9 KnowBe4 Alternatives for Security Awareness Training in 2026
Summary
Aikido’s guide compares nine alternatives to KnowBe4, covering training, phishing simulations, and broader workforce protection. It outlines selection and migration considerations and notes that Noon Security is in early access.
Key points
- The guide contrasts standalone awareness training with broader workforce protection, noting that KnowBe4 sells email defense and reported-message response as separate products.
- It compares nine platforms, including Noon Security, Hoxhunt, Adaptive Security, SoSafe, Proofpoint ZenGuide, Mimecast Engage, Infosec IQ, Cofense, and IRONSCALES.
- Some platforms offer practice beyond email, including voice, SMS, chat, and deepfake impersonation scenarios.
- The guide describes options for delivering learning through workplace chat or an existing learning management system, and for combining training with email protection.
- Noon Security is identified as being in early access; the guide advises confirming availability and comparing equivalent product configurations, tiers, and contract terms.
- Its selection and migration advice includes defining required workflows, exporting training and simulation reports before access ends, and testing replacements before retiring existing products.
Article Details
- Topic
- Alternatives to KnowBe4 for security awareness training and broader workforce protection
Vendors
Adaptive Securityprotection. Noon Security fits that second camp, and the alternatives below, from Hoxhunt to Adaptive Security, each answer it differently.AikidoWhat it does. Noon is Aikido Security’s workforce security platform, built from Cyberly and Outkept, two teams that already protected hundreds of thousands of employees before joining Aikido in 2026. It brings AICofenseCofense Phishing TrainingHoxhuntinto broader workforce protection. Noon Security fits that second camp, and the alternatives below, from Hoxhunt to Adaptive Security, each answer it differently.InfosecInfosec IQ Enterprise connects to your existing learning management system, useful when security training must sit beside other required courses.IRONSCALESIRONSCALES email security with Human Risk ManagementKnowBe4KnowBe4 built security awareness training into a category and still handles the core job. The strain shows at the edges. Its simulations can read as familiar once an employee has clicked through a few, and anything pastMimecastMimecast offers awareness training alongside inbox defense through its Engage and Advanced Email Security products.ProofpointProofpoint ZenGuideSoSafeSoSafe delivers learning moments and policy guidance through its assistant Sofie inside workplace chat.
Products
Adaptive Securityprotection. Noon Security fits that second camp, and the alternatives below, from Hoxhunt to Adaptive Security, each answer it differently.Advanced Email SecurityMimecast offers awareness training alongside inbox defense through its Engage and Advanced Email Security products.Agent Risk Managerwhich calls for policy and technical controls a training module can’t provide. KnowBe4’s answer, Agent Risk Manager, is still a Technical Preview, so the control you’d be buying it for isn’t generally available yet.Cofense Phishing TrainingWhat it does. Cofense Phishing Training, which some readers will know by its older PhishMe name, builds simulations and lessons from real phishing patterns. Employee reporting sits at the center of how it works.DefendAI tools people can connect to company data. KnowBe4 sells those jobs as separate products, including Defend and PhishER Plus, so the sticker price on training is rarely what you end up paying. The real comparisonHoxhuntinto broader workforce protection. Noon Security fits that second camp, and the alternatives below, from Hoxhunt to Adaptive Security, each answer it differently.Infosec IQ EnterpriseInfosec IQ Enterprise connects to your existing learning management system, useful when security training must sit beside other required courses.IRONSCALES Human Risk ManagementWhat it does. IRONSCALES Human Risk Management brings together phishing simulations and short awareness lessons, with a risk score for each user. Results from exercises and reported messages feed the next round ofKnowBe4KnowBe4 built security awareness training into a category and still handles the core job. The strain shows at the edges. Its simulations can read as familiar once an employee has clicked through a few, and anything pastMimecast EngageMimecast Engage with Advanced Email SecurityNoon Securitytool still earns its place, or whether you’d rather fold it into broader workforce protection. Noon Security fits that second camp, and the alternatives below, from Hoxhunt to Adaptive Security, each answer itPhishER Pluscan connect to company data. KnowBe4 sells those jobs as separate products, including Defend and PhishER Plus, so the sticker price on training is rarely what you end up paying. The real comparison is the fullProofpoint ZenGuideWhat it does. Proofpoint ZenGuide targets learning using an employee’s role and the threats they’re actually exposed to. It handles automatic grouping, enrollment, short lessons and guided practice, and its ThreatFlipSofieSoSafe delivers learning moments and policy guidance through its assistant Sofie inside workplace chat.SoSafeSoSafe delivers learning moments and policy guidance through its assistant Sofie inside workplace chat.