The 6 Best Keepnet Labs Alternatives for MSPs & SMBs

Searching for a Keepnet Labs alternative? You're in the right place. Whether you're looking for a more MSP-friendly platform, a simpler interface, or more transparent pricing, you’re taking a crucial step toward building a strong human firewall. The right security awareness training (SAT) tool is an incredible opportunity to empower your team and grow your security posture.

In today's threat landscape, technical defenses alone are not enough. Phishing and social engineering remain the top attack vectors, making educated employees your most valuable line of defense. However, different businesses-especially small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) and Managed Service Providers (MSPs)-have unique needs that a one-size-fits-all solution can't always meet. You need a platform that aligns with your resources, budget, and operational model.

In this ultimate guide, we'll break down the 6 best Keepnet Labs alternatives, comparing their key features, strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases. We’ll help you discover the perfect fit, from MSP-centric platforms designed for growth to enterprise powerhouses built for global compliance.

Quick Comparison of Keepnet Labs Alternatives

For those who want a quick overview, this table highlights the key differentiators of each platform.

Now, let's dive into the detailed breakdown of each of these powerful Keepnet Labs competitors.

1. Symbol Security (The Premier Choice for MSPs & SMBs)

Symbol Security is a modern SAT platform built with a powerful "Human-Centric Security" philosophy. It stands out by delivering robust security capabilities with a focus on simplicity and accessibility, making it the premier choice for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Small-to-Medium Businesses (SMBs) who need an effective, easy-to-use, and affordable solution.

Key Features of Symbol Security

• MSP-Centric Multi-Tenant Platform: This is a core differentiator. The platform is built from the ground up for the MSP channel, allowing providers to manage all their clients from a single dashboard with co-branding, separate billing, and streamlined reporting.
• Threat-Intel-Driven Phishing Simulations: Symbol moves beyond generic templates by using real-world threat intelligence to power its phishing campaigns. This ensures your team is tested against the realistic and sophisticated attacks they are likely to face.
• Integrated All-in-One Solution: The platform seamlessly combines Phishing Simulations, Security Awareness Training, and Policy Management in one intuitive interface. This allows you to manage employee attestation for key security policies alongside their training progress.
• Actionable Risk Reporting: Symbol provides clear dashboards and analytics that track your organization's phish-prone percentage and training performance, aggregating the data into a simple risk score to measure improvement over time.
  
  

Strengths: Where Symbol Security Shines

• Built for the MSP Channel: The multi-tenant architecture is a game-changer for MSPs, making it incredibly easy to add security awareness training as a profitable, scalable service offering without the administrative headaches.
• Transparent Pricing & a Generous Free Tier: In a market dominated by "contact us" forms, Symbol’s public pricing is a breath of fresh air. Its $0 Free Tier for up to 15 users provides a powerful, risk-free way for any SMB to start or for an MSP to fully evaluate the platform.
• Simplicity and Ease of Use: The clean, modern interface is incredibly intuitive. You can set up phishing campaigns and enroll users in training in minutes, not hours, which is a massive advantage for busy IT teams.
• Effective, Real-World Simulations: By basing phishing tests on active threats, the training becomes far more impactful and prepares employees for the actual dangers they will encounter.

Limitations to Consider

• Curated Content Library: While the content is high-quality and effective, its library is curated for the most critical threats rather than sheer volume. Organizations needing an exhaustive catalog for niche compliance topics might find it less extensive than enterprise giants.
• Focus on Core SMB/MSP Features: The platform prioritizes the essential features that drive results for SMBs and MSPs. It intentionally avoids some of the hyper-complex, niche features found in enterprise-only platforms, which keeps it streamlined and easy to manage.

Pricing Structure

Symbol Security offers per-user based pricing as well as a separate, custom pricing model that is available for MSPs.

Best Use Cases 

Ideal for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) looking to scale their security offerings and Small-to-Medium Businesses (SMBs) seeking a powerful, affordable, and easy-to-manage security awareness platform.

2. KnowBe4

KnowBe4 is the market leader in the security awareness space, widely recognized for its massive content library and advanced gamification features. It has evolved into a comprehensive "Human Risk Management" platform, making it a favorite among large enterprises with dedicated security teams.

Key Features of KnowBe4

• Massive Content Library: KnowBe4’s library is unparalleled in size, offering thousands of training modules, videos, games, and posters in multiple languages.
• Advanced Phishing Simulation: The platform provides thousands of phishing templates and deep customization options, tracking a "Phish-prone Percentage" to benchmark progress.
• PhishER Plus: This is a light SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) tool that helps security teams analyze and respond to user-reported emails, quarantining threats across the organization.
• SecurityCoach: This feature integrates with other security tools to deliver real-time security tips to users via Slack or Teams at the exact moment a risky action is detected.

