Best SANS Security Awareness Alternatives in 2026
The top SANS Security Awareness alternatives are KnowBe4, Hoxhunt and Infosec IQ: 15 security awareness training software our editors would look at instead of SANS Security Awareness, in our ranking order.
SANS Security Awareness: A deep, flexible security awareness suite for large organizations with structured programs. Where it falls short: requires contacting sales rather than offering a published standard price.
Switching from SANS Security Awareness? For most security awareness training software buyers the best SANS Security Awareness alternative is KnowBe4, built for broad enterprise awareness programs. On a budget, Keepnet Labs starts at $1.80/user/mo. SentryMail has a free plan, which SANS Security Awareness does not. Infosec IQ offers the most course languages (34).
Why People Look for an SANS Security Awareness Alternative
- Requires contacting sales rather than offering a published standard price
- No permanent free plan is available
- The broad program may exceed the needs of smaller teams
- No free plan — 2 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallKnowBe49.4
Broad enterprise awareness programs
Visit KnowBe4 - Lowest priceKeepnet Labs9.1
Paid plans from $1.80/user/mo
Visit Keepnet Labs - Best free optionSentryMail8.8
Has a free plan (SANS Security Awareness has none)
Visit SentryMail - Most course languagesInfosec IQ9.2
34
Visit Infosec IQ
All 15 SANS Security Awareness Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forBroad enterprise awareness programs
- Better than SANS Security Awareness:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.9
A broad security awareness platform with phishing tests, automated training, and risk scoring.
- Phish reporting button
- Risk scoring
- SSO support
9.4/10★★★★★Visit KnowBe4 -
Best forMultichannel, multilingual employee training
- Better than SANS Security Awareness:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.9
A multilingual, multichannel training platform with adaptive phishing simulations and automated learning.
- Phish reporting button
- SSO support
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Hoxhunt -
Best forMature, customizable enterprise deployments
- Better than SANS Security Awareness:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.9
A mature, highly configurable platform for enterprise security awareness programs.
- Phish reporting button
- Risk scoring
- SSO support
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Infosec IQ -
Best forLow-cost programs with deep security integrations
- Better than SANS Security Awareness:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.9
A broad, low-cost security awareness platform with phishing and SOC integrations.
- Phish reporting button
- Risk scoring
- SSO support
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Keepnet Labs -
Best forEnterprise awareness plus policy management
- Better than SANS Security Awareness:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.9
A broad enterprise platform combining awareness training, phishing simulations, policies, and risk scoring.
- Phish reporting button
- Risk scoring
- SSO support
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit MetaCompliance -
Best forOpen-source teams needing broad simulations
- Better than SANS Security Awareness:
- Free plan
A broad, open-source platform for teams that need self-hosted awareness programs.
- Phish reporting button
- Risk scoring
- SSO support
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit SentryMail -
Best forBudget-conscious teams wanting simple deployment
- Better than SANS Security Awareness:
- Free plan
A budget-friendly awareness platform with free basics, phishing simulations, and identity integrations.
- Phish reporting button
- Risk scoring
- SSO support
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Wizer -
Best forHuman-risk programs with HR integrations
A risk-based awareness platform with HR integrations, reporting, and adaptive campaigns.
- Phish reporting button
- Risk scoring
- SSO support
8.6/10★★★★☆Try Living Security -
Best forCompliance-focused, integration-heavy programs
A compliance-focused platform combining simulations, risk scoring, remediation, and LMS integrations.
- Risk scoring
- SSO support
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit RansomLeak -
Best forSmall teams wanting transparent paid pricing
A focused awareness platform with transparent pricing and risk-based follow-up.
- Phish reporting button
- Risk scoring
- SSO support
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit CyberPilot -
Best forGamified awareness with risk-based automation
Gamified training with phishing simulations and risk-based automation for organizations.
- Phish reporting button
- Risk scoring
- SSO support
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit SoSafe -
Best forAI-driven adaptive phishing and microlearning
AI-driven phishing simulations and adaptive training for organizations managing human cyber risk.
- Phish reporting button
- Risk scoring
- SSO support
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Phished -
Best forOrganizations needing multichannel phishing realism
A multichannel phishing training platform with adaptive content, reporting and risk analytics.
- Phish reporting button
- Risk scoring
- SSO support
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Cofense -
Best forMicrolearning and behavioral coaching programs
A behavior-focused awareness platform combining microlearning, simulations, coaching, and risk scoring.
- Phish reporting button
- Risk scoring
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit NINJIO -
Best forSecurity teams wanting advanced phishing scenarios
Advanced phishing scenarios, risk scoring, and automated training for security teams.
- Phish reporting button
- Risk scoring
- SSO support
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Check Point
SANS Security Awareness Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to SANS Security Awareness?
KnowBe4: #1 in our Security Awareness Training Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad security awareness platform with phishing tests, automated training, and risk scoring.
Is there a free alternative to SANS Security Awareness?
Yes. SentryMail and Wizer have a free plan or a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to SANS Security Awareness?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Keepnet Labs starts lowest, at $1.80/user/mo.
Why do people look for SANS Security Awareness alternatives?
Requires contacting sales rather than offering a published standard price; No permanent free plan is available; The broad program may exceed the needs of smaller teams.
Which SANS Security Awareness alternative has the most course languages?
Infosec IQ, with 34.
How do I switch from SANS Security Awareness?
Export your data from SANS Security Awareness (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel SANS Security Awareness.
How to Switch from SANS Security Awareness
- Export your data from SANS Security Awareness (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel SANS Security Awareness.
SANS Security Awareness vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Phishing simulations | Phish reporting button | Automated training | Risk scoring | SSO support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | SANS Security Awareness | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |||
| 1 | KnowBe4 | No | $2.40/seat/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Hoxhunt | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | |||
| 3 | Infosec IQ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | ||
| 4 | Keepnet Labs | No | $1.80/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 5 | MetaCompliance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | ||
| 6 | SentryMail | Yes | €10/user/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 |
| 7 | Wizer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 8 | Living Security | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | ||
| 9 | RansomLeak | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |||
| 10 | CyberPilot | No | €13/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 11 | SoSafe | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 12 | Phished | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 13 | Cofense PhishMe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | ||
| 14 | NINJIO | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 | ||
| 15 | Check Point SmartAwareness | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
Head-to-Head
- SANS Security Awareness vs KnowBe4
- SANS Security Awareness vs Hoxhunt
- SANS Security Awareness vs Infosec IQ
- SANS Security Awareness vs Keepnet Labs
- SANS Security Awareness vs MetaCompliance
- SANS Security Awareness vs SentryMail
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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