7 Best Hoxhunt Alternatives in 2024 (For Every Budget & Need)

Are you exploring the landscape of security awareness training and looking for powerful Hoxhunt alternatives? You're in the right place. Hoxhunt has certainly made a name for itself with its gamified, AI-driven approach to phishing training, turning employees into active threat reporters.

However, you might be here because you’ve found that its enterprise focus comes with a high price tag, a lack of features for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), or a level of complexity that feels like overkill for your team. The great news is that the security awareness training market is full of incredible tools, and discovering the right one can unlock amazing potential for your organization’s security culture.

This guide is designed to help you navigate your options with confidence. We'll explore everything from enterprise powerhouses to agile, cost-effective solutions perfect for SMBs and MSPs. You'll gain the clarity you need to choose a platform that not only protects your organization but also empowers your team to become your strongest line of defense.

To help you see the landscape at a glance, here’s a quick comparison of our top picks.

Quick Comparison of Top Hoxhunt Alternatives

Now, let's dive deep into what makes each of these platforms a worthy Hoxhunt alternative, starting with our top choice for MSPs and SMBs.

1. Symbol Security

Symbol Security is a modern, human-centric security platform built to deliver enterprise-grade tools without the enterprise-level complexity or cost. It stands out by focusing on effectiveness and ease of use, making it an outstanding choice for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) who want to achieve powerful results without a steep learning curve. Its core philosophy is to empower these organizations to build a strong human firewall simply and affordably.

Key Features of Symbol Security

• Threat-Intel-Driven Phishing Simulations: Run highly realistic phishing campaigns based on actual, trending attacks seen in the wild, ensuring your team is prepared for real-world threats.
• MSP-Centric Multi-Tenant Platform: A core feature that allows MSPs to manage multiple client accounts from a single dashboard, with separate billing, reporting, and campaign management for each client.
• Integrated Security Awareness & Policy Training: Combine phishing tests with a library of micro-learning training modules and a centralized policy management feature to track employee attestation on key security documents.
• Actionable Risk Reporting & Scoring: Get a clear, quantifiable metric of your organization's human risk score, with detailed analytics that track performance over time.

Strengths: Where Symbol Security Shines

• Hands-Off Managed Program Services: When resources or in-house expertise are limited, Symbol steps in to run your entire security awareness program with their managed program services. The result is less administrative strain, expert execution aligned with best practices, and more time for your team to focus on what matters most.
• Purpose-Built for the MSP Channel: The platform's multi-tenant dashboard, co-branding, and reseller models are a fundamental architectural advantage, making it incredibly easy for MSPs to build and manage a profitable security awareness service.
• Policy Management (Policy PRO): A comprehensive tool for issuing key IT security policies, verifying that employees have read and signed them, and seamlessly connecting relevant training to each policy.
• Radical Simplicity: The clean, intuitive interface is perfect for teams without a full-time training administrator. You can set up campaigns and enroll users in minutes, lowering administrative overhead.
• Transparent & Competitive Pricing: Symbol offers competitive pricing for its products. 

Limitations to Consider

• Smaller Content Library: Compared to giants like KnowBe4, its library of training materials is less extensive, focusing on core security topics rather than covering every niche compliance subject.
• Primary Focus on Email Phishing: The platform excels at email-based phishing simulations but has less developed capabilities for smishing (SMS) or vishing (voice) tests.
• Less Established Brand Recognition: Compared to other industry players, Symbol Security has a lower market profile.

Best Use Cases:

Ideal for Managed Service Providers looking to add a profitable, easy-to-manage security service and for small businesses and mid-sized enterprises seeking an effective, affordable, and straightforward solution to manage human risk.

While Symbol Security excels in simplicity and value for SMBs, if you're a global enterprise with a large budget and need an exhaustive content library, KnowBe4 is a name you can't ignore.

2. KnowBe4

KnowBe4 is the dominant market leader in security awareness, having built a comprehensive platform for "Human Risk Management." Founded with input from the famed hacker Kevin Mitnick, its brand is synonymous with large-scale phishing simulation and training. It has evolved into an all-encompassing suite designed to tackle social engineering from multiple angles.

