The 10 Best KnowBe4 Alternatives in 2026: Features, Pricing, and Who Each Is Best for

Key takeaways

• The best KnowBe4 alternative depends on program priority: Adaptive Security focuses on AI-era threats, Huntress and Arctic Wolf deliver training as a managed service, and Proofpoint and Mimecast fit organizations already on their email security.
• Of the ten KnowBe4 alternatives in this comparison, only Adaptive Security and Hoxhunt run deepfake simulations modeled on an organization's own executives as of November 2026.
• As of November 2026, three of KnowBe4's five G2 cons tags concern repetitive content, outdated content, and the learning curve, and some reviewers report pressure to upgrade.
• As of November 2026, only two of the ten alternatives publish a starting price, and the other eight sell by quote.
• Under KnowBe4's Terms of Service, direct subscriptions renew automatically unless the customer gives written notice at least 30 days before the term ends, so a 30-day evaluation should begin at least 60 days before renewal.

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KnowBe4 alternatives are security awareness training platforms that deliver training, run phishing simulations, and measure employee responses to social engineering.

The best KnowBe4 replacement depends on program priorities. Adaptive Security suits organizations concerned about deepfake and AI-driven social engineering, while Hoxhunt fits gamified behavior-change programs. Huntress suits small businesses served by a managed service provider (MSP), while Proofpoint and Mimecast suit organizations already using their email security.

Public reviews and KnowBe4's 2026 product changes point to four reasons organizations evaluate other platforms.

• Repetitive and outdated content: Repetitive Content and Outdated Content are two of the five cons tags on KnowBe4's G2 reviews page as of November 2026. In an August 2025 G2 review, an enterprise reviewer in construction wrote that "the training content can become repetitive over time, especially for employees who've been through multiple annual cycles."
• Multichannel and deepfake features in the top tier: KnowBe4 introduced two security awareness training tiers, SAT Foundation and SAT Advanced, in May 2026, according to a KnowBe4 press release. Simulated vishing (voice phishing), added in July 2026, sits in SAT Advanced, along with the full content library and a Deepfake Training Content Agent that builds deepfake training featuring an organization's own leader.
• Add-on and upgrade costs: KnowBe4's May 2026 pricing page lists paid add-ons such as Third-Party Integrations, Compliance Plus, and PhishER Plus. In a February 2025 G2 review, a mid-market reviewer wrote, "You need to upgrade to get newer material." A C-level reviewer on TrustRadius in January 2026 added, "There seems to be a lot of sell/upgrade activity, I wish there was less."
• Admin learning curve: Learning Curve is one of the five cons tags on KnowBe4’s G2 page as of November 2026. In a January 2026 G2 review, an enterprise information security analyst described the administrative interface as having “a bit of a steep learning curve for new admins.”

KnowBe4 Alternatives Compared by Channels, Deepfakes, and Pricing (2026)

The ten KnowBe4 alternatives in this comparison differ in three key ways: the attack channels their simulations cover, whether they simulate deepfakes, and whether they publish prices. As of November 2026, channel coverage ranges from email alone to email, SMS, voice, and deepfake video, and eight of the ten platforms sell by quote.

The table below compares each platform by best-fit use case, simulation channels, AI and deepfake capability, and pricing model, based on vendor product and pricing pages checked in November 2026.

Three verdicts follow from the comparison, one for each angle.

• Simulation channels: For voice and SMS simulations alongside email, Adaptive Security and Hoxhunt cover the widest range, including QR codes and deepfakes. Cofense also covers SMS, voice, and QR codes, and SoSafe adds SMS and voice in its Advanced tier. No SMS or voice simulations were found for Mimecast, Infosec IQ, Huntress, or Arctic Wolf.
• Deepfake capability: Among the ten, Adaptive Security and Hoxhunt are the only two options for deepfake simulations of an organization's own executives. Mimecast and NINJIO offer deepfake training content, and NINJIO markets a deepfake vishing simulator, but neither shows simulations modeled on an organization’s own executives.
• Pricing model: For a budget estimate before a sales call, SoSafe and Huntress publish a starting price. The other eight sell by quote, so cost depends on seat count and selected capabilities.

What Should Organizations Look for in a KnowBe4 Alternative?

Organizations comparing security awareness training alternatives to KnowBe4 should assess six criteria: simulation channels, deepfake capability, content personalization, behavior metrics, admin effort, and pricing model. Adaptive Security built these criteria around how social engineering reaches employees in 2026: voice, video, SMS, and email. Each criterion answers one reason organizations replace KnowBe4.

