Top 6 Alternatives to NINJIO for Security Awareness Training

You're here because you know NINJIO. You appreciate its unique, story-driven approach to making cybersecurity concepts stick, but you're also wondering what else is out there. Perhaps you need a platform that integrates directly with your threat intelligence feeds, one that uses competitive gamification to energize your team, or a solution grounded in behavioral science to foster lasting habits.

You're right to look deeper. The security awareness training market has exploded with specialized solutions, each designed to solve a different piece of the cyber risk puzzle. Finding the perfect fit can be the difference between a workforce that is merely compliant and one that is genuinely secure.

In this breakdown, we move beyond the familiar to explore six powerful alternatives to NINJIO. We'll provide a clear, no-nonsense look at their core features and pinpoint exactly who they're built for, enabling you to make a strategic choice that fortifies your organization's most critical asset: your people.

Quick Comparison: NINJIO Alternatives at a Glance

1. Symbol Security

Symbol Security is a comprehensive solution that goes beyond traditional training to address the full spectrum of human cyber risk. This platform stands out by automating complex workflows to integrate cybertraining, policy training and dark web services into a comprehensive program, making it particularly attractive for organizations seeking a holistic approach to cybersecurity awareness.

Key Features

• Customizable Training: Tailor content specifically to your industry risks and compliance requirements, ensuring maximum relevance for your team.
• Realistic Simulations: Deploy sophisticated phishing simulations that mirror actual threat scenarios your organization might face.
• Cyber Threat Surveillance: Monitor the dark web for compromised credentials and potential domain squatting threats targeting your organization.
• Policy Training: Streamline the distribution, tracking, and acknowledgment of IT security policies across your entire workforce.
• Managed Services: Access turnkey security awareness program management for organizations preferring a hands-off approach.
• Partner-Focused Model: Enable MSPs and vCISO to white-label and deliver the solution as their own branded service.

Strengths

• Engaging Learning Experiences: Utilizes real-world scenarios and short videos to significantly enhance knowledge retention compared to traditional learning methods.
• Automated Workflows: Simplifies the management of security awareness programs by automating the integration of cybersecurity training, policy distribution and tracking, and dark web monitoring into a unified, streamlined process.
• Personalized Learning: Adapts training to specific job roles and risk profiles, making every session highly relevant and actionable.
• Actionable Reporting: Provides detailed metrics to track employee progress, identify knowledge gaps, and measure overall program effectiveness.
• Bundled Risk Reduction: Combines training with dark web monitoring and password management to create a comprehensive human risk reduction strategy.
• White-Labeling for MSPs: Represents a significant competitive advantage, allowing partners to offer a complete security awareness solution under their own brand.

Limitations

• Limited Brand Recognition: As a newer player in the market, it may lack the immediate name recognition that some decision-makers prefer.
• Fewer Independent Reviews: Finding extensive user reviews can be more challenging compared to established market leaders, making peer validation more difficult.
• Partner-Model Focus: Organizations purchasing directly might have less interaction with the core development team due to the emphasis on a partner-led model.

Best for: Organizations looking for managed security awareness training services and MSPs looking for a comprehensive, partner-friendly platform that bundles security awareness training with additional risk reduction services to create a complete human cyber risk management solution.

2. KnowBe4

KnowBe4 has established itself as the undisputed leader in content variety and depth, offering what many consider the gold standard for comprehensive security awareness training. This platform's reputation stems from its massive content library and sophisticated phishing simulation capabilities that have helped countless organizations build stronger security cultures.

Key Features

• Extensive Training Library: Access the world's largest collection of security awareness content, including interactive modules, videos, games, and newsletters.
• Advanced Phishing Simulations: Create highly customized and automated phishing campaigns using an extensive template library that mirrors real-world attacks.
• AI-Driven Recommendations: Leverages artificial intelligence to provide personalized training suggestions based on individual user performance in phishing tests.
• Comprehensive Risk Scoring: Monitors individual and organizational risk scores to identify high-risk users and track security awareness improvements.
• Compliance Training: Access extensive compliance-related content that goes beyond general cybersecurity awareness.
• Mobile Learning App: Enables employees to complete training conveniently on mobile devices for maximum flexibility.

Strengths

• Unmatched Content Variety: Offers training materials catering to different learning styles, organizational cultures, and specific industry requirements.
• Powerful Simulation Tools: Enables security teams to create incredibly realistic and targeted attack scenarios that effectively test employee vigilance.
• Detailed Analytics: Provides clear, actionable insights into training effectiveness and user vulnerability patterns to enable data-driven decisions.
• Strong Brand Recognition: Benefits from extensive community support, shared best practices, and a large user base for peer learning.
• User-Friendly Interface: Praised for being accessible for both administrators and end-users, reducing the learning curve and administrative overhead.

