Security awareness training software compared: Which one is right for your organisation?

We compare leading security awareness training software – fact-based, independent and practical. With clear criteria and real user reviews.

Contents

1. Why awareness training?
2. Decision criteria
3. Security awareness training software
4. Individual providers
5. Which tool is right for whom?

Overview: Security awareness training software

• Overview of leading security awareness training software and their providers
• Important criteria include learning formats, data protection and reporting
• SoSafe impresses with EU hosting and a psychological learning approach
• Direct comparison of international and regional providers
• Decision-making aid facilitates software selection for all industries

Why security awareness training is indispensable today

The threat situation is becoming more acute

Studies such as the current Human Risk Review show that 77% of security managers in German-speaking countries rate the cyber threat situation as more critical than ever before. More than half of companies (52%) have already been victims of an attack.

New risks from AI and geopolitical crises

79% of respondents see generative AI as a driver for more professional social engineering attacks. 75% cite geopolitical tensions as an additional threat and 80% are concerned about the security of their supply chains.

People as the biggest risk

Over a third of employees click on dangerous links in phishing tests. This means that human behaviour remains one of the key weaknesses in IT security.

Relevance for HR and IT decision-makers

For HR departments, this means that awareness programmes are not a ‘nice-to-have’ measure, but a strategic tool for risk reduction.

Security awareness training software helps to impart knowledge in a practical way and promote sustainable behaviour.

For CISOs and IT teams, security training software complements technical protective measures in a meaningful way – from simulated phishing attacks to interactive learning platforms.

Effective awareness training

To awareness training

Choose training that really reaches employees: practical, interactive and sustainable.

What to look for when choosing a security awareness training software

Choosing a suitable software depends on many factors. The following criteria help companies find the right solution.

• User reviews and experiences
  Reviews on platforms such as G2 or Gartner provide insights into what users particularly appreciate about certain security awareness training tools – from ease of use to effective learning methods.
• Learning formats and didactics
  Security awareness training no longer relies on monotonous videos. Instead, gamification, short interactive modules or storytelling are used. Such methods appeal to different learning types and increase the chance that content will be remembered.
• Learning frequency and duration
  Short units of a few minutes – microlearning – can be easily incorporated between meetings or breaks. This makes participation realistic for employees and increases acceptance.
• Up-to-date content
  Cyber attacks are constantly changing. That’s why it’s important for a security awareness training software platform to regularly update content and incorporate new attack methods into the training. This is the only way to ensure that training remains practical and effective.
• Engagement tracking and progress
  Dashboards and reporting tools within security awareness training software help HR teams and CISOs measure learning progress, engagement and risk reduction – ideally in an auditable manner.
• Language and scalability
  International organisations benefit from training courses that are available in many languages and can be scaled flexibly.
• Hosting location and data protection
  The hosting location plays a particularly important role in Europe. Companies should check whether the security awareness training software is GDPR-compliant and meets all relevant compliance standards.
• Integration into compliance and security policies
  Goodsecurity awareness training helps to comply with regulatory requirements and effectively implement internal policies.

Security awareness training software at a glance

The individual security awareness training software providers in detail

SoSafe Security Awareness Training

Brief summary: German provider focusing on data protection, behavioural psychology and sustainable knowledge transfer. Particularly suitable for companies that want to combine GDPR compliance with high employee acceptance.

• User reviews: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ 4.9/5 (Capterra, as of March 2026)
• Learning formats: Gamified story modules, microlearning, realistic phishing simulations
• Learning frequency & duration: Short, interactive units; go-live possible in just two days, average 20 days
• Psychologically based approach: Yes ✅ – behavioural science for lasting impact
• Up-to-date: Content is continuously expanded and reflects current threats
• Engagement tracking & learning progress: Yes ✅ – intuitive dashboards, reminder functions, clear KPIs
• Audit-compliant dashboard: Yes ✅ – ISO/IEC-compliant reports
• Language & scalability: Over 30 languages, globally applicable
• Hosting location / data protection: GDPR-compliant, EU data processing, ISO 27001-certified
• What users like (individual feedback): ‘A great solution for familiarising all employees of a company with IT security issues.’ (Capterra)
• What users criticise (individual feedback): ‘The evaluation under Analytics needs to be explained, especially for the simulation.’ (Capterra)

KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training

Short summary: Large provider of security awareness training software with an enormous content library and powerful reporting functions. Particularly suitable for very large organisations with complex rollouts.