Key Features of KnowBe4

• Massive & Diverse Content Library: Access an unparalleled collection of thousands of interactive modules, videos, games, and posters available in dozens of languages.
• Advanced Phishing Simulation: Use a highly customizable phishing engine with thousands of templates to track your organization's "Phish-prone Percentage" and benchmark it against industry averages.
• Integrated Phishing Incident Response (PhishER Plus): This light SOAR tool helps security teams automate the analysis and response to user-reported emails, quarantining threats across the organization in minutes.
• Real-Time Security Coaching (SecurityCoach): Delivers immediate, context-aware coaching messages to users via Slack or Teams at the moment they perform a risky action.

Strengths: Where KnowBe4 Shines

• Unparalleled Content Variety: The sheer volume of its training and phishing content is its greatest strength, allowing organizations to create non-repetitive and highly customized campaigns.
• Holistic, Integrated Platform: The tight integration between training, phishing, user reporting, and automated incident response creates a complete ecosystem for managing human risk.
• Effective Gamification: The use of leaderboards and personal risk scores fosters a sense of competition and personal responsibility, which can dramatically boost user engagement.

Limitations to Consider

• Administrative Complexity: The platform's vast feature set can be overwhelming for new administrators or small IT teams, with a steep learning curve.
• Potential for High Cost: KnowBe4 is a premium product, and its pricing can be significantly higher than its competitors, especially when adding advanced modules like PhishER Plus.
• Requires Active Management: This is not a "set it and forget it" tool. Realizing its full value requires a dedicated administrator to plan campaigns and analyze results continuously.

Best Use Cases:

Best for mid-market to large enterprise companies with a dedicated IT security team and the budget to support a mature, comprehensive security culture program.

3. Proofpoint Security Awareness

Proofpoint Security Awareness, built on the foundation of the highly-regarded Wombat Security platform, stands out by leveraging its parent company's massive global threat intelligence network. This allows it to deliver training that is not just educational but directly relevant to the specific threats targeting your organization, making it a true threat intelligence powerhouse.

Key Features of Proofpoint Security Awareness

• Threat-Intelligence-Driven Training: Integrates with Proofpoint's global intelligence to assign training based on the real-world attack patterns targeting your company and even specific "Very Attacked People" (VAPs).
• Comprehensive "Assess, Educate, Reinforce" Model: This structured methodology uses phishing simulations to assess vulnerability, targeted education to fill knowledge gaps, and continuous reinforcement to solidify learning.
• High-Quality Content Library: The content is known for its quality and effectiveness, with a wide variety of engaging formats like videos and games available in over 40 languages.
• Closed-Loop Email Analysis (CLEAR): Automatically analyzes user-reported emails, quarantines malicious messages, and provides immediate feedback to the user, creating a powerful reinforcement loop.

Strengths: Where Proofpoint Shines

• Unmatched Threat Intelligence Integration: Its ability to tailor training based on real, current threat data is a game-changer, making the education immediately relevant and highly effective.
• Proven Efficacy and Quality Content: The platform’s methodology is backed by learning science research, and its content is widely seen as more engaging and professional than many alternatives.
• Strong Ecosystem Integration: For organizations already using Proofpoint's email security, the platform integrates seamlessly to provide a holistic, people-centric security solution.

Limitations to Consider

• Premium Cost: Proofpoint is positioned as a premium, enterprise-grade solution, and its pricing can be a significant barrier for SMBs.
• Complexity: The powerful administrative backend can have a steeper learning curve compared to more streamlined competitors.
• Value Is Diminished Outside Its Ecosystem: The platform’s key differentiator is less impactful for companies not using other Proofpoint security products.

Best Use Cases:

Ideal for mid-to-large enterprises, particularly those already invested in the Proofpoint security ecosystem who can leverage the deep integration with real-time threat data.

4. Cofense

Cofense offers a specialized, enterprise-grade phishing defense platform that goes far beyond basic training. Its core philosophy is to build a closed-loop system that turns employees into an active sensor network, feeding real-time threat intelligence directly into the security operations workflow. This makes it a powerful choice for organizations with a mature security posture.

Key Features of Cofense

• End-to-End Phishing Defense Ecosystem: An integrated suite of tools including PhishMe (training), Reporter (email reporting button), Triage (threat analysis), and Vision (mailbox quarantine).
• Human-Verified Threat Intelligence: Sources and verifies intelligence from millions of user-reported emails, often identifying active phishing campaigns before traditional security gateways do.
• SOC Automation and Orchestration: The Cofense Triage platform automatically ingests and analyzes user-reported emails, stripping out "noise" and integrating with SIEM and SOAR tools to automate incident response.
• Advanced Simulation & Training: Create highly customized phishing simulations based on real-world attacks identified by Cofense's own intelligence network.