1. 1Simulation channels: Phishing simulation alternatives to KnowBe4 should run multichannel simulations that test employees via voice calls, SMS, QR codes, collaboration apps, and email. In the Verizon 2026 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) executive summary, the median phishing simulation click rate for mobile-centric vectors such as voice and text messaging was 40% higher than for email.
2. 2Deepfake capability: A deepfake simulation platform clones an organization's executives in voice or video to test whether employees verify urgent requests. Deepfake awareness training teaches employees to recognize synthetic media, and a simulation tests how they respond to a realistic attempt. In its 2025 survey of 65 cybersecurity leaders, Gartner found that 73% of high-risk behavior training focuses on phishing reporting over deepfake detection and reporting.
3. 3Content personalization: An AI security awareness training platform generates or adapts training to each employee's role, behavior, and language, reducing repetition for long-tenured employees across annual cycles. Repetitive Content and Outdated Content appear among KnowBe4's G2 cons tags as of November 2026, so content freshness is a practical test for any replacement.
4. 4Behavior metrics: Behavior metrics, such as reporting rates, time to report, and human risk scores, track employee actions and show whether training changes behavior. NIST SP 800-50 Rev. 1, published in September 2024, states that learning-program measurements "must go beyond simply achieving compliance" and must also measure behavioral changes.
5. 5Admin effort: The time a security team spends on setup, user provisioning, campaign scheduling, and reporting. HR and identity integrations, single sign-on (SSO), and automated enrollment reduce that time, and managed services shift campaign work to the vendor. G2 Ease of Admin scores add an outside view from reviewers.
6. 6Pricing model: Pricing model covers how a vendor charges, such as per seat, per learner, or by plan, along with the contract term and the features reserved for higher tiers or paid add-ons. A low base price can rise once voice simulations, integrations, or compliance reporting require an upgrade or an add-on.

How These KnowBe4 Alternatives Were Evaluated

Each platform, including Adaptive Security, was assessed against the six criteria using the vendor's product, pricing, and documentation pages, along with G2 review data, all checked in November 2026. Facts carry that date because product names, features, and prices change, and at least four of the ten platforms have renamed their training products.

When a capability does not appear on a vendor's public pages, the comparison describes it as "not found" and does not assume it is absent. Adaptive Security publishes this comparison, lists itself first, and follows the same structure as the other nine, including its limitations.

The 10 Best KnowBe4 Alternatives in 2026

The ten best KnowBe4 alternatives in 2026 are Adaptive Security, Hoxhunt, Proofpoint, Mimecast, Cofense, SoSafe, NINJIO, Infosec IQ, Huntress, and Arctic Wolf. Adaptive Security and Hoxhunt come first because they are the only two of the ten that simulate deepfakes of an organization's own executives.

The other eight fall into five primary use cases: email security suites, phishing reporting, behavioral and engagement-focused training, compliance libraries, and managed delivery. The numbering follows these groups and does not represent a score; every entry uses the same fields and is dated November 2026.

1. Adaptive Security: Best for Deepfake and AI-Driven Social Engineering

Overview: Adaptive Security is a security awareness training and phishing simulation platform that creates deepfake voice, video, SMS, and email simulations based on an organization's own executives and workflows. As an AI security awareness training platform, it builds AI-powered training modules and assigns role-based training matched to each employee's job function and risk profile. Adaptive Security serves more than 2,000 customers.

Key features: Five capabilities stand out as of November 2026.

• Multichannel simulations: Simulated attacks run across email, SMS, voice, and deepfake video and audio, with QR code and attachment lures, tailored to each employee's role.
• Executive deepfake personas: Custom deepfake personas modeled on an organization's executives can be created in minutes from a photo and a voice sample. Deepfake voice and video simulations are built from open-source intelligence (OSINT).
• AI Content Studio: The AI Content Studio builds customizable training modules from any idea or policy and includes a library of more than 1,000 interactive modules. Training and phishing simulations are available in 40 languages.
• Risk scoring and phish triage: A daily risk score from 1 to 100 weights simulation performance at 50%, training completion at 25%, and job risk at 25%. A score that crosses a set threshold can trigger more training. AI phish triage sorts the emails employees report.
• Integrations: More than 35 integrations cover HR systems, single sign-on (SSO), user provisioning, and an API. Adaptive Security says deployment "typically takes minutes to a few days."

Pricing model: Adaptive Security prices per seat by quote, based on employee count and the products selected, with custom-priced enterprise packages, according to its pricing page.

Best for: Organizations that want a deepfake simulation platform built around their own executives, with voice, video, SMS, and email attacks in one program.

Limitations: Optional add-ons, such as voice phishing, are priced separately. G2 cons tags include Limited Customization and Group Management, and the G2 review base is far smaller than KnowBe4's roughly 2,400 reviews.

G2 rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 197 reviews as of November 2026.