• User reviews: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.6/5 (Gartner, as of March 2026)
• Learning formats: Videos, quizzes, simulations, interactive modules
• Learning frequency & duration: Flexible, microlearning possible
• Psychologically based approach: Partially available, more classical didactic
• Up-to-date: Content regularly updated
• Engagement tracking & learning progress: Yes ✅ – comprehensive reports and benchmarks
• Audit-ready dashboard: Yes ✅ – audit-friendly reports available
• Language & scalability: 30+ languages, internationally scalable
• Hosting location / data protection: Globally distributed, GDPR-compliant via contracts, no EU-only hosting
• What users like (individual feedback): ‘Does a really good job and offers high-quality training material’ (Gartner)
• What users criticise (individual feedback): ‘Lags behind in modern training options such as content, customisation options, AI and gamification’ (Gartner)

Hoxhunt Security Awareness Training

Short summary: Gamification-oriented and behaviour-based. Well suited when motivation and engagement are the main focus.

• User reviews: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.8/5 (G2, as of March 2026).
• Learning formats: Gamified modules, simulations, adaptive learning paths
• Learning frequency & duration: Very short, regular micro-units
• Psychologically based approach: Yes ✅ – Behavioural science
• Up-to-date: Adaptive and up-to-date content
• Engagement tracking & learning progress: Yes ✅ – Leaderboards, risk scores
• Audit-ready dashboard: Yes ✅ – Audit-friendly reports available
• Language & scalability: Many languages, internationally scalable
• Hosting location / data protection: GDPR-compliant, no EU-only hosting
• What users like (individual feedback): ‘The number of gamification features such as collecting badges, achievements and the ability to see how you compare to colleagues’ (G2)
• What users criticise (individual feedback): ‘Time to report a phishing email’ (G2)

Proofpoint Awareness Training

Brief summary: Security awareness training software with strong focus on threat intelligence (TI) and compliance. Well suited for security-driven organisations with strict regulations.

• User reviews: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5/5 (G2, as of March 2026).
• Learning formats: Modules, simulations, attack spotlights
• Learning frequency & duration: Microlearning, flexible spotlights
• Psychologically based approach: Partially, more TI-driven
• Up-to-date: Very up-to-date content based on threat intelligence
• Engagement tracking & learning progress: Yes ✅ – incl. benchmarks
• Audit-ready dashboard: Yes ✅ – CISO dashboard
• Language & scalability: 30+ languages, international
• Hosting location / data protection: ISO/SOC2 certified, no EU-only hosting
• What users like (individual feedback): ‘The authenticity of the templates and the large number of training modules’ (G2)
• What users criticise (individual feedback): ‘Poorly integrated into the rest of the Proofpoint platform’ (G2)

Mimecast Awareness Training

Short summary: Humorous, short video clips. Good for organisations that focus on entertainment – less so for a more in-depth security culture.

• User reviews: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.9/5 (G2, as of March 2026)
• Learning formats: 2–3-minute clips, quizzes, simulations
• Learning frequency & duration: Very short units
• Psychologically based approach: Humour and storytelling based
• Up-to-date: Regular episodes
• Engagement tracking & learning progress: Yes ✅
• Audit-ready dashboard: Yes ✅
• Language & scalability: Multilingual, scalable
• Hosting location / data protection: ISO-certified, no EU-only hosting
• What users like (individual feedback): ‘The idea of bringing humour to the topic of security’ (G2)
• What users criticise (individual feedback): ‘The scope of support could be improved’ (G2)

Hornetsecurity Security Awareness Training

Short summary: European provider with a focus on Microsoft 365. Solid solution, especially for organisations with Microsoft-centric IT.

• User reviews: No reviews available
• Learning formats: E-training, simulated phishing, campaigns
• Learning frequency & duration: Microlearning, flexible
• Psychologically based approach: Partially – behavioural training
• Up-to-date: Content regularly maintained
• Engagement tracking & learning progress: Yes ✅
• Audit-ready dashboard: Yes ✅
• Language & scalability: Multilingual, strong M365 focus
• Hosting location / data protection: EU options/compliance available depending on service
• What users like (individual feedback): –
• What users criticise: –

G DATA Awareness Training

Short summary: German provider of security awareness training software with a clear focus on data protection. Solid basic functions, ideal for companies that value proximity to the EU.