Limitations

• "Check-the-Box" Potential: The vast content library can lead to a less focused approach if not carefully managed.
• Outdated Content: Some users note that certain training modules can feel dated, requiring careful content curation to maintain relevance.
• High Administrative Overhead: The extensive features and options can require a significant time investment from administrators to manage effectively.
• Budgetary Challenges: The pricing structure may present difficulties for smaller organizations.
• Integration Difficulties: Some users have reported challenges integrating with certain IT security tools outside the KnowBe4 ecosystem.

Best for: Companies that need a vast and diverse content library to address wide-ranging security and compliance training requirements across different departments, roles, and skill levels.

3. Cofense

Cofense revolutionizes the traditional approach to phishing defense by transforming employees from potential victims into active threat hunters. This platform's human-centric methodology has proven incredibly effective at creating measurable behavioral changes that strengthen organizational security posture through employee empowerment.

Key Features

• Realistic Phishing Simulations: Deploys highly realistic and customizable simulations based on actual, current threat campaigns.
• Phishing Threat Intelligence: Leverages a global network of users to gather and analyze real phishing threats, ensuring simulations reflect the latest attack techniques.
• One-Click Email Reporting: Empowers employees with the Cofense Reporter button for easy reporting of suspicious emails, creating valuable threat intelligence.
• Behavioral Change Focus: Implements proven methodologies designed to condition employees to consistently recognize and report phishing attempts.
• Security Operations Integration: Connects reported threats directly with SOAR platforms for accelerated incident response and mitigation.
• Multi-Channel Simulations: Tests employee awareness across various attack vectors including email, SMS (smishing), and voice (vishing).

Strengths

• Actionable Intelligence: Provides security teams with valuable, real-time data about emerging threats and employee vulnerability patterns.
• Relevant Simulations: Bases training on actual phishing campaigns, making it incredibly effective and applicable to real-world scenarios.
• Proven Phishing Reduction: Has a track record of successfully reducing user susceptibility to attacks through its behavior change methodology.
• Employee Empowerment: Fosters a stronger, more engaged security culture by making employees an active part of the defense.
• Data-Driven Optimization: Strong reporting helps justify security investments and demonstrates tangible risk reduction.

Limitations

• Narrow Security Focus: May not provide the comprehensive security awareness coverage across all cybersecurity domains that some organizations require.
• Potential for Alert Fatigue: Frequent simulations could lead to disengagement among employees if not carefully managed and balanced.
• Complex Initial Setup: Configuration and integration with existing security operations can require dedicated resources and technical expertise.
• Higher Cost: Can represent a more expensive option, particularly for smaller businesses with limited security budgets.

Best for: Security-mature organizations that want to integrate employee-reported phishing threats directly into their security operations and create an active human defense layer.

4. Proofpoint Security Awareness Training

Proofpoint leverages its position as a major cybersecurity player to deliver security awareness training that's deeply integrated with enterprise-grade threat intelligence. This platform excels at providing training content that's immediately relevant to the current threat landscape your organization faces.

Key Features

• Threat Intelligence-Driven Training: Accesses content and phishing simulations informed by Proofpoint's extensive threat intelligence network.
• Personalized and Adaptive Learning: Delivers tailored training experiences based on individual user roles, vulnerability assessments, and performance.
• Diverse Training Formats: Engages users with a comprehensive mix of interactive modules, videos, and games.
• Multi-Vector Simulations: Tests employee awareness across phishing, USB, and SMS attack vectors for comprehensive threat recognition.
• Culture and Knowledge Assessments: Utilizes specialized tools to gauge employee understanding of and attitudes toward security practices.
• Ecosystem Integration: Benefits from seamless integration with Proofpoint's email security and threat response solutions.

Strengths

• Highly Relevant Training: The use of real-time threat data makes training highly effective against emerging threats targeting your industry.
• Holistic Risk View: Integration with other Proofpoint security products provides a comprehensive view of human risk.
• Engaging Customization: Users consistently find the training materials engaging and appreciate the options for branding and policy customization.
• Effective Executive Reporting: Robust analytics and dashboards effectively communicate program effectiveness to leadership.
• User-Friendly Administration: The platform is frequently praised for being easy to administer, reducing technical barriers to implementation.

Limitations

• Limited Module Customization: Some users have expressed a desire for more extensive customization options for training modules.
• Third-Party Integration Challenges: Users have reported difficulties when attempting to integrate with security tools outside the Proofpoint ecosystem.
• Generic Content Feel: Certain training content has been described as generic rather than tailored to specific organizational contexts.
• Advanced Feature Learning Curve: Mastering the platform's more advanced capabilities can require a significant time investment.
• Dated Content: Some training content may occasionally feel outdated and require regular review for continued relevance.

Best for: Enterprises already invested in the Proofpoint ecosystem or organizations that prioritize security awareness training based on the very latest, most relevant threat intelligence data.

5. Hoxhunt

Hoxhunt represents the next generation of security awareness training, combining artificial intelligence, gamification, and continuous micro-learning to create an engaging experience that drives remarkable employee participation and behavioral change.

