KnowBe4 Alternatives Every Business Should Consider in 2025

While KnowBe4 remains a market leader, several alternatives offer competitive features at different price points. Top contenders include Hoxhunt (best for AI-powered personalization), Proofpoint (ideal for threat intelligence integration), SafeTitan (excellent automation), and Guardey (perfect for SMBs). The security awareness training market is projected to reach $10 billion by 2027, with 86% effectiveness in reducing phishing incidents through behavior-based training.

Introduction - Why Security Awareness Training Matters More Than Ever

In 2025, human error remains the leading cause of cybersecurity breaches, with 32% of data breaches involving phishing attacks. The global security awareness training market has grown exponentially, reaching $1.5 billion in 2024 and projected to hit $10 billion by 2027. This growth reflects a critical reality: despite advances in cybersecurity technology, employees continue to be the weakest link in organizational security.

Traditional security solutions can no longer protect against sophisticated social engineering attacks. Organizations need comprehensive security awareness training platforms that not only educate employees but also create lasting behavioral change. While KnowBe4 has dominated this space for years, the evolving threat landscape and diverse organizational needs have created opportunities for innovative alternatives that often provide better value, features, or specialization.

Why Businesses Are Looking Beyond KnowBe4

KnowBe4's limitations have become more apparent as organizational needs evolve. Users frequently cite high pricing for advanced features, limited customization options, and generic training content as primary concerns. The platform's tiered pricing model often locks essential features behind premium subscriptions, making it expensive for organizations needing comprehensive coverage. Additionally, KnowBe4's cloud-only SaaS model creates challenges for organizations requiring on-premise deployments or specific data residency requirements. Many businesses need more than email-based phishing simulations, seeking platforms that cover voice phishing, SMS attacks, QR code scams, and MFA fatigue attacks.

Top KnowBe4 Alternatives for 2025 Hoxhunt: The AI-Powered Personalization Leader

Hoxhunt stands out for its AI-driven behavioral science approach that creates individualized learning paths for each employee. The platform achieves remarkable results with reporting rates reaching 60% after one year of training, significantly higher than the 20% industry benchmark.

Key Features:

• Adaptive phishing training across email, Slack, and Teams using AI to mimic real-world attacks

• Gamified micro-trainings with leaderboards and achievement systems

• Automated security operations with AI-powered detection and analysis

• Real-time behavior change metrics rather than just compliance statistics

  
  

Pricing: Approximately €4.85 per user per month for a 2-year subscription

Best For: Large enterprises wanting measurable behavior change and advanced analytics

Proofpoint Security Awareness Training: Threat Intelligence Integration

Proofpoint leverages its extensive threat intelligence network to provide training based on real-world attacks targeting your organization. This data-driven approach ensures employees train against actual threats they're likely to encounter.

Key Features:

• Personalized learning based on employee risk profiles

• Real phishing threats integration from Proofpoint's detection network

• Adaptive training paths that respond to individual vulnerabilities

• Comprehensive compliance support for various industry standards

  
  

Pricing: Pricing available on request, typically enterprise-focused

Best For: Mid-to-large organizations already using Proofpoint's email security solutions or those wanting threat intelligence-driven training

SafeTitan (TitanHQ): The Automation Champion

SafeTitan excels in automated, behavior-based training that requires minimal administrative overhead. The platform's "set it and forget it" approach makes it ideal for organizations with limited IT resources.

Key Features

• Fully automated phishing campaigns and training delivery

• Real-time contextual training triggered by user behavior

• Native O365 integration with auto-enrollment

• 92% reduction in phishing susceptibility when properly implemented

  
  

Pricing: US $1.50 per user per month (based on 100 users)

Best For: SMBs and organizations seeking comprehensive automation with minimal administrative burden

Guardey: The SMB Specialist

Guardey focuses specifically on small-to-medium businesses with its gamified approach that makes security training engaging and accessible. The platform requires no minimum seat requirements, unlike many enterprise solutions.

