Google Workspace, Active Directory for SSO/user provisioning
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace for phishing simulation whitelisting and inbox reporting button; HRIS sync for automated user lifecycle; webhook and API integrations for reporting
🎓 Security Awareness Training-specific evaluation
7 dimensions
Phishing simulation channels
Email phishing (year-round unlimited simulations with thousands of templates),…
Callback Phishing (simulated phone-based attacks), reply-tracking for BEC simulation, USB drop tests (PhishER); voice/SMS/QR multi-channel capabilities maturing; AIDA AI-driven template selection in Diamond tier
Email phishing only in the upstream project (the most common channel)
SMS/voice/QR channels would require building custom integrations; community forks and wrapper projects extend functionality
AI-driven email phishing simulations personalized per user
SMS (smishing) simulations; QR code phishing simulations; content localized to company context and individual skill level; adaptive difficulty engine adjusts simulation frequency and complexity per user
Training content library
World's largest security awareness library in 35+ languages
covers security awareness, compliance, cybersecurity fundamentals; modular courses, interactive videos, gamified content; updated continuously; Compliance Plus add-on covers 100+ regulatory frameworks; content depth varies by tier (newest modules often Diamond-only)
None included
GoPhish is a phishing simulation framework, not a training platform; organizations either source training content separately (open educational resources, custom-developed modules, commercial content libraries) or run GoPhish purely as a phishing assessment tool
Phished Academy covers 360 cybersecurity topics via gamified science-based curriculum
native content in 18+ languages (Catalan, Czech, Danish, German, English, Finnish, French, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Chinese Simplified/Traditional); short digestible sessions with certificates; updated regularly
AI / personalization
AIDA (Artificial Intelligence-Driven Agent) automatically chooses the best…
phishing template for each user based on individual training and phishing history; AI-recommended training modules based on previous completions; SmartRisk Engine analyzes user behavior for human risk insights; AI-native defense agents personalize content and create realistic phishing templates — all Diamond tier
No native AI personalization
targeting and template selection are manual or scripted via the REST API; advanced personalization requires custom development
AI-driven core
personalized phishing simulations adjust difficulty based on user performance; AI selects appropriate templates and timing per user; Zero Incident Mail (ZIM) AI sandbox provides safe environment when users click test links; targeted training delivered automatically to first-time clickers, repeat offenders, and users entering sensitive data
per-user click and submission tracking; results exported as JSON for custom analysis; no built-in cross-campaign risk scoring or behavioral analytics (build via API + external BI tools)
employee-level cyber resilience scoring; continuous monitoring of evolving security posture; automated reporting via email; dashboard for admin overview; integration with reporting workflows via API/webhooks
Compliance training
Compliance Plus add-on (separate licensing, 100+ employee minimum) covers 100+…
regulatory frameworks including HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, SOX, FERPA, GLBA, OSHA, state privacy laws; industry-specific modules for healthcare, financial services, education, government; built-in audit reporting
None — GoPhish does not provide compliance training modules
organizations layering compliance training pair GoPhish with separate LMS or content libraries
Compliance fundamentals integrated within the 360-topic curriculum
NIS2, GDPR, ISO 27001 alignment built in; less explicit framework-by-framework module structure than KnowBe4's Compliance Plus add-on but covers core requirements
Integrations
Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Google Workspace, Active Directory SSO/SCIM
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace whitelisting and PAB reporting button; SIEM forwarding via API (Splunk, Sentinel, QRadar); ServiceNow, Jira for ticket integration; Slack, Teams; SecurityCoach integrates with EDR/XDR (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft Defender) to trigger coaching on risky behavior
REST API enables integration with any system
Python client library available; SMTP integration with any mail relay; no native IdP/MDM/SIEM/LMS integrations in the upstream project (build via API)
Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Google Workspace, Active Directory SSO/SCIM
HRIS integrations for user lifecycle automation; Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace whitelisting and inbox report button; SIEM and SOAR integration via API and webhooks; partner program integrations for MSPs
Deployment model
Multi-tenant SaaS only
data residency options for EU, US, APAC; no self-hosted option; MSP partner program exists but architecturally requires separate accounts per client (no consolidated multi-tenant portal per MSP-focused reviews)
Self-hosted only
fully on customer infrastructure; supports air-gapped and sovereign deployments; no SaaS vendor option from upstream (third-party MSPs may offer managed GoPhish hosting)