Key Features

• Gamified Learning: Motivates employees through leaderboards, badges, and rewards that make security awareness training competitive and enjoyable.
• AI-Powered Personalization: Delivers individualized phishing simulations and micro-training moments tailored to each user's skill level and performance.
• In-the-Moment Feedback: Provides immediate learning opportunities and feedback when a user interacts with a simulated phishing attempt.
• Lightweight and Automated: Reduces administrative overhead with automated campaign management and easy administration.
• Threat Reporting Focus: Encourages and facilitates user reporting of real threats, providing valuable intelligence to security teams.
• Seamless Email Integration: Integrates directly into email clients for a natural and undisrupted user workflow.

Strengths

• High Employee Participation: The gamified approach has demonstrated remarkable success in increasing employee motivation and participation levels.
• Adaptive and Relevant Training: Ensures content remains appropriately challenging for each individual, maximizing learning effectiveness.
• Measurable Behavior Change: Provides clear, tangible metrics showing how user behavior improves over time.
• Positive User Experience: The non-punitive approach is generally well-received by employees, reducing resistance to security initiatives.
• Low Administrative Burden: A high degree of automation frees security teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than program management.

Limitations

• Primary Focus on Phishing: May not provide the comprehensive security awareness coverage that organizations need across all cybersecurity domains.
• Newer Market Entrant: Lacks the brand recognition that some organizations prefer when making significant platform investments.
• Gamification Isn't for Everyone: The heavily gamified approach may not align well with certain organizational cultures or employee preferences.
• Less Content Variety: The library of training modules may not be as extensive as larger, more established platforms like KnowBe4.

Best for: Companies with younger workforces or organizational cultures that embrace gamification to drive high levels of user engagement and continuous learning.

6. SoSafe

SoSafe distinguishes itself by applying rigorous behavioral science principles to create security awareness training that drives genuine, lasting changes in employee behavior and organizational security culture.

Key Features

• Behavioral Science-Based Training: Implements methodology rooted in proven psychological principles designed to create lasting behavior change.
• Interactive and Gamified Content: Engages employees through interactive modules, compelling storytelling, and gamification elements.
• Realistic Phishing Simulations: Deploys customizable phishing and smishing simulations that accurately reflect real-world attack scenarios.
• Personalized Learning Paths: Adapts training content to individual user performance and provides targeted skill development.
• Multi-Language Support: Offers content in numerous languages to effectively support global organizations and diverse workforces.
• Comprehensive Analytics: Gains insights into user engagement levels, knowledge retention, and overall security culture development.

Strengths

• Superior Learning Outcomes: The use of interactive and engaging content leads to superior long-term knowledge retention.
• Habit-Forming Methodology: The application of behavioral science helps establish secure habits that become second nature for employees.
• Intuitive User Design: Consistently praised for its user-friendly and intuitive design, making it accessible for all technical skill levels.
• Highly Scalable: Adapts effectively to organizations of all sizes, from small startups to large multinational enterprises.
• Simplified Complex Concepts: Excels at making complex cybersecurity topics accessible and understandable for non-technical audiences.

Limitations

• Spam Filter Issues: Simulation emails can occasionally be flagged as spam by email security systems, potentially reducing engagement.
• Content Repetitiveness: Some users find that training content can become repetitive over extended periods, requiring careful management.
• Higher Price Point: The platform can be considered expensive by some organizations, particularly smaller businesses.
• Limited Template Variety: Some users have noted that phishing templates could be more varied and customizable to reflect specific industry threats.
• Minor UX Frustrations: Users have experienced frustration with quiz mechanics and the organization of certain training modules.

Best for: Global organizations that need a user-friendly, scalable solution grounded in psychological principles to foster a strong, lasting security culture across diverse teams and locations.

The Final Verdict: Which Security Training Partner Fits Your Team?

Choosing the right security awareness training platform is no longer about simply checking a compliance box; it's a strategic decision that directly impacts your organization's resilience against cyber threats. While NINJIO's storytelling is effective, the diverse landscape of alternatives offers specialized tools that can better align with your specific goals, culture, and security maturity.

If you're an MSP seeking an all-in-one, brandable solution or a company seeking managed services for security awareness training, Symbol Security provides a comprehensive toolkit that extends beyond training into holistic risk reduction. For large enterprises demanding an exhaustive library to meet diverse compliance and training needs, KnowBe4 remains the undisputed content king. Organizations ready to empower their employees and integrate a human sensor network directly into their security operations will find a powerful ally in Cofense. These are just some of the alternatives on this list that can potentially meet your security awareness training needs. 

Ultimately, the most effective platform is the one your employees will actually use and learn from. The question you should be asking isn't "Which platform is the best?" but rather, "Which platform is the best for us?"

Take a hard look at your company culture, identify your most significant human risks, and choose a partner that will help you build not just a line of defense, but a proactive culture of security. The right choice will transform your employees from your biggest vulnerability into your most formidable asset. What steps will you take today to build your human firewall?