G2 Grid spotlights 7 security training tools in 2026

G2 Grid – Cybersecurity training is being treated less like paperwork and more like a behavioral system—after G2’s Spring Report 2026 elevated seven security awareness platforms. The list spans enterprise simulation heavyweights like KnowBe4, inbox-native gamification w

When cybersecurity teams talk about risk, they often start with systems. Firewalls. Permissions. Controls.

But the center of gravity is increasingly human. A recent report cited in the source material says 95% of all data breaches are caused by human error—whether that’s falling for a phishing email. reusing passwords. or skipping multi-factor authentication. That’s the pressure point driving demand for security awareness training software that doesn’t just inform people. but changes what they do.

Based on the latest G2 Grid Spring Report 2026. seven platforms stood out for being more than generic content or outdated phishing tests. The list—used here as the foundation for an evaluation of more than 20 tools—includes KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training. Hoxhunt. SoSafe. Arctic Wolf. MetaCompliance Security Awareness Training. Proofpoint ZenGuide. and Huntress Managed Security Awareness Training.

The framing matters. In the same source material. the global cybersecurity training market is projected to grow to $37.84 billion by 2034. at a CAGR of 7.76%. with Market Research Future cited for those figures. In a world where phishing. social engineering. and credential-based attacks are rising. the expectation is that training should reduce human risk at scale—not just satisfy audits.

The goal wasn’t to rank dashboards or completion rates. The evaluation focused on tools that drive real behavior change across organizations—whether that’s an enterprise rollout or something more flexible for mid-sized teams. To get there. the process relied on G2’s Spring Report 2026 rankings. AI-assisted analysis of hundreds of verified G2 reviews. and input from IT professionals managing awareness programs.

That mix shaped what counted as “good.” The evaluation prioritized phishing simulation and response training (including realistic. customizable simulations and follow-up education). user-level reporting and risk scoring (identifying high-risk users. tracking behavior over time. and producing reports). content quality and learning formats (short. interactive modules. with role or department personalization). scalability and admin flexibility (including multilingual content and customizable admin controls). and engagement tracking and completion insights (participation. completion rates. and learning progress).

From there, each of the seven tools earned its place through a combination of G2 Grid category position, user feedback, and the features the reviewers repeatedly pointed to.

KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training—enterprise-grade simulations
KnowBe4 is presented as a widely recognized name in the security awareness space and a top-rated platform on G2. The source material says it’s popular across industries such as financial services. IT. and healthcare. with 66% of mid-market businesses using it.

Users highlighted a massive training content library. including videos. quizzes. and interactive modules covering phishing and social engineering. along with secure password practices. Content is described as tailored by role and skill level. refreshed frequently. and available in multiple formats to avoid monotony early on.

The phishing simulation engine is a recurring theme in the review material: G2 reviewers frequently mention realistic phishing templates and behavior-driven scheduling. Security teams can launch simulations that mimic common threats. track click rates. and automatically enroll users in follow-up training—described as a closed-loop learning approach. The source also notes availability of AI-generated phishing templates to add variety and reflect current threat trends.

KnowBe4 also stands out in the material for user and group-level risk scoring dashboards. These are portrayed as helping IT and security teams identify individuals falling behind. focus attention on departments. and monitor changes in risk over time. Reviewers say the visibility supports leadership reviews while remaining detailed enough for day-to-day tracking.

Still, customization came up as an improvement area. Several users want greater flexibility editing templates, creating training paths, or modifying content to better match internal branding and tone—especially for teams with specific compliance frameworks or localization needs.

In the user quote included in the source material, Eduardo C. says: “What I like most about KnowBe4 is that the training content is clear. up to date. and easy to understand for non-technical users. The phishing simulations and short training modules help reinforce good security practices on a regular basis without being disruptive. The platform also makes it easy to track progress and supports building overall security awareness across the organization.”.

A counterpoint appears in a second user quote. A “Verified User in Information Technology and Services” writes: “Some of the training modules can feel generic or overly scripted. especially for more technical users. After a few cycles, the phishing simulations can become somewhat predictable unless they’re rotated carefully. The reporting is strong at a high level, but deeper customization of dashboards and exports could be improved.”.

The starting price cited in the source material is $1.30 per seat per month.

Hoxhunt—behavior-driven training that lives in the inbox
Hoxhunt is described as using gamification and real-time phishing simulations that adapt to each user’s behavior and engagement level. The source material places Hoxhunt as popular in the IT. computer software. and telecommunications industries. with 74% of enterprises using it. and says it has a highest satisfaction score of 97 based on G2 data.

What keeps it different, in the material’s framing, is engagement. Reviews emphasize short, inbox-based simulations blended into everyday workflows. Employees are encouraged to spot suspicious emails in exchange for points. feedback. and positive reinforcement. turning phishing detection into a game-like habit.

The included review material also emphasizes realism: reviewers say the mock emails feel impressively believable and often indistinguishable from actual threats. Instant feedback follows each interaction, with the material describing learning in real time without derailing the day.