Multi-tenant SaaS only
EU data residency (Belgium-headquartered); MSP partner program with multi-tenant management for partners; no self-hosted option
✓ Compliance & certifications
1 dimension
Compliance certifications
SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, GDPR
Compliance Plus add-on delivers training modules mapped to 100+ regulatory frameworks (HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, GDPR, FERPA, GLBA, state privacy laws, industry-specific frameworks); FedRAMP Moderate for KnowBe4 Government Edition
Software has no certifications (open-source project)
users responsible for their own compliance posture and legal authorization for simulations
ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, GDPR-aligned
built specifically for European compliance landscape including NIS2 directive requirements; content covers 360 cybersecurity topics including compliance fundamentals
◧ Positioning
3 dimensions
Target deployment
Mid-market to enterprise organizations wanting the broadest security awareness…
content library, mature phishing simulation, and AI-driven personalization (AIDA) — particularly strong fit when regulated industries need built-in compliance modules
Penetration testers, red teams, small security teams, and security researchers…
wanting full control over phishing simulation infrastructure and data — willing to build their own training content layer
Mid-market organizations and MSPs wanting fully-automated, AI-driven phishing…
simulation and training with minimal admin workload — particularly strong fit for European deployments and NIS2-driven training mandates
Strengths cited
World's largest security awareness content library (training modules in 35+…
languages, frequently updated), thousands of phishing simulation templates, AIDA (AI-Driven Agent) for personalized phishing and training in Diamond tier, SmartRisk Engine for quantified human risk scoring (0-100 scale), Industry Benchmarking for comparing Phish-prone percentage against peers, 60+ built-in reports, Compliance Plus add-on for 100+ regulatory frameworks, PhishER Plus for inbox threat reporting and remediation, SecurityCoach for real-time behavioral coaching, broad integrations with IdPs and email security
Free under MIT License with active community, single static binary makes…
deployment trivial (download and run), built-in REST API enables automation, full HTML template editor in web UI for crafting pixel-perfect phishing emails and landing pages, real-time campaign tracking (email opens, clicks, credential submissions), Python client library, scheduled campaigns, Docker container available, full data sovereignty (your infrastructure, your data, your sending domains)
Fully-automated platform requiring minimal IT involvement after initial…
configuration, AI-driven personalization adjusts difficulty based on individual user skill level and behavior, content available in 18+ languages with native localization, Phished Behavioral Risk Score (BRS) for organization-wide cyber resilience measurement, Zero Incident Mail (ZIM) creates a secure sandbox training environment when employees click test links, Phished Academy with 360 cybersecurity topics via gamified science-based curriculum, real-time threat alerts from in-house cyber defense team, EU-headquartered (Belgian) with strong GDPR and NIS2 alignment, 4.6/5 G2 rating from 108+ reviews
Where it fits less well
Tiered pricing with feature gating
many advanced capabilities (AIDA, SmartRisk Engine, API access, Smart Groups, callback phishing) only in higher tiers (Platinum/Diamond); content quality varies by tier (newest training and video content often Diamond-only); some buyers report Microsoft Defender integration friction with the PAB reporting button; per-user pricing can creep up with organizational growth; KnowBe4 acquired by Vista Equity Partners in 2023 (privatized) — long-term roadmap visibility shifted
Phishing simulation framework only
no built-in training content (you create or source training separately), no SSO/multi-tenancy in the upstream project, no automated user provisioning, limited reporting compared to commercial platforms, no built-in compliance modules, community-maintained (no commercial SLA, last upstream release was December 2020 though community forks remain active), running phishing simulations requires careful legal authorization (unauthorized testing may violate computer fraud statutes), spam-list management and deliverability are operational responsibilities you take on
Custom pricing means no public price benchmark
buyers should reference enterprise comparisons; some users report training email frequency feels heavy if not tuned; reporting depth and dashboard interactivity have room to grow per reviews; less name recognition than KnowBe4 in North American markets; product evolved through acquisition by Pleo's parent company and growth phase ($16M+ ARR, 6,000 customers as of Q1 2026); offline / non-digital phishing simulation (USB drops, in-person social engineering) not the primary focus
Methodology
Comparison data synthesized from publicly available vendor documentation, MITRE Engenuity ATT&CK Evaluations, AV-TEST results, Gartner Peer Insights, G2/Capterra/TrustRadius reviews, anonymized transaction data (Vendr, CostBench, CheckThat.ai), and publicly reported pricing as of May 2026. defend.network is independent and has no commercial relationship with the vendors compared.
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