Compared with KnowBe4, Adaptive Security simulates deepfake attacks based on an organization's own executives across voice, video, SMS, and email. KnowBe4's closest features sit only in SAT Advanced: a Deepfake Training Content Agent that builds training featuring an organization's own leader, and simulated vishing that KnowBe4 says addresses AI-driven deepfake audio attacks. The Adaptive Security vs. KnowBe4 comparison covers both platforms side by side.

2. Hoxhunt: Best for Gamified Behavior Change at Enterprise Scale

Overview: Hoxhunt is a human risk management platform built on adaptive phishing training, in which "difficulty, cadence, and scenario type adjust per user." Hoxhunt says it is "Built for enterprise," and 73% of its G2 reviewers work at enterprise organizations.

Key features: As of November 2026, Hoxhunt's platform centers on three capabilities.

• Executive deepfake simulations: Hoxhunt recreates an executive's likeness and voice with that executive's consent. A phishing email leads to a lookalike Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or Zoom page where a cloned avatar makes the request.
• Multichannel simulations: Simulations cover email, SMS (run as a managed service), vishing and callback attacks, Microsoft Teams, and QR codes.
• Gamified training: More than 300 training modules in more than 40 languages come with stars and leaderboards.

Pricing model: Hoxhunt prices per employee by quote, based on headcount and selected capabilities.

Best for: Enterprises that want gamified, adaptive phishing training with executive deepfake simulations.

Limitations: G2 cons tags include Phishing Issues (reviewers call some simulations too obvious), Spam Issues (Hoxhunt emails that sometimes land in spam filters), and Repetitive Content. Hoxhunt also licenses XSAT separately, extending training to frontline and other staff without a corporate login.

Compared with KnowBe4: Hoxhunt adapts difficulty to each user and simulates executive deepfakes, while KnowBe4's SAT Advanced builds deepfake training featuring an organization's own leader. Adaptive Security also publishes a Hoxhunt vs. KnowBe4 analysis.

Compared with Adaptive Security: Both platforms simulate deepfakes of an organization's own executives. Adaptive Security builds its deepfake simulations from OSINT, while Hoxhunt has a much larger G2 review base and gamification at its core. Adaptive Security compares the two directly in its Adaptive Security vs. Hoxhunt comparison.

3. Proofpoint: Best for Teams Already on Proofpoint Email Security

Overview: Proofpoint ZenGuide, the successor to Proofpoint Security Awareness Training, is the security awareness training product in Proofpoint's Collaboration Security portfolio. Proofpoint describes it as automated, risk-based training that assigns lessons by role, behavior, and risk score.

Key features: Proofpoint offers three notable capabilities as of November 2026.

• Threat-based simulations: Simulations include QR code attacks, AI exploits, and telephone-oriented attack delivery (TOAD), according to the 2026 ZenGuide solution brief, and Proofpoint's phishing simulations page also lists SMS.
• AI training from real attacks: The Satori Phishing Simulation Agent and AI ThreatFlip turn real attacks into training.
• Automatic enrollment from email data: When Proofpoint's training connects to its Collaboration Security platform, it can automatically enroll most-attacked users, high-risk clickers, and users exposed to active cyberthreats in targeted training.

Pricing model: Proofpoint does not publish a price and offers demos on request.

Best for: Organizations already on Proofpoint's Collaboration Security platform, which Proofpoint says "starts with intent-based AI email security."

Limitations: G2 reviewers cite cumbersome content and report customization, a separate training portal, and per-tenant pricing for managed service providers (MSPs). Proofpoint's product pages list no deepfake simulations or deepfake training modules.

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5 from 337 reviews as of November 2026.

Compared with KnowBe4: Proofpoint is a stronger fit when Proofpoint already filters an organization's email, because its training can automatically enroll users based on the cyberthreats the platform detects. Adaptive Security also publishes a 2025 KnowBe4 vs. Proofpoint comparison.

Compared with Adaptive Security: Adaptive Security adds deepfake simulations of an organization's executives. Proofpoint's advantage is automatic enrollment based on the cyberthreats its email security platform detects. A fuller breakdown appears in the Adaptive Security vs. Proofpoint comparison.

4. Mimecast: Best for Teams Already on Mimecast Email Security

Overview: Mimecast Engage (formerly Mimecast Awareness Training) is Mimecast's security awareness training product, which Mimecast describes as a security behavior management platform. Launched in 2024 and sold in Core and Pro plans, it includes more than 200 micro-learning modules in 27 languages.

Key features: As of November 2026, Mimecast's training product includes three main capabilities.

• Email simulations with AI templates: Phishing simulations run over email, including QR code lures, and the Engage AI Generator creates phishing templates.
• Nudges and risk views: The Pro plan adds nudges delivered via email, Slack, or Microsoft Teams, plus custom user scorecards and the AI Phishing Template Generator. Nudges are short messages, separate from simulations.
• AI-era training content: The module library includes a training episode on deepfakes and voice cloning.

