Top 8 Proofpoint Alternatives for 2025: Smarter Security Training

Email remains the front door for most cyberattacks—and it's getting harder to keep it locked. Phishing campaigns are now powered by AI, using cloned voices, deepfake videos, and realistic social prompts that fool even seasoned employees. Traditional awareness programs and static content libraries can't keep up.

More organizations are rethinking how they train their people beyond traditional antivirus solutions. Instead of relying on one platform for generic phishing modules, security teams are choosing tools that mirror real-world attacks, measure behavioral risk, and deliver data their compliance teams can actually use.

If you're evaluating Proofpoint or searching for alternatives that better address today's threats, this guide covers the eight strongest contenders. You'll learn how each compares on realism, usability, analytics, and overall readiness for the next generation of human-centric attacks.

What to look for in a Proofpoint alternative

Choosing a Proofpoint alternative means looking for more than just another email security tool that aligns with your business needs. The goal is to strengthen your people's real-world awareness and measure how that awareness reduces actual risk.

The following capabilities separate today's top Proofpoint alternatives from legacy awareness tools and show what modern platforms like Adaptive do differently.

Realistic threat simulations

Employees today face attacks that look and sound authentic—from AI-generated voices to deepfake videos, ransomware, smishing, and QR code phishing^[a].

Leading platforms go beyond traditional email templates and recreate these complex tactics safely inside your environment. By using realistic simulations, they help employees recognize subtle cues and build habits that transfer directly to daily work.

Behavioral analytics and risk scoring

Training only matters if you can see its impact. Look for tools that monitor how employees respond to simulated attacks and translate those behaviors into a risk score. This level of insight helps security teams focus retraining where it counts, track trends over time, and communicate measurable progress to executives and auditors.

Customization and deployment simplicity

Every organization has its own communication style and tech stack. An effective alternative should integrate easily, automate repetitive tasks, and let admins personalize campaigns by department, region, or risk profile with intuitive functionality.

Modern phishing simulation and security awareness training (SAT) platforms, such as Adaptive Security, make this process intuitive, allowing even small teams to launch large-scale simulations without added complexity.

Reporting and compliance readiness

Security teams need proof of improvement, not just participation numbers. Strong platforms include audit-ready reports that demonstrate data protection compliance aligned with frameworks such as ISO 27001 or NIST, giving compliance leaders confidence in measurable outcomes.

When these capabilities work together, security awareness shifts from routine training to a dynamic program that shapes lasting behavior—one that keeps pace with modern threats instead of reacting to them.

Top 8 Proofpoint alternatives for 2025

If you're exploring what comes after Proofpoint, you have more choices than ever. These top Proofpoint alternatives for 2025 deliver smarter training, deeper insights, and real behavioral results, helping teams stay ready for modern attacks:

• Adaptive Security
• KnowBe4
• Hoxhunt
• SoSafe
• Cofense PhishMe
• Hook Security
• Avanan
• Mimecast

1. Adaptive Security

Adaptive Security is built for the new generation of cyber threats shaped by AI, social engineering, and real-time impersonation. As OpenAI's first cybersecurity investment, Adaptive focuses on behavioral readiness through realistic attack simulations that mirror modern adversarial tactics across email, voice, video, and text.

Instead of relying on large content libraries, the platform emphasizes hands-on learning and measurable behavioral change. Users gain visibility into human risk scores, helping security teams identify which employees or departments need more support and how to translate awareness into real resilience.

Pros of Adaptive Security

• AI-driven threat simulations tackle the attacks security teams worry about most. As Evgeny K., a Sr. IT Director, said, "It's not just theory; we can run deepfake and vishing simulations… a powerful way to prepare our team for what's really out there."
• Customizable scenarios built from real company data make phishing tests strikingly realistic. An anonymous IT user noted, "They pull in real details from our company, so they feel incredibly convincing—and a bit scary."
• AI persona generation and OSINT-powered campaigns let admins simulate exactly what a threat actor would do. Jake K., a vCISO, shared, "Deepfake awareness training modules are light years ahead of anyone else I've seen."
• Seamless integrations with Microsoft, Google, endpoint security tools, and more. Sr. security manager Dan F. highlighted, "The wide selection of integrations ensures compatibility with our existing technology stack."
• Strong customer support and engagement. Users praised the team as quick to respond and genuinely listening to feedback, with one anonymous reviewer adding, "Adaptive Security's sales engineering and support teams have been unbelievably responsive. They are hungry to serve customers and eager to fix issues or make new features that make sense."
• Comprehensive learning experience with phishing simulations and security awareness training. Andrei B., a security analyst, wrote, "The best of both worlds: a strong combination of phishing simulation and training tools."

