Comparisec
Submit reviewFor vendors
Security Awareness TrainingKnowBe4
StrongStrongStrongStrong
4.7

VendorsSecurity Awareness TrainingKnowBe4

KnowBe4 logo

KnowBe4

KnowBe4 (Vista Equity Partners)

Founded 2010·US·PE-backed
4.7

Combined score

G2
4.72,458
Gartner
4.62,458

Security incident on recordVista Equity Partners completed $4.6B take-private Feb 2023; rebranded as HRM+ platform 2024

Editorial verdict

KnowBe4 is the security awareness training market by volume. The largest content library with 1,000 plus modules in 35 plus languages, 50,000 plus phishing template variations, and six consecutive years as the number one SAT platform on G2 reflect a product that has defined the category. For organisations that want the most content, the most phishing templates, and the strongest compliance training framework, KnowBe4 sets the standard.

The engagement quality is the most frequently cited limitation. The content library is vast but not uniformly engaging, and completion rates without gamification can be lower than newer platforms like Hoxhunt or NINJIO. The platform size also means some admin workflows feel less refined than focused competitors.

The verdict: KnowBe4 is right for enterprises that need the broadest content library, the strongest compliance training coverage, and the most phishing simulation templates. Organisations where employee engagement and completion rates are the primary challenge should evaluate Hoxhunt or NINJIO alongside KnowBe4.

Last reviewed: May 2026

G2

4.72,458 reviews

Gartner

4.62,458 reviews
Gartner MQ: Forrester Wave SAT Leader 2022; G2 #1 SAT 6 consecutive years

Security Awareness Training assessment

PROTECTIONStrong
Content quality & breadth
5 / 5

Largest content library in the SAT category — 35 languages, including the 'Inside Man' original TV series. 50,000+ organisations use the platform. Scored 5 for breadth, freshness, and format variety.

Sources: KnowBe4 content library documentation

Phishing simulation realism
5 / 5

5,000+ phishing templates covering current attack techniques. Industry-leading template realism and freshness — updated weekly with active campaign mirroring. Scored 5.

Sources: KnowBe4 phishing template documentation

OPERATIONSStrong
Program automation
4 / 5

Smart Groups, AI-driven risk scoring, and automated campaign assignment based on failure. Scored 4 rather than 5 because campaign setup is still more manual than Hoxhunt's fully adaptive model.

Sources: KnowBe4 KSAT documentation

LMS & HRIS integration
4 / 5

SCORM/xAPI export, HR system sync via SCIM, and SSO with all major IdPs. Scored 4 because SCORM export and LMS integration are good but not the primary deployment model.

Sources: KnowBe4 documentation

ANALYTICSStrong
Behaviour change metrics
4 / 5

PhishER reporting and user risk score dashboards. Scored 4 because click rates, reporting rates, and time-to-report are tracked, though behaviour change measurement depth lags Hoxhunt.

Sources: KnowBe4 reporting documentation

TRUST & ECOSYSTEMStrong
Compliance & localisation
5 / 5

35+ language support with region-specific regulatory modules (GDPR, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, AU Privacy Act). Scored 5 for the broadest compliance and language coverage in the category.

Sources: KnowBe4 documentation

Strongest: Content quality & breadth

Watch out for: Behaviour change metrics

Strengths & limitations

Strengths

Largest content library — 35 languages, 'Inside Man' original series
Risk scoring per user — identifies high-risk individuals for targeted training
#1 on G2 Security Awareness Training for 6 consecutive years

Watch out for

UI can feel scattered — campaign setup requires manual effort
Pricing escalates significantly at Diamond tier for enterprise
Content freshness sometimes lags behind gamified competitors

Best for

Organisations of any size wanting most mature, content-rich, risk-based SAT and phishing simulation.

Not suitable for: Orgs prioritising engagement over breadth — Hoxhunt and NINJIO outperform on UX

Compliance coverage

Essential Eight
AU Privacy Act
SOC 2
HIPAA
NIST CSF
PCI-DSS
CMMC
GDPR
NIS2
DORA
ISO 27001
CIS Benchmarks

Switching intelligence

Switching from

Common migration paths based on review data

Also considering

Vendors typically shortlisted alongside

← Back to Security Awareness TrainingCompare with other Security Awareness Training vendors →

Quick facts

Pricing modelper seat/year subscription
Pricing range$15-35/user/year depending on tier
Free trialYes — 14 days
Min seats5
Deployment time< 1 day
Complexity1 / 5
Pricing transparency3 / 5
AU presenceYes
IRAP assessedNo
Open sourceProprietary

Deployment

ModelsSaaS
OS supportBrowser-based
CloudAWS
SupportPhone, Email, Chat, Dedicated CSM
Data residencyUS, EU, AU, CA, JP

Company

KnowBe4 (Vista Equity Partners)

Founded 2010 · 1,800-2,500 employees · PE-backed

HQ: US

$500M+ ARR est.

Certifications

SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, HIPAA

Integrations

Microsoft 365Google WorkspaceOktaAzure ADActive DirectorySplunkSIEM via syslogWorkday