Pricing model: Mimecast's plans page lists Core as "Contact for pricing" and Pro as "Custom pricing."

Best for: Organizations already using Mimecast email security, because its risk scoring draws on Mimecast email data.

Limitations: Nudges and scorecards require the Pro plan. Mimecast's product pages list no SMS, voice, or deepfake simulations, and the product has few public reviews.

G2 rating: 4.2 out of 5 from 55 reviews as of November 2026.

Compared with KnowBe4: Both companies sell email security alongside awareness training, since KnowBe4 also offers KnowBe4 Defend. Mimecast fits best when Mimecast already protects an organization's email. It is sold by quote, whereas KnowBe4 publishes per-seat list prices for up to 1,000 seats.

Compared with Adaptive Security: Adaptive Security runs SMS and voice simulations, plus deepfake simulations of an organization's executives, none of which were found for Mimecast. Mimecast's advantage is training tied to its own email security data. The Adaptive Security vs. Mimecast comparison covers both in detail.

5. Cofense: Best for Phishing Reporting and SOC Response

Overview: Cofense, which sells the PhishMe training platform, the Reporter button, and Cofense Triage, describes itself as "the only cybersecurity platform focused exclusively on stopping phishing." Among phishing simulation alternatives, Cofense focuses on what happens after an employee reports a suspicious message.

Key features: Cofense's platform is built around three capabilities as of November 2026.

• Multichannel simulations: Cofense says its simulations "replicate real-world threats, including smishing, vishing, and QR-code phishing." Cofense announced vishing as a fully managed service in December 2023.
• Reporting and triage: The Reporter button sends suspicious messages to Cofense Triage, which supports automated quarantine of reported phishing emails in the security operations center (SOC).
• AI-assisted training: A "Build Training with AI" feature helps security teams create training content.

Pricing model: Cofense does not publish prices and offers a demo and a return-on-investment (ROI) calculator.

Best for: Enterprise and regulated security teams that want employee reporting tied to SOC response.

Limitations: Cofense offers training, remediation, managed services, and threat intelligence as separate solutions, and its five public G2 reviews date from 2019 to 2024. Cofense's product pages don't list deepfake simulations or deepfake training modules.

G2 rating: 4.4 out of 5 from five reviews as of November 2026, a sample too small to compare with the other platforms.

Compared with KnowBe4: Cofense centers its platform on reported-phishing response in the SOC, while KnowBe4 centers on its training library and simulations, sold in tiers with paid add-ons.

Compared with Adaptive Security: Both platforms triage employee-reported emails. Cofense adds managed vishing and SOC-focused response, and Adaptive Security adds deepfake simulations of an organization's executives. For more detail, Adaptive Security publishes an Adaptive Security vs. Cofense comparison.

6. SoSafe: Best for Behavioral Microlearning in European Operations

Overview: SoSafe describes itself as "Europe's largest security awareness training & human risk management provider." Its lessons run 1 to 8 minutes and are available in more than 34 languages.

Key features: As of November 2026, SoSafe offers four notable capabilities.

• Multichannel simulations: SoSafe offers "native, realistic simulations for phishing, smishing, and vishing," with smishing and vishing limited to the Advanced tier.
• AI voice practice in lessons: In-browser AI voice simulations let employees practice voice scenarios inside training lessons.
• AI template creator and Recreate Attack: A built-in AI template creator and Recreate Attack feature support building simulations.
• Sofie assistant: Sofie, SoSafe's assistant, runs inside Microsoft Teams or Slack.

Pricing model: SoSafe's pricing page says plans start at €625 per month, billed annually, with 50 seats included, and per-user rates fall at higher volumes. Both the Core and Advanced plans are priced on request.

Best for: Organizations with European operations that want short behavioral lessons combined with multichannel simulations.

Limitations: G2 cons tags include Repetitive Content and Learning Curve, and reviewers mention a smaller template library. The public price is in euros only, and SoSafe's product pages list no deepfake simulations.

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5 from 804 reviews as of November 2026.

Compared with KnowBe4: SoSafe publishes a starting price in euros, while KnowBe4 publishes per-seat list prices in US dollars and other currencies. Both reserve voice simulations for their higher tier.

Compared with Adaptive Security: Both offer SMS and voice simulations. Adaptive Security adds deepfake simulations of an organization's executives and quotes pricing, while SoSafe's strengths are 1- to 8-minute lessons and in-lesson AI voice practice.

7. NINJIO: Best for Engagement Through Animated Episodes

Overview: NINJIO is a security awareness training platform built around short animated episodes and simulated phishing.

Key features: As of November 2026, NINJIO offers four main capabilities.