Cons of Adaptive Security

• Regular feature releases mean administrators need to stay engaged to make the most of new capabilities.
• Since the platform evolves quickly, occasional refinements are part of its ongoing innovation cycle.

Best for: Enterprises that want to move beyond checkbox awareness and focus on measurable behavior change. Ideal for teams preparing employees to recognize AI-driven phishing, voice, and deepfake threats across every channel.

2. KnowBe4

A pioneer in the awareness training market, KnowBe4 combines an enormous content library with a mature phishing simulation security platform. Its scale and reliability make it a go-to option for organizations that value breadth of material and proven performance.

However, users increasingly note that its design and content cadence feel dated compared to newer, AI-driven competitors.

Pros of KnowBe4

• Extensive training catalog covering phishing, compliance, and social engineering across multiple industries.
• Established platform with strong enterprise adoption and an active user community for shared best practices.
• Clear reporting dashboards that track campaign results and user engagement over time.

Cons of KnowBe4

• Training can feel repetitive and too basic for experienced users. As one enterprise reviewer shared, "The modules can feel too simplistic or repetitive," and customization takes additional effort.
• The interface and dashboard design feel dated, with several users describing it as "clunky to navigate" or not always "intuitive."
• Limited flexibility in customizing reports. Users mentioned, "The reporting capabilities could definitely be improved."

Best for: KnowBe4 remains a strong option for organizations that prioritize scale, compliance coverage, and familiarity, though teams looking for more realism or AI-powered customization may find newer platforms a better long-term fit.

➜ KnowBe4 vs Proofpoint: In-depth comparison^[b]

3. Hoxhunt

Hoxhunt takes a gamified approach to security awareness, focusing on behavior change through personalized phishing simulations and adaptive micro-training. Its reward-based system motivates employees to spot threats quickly, while automation helps program owners deliver tailored experiences at scale.

However, users note that customization depth and simulation timing need improvement.

Pros of Hoxhunt

• Fun, game-like experience with points and leaderboards to boost engagement.
• Simulations adapt based on individual user performance.
• Clean, easy-to-navigate dashboards for admins and users.
• Good at encouraging a culture of security awareness.

Cons of Hoxhunt

• Customization options for training paths and simulation timing remain limited. One software developer mentioned, "Wish the platform offered more flexibility in customizing training paths or tailoring simulations based on role or department."
• Gamification motivates many users, but some find leaderboards "can feel overly competitive."
• Frequent simulations can feel repetitive or disruptive during peak work hours, especially for users already confident in identifying phishing attempts.

Best for: Hoxhunt suits organizations that value engagement and gamified learning. It works best for teams that want to build long-term awareness through repetition and friendly competition, as long as they're prepared to fine-tune frequency and training depth over time.

4. SoSafe

SoSafe delivers microlearning-based security awareness with gamified, bite-sized lessons tailored to local languages and cultures. Its strong regional focus and multilingual support make it especially popular across Europe, helping organizations adapt training to their workforce while maintaining consistency in content delivery.

Users appreciate the platform's accessible approach but note areas for improvement in customization, quiz design, and platform flexibility.

Pros of SoSafe

• Short, engaging modules with gamified elements.
• Personalized training paths based on behavior.
• Strong multi-language support and regional customization.
• Industry- and region-specific phishing simulations.

Cons of SoSafe

• Training content can feel repetitive at times, with users mentioning, "Some topics, like phishing awareness, were overly emphasized with repetitive examples" and predictable quiz formats.
• Customization and setup options are limited, especially for companies wanting to tailor modules to specific needs. Several users described the onboarding process as lengthy.
• Technical limitations, such as challenges on non-Windows systems or less intuitive navigation, can affect accessibility and ease of use. "SoSafe has had problems running on non-Windows operating systems, which makes it seem a bit archaic."