• User reviews: No reviews
• Learning formats: Videos, quizzes, short games
• Learning frequency & duration: 10–15 minutes per module
• Psychologically based approach: Designed for repetition
• Up-to-date: Content maintained, phishing packages available
• Engagement tracking & learning progress: Yes ✅ – administrator dashboards
• Audit-ready dashboard: Yes ✅
• Language & scalability: Multilingual, integrations available
• Hosting location / data protection: Germany/EU
• What users like (individual feedback): –
• What users dislike (individual feedback): –

Arctic Wolf Security Awareness Training

Short summary: Part of the managed security portfolio, with very short training courses. Ideal for organisations that want to integrate awareness into a service package.

• User reviews: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.9/5 (Gartner, as of March 2026)
• Learning formats: Microlearning, simulations, awareness campaigns
• Learning frequency & duration: 3–5-minute training sessions every two weeks, phishing monthly
• Psychologically based approach: Yes ✅ – Behaviour in the workflow
• Up-to-date: Content continuously updated
• Engagement tracking & learning progress: Yes ✅
• Audit-ready dashboard: Yes ✅
• Language & scalability: Globally scalable
• Hosting location / data protection: By region, not EU-only
• What users like (individual feedback): ‘Quiet, efficient and slightly scary in the best possible way’ (G2)
• What users criticise (individual feedback): ‘Sometimes there are so many notifications that it’s daunting to go through them all’ (G2)

Decision-making aid: Which security awareness training software is right for whom?

The following overview shows which security awareness training tools are particularly suitable depending on the industry, company structure and risk factors:

The decision-making aid provides an initial overview. In the next step, we explain our recommendations.

Healthcare: Awareness training despite tight time budgets

SoSafe is suitable for the healthcare sector thanks to EU hosting, GDPR compliance and microlearning based on behavioural psychology. Short, everyday learning units and over 30 languages ensure high acceptance among doctors, nurses and administrators.

Alternative: Proofpoint supplemented with threat intelligence content that helps clinics and research institutions identify current phishing trends at an early stage.

Financial sector: Successfully implementing compliance requirements

SoSafe offers banks and insurers more than just standard modules. Audit-ready reports, clearly structured learning paths and realistic phishing simulations support compliance with regulatory authorities. The behavioural psychology approach ensures that DORA or NIS2 requirements are not only formally met, but also become effective in practice.

Alternative: KnowBe4 provides software for security awareness training with a very large content library and offers extensive reporting functions. This is particularly beneficial for international financial groups with numerous locations.

Public authorities: Audit-proof awareness programmes for heterogeneous workforces

SoSafe combines EU data processing with ISO-based evidence and clear KPIs. This allows rollouts to be documented in an audit-proof manner – a plus for authorities with complex structures.

Alternative: Hornetsecurity offers software for security awareness training that is heavily integrated into Microsoft 365 environments.

Start-ups: Fast go-live and motivating learning snacks

SoSafe enables a fast go-live with automated campaigns and gamified microlearning units – ideal for growing teams.

Alternative: Hoxhunt is a security training provider that is particularly motivating thanks to consistent gamification in digital environments.

Education and research: Awareness for different target groups

SoSafe supports universities and research projects with multilingual content and flexible campaigns. The modules are easily accessible and also suitable for less tech-savvy groups. Results can be transferred directly to project or funding reports via dashboards and exports.

Alternative: Mimecast relies on short, humorous videos. This allows them to reach students and employees who need quick attention.

Critical infrastructures: Resilience through continuous awareness

SoSafe supports operators of critical infrastructures with regular updates, clear key figures and auditable dashboards. Training measures are individually tailored and help to significantly reduce human risk in security-relevant areas.

Alternative: Proofpoint complements this approach with threat intelligence and realistic attack spotlights – important for energy and transport companies.

SMEs: Low IT effort, big impact

SoSafe impresses SMEs with its low administrative effort, quick implementation and microlearning. Partner and MSP models facilitate operation and cost control.

Alternative: G DATA offers security awareness training software from Germany that is particularly suitable for small businesses.

Corporations: Efficiently scale global awareness programmes

SoSafe supports international organisations with over 30 languages, scalable rollouts and integrated analytics. Personalised learning paths shorten training times while maintaining the same impact.

Alternative: KnowBe4 also offers a globally established security awareness training software and offers broad language coverage for very large rollouts.

Manufacturing: Awareness training from the shop floor to the office

SoSafe combines short, mobile learning modules with realistic phishing exercises – ideal for factory floors and offices alike. KPIs and exports enable cross-location comparisons.

Alternative: Arctic Wolf integrates awareness training into managed security services – an option for companies that want to closely integrate training with SOC services.