• Animated episodes: Episodes of 3 to 4 minutes, "built by Hollywood writers, actors, and animators," arrive monthly, each based on a real-world hack.
• Conversational vishing simulator: Sensei AI, introduced in March 2026, includes a conversational AI vishing simulator.
• Meeting-based vishing: The PHISH3D simulation product runs voice phishing through lookalike Microsoft Teams and Zoom meetings, alongside email and QR code simulations.
• Role-based and compliance content: Training packages include role-based training and compliance packs.

Pricing model: NINJIO sells three packages, with pricing available on request. NINJIO Engage covers teams that already have a simulation tool; NINJIO Prodigy+ adds SENSE coaching and PHISH3D simulated phishing; and NINJIO Engage Self-Hosted deploys content on the customer's own learning management system. PHISH3D comes only with Prodigy+ or as a separate product.

Best for: Organizations that want story-driven content to keep employees engaged, with optional email, voice, and QR code simulations.

Limitations: G2 reviewers describe the admin portal as clunky and monthly episode setup as manual. NINJIO's pages show no SMS simulations and no simulations modeled on an organization's own executives.

G2 rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 388 reviews as of November 2026.

Compared with KnowBe4: NINJIO prices all three packages on request, whereas KnowBe4 publishes per-seat list prices. Both offer voice phishing simulations, NINJIO through Sensei AI and lookalike meetings, and KnowBe4 through SAT Advanced.

Compared with Adaptive Security: Both run voice phishing simulations. Adaptive Security adds SMS and deepfake simulations of an organization's executives, while NINJIO's strength is its monthly animated episodes. Adaptive Security also publishes an Adaptive Security vs. NINJIO comparison.

8. Infosec IQ: Best for Compliance-Driven Training Libraries

Overview: Infosec IQ, from Infosec Institute, is a security awareness training platform built around a large role-based content library and phishing templates. It serves sectors such as government, financial services, and education.

Key features: Infosec IQ centers on three capabilities as of November 2026.

• Role-based library: More than 3,000 role-based resources include gamified training series.
• Compliance documentation: Training documentation supports the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), SOC 2, and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
• Phishing and USB tests: More than 2,000 phishing templates support email simulations, and USB drive tests check how employees handle unknown devices.

Pricing model: Infosec IQ is sold by quote in three tiers, Standard, Enterprise, and Infosec IQ + Skills, with partner pricing for managed service providers (MSPs).

Best for: Organizations in regulated sectors that need documented training mapped to compliance frameworks.

Limitations: G2 reviewers cite report-button issues, confusing simulation scheduling, and a platform that can overwhelm first-time users. Infosec IQ's product pages list no SMS, voice, AI-generated, or deepfake simulations.

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5 from 654 reviews as of November 2026.

Compared with KnowBe4: Both offer large training libraries, and KnowBe4 lists a paid Compliance Plus add-on. KnowBe4's SAT Advanced also adds simulated vishing, which was not found on Infosec IQ's pages.

Compared with Adaptive Security: Adaptive Security adds SMS, voice, and deepfake simulations and AI-generated training. Infosec IQ's strength is its role-based library with compliance documentation. The Adaptive Security vs. Infosec comparison covers both platforms.

9. Huntress: Best for SMBs and MSP-Managed Programs

Overview: Huntress Managed Security Awareness Training is a managed training and phishing simulation service for small and midsize businesses (SMBs), and Huntress recommends buying it through a managed service provider (MSP) or reseller.

Key features: Huntress's service includes three main capabilities as of November 2026.

• Managed scheduling: Huntress says "our experts handle ongoing training and phishing simulation scheduling for you."
• Story-driven episodes: Training episodes run about 7 to 10 minutes each.
• Phishing Defense Coaching: Employees who click a simulated phishing link receive automatic coaching, a feature Huntress introduced in 2024.

Pricing model: Huntress lists a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $2.08 per learner per month, with lower rates at higher volumes. Direct purchases require at least 50 seats, and Huntress offers a free trial.

Best for: SMBs and the MSPs that serve them that want training and simulations run on their behalf.

Limitations: G2 reviewers mention English-only audio, a console layout that takes time to learn, and limited flexibility in custom reports. Huntress's product pages list only email phishing simulations, with no SMS, voice, QR code, or deepfake simulations.

G2 rating: 4.6 out of 5 from 189 reviews as of November 2026.

Compared with KnowBe4: Huntress runs training and simulation scheduling as a managed service, while KnowBe4 automates administration through an Orchestration Agent in SAT Advanced. Both publish per-user list prices.

Compared with Adaptive Security: Adaptive Security adds SMS, voice, and deepfake simulations, with voice phishing priced as an optional add-on. Huntress's strengths are managed delivery and a published per-learner price. More detail is in the Adaptive Security vs. Huntress comparison.