Best for: SoSafe is ideal for European organizations that value localized, gamified training. Teams that need deeper analytics or more flexible customization may find the current reporting and platform options less adaptable.

5. Cofense PhishMe

Cofense PhishMe remains one of the most established phishing simulation and incident response platforms in the market. Known for its extensive library of real-world templates, it gives security teams a mature, research-backed toolset for testing and educating employees.

While reliable and customizable, users highlight that ongoing maintenance and repetitive simulations can create administrative overhead.

Pros of Cofense PhishMe

• Extensive library of realistic phishing templates
• High level of customization for campaigns
• Detailed analytics and reporting
• Responsive support during deployment and beyond

Cons of Cofense PhishMe

• Requires continuous upkeep and frequent monitoring to sustain campaign effectiveness. Some users noted that maintaining simulations can become "resource-intensive."
• Users report "potential user weariness due to repetitive phishing simulations," especially in long-term training cycles.
• Time zone management and log accuracy can occasionally create challenges. One client cited missed alerts due to logs being sent in UTC format.

Best for: Cofense PhishMe works well for organizations focused on large-scale phishing awareness and data-rich analytics. Teams seeking modern design, automation, or diversified threat simulations may find newer solutions more practical.

6. Hook Security

Hook Security takes a psychology-first approach to awareness training, combining humor-based content and phishing simulations designed to build lasting memory retention. The platform helps users recognize red flags in emails through repetition and story-driven lessons.

While the platform's engaging style stands out, reviewers mention that customization, reporting flexibility, and pricing could be improved.

Pros of Hook Security

• Focuses on psychological conditioning to build long-term phishing awareness.
• Personalized training support helps learners understand mistakes and improve performance over time.
• Offers an entertaining, humor-based training style that makes sessions memorable.

Cons of Hook Security

• Users note that "monthly subscription is very costly," which can make adoption difficult for smaller organizations.
• "Limited integration with third-party cybersecurity tools" and "needs better customization capabilities" for simulations and training content.
• According to one user, "The training sessions would be more useful if they were tailored to the specifics of the phishing email... addressing the red flags would be more helpful," suggesting a need for deeper scenario analysis.

Best for: Organizations that want to make phishing awareness more engaging through humor and repetition. Hook Security suits mid-size teams focused on building consistent awareness habits, provided they can manage its higher pricing and lighter integration options.

7. Avanan (Check Point Email Security)

Now part of Check Point, Avanan Cloud Email Security provides advanced protection for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace environments. It integrates directly through APIs to detect phishing, malware, and account takeover attempts before messages reach the inbox.

While Check Point has strengthened its capabilities since the acquisition, users still note challenges with usability, configuration, and occasional false positives.

Pros of Avanan (Check Point)

• Deep integration with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, offering in-line protection against phishing, business email compromise (BEC), and malware
• Strong AI-based threat detection and quarantine features that catch sophisticated attacks early
• Backed by Check Point's extensive threat intelligence network for continuous coverage

Cons of Avanan (Check Point)

• A user complained that "advanced threat analysis and quarantine features can sometimes lead to false positives," requiring ongoing fine-tuning for accuracy.
• Other users said, "console is very slow to navigate" and "can be confusing to set up initially when coming from a different vendor."
• Limited deployment flexibility. As one user noted, "It is only cloud-based and can only be integrated with Office 365 or Google Suite."

Best for: Enterprises already using Microsoft or Google cloud ecosystems that want direct API-level protection with advanced threat intelligence.

8. Mimecast

Mimecast is a veteran in the email security and awareness space, offering integrated protection across email gateways with advanced email filtering, threat intelligence, and user training. The awareness platform emphasizes short video lessons and phishing simulations that help employees recognize social engineering tactics.

While comprehensive, users note that training depth and interface design could be refined for a smoother experience.