Strengths: Where KnowBe4 Shines

• Unmatched Content Variety: If you need a training module on any security topic imaginable, KnowBe4 likely has it. This allows for highly diverse and non-repetitive training campaigns.
• Holistic Platform Approach: The integration of training, phishing, user reporting, and incident response (PhishER) creates a complete ecosystem for managing human risk.
• Effective Gamification: Leaderboards and personal risk scores are used effectively to engage employees and foster a sense of competition, which can boost training effectiveness.

Limitations to Consider

• Administrative Complexity: The sheer number of features and content options can be overwhelming. The platform has a steep learning curve and requires dedicated administrative time to manage effectively.
• High Cost: KnowBe4 is a premium product with a price to match. The tiered model and costly add-ons like PhishER and SecurityCoach can make it significantly more expensive than competitors.
• Requires Active Management: This is not a "set it and forget it" tool. To see a true return on investment, an administrator must be actively planning campaigns, curating content, and analyzing results.

Pricing Structure

KnowBe4 uses a quote-based annual subscription model with no public pricing. Costs are based on user count and the subscription tier (Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond), with advanced features often requiring higher tiers or separate add-on licenses.

Best Use Cases 

Ideal for large enterprises with a dedicated security training administrator and a substantial budget who need an exhaustive content library and advanced features.

3. Proofpoint

Proofpoint is a cybersecurity giant, renowned for its enterprise-grade, people-centric security suite. Its security awareness training platform is one component of a much larger, integrated ecosystem focused on protecting large organizations from the most advanced threats.

Key Features of Proofpoint

• Targeted Attack Protection (TAP): Proofpoint's legendary email security feature provides unmatched detection of malicious attachments and URLs, rewriting links to protect users even if they click.
• Integrated Threat Intelligence: The training content and phishing simulations are directly informed by the threats Proofpoint detects across its global network, making them highly relevant.
• Information Protection & DLP: The platform deeply integrates with Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and can identify "Very Attacked People" (VAPs) to apply adaptive security controls.
• Enterprise Archiving & Compliance: It offers a top-tier solution for eDiscovery and compliance, making it a staple in highly regulated industries.

Strengths: Where Proofpoint Shines

• Unmatched Detection Efficacy: Proofpoint's ability to detect and block email threats that other systems miss is its primary strength, backed by world-class threat intelligence.
• Fully Integrated Security Suite: The training module works seamlessly with email security, DLP, and CASB, providing a holistic view of human-centric risk.
• Excellent for Compliance: Its powerful archiving, eDiscovery, and supervision tools are a perfect fit for organizations in finance, healthcare, and government.

Limitations to Consider

• Extremely High Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Proofpoint is a premium-priced solution. Key features are often modularized as expensive add-ons, placing it out of reach for most SMBs.
• Steep Learning Curve: The platform is incredibly powerful but also complex. The administrative console is less intuitive than modern competitors and requires skilled personnel to manage.
• Overkill for Most SMBs: For a business that primarily needs an effective and easy-to-use SAT platform, the full Proofpoint suite is often "overkill," delivering far more complexity and cost than necessary.

Pricing Structure

Proofpoint does not publish pricing. It operates on a highly modular, quote-based, per-user, per-year subscription model. It is widely considered one of the most expensive solutions on the market.

Best Use Cases 

Ideal for large, compliance-driven organizations (e.g., finance, healthcare) with a very low risk tolerance, a large budget, and a mature security team.

4. Cofense

Cofense specializes in Phishing Detection and Response (PDR). Its philosophy is that some phishes will always get through, so the goal should be to turn employees into a network of threat sensors and then automate the response to their reports.

Key Features of Cofense

• Human-Powered Threat Detection Loop: The platform uses Cofense PhishMe (training) and Cofense Reporter (a one-click reporting button) to turn employees into a threat-hunting team.
• Cofense Triage: This tool automatically analyzes, clusters, and prioritizes user-reported emails, dramatically reducing alert fatigue for Security Operations Center (SOC) teams.
• Cofense Vision: Once a threat is confirmed, Vision can search for and quarantine all instances of that malicious email across every mailbox in the organization within minutes.
• Crowdsourced Threat Intelligence: Intelligence gathered from a global network of over 35 million human reporters provides highly actionable data on emerging campaigns.

Strengths: Where Cofense Shines

• Turns Humans into a Security Asset: Cofense excels at operationalizing user reporting, reframing employees as a critical part of the defense strategy.
• Reduces SOC Workload: The Triage platform is exceptional at filtering out noise and allowing security analysts to focus on credible threats, improving efficiency.
• Rapid Post-Delivery Remediation: The ability to go from a single user report to an enterprise-wide quarantine in minutes is a powerful capability for containing active attacks.

Limitations to Consider

• A Supplementary, Not Standalone, Solution: Cofense is a post-delivery response tool, not a full Secure Email Gateway. It is an additional layer that adds to the overall security stack cost.
• Complex and Resource-Intensive: The full suite is a powerful enterprise system that requires a mature security team or SOC to manage its rules, playbooks, and intelligence.
• Dependent on User Participation: The entire model's effectiveness hinges on having a well-trained and engaged user base that consistently reports suspicious emails.