10. Arctic Wolf: Best for Hands-Off Managed Microlearning

Overview: Arctic Wolf Aurora Security Awareness and Training (formerly Managed Security Awareness) is a managed microlearning program in which Arctic Wolf delivers sessions of about three minutes.

Key features: As of November 2026, Arctic Wolf's program includes three main capabilities.

• Managed content delivery: Arctic Wolf manages content delivery, so the security team does not schedule each session.
• Report-phishing button: A report-phishing button lets employees flag suspicious emails.
• Training+ tier: The higher Aurora Security Awareness and Training+ tier adds custom phishing simulation creation, AI best-practice training content, and content downloads for a learning management system (LMS).

Pricing model: Arctic Wolf does not publish a price, and the base tier is included in the Total tier of its security operations bundles, according to Arctic Wolf's May 2026 bundle descriptions.

Best for: Organizations, especially existing Arctic Wolf customers, that want awareness content delivered with little internal effort.

Limitations: Content is available in four languages (English, German, Spanish, and French), according to Arctic Wolf's help documentation, and custom phishing simulations and LMS downloads require the Training+ tier. Arctic Wolf's product pages list only email phishing simulations, with no SMS, voice, QR code, or deepfake simulations.

G2 rating: Arctic Wolf's G2 listing shows 4.0 out of 5 from eight reviews as of November 2026, but several reviews describe a different company's learning platform, so this comparison does not weigh against the other scores.

Compared with KnowBe4: Arctic Wolf delivers training as a managed service inside a broader security bundle, while KnowBe4 sells security awareness training as a standalone platform with published per-seat prices.

Compared with Adaptive Security: Adaptive Security adds SMS, voice, and deepfake simulations, with voice phishing priced as an optional add-on, and publishes prices by quote. Arctic Wolf's strength is training delivered with minimal admin work inside an existing Arctic Wolf bundle.

Which KnowBe4 Alternatives Are Easier to Administer?

Adaptive Security and Hoxhunt are the KnowBe4 alternatives that G2 reviewers rate easiest to administer, with Ease of Admin scores of 9.6 and 9.5 out of 10 as of November 2026, compared with 9.0 for KnowBe4. Huntress and Arctic Wolf lower admin effort differently by delivering training as a managed service.

The table below compares each platform's G2 Ease of Admin and Ease of Setup, based on each vendor’s G2 page, as of November 2026. Reviewer response counts appear in parentheses because they vary widely (20 to 1,761 responses), and small differences based on few responses carry less weight.

G2 shows too few responses for Cofense and Arctic Wolf to produce Ease of Admin or Ease of Setup scores. Both are listed so the delivery model comparison covers all ten platforms.

For the lowest admin effort on a platform the security team runs itself, Adaptive Security and Hoxhunt score highest on G2. For teams that want the vendor to run the program, Huntress and Arctic Wolf manage delivery as a service. Organizations that stay on KnowBe4 can reduce admin work with the Orchestration Agent in SAT Advanced.

How Much Do KnowBe4 Competitors Cost in 2026?

As of November 2026, only two of the ten KnowBe4 competitors in this comparison publish a starting price. SoSafe lists plans starting at €625 per month for 50 seats, and Huntress lists a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $2.08 per learner per month.

The other eight sell by quote. KnowBe4, the baseline, lists SAT Foundation at $1.63 to $2.40 and SAT Advanced at $2.79 to $3.75 per seat per month on a three-year term for 25 to 1,000 seats, according to its pricing page as of May 2026. Paid add-ons, such as Third-Party Integrations, Compliance Plus, and PhishER Plus, cost extra.

No platform in this comparison publishes a full price for 2,000 users. KnowBe4's list prices stop at 1,000 seats, Adaptive Security prices enterprise plans as custom, and SoSafe and Huntress publish only starting or list rates with volume discounts.

The table below compares how each platform prices security awareness training, the published price, and the unit and term behind that price, with KnowBe4 as the baseline.

For a budget estimate before a sales call, SoSafe and Huntress give a published starting point, and KnowBe4's list prices provide a baseline up to 1,000 seats. For the eight quote-only vendors and any deployment above 1,000 seats, quotes are easiest to compare when every vendor prices the same seat count, term, and add-ons.

Which KnowBe4 Alternative Fits Which Organization?

The best-fit KnowBe4 alternative depends on three factors: organization size, industry, and program priority. Huntress, along with Adaptive Security's small-business plans, suits small organizations, Infosec IQ suits compliance-driven sectors, and Adaptive Security and Hoxhunt suit enterprises that prioritize deepfake defense.

Small Business, Mid-Market, and Enterprise

Small businesses benefit most from published pricing and managed delivery. The right KnowBe4 alternative for enterprise programs depends more on integrations, behavior metrics, and simulation channels, because every platform prices large deployments by quote or volume discount.