A key operational detail is inbox-native delivery. Instead of pushing users to a separate training hub, the platform brings simulations directly into primarily Outlook and Gmail.

The material also points to an area for expansion: several users want more diverse phishing examples. The included quotes press that further—Priya B. writes: “A wider variety of scenarios would make it more engaging. Like collaboration-tool phishing (MS Teams) and evolving threats and more practical day-to-day work related cases.”.

For a direct view into why users like it. the source material includes a quote from Prateek V.: “Hoxhunt email training has an edge over traditional video-based training courses for cybersecurity. It gives you real-time emails that can be identified as a phishing attempt or categorized as a malicious email. Learning through this training platform is impactful because we are learning practically with hands-on experience. Also, the platform is very interactive; it shows a leaderboard for the entire organization from all the departments. The after quizzes are also very important, they sharpen the concept of real-time cyber-attacks and tech security awareness. Overall, I like the Hoxhunt very much because the scenarios taken for training are more similar to the real-time cyberattacks.”.

Hoxhunt’s pricing is listed as custom.

SoSafe—human risk scoring with microlearning and multilingual support
SoSafe is positioned as a structured. localized approach to security awareness training. The source material lists it as popular in the automotive. manufacturing. and IT industries. with primary use among mid-market and enterprise companies at 51% and 35%. respectively.

The microlearning format is a headline feature in the review material. It breaks training into short, easy-to-complete modules that users can move through at their own pace, fitting into small workday gaps. Reviewers in the material say it reduces fatigue and makes training feel more approachable.

Progress tracking and learning-path visibility are also emphasized. Reviewers like being able to monitor completed modules, see learning paths, and track how far along users are in the program—supporting both learners and admins, and making accountability clearer.

Multilingual support is another strength cited repeatedly. The material says SoSafe supports a broad range of languages and adapts to regional needs, helping deploy across global teams and support non-native English speakers.

The most notable downside in the material mirrors concerns seen in other tools: repetition. A few reviewers feel modules can become familiar over long periods, something to keep in mind for continuous campaigns.

One included quote comes from Elena T.: “The security training content library is huge and it includes videos, newsletters and blogs that improve employee security awareness effectively and I like that it supports the creation of phishing scenarios mimicking common tactics used by cybercriminals.”

A drawback is reflected in a quote from Lars S.: “The analytics functions are expandable. Especially in user management, the manual effort is high if one’s own EntraID is not maintained, in order to obtain a clean, manageable evaluation.”

SoSafe’s pricing is listed as custom.

Arctic Wolf—security awareness tied to managed detection and response
Arctic Wolf is widely recognized in managed detection and response. and the source material highlights its “Security Awareness Plus” training solution. It’s used in manufacturing. banking. and construction industries. with 77% of its users coming from mid-market companies. according to the G2 Grid Report.

In the evaluation material. the platform’s combination of bite-sized training. realistic phishing simulations. and helpful feedback is positioned as a single experience designed for steady participation. Lessons are described as short and updated regularly. with email delivery that avoids requiring users to log into a separate dashboard.

Customer support also appears as a major recurring point. Reviews in the material praise the responsiveness of Arctic Wolf’s team, both during setup and when troubleshooting later.

The material also ties training to broader threat visibility. Because the solution sits within an MDR ecosystem, the platform can reflect actual attack patterns and risks observed across the customer base, making awareness feel timely rather than generic.

The main friction described is onboarding. Reviewers note an adjustment period, including a dashboard that is not immediately intuitive during setup. The material says the experience becomes manageable once in place.

A “Verified User in Information Technology and Services” is quoted as saying: “Arctic Wolf has been a force-multiplier for me and my small security team. I don’t have the headcount or coverage that AW provides and we’ve consolidated several tools into them. It’s been really good for us.”

Jenine M. offers a more specific limitation: “When I need custom things built – it is very difficult as I am not able ot build out custom items to support things that may be specific to my company needs and I do lose that complete control over my logs to create custom parsers if I connect logs from a system that they may not have something built out fully for yet.”.

Arctic Wolf’s pricing is listed as custom.

MetaCompliance—compliance and policy management built into awareness
MetaCompliance Security Awareness Training is framed as a fit for organizations that need training tied to cybersecurity best practices and regulatory compliance. The source material says the platform supports structured training modules, phishing simulations, and policy management tools.

The category data cited places MetaCompliance as commonly used in financial services, government administration, and healthcare industries, with 71% adoption among mid-market businesses.

Users in the material emphasize training content quality and range, describing materials as easy to follow, well-organized, and relevant to real-life cybersecurity risks. The source says the platform emphasizes awareness-building rather than compliance-only content.

Reporting and visibility features are also highlighted. Reviewers like tracking completion and monitoring user progress, with reporting designed to serve operational users and executive stakeholders.

Support is repeatedly praised, including the customer success team, onboarding experience, and technical support responsiveness. Several reviewers in the material describe having a dedicated contact helping with rollout or configuration questions.

