Phishmake
SMB and mid-market teams seeking a straightforward workflow. Primary positioning: Phishing simulation, awareness training, and reporting.
Phishing Simulation Buyer’s Guide
12 Best Phishing Simulation Software & Tools in 2026
The best phishing simulation software is the platform that fits your risks, employee population, operating model, and security stack.
This buyer's guide compares 12 established options without treating one product as the right answer for every team.
12 platforms • Clear best-fit categories • Transparent methodology • No universal winner
01At a Glance
Phishing Simulation Software Comparison
Use this table to build a shortlist, then verify current capabilities and terms with each provider.
| Platform | Primary positioning | Best fit | Pricing approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phishmake | Phishing simulation, awareness training, and reporting | SMB and mid-market teams seeking a straightforward workflow | Published plans and demo |
| KnowBe4 | Large awareness and phishing ecosystem | Organizations seeking a broad catalog and mature program tooling | Vendor quote |
| Hoxhunt | Adaptive, behavior-focused training | Enterprises prioritizing personalized learning | Vendor quote |
| Cofense | Phishing defense and employee reporting | Security teams connecting simulations with response workflows | Vendor quote |
| Proofpoint | Enterprise security awareness within a broader security portfolio | Existing Proofpoint customers and large organizations | Vendor quote |
| NINJIO | Story-led awareness content | Teams prioritizing short, engaging training | Vendor quote |
| Phished | Automated awareness and simulation | Teams looking for a highly automated program | Vendor quote |
| IRONSCALES | Email security with phishing simulation capabilities | Teams considering awareness alongside an email-security platform | Vendor quote |
| Infosec IQ | Awareness training and phishing simulation | Organizations seeking a broad training library | Vendor quote |
| SoSafe | Behavioral security awareness | Organizations seeking human-risk and engagement capabilities | Vendor quote |
| Mimecast | Awareness training within an email-security portfolio | Existing Mimecast environments | Vendor quote |
| Microsoft Attack Simulation Training | Microsoft 365-native simulations | Eligible Microsoft 365 Defender customers | License-dependent |
02Shortlist
Which Platform Fits Which Team?
KnowBe4
Organizations seeking a broad catalog and mature program tooling. Primary positioning: Large awareness and phishing ecosystem.
Hoxhunt
Enterprises prioritizing personalized learning. Primary positioning: Adaptive, behavior-focused training.
Cofense
Security teams connecting simulations with response workflows. Primary positioning: Phishing defense and employee reporting.
Proofpoint
Existing Proofpoint customers and large organizations. Primary positioning: Enterprise security awareness within a broader security portfolio.
NINJIO
Teams prioritizing short, engaging training. Primary positioning: Story-led awareness content.
Phished
Teams looking for a highly automated program. Primary positioning: Automated awareness and simulation.
IRONSCALES
Teams considering awareness alongside an email-security platform. Primary positioning: Email security with phishing simulation capabilities.
Infosec IQ
Organizations seeking a broad training library. Primary positioning: Awareness training and phishing simulation.
SoSafe
Organizations seeking human-risk and engagement capabilities. Primary positioning: Behavioral security awareness.
Mimecast
Existing Mimecast environments. Primary positioning: Awareness training within an email-security portfolio.
Microsoft Attack Simulation Training
Eligible Microsoft 365 Defender customers. Primary positioning: Microsoft 365-native simulations.
03Methodology
How This Comparison Was Evaluated
We grouped products by their publicly described positioning, simulation workflow, training approach, reporting, automation, deployment context, and pricing approach. A product's inclusion is not an endorsement and the order is not a universal ranking.
The right choice depends on your employee population, risk profile, existing security stack, administration capacity, required integrations, support model, and total cost. Product packaging changes, so verify current capabilities and terms directly with each vendor before purchasing.
04Selection Guide
How to Choose Phishing Simulation Software
- 1
Define outcomes
Decide which employee behaviors and program outcomes you need to improve.
- 2
Map requirements
List audience, integrations, content, automation, data, support, and security requirements.
- 3
Test the workflow
Evaluate campaign setup, employee experience, follow-up training, reporting, and administration.
- 4
Compare total fit
Score evidence consistently and include licensing, implementation, and ongoing effort.
Common questions
What is the best phishing simulation software?
There is no universal best option. The strongest fit is the one that supports your risks, audience, workflow, integrations, reporting needs, administration capacity, and budget.
Should price be the main selection factor?
Price matters, but compare total administration effort, required licenses, implementation, support, content needs, reporting, and the cost of operating the program over time.
How should software be evaluated?
Define requirements first, shortlist credible options, request current product and security documentation, run a representative trial or demo, and score each option consistently.
Why does the comparison avoid a single winner?
Platforms are designed for different audiences and operating models. A defensible comparison explains fit and tradeoffs rather than claiming that one choice is best for everyone.
Published by Phishmake · Updated
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