Strengths: Where Cofense Shines

• Closed-Loop Detection and Response: The Reporter-to-Triage-to-Vision workflow is a powerful, self-reinforcing cycle that turns the entire employee base into a distributed threat detection system.
• Reduces SOC Analyst Burnout: Cofense Triage can automate the analysis of up to 95% of user-reported emails, allowing skilled analysts to focus only on credible, high-priority threats.
• High-Fidelity, Actionable Intelligence: The human-verified intelligence is incredibly timely and specific, providing actionable data for blocking and hunting active threats.

Limitations to Consider

• High Cost and Complexity: The full Cofense suite is a premium, enterprise-focused solution that requires dedicated security personnel to implement and manage effectively.
• Narrower Focus on General Training: While it excels at phishing awareness, its library of general security training content is less extensive than competitors like KnowBe4.
• Value Depends on Full Suite Adoption: The true value is only realized when using the integrated platform. Purchasing only the training module makes it a very expensive alternative.

Best Use Cases:

Perfect for large enterprises and government agencies with a dedicated Security Operations Center (SOC) that needs to automate the analysis of user-reported phishing emails and improve response times.

5. Mimecast Awareness Training

Mimecast Awareness Training thrives on its deep integration within the broader Mimecast email security ecosystem. Its core value is creating a unified system where real-world threat intelligence, captured by its own security gateway, directly informs employee training. This creates a highly relevant and seamless experience for existing Mimecast customers.

Key Features of Mimecast Awareness Training

• Threat-Activated Training: Uses actual, blocked malicious emails to create hyper-realistic and timely phishing simulations, training employees on the exact threats targeting them.
• Engaging Micro-Learning Content: Focuses on high-production-value, short video modules (2-3 minutes) that use humor and storytelling to maximize employee engagement and retention.
• Personalized Employee Risk Scoring (SAFE Score): Assigns each employee a dynamic risk rating based on their performance, role, and training engagement, allowing for targeted interventions.
• Integrated Awareness and Protection: As part of the Mimecast platform, it allows for unified administration and policy enforcement within a single console.

Strengths: Where Mimecast Shines

• Seamless Integration for Mimecast Customers: Provides a "single pane of glass" for both email protection and employee training, dramatically simplifying management.
• High-Relevance Training Content: Basing simulations on actual, caught attacks makes the training immediately relevant and demonstrates the real-world value of security controls.
• Excellent User Engagement: The humorous, short-form video content is widely considered more memorable and engaging than many competitor offerings.

Limitations to Consider

• Not Sold as a Standalone Product: The training module is primarily sold as part of an integrated bundle, making it a non-starter for organizations not using Mimecast for email security.
• Smaller Content Library: Compared to dedicated market leaders, its library of pre-built training modules and phishing templates is significantly smaller.
• Potential for Vendor Lock-in: Adopting the Mimecast suite for both security and training makes it more difficult to switch to a different vendor for any single component in the future.

Best Use Cases:

The ideal choice for existing Mimecast customers looking to add a logical, seamless, and effective training layer to their current security investment.

6. Tessian

Tessian operates on the principle of "Human Layer Security," focusing on the fact that most data breaches stem from simple human error on email. It uses behavioral machine learning to understand normal communication patterns and flags anomalies that indicate a threat-whether it’s an accidental mistake or a malicious attack-right at the point of action.

Key Features of Tessian

• Intelligent Misdirection and DLP: Analyzes email recipients and attachments in real-time before an email is sent, flagging potential mistakes like sending sensitive data to the wrong person.
• Advanced Phishing and Impersonation Defense: Uses behavioral analysis to identify subtle signs of spear phishing and Business Email Compromise (BEC) that traditional filters often miss.
• Contextual, In-the-Moment User Education: Instead of just blocking an action, Tessian displays a non-intrusive pop-up that explains why an action is risky, serving as real-time training.
• Automatic Data Exfiltration Detection: Learns what is normal for employees and can automatically detect and prevent them from sending sensitive company data to unauthorized personal email accounts.

Strengths: Where Tessian Shines

• Focus on Outbound Threats: Tessian excels at stopping the "inside-out" problem-preventing accidental data loss and misdirected emails, which is a unique focus area.
• Frictionless User Experience: The platform is nearly invisible until a risk is detected, and its educational "nudges" are helpful rather than punitive.
• Behavioral AI and Self-Learning: The machine learning models adapt to an organization's unique communication patterns, allowing it to detect novel social engineering attacks.