Key Features:

• 3-minute weekly challenges with leaderboards and achievements

• Industry-specific training content for healthcare, education, and government

• 15+ language support for international organizations

• Competitive pricing starting at the cost of a cup of coffee per month

  
  

Pricing: Extremely competitive, positioned as affordable for SMBs

Best For: Small businesses (under 100 employees) wanting engaging, cost-effective training

Cofense PhishMe: The Phishing Defense Specialist

Cofense focuses specifically on phishing defense and employee reporting, turning users into an active security sensor network. The platform emphasizes experiential learning through real-world phishing scenarios.

Key Features:

• Real phishing scenario simulations that bypassed security gateways

• One-click phishing reporting integration

• Extensive template library based on actual threats

• SOC 2 Type II certification for security compliance

  
  

Pricing: Starting at $10 per user annually

Best For: Organizations primarily concerned with phishing attacks and wanting to build employee reporting culture

Lucy Security: The Customization Leader

Lucy Security offers unparalleled customization and data sovereignty options, making it ideal for regulated industries and international organizations requiring specific compliance controls.

Key Features:

• 130+ language support with customizable translations

• Multiple deployment options: SaaS, on-premise, air-gapped, or hybrid

• Full content customization including training modules and phishing templates

• Strong data residency control for European and regulated organizations

  
  

Pricing: Transparent pricing with multiple deployment options

Best For: Regulated industries, European organizations, and businesses requiring extensive customization

Emerging Contenders Worth Watching Keepnet Labs: The Multi-Channel Specialist

Keepnet offers comprehensive coverage across email, SMS, voice, QR codes, and MFA-fatigue simulations. The platform provides unlimited API access and SCIM provisioning as standard features.

Hook Security: The Psychology-Focused Platform

Hook Security emphasizes psychological security and positive reinforcement, moving beyond compliance-focused training to create genuine behavioral change.

CybeReady: The Machine Learning Pioneer

CybeReady uses ML and AI algorithms to create personalized training experiences, achieving a 4.8/5 rating on G2, outranking KnowBe4's 4.7.

Cost-Benefit Analysis and ROI Considerations

Security awareness training delivers substantial ROI, with studies showing $4 return for every $1 invested. Organizations typically see:

• 30-60% reduction in successful phishing attacks

• Up to 86% reduction in phishing incidents with behavior-based training

• Average breach cost reduction of $1.5 million for organizations with strong training programs

• ROI ranging from 69% (small businesses) to 562% (large enterprises)

  
  

When evaluating alternatives, consider:

• Per-user monthly costs ranging from $0.45 to $6.00

• Included features vs. premium add-ons

• Implementation and training costs

• Long-term contract requirements

  
  

Implementation Best Practices

Before Selecting a Platform

• Assess your current phishing click rates and reporting capabilities

• Identify specific threats relevant to your industry

• Determine compliance requirements (GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, etc.)

• Evaluate integration needs with existing security infrastructure

  
  

Key Success Factors

• Maintain simulation engagement rates above 65%

• Target reporting rates of 55% or higher for effective defense

• Keep average reporting dwell time under 5 minutes

• Drive post-training click rates below 3%

  
  

Key Takeaways

For Small Businesses (Under 100 employees)

• Guardey offers the best combination of affordability and engagement

• Hook Security provides excellent value with strong psychological training

  
  

For Mid-Size Organizations (100-1,000 employees)

• SafeTitan delivers comprehensive automation with competitive pricing

• Cofense PhishMe excels for phishing-focused training

  
  

For Large Enterprises (1,000+ employees)

• Hoxhunt leads in AI-powered personalization and behavior change

• Proofpoint offers the best threat intelligence integration

• Lucy Security provides unmatched customization and compliance control

  
  

For Regulated Industries:

• Lucy Security for data sovereignty and customization

• Proofpoint for compliance-ready enterprise features

  
  

Conclusion

The security awareness training landscape in 2025 offers numerous alternatives to KnowBe4, each with distinct advantages. The key is matching your organization's specific needs - whether that's cost-effectiveness, advanced personalization, comprehensive automation, or regulatory compliance - with the right platform's strengths.

With phishing attacks continuing to rise and human error remaining the primary breach vector, investing in the right security awareness training platform isn't just about complianceit's about building a resilient human firewall that can adapt to evolving threats. The alternatives outlined here offer compelling combinations of innovation, value, and effectiveness that many organizations will find superior to KnowBe4's traditional approach.