The main limitation in the material is the user interface. While “easy to use” appears in positive feedback, reviewers flag some screens feeling dated and navigation that could be simpler.

A quote from Georg T. captures the positive angle: “I like the content and the wide range of topics. I also appreciate the modular structure, which makes it easy to create a great variety of trainings and campaigns.”

A downside quote comes from a “Verified User in Construction”: “Overly Complicated Interface: Navigation can feel cumbersome, and some users report the UI as outdated compared to competitors.”

MetaCompliance’s pricing is listed as custom.

Proofpoint ZenGuide—threat intelligence driving role-based learning
Proofpoint ZenGuide is presented as threat intelligence-driven training. The source material says it combines threat intelligence with phishing simulations and role-based learning, used across financial services, healthcare, and IT.

The G2 Grid Report share figures given in the material are 55% of users in the enterprise segment and 40% in mid-market.

Reviews highlighted in the material describe straightforward rollouts across large teams. helped by pre-built templates and support from customer success representatives. Phishing simulations are described as a core strength. with users citing a wide variety of templates and support for evolving phishing tactics.

The content library is also praised, with a broad selection of training modules across different topics and roles. The material includes mentions of support for multiple languages.

Scheduling and campaign setup are emphasized as well. Users say they can plan campaigns in advance using built-in tools, with scheduling reducing admin workload.

Customization is where some users press for more. The material says reviewers want more flexibility to personalize dashboards, tailor modules to teams, and generate consolidated reports that bring together phishing, training, and user risk data.

Amanda C. provides a positive quote: “The program is very reliable for simulation of phishing and spam emails as part of our security training and I like that the phishing campaigns are both realistic and diverse which effectively helps train employees across departments.”

A criticism from a “Verified User in Retail” reads: “Some training modules feel repetitive over time, and customising content or reporting can be a bit cumbersome.”

Proofpoint ZenGuide’s pricing is listed as custom.

Huntress—managed security awareness for SMBs
Huntress Managed Security Awareness Training is positioned with a clear focus: helping small and mid-sized businesses improve human-layer security without operational complexity. The source material describes it as combining straightforward training modules. phishing simulations. and actionable insights that feel aligned with real-world security operations rather than standalone compliance.

A key strength in the material is how the platform connects training to real-world threats, tying user behavior to attacks organizations actually face. It also emphasizes simplicity of deployment and day-to-day management, with lightweight onboarding designed for lean IT teams.

The platform’s content and phishing simulations are described as practical and time-efficient, prioritizing short modules and realistic scenarios over overly complex edge cases.

Reporting is described as clear but potentially shallower than some competitors. Teams seeking advanced behavior tracking, granular risk scoring, or highly detailed insights may find it more high-level.

A quote from a “Verified User in Computer & Network Security” spells out the “managed” aspect: “The ‘managed’ part is real. Phishing simulations run on their own. training gets assigned automatically. and reporting is clear enough to show clients their risk without digging around. Content is short and relevant, so employees actually complete it. As an MSP, having SAT integrated with Huntress EDR and ITDR in one dashboard is a genuine time saver. Setup was fast, the team is responsive, and the value for the price is hard to beat.”.

Coni T. highlights a limitation around dashboards and reporting customization: “I wish that it was easier to create custom reports. that it was easier to set up dashboards that I could quickly see without having to click through multiple times. Also, it would be great if that were something that I could tie in directly to our SOC overview.”.

Huntress’ pricing is listed as custom.

The common thread across the list is how each product tries to turn awareness into a repeatable workflow: inbox-based simulations with Hoxhunt. microlearning with SoSafe. email delivery without extra logins with Arctic Wolf. compliance and policy management through MetaCompliance. threat-intelligence templates via Proofpoint ZenGuide. and managed rollout for SMBs with Huntress.

The tension. reflected in user feedback. is that “behavior change” still runs into practical limits—customization gaps. interface friction. module repetition. and reporting depth. Even tools praised for realism and engagement can fall short when teams need deeper control over dashboards. templates. exports. or specialized compliance requirements.

At the end of the source material’s evaluation. the takeaway is practical: the best fit depends on team size. technical comfort level. and how organizations want to deliver training—short videos. inbox modules. or something in between. With cybersecurity threats growing more sophisticated every day. the evaluation frames awareness as something that should move beyond compliance boxes toward lasting behavior change.

The seven best security awareness training software named in the source material are: KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training. Hoxhunt. SoSafe. Arctic Wolf. MetaCompliance Security Awareness Training. Proofpoint ZenGuide. and Huntress Managed Security Awareness Training. The source material also notes that these are top-rated in their category according to the latest G2 Grid Spring Report 2026. and that product screenshots featured come from official vendor G2 pages and publicly available materials.

security awareness training software G2 Grid Spring Report 2026 KnowBe4 Hoxhunt SoSafe Arctic Wolf Security Awareness Plus MetaCompliance Proofpoint ZenGuide Huntress phishing simulations human risk scoring cybersecurity training market