KnowBe4 alternatives: prices compared, including free ones
Published
The main KnowBe4 alternatives are Huntress Managed SAT, Hoxhunt, Proofpoint Security Awareness, Microsoft's Attack Simulation Training and the free Gophish. KnowBe4 itself lists at about $20 to $45 per user per year; Huntress lists at about $25, Hoxhunt's median contract is $14,750 a year, and Microsoft's option is already included in Microsoft 365 E5.
Most “KnowBe4 alternatives” lists are written by one of the alternatives. We sell none of them. Prices are from each vendor's published pricing or from Vendr's buyer data, read in October 2026.
Side by side
| Option | Price | Fits best |
|---|---|---|
| Huntress Managed SAT | $2.08/learner/mo list (≈$25/yr); $1.75 at 100 learners | Small and mid-size teams that want it managed for them |
| Hoxhunt | Median $14,750/yr; $15–30/user/yr at 100–500 users | Behavior change and engagement in larger companies |
| Proofpoint Security Awareness | Quote; usually bundled with Proofpoint email security | Companies already on Proofpoint email |
| Microsoft Attack Simulation Training | Included in Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 / Microsoft 365 E5 | Microsoft 365 E5 customers |
| Gophish | Free (open source, self-hosted) | Technical teams that only need simulations |
For reference, KnowBe4 SAT Foundation lists at $1.63–2.40 per user per month on a three-year term; the median company pays $7,799 a year. Details in KnowBe4 pricing.
Huntress Managed SAT
Training and phishing simulations run by Huntress's team rather than by you. Published list price $2.08 per learner per month, $1.75 at 100 learners, with a 50-seat minimum for direct customers. A good fit if the reason you're leaving KnowBe4 is the admin time.
Hoxhunt
Built around frequent, personalized simulations and rewarding people who report phishing. Vendr's data puts the median contract at $14,750 a year, roughly $15–30 per user per year at 100–500 users and under $10 above 2,000. Strongest in companies big enough to measure behavior change.
Proofpoint Security Awareness
Usually bought together with Proofpoint's email security. Vendr notes buyers negotiate training inside the wider bundle, and buying alongside Proofpoint can lower KnowBe4's price too, by 15–25%.
Microsoft Attack Simulation Training
Part of Microsoft Defender for Office 365 Plan 2, which comes with Microsoft 365 E5. It runs simulated phishing with real-world lures and assigns short training. If you already pay for E5, check it before buying anything.
Gophish (free)
An open-source framework to create, send and track phishing simulations, with reports and an API. It has no training courses, and you install and maintain it yourself. Pair it with the free awareness material from CISA and the FTC.
How to decide
- Leaving over price? First ask KnowBe4 for a renewal with an alternative's quote in hand: Vendr sees 20–35% off when there's a real competitor.
- Leaving over admin time? A managed option like Huntress.
- Already on Microsoft 365 E5? Use what you pay for.
- Need compliance proof (SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI)? Make sure the option keeps completion records an auditor will accept. See SOC 2 costs.
Training is one of ten controls every small company needs; the rest are in our small business security checklist.
Sources: Huntress pricing · Vendr buyer data for Hoxhunt, Proofpoint and KnowBe4 · Gophish · Microsoft Learn, Attack simulation training. Consulted October 2026.
Questions people ask
What is the best alternative to KnowBe4?
It depends on why you're leaving. For a lower price with phishing simulations and training managed for you, Huntress Managed SAT lists at $2.08 per learner per month. For behavior change in larger companies, Hoxhunt (median $14,750 a year in Vendr's data). If you already pay for Microsoft 365 E5, its built-in Attack Simulation Training costs nothing extra.
Is there a free alternative to KnowBe4?
Gophish is a free, open-source tool for running phishing simulations, but it has no training content and you host and run it yourself. CISA and the FTC publish free awareness material you can pair with it.
Why do companies switch from KnowBe4?
Mostly price at renewal, which Vendr sees rising 15–30% when not negotiated, content that staff find repetitive, and admin time. Many companies also use an alternative's quote to negotiate KnowBe4 down.