Pros of Mimecast

• Unified platform combining email security, threat protection, and user awareness training
• Large library of short, high-quality video modules
• Seamless integration with major email platforms for centralized management

Cons of Mimecast

• One user noted that "the interface for the training section is confusing and can get streamlined," with some users suggesting clearer navigation and more post-video questions.
• Another said, "Customer support... needs to be improved as response to user queries and its quality is lagging," according to an assistant systems engineer.
• Limited advanced-level training topics; one reviewer highlighted a need for more videos that cover "the characteristics that phishing emails contain and the general tactics of a threat actor."

Best for: Organizations seeking an all-in-one security and awareness platform that blends gateway protection with foundational training.

Where Proofpoint falls short for modern threats

Proofpoint remains a recognized name in email protection and security awareness training, but many teams now face a different challenge: threats that adapt faster than static training.

As phishing, vishing, and deepfake attacks evolve daily, organizations need more than large content libraries and compliance reports. They need behavior change grounded in real-world risk. Here are some areas where Proofpoint lags behind the modern solutions:

Overreliance on content volume

Proofpoint's extensive content library once set it apart. Today, the same focus on quantity over quality leaves gaps in learning impact. One system engineer described the platform as "designed to check a box for compliance, rather than to actually educate your user base."

Several reviewers echoed similar concerns about "generic training" and "repetitive content." True readiness depends on how employees respond under pressure, not the number of videos they complete.

Gaps in emerging attack simulation

Modern attackers use AI-generated voices, cloned videos, and personalized phishing to bypass legacy filters. Proofpoint's training still centers on traditional email threats and lacks the flexibility to simulate these real-time, cross-channel scenarios. As one reviewer noted, the platform struggles with "replicating real-world scenarios" and "highly tailored learning paths for specific roles."

Complex deployment and user friction

Several administrators reported challenges managing Proofpoint's multi-portal setup, with one user calling it "too many logins and portals." Others mentioned that it was "slow when loading various pages." These experiences make it harder for program owners to run consistent campaigns and collect meaningful insights.

From compliance to behavioral readiness

Proofpoint still follows a traditional model that measures awareness through completion rates and compliance reports. This approach helps organizations meet basic training requirements but rarely leads to meaningful behavior change or measurable risk reduction.

Security awareness works best when it mirrors real-world pressure. Modern programs emphasize context, behavioral data, and continuous learning that help employees recognize and respond to evolving threats with confidence.

The industry is shifting toward this behavior-first model, where readiness replaces awareness as the real measure of success. Adaptive Security leads this evolution with scenario-driven learning and behavioral risk analytics that show how people perform under real conditions.

Proofpoint alternatives comparison table

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Move beyond Proofpoint to meet modern risk

The modern threat landscape demands agility and realism. AI-generated messages, deepfake videos, and social engineering tactics change faster than traditional programs can adapt. The next generation of platforms focuses on readiness, not repetition, giving teams tools and security measures that reflect how attacks actually unfold.

Adaptive Security delivers that readiness. Its scenario-first simulations, behavioral analytics, and AI-driven threat models turn awareness into measurable defense. Each session gives employees real experience while producing data that security leaders can use to reduce risk and strengthen culture.

Adaptive Security equips your team to stay ahead of phishing, impersonation, and social engineering. Book a personalized demo to see it in action.

FAQs about Proofpoint alternatives

What's the best Proofpoint alternative?

The best Proofpoint alternative depends on your organization's goals, but Adaptive Security stands out for its AI-powered simulations and behavioral analytics. It covers deepfake, voice, and SMS threats while giving security teams measurable insight into employee risk. The platform turns awareness into real readiness through realistic training, clear data, and ongoing improvement.

Why do top brands choose Adaptive Security as a Proofpoint alternative?

Leading organizations choose Adaptive Security for its balance of innovation and usability. They value hands-on simulations, AI-driven content creation, and behavioral risk scoring that reveals how employees actually respond to attacks. With dedicated customer success support and tons of integrations, Adaptive helps global teams strengthen awareness programs faster.

How long does it take to switch from Proofpoint to Adaptive Security?

Most teams transition within a few weeks. Adaptive's onboarding process is straightforward, with migration assistance, integration support for email platforms, and guided setup for campaigns.

Training can begin almost immediately after initial configuration, allowing security teams to maintain continuity while upgrading to modern, scenario-based learning.