Phishmake
Independent Buying 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

Campaigns

One connected awareness workflow.

Employee activity

One connected awareness workflow.

Follow-up training

One connected awareness workflow.

Reporting

One connected awareness workflow.

At a Glance

Phishing Simulation Software Comparison

Use this table to build a shortlist, then verify current capabilities and terms with each provider.

PlatformPrimary positioningBest fitPricing approach
PhishmakePhishing simulation, awareness training, and reportingSMB and mid-market teams seeking a straightforward workflowPublished plans and demo
KnowBe4Large awareness and phishing ecosystemOrganizations seeking a broad catalog and mature program toolingVendor quote
HoxhuntAdaptive, behavior-focused trainingEnterprises prioritizing personalized learningVendor quote
CofensePhishing defense and employee reportingSecurity teams connecting simulations with response workflowsVendor quote
ProofpointEnterprise security awareness within a broader security portfolioExisting Proofpoint customers and large organizationsVendor quote
NINJIOStory-led awareness contentTeams prioritizing short, engaging trainingVendor quote
PhishedAutomated awareness and simulationTeams looking for a highly automated programVendor quote
IRONSCALESEmail security with phishing simulation capabilitiesTeams considering awareness alongside an email-security platformVendor quote
Infosec IQAwareness training and phishing simulationOrganizations seeking a broad training libraryVendor quote
SoSafeBehavioral security awarenessOrganizations seeking human-risk and engagement capabilitiesVendor quote
MimecastAwareness training within an email-security portfolioExisting Mimecast environmentsVendor quote
Microsoft Attack Simulation TrainingMicrosoft 365-native simulationsEligible Microsoft 365 Defender customersLicense-dependent
Shortlist

Which Platform Fits Which Team?

Phishmake

SMB and mid-market teams seeking a straightforward workflow. Primary positioning: Phishing simulation, awareness training, and reporting.

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.

Methodology

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.

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Selection Guide

How to Choose Phishing Simulation Software

  1. 1

    Define outcomes

    Decide which employee behaviors and program outcomes you need to improve.

  2. 2

    Map requirements

    List audience, integrations, content, automation, data, support, and security requirements.

  3. 3

    Test the workflow

    Evaluate campaign setup, employee experience, follow-up training, reporting, and administration.

  4. 4

    Compare total fit

    Score evidence consistently and include licensing, implementation, and ongoing effort.

FAQ

Independent Buying Guide
questions

Straightforward answers for security, IT, risk, and compliance teams evaluating an awareness program.

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.

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Evaluate Phishmake Against Your Requirements

See how campaigns, training, employee activity, and reporting work together before deciding whether Phishmake belongs on your shortlist.