Four conditions match organization size to the platforms in this comparison.

• If the organization is a small business with a lean IT team: Huntress lists a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $2.08 per learner per month and schedules training for the customer, and Adaptive Security offers small-business plans priced per seat by quote. KnowBe4 publishes per-seat list prices starting at 25 seats.
• If a managed service provider (MSP) runs the organization's IT: Huntress recommends buying through an MSP or reseller, and Infosec IQ offers partner pricing for MSPs.
• If the organization is mid-market: SoSafe’s plans start at 50 seats, and per-user rates drop at higher volumes; Adaptive Security serves mid-market organizations with per-seat pricing by quote.
• If the organization is an enterprise, including one of about 2,000 employees: Above 1,000 seats, KnowBe4 and every alternative in this comparison price by quote or volume discount, so integrations, behavior metrics, and simulation channels become the main differentiators. Hoxhunt says it is "Built for enterprise," and Adaptive Security builds custom-priced packages for enterprise security awareness programs.

Financial Services, Healthcare, Government, and Education

Industry changes the compliance evidence and verification controls a KnowBe4 alternative must support. Adaptive Security's guide to cybersecurity awareness training compliance requirements in 2026 covers the rules regulation by regulation.

Four industry conditions point to different platforms.

• If the organization is in financial services: Businesses reported more than $30 million in losses to business email compromise (BEC) scams involving AI in 2025, according to the FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report, which notes that not every BEC tactic is AI-enabled. Financial services teams that approve payments should prioritize deepfake simulations of their own executives, which let employees practice responding to the impersonated requests behind AI-enabled BEC. Adaptive Security and Hoxhunt provide those simulations among the ten platforms.
• If the organization is in healthcare: The HIPAA Security Rule (45 CFR 164.308(a)(5)) requires covered entities and business associates to implement a security awareness and training program for all workforce members, including management. Infosec IQ provides HIPAA compliance documentation, and Adaptive Security offers security awareness training for healthcare.
• If the organization is a government agency: According to its government solutions page, Adaptive Security is available through the NASPO ValuePoint and OMNIA Partners cooperative contracts and helps agencies meet state training mandates in Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois. Infosec IQ also lists government among the sectors it serves.
• If the organization is in education: Infosec IQ lists education among the sectors it serves, and Adaptive Security offers security awareness training for education. Schools and universities with small security teams can also consider managed delivery from Huntress or Arctic Wolf.

Which KnowBe4 Alternative Is Best for Enterprises Facing Deepfake and AI Phishing?

For enterprises facing deepfake and AI phishing, Adaptive Security is the strongest fit among the ten platforms in this comparison. It creates deepfake personas of an organization's executives in minutes and runs OSINT-based deepfake voice and video simulations alongside AI-generated SMS and email simulations. Hoxhunt is the only other platform among the ten that simulates executive deepfakes, delivered through lookalike meeting pages reached from a phishing email..

Gartner's September 2026 survey release recommends turning static training into adaptive security behavior and culture programs that make verification the expected behavior, so that staff "pause, verify, and report high-risk requests" across all channels. Deepfake simulations give employees practice with that habit under realistic pressure.

Voice has become a leading entry point for intrusions. Mandiant's M-Trends 2026 found that voice phishing accounted for 11% of the intrusions it investigated in 2025, the second most observed initial infection vector, while email phishing fell to 6%.

How to Plan a KnowBe4 Replacement in 30 Days

A KnowBe4 replacement can be planned in 30 days by piloting two or three shortlisted platforms, measuring employee behavior, and closing out the KnowBe4 contract on time. Starting the pilot at least 60 days before renewal leaves time, once the results are in, to give the 30-day written notice that direct KnowBe4 subscriptions require.

A 30-Day Pilot Plan

A 30-day pilot gives each shortlisted platform the same employees, channels, and measures, so you can compare results directly. The pilot runs in four weekly stages.

1. 1Week 1, define your priorities: List the problems you want to solve, the employee groups you need to support, and your budget. Create a shared checklist of must-have features, such as training personalization, simulation channels, reporting, and integrations.
2. 2Week 2, review demos and sample content: Ask each vendor to demonstrate the same scenarios relevant to your organization. Review sample training modules and phishing simulations, and assess whether the content fits your employees’ roles and experience.
3. 3Week 3, assess day-to-day management: Ask vendors to walk through campaign setup, training assignments, and reporting. Review sample dashboards, confirm integration requirements, and clarify the support available during onboarding and ongoing use.
4. 4Week 4, compare options and decide: Score each platform against your checklist. Compare pricing, contract terms, implementation requirements, and expected staff time. Share a recommendation with leadership that explains the strongest fit and any questions to resolve before purchasing.