Limitations to Consider

• Premium Pricing Model: Tessian is considered a high-end solution, and its licensing cost can be a barrier for smaller organizations.
• Narrow Focus on Email: While it excels at email, it is not an all-in-one security suite and does not cover other threat vectors.
• Acquisition Uncertainty: Tessian was acquired by Proofpoint in late 2023, which introduces some uncertainty about its future product roadmap and pricing.

Best Use Cases:

Best for mid-market to large enterprises, especially in legal, finance, and healthcare, that are focused on preventing data loss via human error on email.

7. Ironscales

Ironscales presents itself as a self-learning email security platform that powerfully combines AI-driven threat detection with security awareness training. It aims to create an automated, community-powered defense system where human intelligence and machine intelligence work together to stop advanced phishing attacks at the inbox level.

Key Features of Ironscales

• AI-Powered Phishing Detection: Employs advanced machine learning to detect sophisticated phishing, impersonation, and BEC attacks that get past traditional email gateways.
• Post-Delivery Remediation: Provides one-click remediation for administrators to instantly remove a malicious email from all user inboxes across the organization.
• Community-Sourced Threat Intelligence: When a threat is confirmed at one customer, that intelligence is immediately shared across the entire Ironscales community to protect all users.
• Integrated Simulation and Training: Delivers phishing simulations and just-in-time training modules based on the types of real-world threats the platform is detecting.

Strengths: Where Ironscales Shines

• Combined Detection and Training: The platform's core strength is its ability to both detect threats in real-time and use that data to inform its training programs.
• Strong Focus on Automation: Ironscales is designed to automate as much of the threat detection and response process as possible, reducing the manual workload for security teams.
• Powerful Inbox-Level Defense: It acts as a critical last line of defense, analyzing emails that have already reached the user's inbox.
  
  

Limitations to Consider

• Complexity in Tuning: The AI can sometimes require fine-tuning to reduce false positives and adapt to an organization’s unique email environment.
• Core Strength is Technical Defense: While it includes training, its primary focus and deepest features are centered on technical threat detection and remediation rather than the breadth of training content.

Best Use Cases:

Excellent for organizations that want an AI-driven, self-learning platform that combines security awareness training with robust, real-time inbox threat detection and response.

How to Choose the Right Hoxhunt Alternative for You

With so many great options, how do you discover the right one for your team? It's easier than you think. Let's break down the key factors to consider to help you make a choice with confidence.

1. Evaluate Your Business Model (Are you an MSP?)

This is the most important first question. If you are a Managed Service Provider, your needs are fundamentally different. You require a platform built for multi-tenancy, co-branding, and easy client management. For this, a purpose-built solution like Symbol Security is essential for growing your business efficiently.

2. Consider Your Budget & Pricing Preference

Your budget will naturally guide your decision. Do you prefer the predictability of a public, per-user pricing model, or are you prepared to negotiate a private, quote-based contract? Tools like Symbol Security and PhishingBox offer transparency that simplifies budgeting, while enterprise players like KnowBe4 and Proofpoint require direct sales engagement.

3. Assess Your Team's Resources

Be realistic about the time and expertise you can dedicate to managing the platform. If you have a lean IT team, a platform prized for its simplicity and ease of use, like Symbol Security, will deliver value quickly. In contrast, powerful but complex suites from KnowBe4 or Cofense require dedicated administrators to unlock their full potential.

4. Define Your Goal (Training vs. Full Threat Response)

What is your primary objective? If you are focused on building a strong human firewall through effective training and simulation, a platform like Symbol Security is a perfect fit. If your goal is to integrate user reporting directly into a security operations workflow, a more complex and expensive SOC-integrated tool like Cofense may be necessary.

Picking The Right Hoxhunt Alternative for You

As we've seen, the "best" Hoxhunt alternative truly depends on your organization's unique goals, budget, and resources. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is a perfect fit for you.

You have the opportunity to move beyond a simple compliance checkbox and build a truly resilient security culture. Whether you need the immense content library of an enterprise leader or the agile, cost-effective power of a modern challenger, the right tool is within your reach.

For MSPs and SMBs seeking a powerful, easy-to-use, and transparently priced platform designed to deliver results without complexity, Symbol Security is the clear winner.

For large enterprises with deep pockets and a dedicated security team that requires an exhaustive content library or deep SOC integration, KnowBe4 or Proofpoint offer unparalleled depth.

Ready to see how simple and effective security awareness training can be?