Pricing Structure

Cofense uses a quote-based subscription model with no public pricing. It is considered an enterprise-grade solution and is priced in the upper tier of the market.

Best Use Cases 

Ideal for enterprises with a mature Security Operations Center (SOC) looking to operationalize user-reported threats and accelerate incident response.

5. IronScales

IronScales is a modern, API-based email security platform that specializes in anti-phishing. It uniquely combines AI with crowdsourced human intelligence to detect and remove threats directly from user inboxes after they have bypassed traditional security gateways.

Key Features of IronScales

• AI-Powered Post-Delivery Detection: By integrating directly with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, IronScales scans emails already in the inbox, using AI to spot sophisticated BEC and phishing attacks.
• Crowdsourced Threat Intelligence: When a user at any IronScales customer reports a phish, it's verified and can be automatically removed from the inboxes of all users across the entire network, creating a powerful community defense.
• Automated Incident Response: Administrators can remove confirmed threats from all affected mailboxes across the organization with a single click, a process that can be fully automated.
• Integrated Training Module: The platform includes phishing simulations and micro-learning modules to help train users at the point of action.

Strengths: Where IronScales Shines

• Innovative Human + Machine Model: The blend of AI with a real-time, crowdsourced human verification network gives it a speed and detection advantage against zero-day attacks.
• Ease of Deployment and Use: As an API-based solution, it can be deployed in minutes without changing MX records. The admin and user interfaces are clean and intuitive.
• Excellent at Catching Post-Gateway Threats: It is purpose-built to catch what Secure Email Gateways miss, such as attacks from compromised internal accounts.

Limitations to Consider

• Less Robust Training Module: While the integrated training is a plus, it is generally considered less extensive and customizable than dedicated platforms like Symbol Security or KnowBe4.
• Reliance on Network Effect: The strength of its crowdsourcing model depends on a large, active user base across its customer network reporting threats.
• Positioned as a Supplementary Layer: It is often used to augment the native security in M365/Google Workspace rather than as a complete, all-in-one email security replacement.

Pricing Structure

IronScales operates on a quote-based, per-mailbox, per-year subscription. Pricing is not public, and interested customers must contact their sales team for a custom quote.

Best Use Cases 

Ideal for companies using Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace who want to add an automated, AI-driven post-delivery protection layer to their existing security.

6. Terranova Security

Terranova Security, a Fortra company, is a global leader in security awareness known for its high-quality, behavior-focused training content. It excels in serving large, multinational organizations with a strong focus on accessibility and multilingual support.

Key Features of Terranova Security

• Human-Centric Training Content: Terranova's content is designed by instructional experts to be engaging, memorable, and effective at changing behavior, not just checking a box.
• Exceptional Accessibility and Multilingual Support: A key strength is its content library, which is available in over 40 languages and is compliant with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA.
• Advanced Attack Simulation: The platform offers customizable phishing, smishing (SMS), and vishing (voice) simulation capabilities to test employee resilience across multiple vectors.
• Structured Gamification: The "Security Awareness Champions" program and "Cyber Hero" narrative provide a structured framework for keeping users engaged and motivated.

Strengths: Where Terranova Security Shines

• High-Quality, Engaging Content: The platform is consistently recognized for the superior quality and pedagogical approach of its training materials.
• Superior Global Reach and Inclusivity: Its extensive language support and WCAG compliance make it the go-to choice for global enterprises and public sector organizations with strict accessibility mandates.
• Strong Enterprise Focus: Backed by Fortra, the platform and its support structure are built to handle the complex compliance and scale requirements of large enterprises.

Limitations to Consider

• Admin Console Can Be Less Intuitive: Some users find the administrative backend to be less modern or intuitive compared to hyper-streamlined competitors, presenting a steeper learning curve.
• Enterprise-Grade Complexity and Cost: The platform is designed for large organizations, and its feature set and pricing model may be overly complex and costly for the average SMB.
• Content Library Focuses on Quality over Quantity: While the content is excellent, some competitors like KnowBe4 offer a larger sheer volume of modules.

Pricing Structure

Terranova Security uses a quote-based subscription model with no public pricing. It is considered a mid-to-upper-tier enterprise solution.

Best Use Cases: Ideal for global enterprises with strict accessibility (WCAG) requirements and a need for high-quality, behavior-focused training content in over 40 languages.

Achieve Your Security Goals with the Right Partner

While enterprise giants like KnowBe4 and Proofpoint offer immense power, that power comes with significant cost and complexity that is often a poor fit for the lean and agile operations of SMBs and MSPs. The journey to a stronger security culture shouldn't be complicated or prohibitively expensive. It's about finding a partner that provides the right tools in a way that works for you.

For Managed Service Providers and small to medium-sized businesses, the choice is clear. Symbol Security delivers the ideal balance of powerful, real-world threat simulation, an MSP-native architecture designed for growth, and a simple, transparent pricing model that the competition can't match. It empowers you to build a resilient human firewall without the enterprise-level overhead.