Moving Records and Renewal Dates off KnowBe4

A clean move off KnowBe4 depends on three things: meeting the renewal notice deadline, keeping training evidence, and avoiding a gap in training coverage. Four steps cover all three.

1. 1Confirm the notice deadline: Under Section 5.2 of KnowBe4's Terms of Service, last updated in December 2025, direct subscriptions renew automatically for the same term unless the customer gives written notice at least 30 days before the term ends. Customers who bought through a reseller should check their own contract terms.
2. 2Export training and simulation history: Download completion records, simulation results, and audit reports before the term ends, because auditors may ask for training evidence from prior years.
3. 3Map users and groups: Recreate groups and roles in the new platform through HR or identity integrations, so enrollment stays automatic from the first campaign.
4. 4Plan the overlap: Launch the new platform's first campaigns before KnowBe4 access ends, so training coverage has no gap.

Common Pitfalls When Evaluating KnowBe4 Alternatives

Pitfalls in evaluating KnowBe4 alternatives involve comparing the wrong measures, testing too few channels, or starting too late. Six pitfalls can weaken your evaluation of a KnowBe4 replacement.

• Judging by library size: A larger catalog does not show whether content is current or fits each role. Recent modules and role-based paths are better tests.
• Comparing click rates only: Click rates depend on how difficult each simulation is, so a falling rate can reflect easier lures. Reporting rate and time to report show more about real behavior.
• Piloting email only: An email-only pilot cannot show how finance, help desk, and executive staff respond to voice, SMS, or deepfake attempts.
• Ignoring tier and add-on costs: A low base price can rise when voice simulations, integrations, or compliance reporting sit in a higher tier or a paid add-on. Quotes compare fairly only on the same seat count, term, and feature set.
• Missing the renewal window: Starting the evaluation too late can lead to an automatic renewal for another full term.
• Skipping consent review for executive deepfakes: Simulating an executive's voice or likeness should have that executive's approval and a review by legal or HR before launch.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alternatives to KnowBe4

Is KnowBe4 Still a Good Choice in 2026?

Yes, KnowBe4 still suits organizations that want a large training library, per-seat list prices up to 1,000 seats, and simulated vishing in SAT Advanced. It holds 4.6 out of 5 on G2 as of November 2026, though reviewers flag repetitive and outdated content. Organizations that want deepfake attack simulations across voice, video, and SMS, beyond KnowBe4's deepfake training content, may find a closer fit elsewhere.

How Does Human Risk Management Differ From Security Awareness Training?

Human risk management (HRM) measures and reduces the risk created by employee behavior, while security awareness training teaches the knowledge and procedures employees need. In an August 2025 blog post, Forrester wrote that legacy awareness and training solutions "weren't effectively changing behavior or instilling a security culture," and in 2024 renamed the market human risk management.

Are Phishing Simulations Still Effective?

Phishing simulations remain useful for measuring and encouraging reporting, although recent evidence that training lowers simulation failure rates is weak. In a 2025 IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy study of more than 19,500 employees at one US healthcare organization, Ho and colleagues found no significant relationship between recently completed training and failing a simulation. A 2022 IEEE study by Lain and colleagues found that employee reports worked as a collective detection mechanism.

What Do G2 Reviews Say About KnowBe4 Alternatives?

As of November 2026, G2 reviewers rate most KnowBe4 alternatives between 4.5 and 4.8 out of 5, led by Adaptive Security, Hoxhunt, and NINJIO at 4.8, compared with 4.6 for KnowBe4. Among listings with meaningful review counts, Mimecast scores lowest at 4.2; Cofense's rating rests on only five reviews, and Arctic Wolf's 4.0 listing includes reviews of a different company's product.

What Does Gartner Say About KnowBe4 Alternatives?

Gartner's public 2026 guidance does not rank KnowBe4 alternatives, but it describes what an awareness program should do. Its February 2026 cybersecurity trends include "GenAI Breaks Traditional Cybersecurity Awareness Tactics," and a June 2026 research summary says CISOs "must use AI to redefine cybersecurity training, shifting from static compliance-driven efforts into secure behavior and culture programs."

Choosing a KnowBe4 Alternative for AI-Era Threats

Choosing a KnowBe4 alternative starts with the cyberthreats employees most need to handle. For deepfake, voice, and multichannel social engineering, Adaptive Security and Hoxhunt are the only two of the ten platforms that run deepfake simulations of an organization's own executives. Huntress and Arctic Wolf suit teams that want managed delivery, and Proofpoint and Mimecast suit organizations already on their email security.

A 30-day pilot that measures reporting across email, SMS, voice, and deepfake simulations gives the clearest basis for a decision. Starting it at least 60 days before KnowBe4 renews leaves time to give notice. Organizations comparing deepfake and multichannel simulation platforms can take a self-guided tour of Adaptive Security.