In short: Security awareness training platforms differ less in whether they send phishing tests than in how they are delivered: standalone, built into email security, part of a wider platform or run by consultants. The table compares simulation approach, content languages, reporting and best fit for each platform we supply, using only published vendor facts.
How to read this comparison
Every option below sends simulated phishing and assigns training, so a simple tick-box grid would make them look identical. Instead, the table describes how each one does it and who it tends to suit.
- Delivery model: standalone platform, add-on to email security, part of a wider security or backup platform, or a consultant-led service.
- Phishing simulation: how the simulations are built, for example from templates, from real attacks, or with AI.
- Content languages: stated only where the vendor publishes it. Otherwise 'multiple' (published but not counted) or 'ask us'.
- Reporting: the measurement the vendor is known for.
For what each feature means and why it matters, see our checklist for choosing security awareness training software.
The comparison table
| Vendor | Delivery model | Phishing simulation | Content languages | Reporting highlight | Often suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| usecure | Standalone human risk platform | Auto Phish sends simulations at random times within an interval you set, with language matching | More than 15 languages and regional variants | Human Risk Score and scheduled executive reports; uHealth adds identity signals | SMEs and IT teams wanting automation, policies and breach checks in one place |
| HacWare | Standalone, multi-tenant, white label | Automated AI simulations with failure escalation | English and Spanish | Automated reminders and escalation | Small teams wanting a hands-off programme |
| Breach Secure Now | Standalone, sold only through IT providers | Phishing simulations alongside regular micro-training | Ask us | Risk assessment and employee portal | Small businesses wanting training, policies and dark web checks bundled |
| Microsoft Attack Simulation Training | Built into Defender for Office 365 Plan 2 and Microsoft 365 E5 | Seven techniques including QR codes; payloads harvested from real detected phish | Many (localised payloads and modules) | Predicted compromise rate and repeat offenders | Microsoft 365 organisations already licensed for E5 or Plan 2 |
| Check Point | Add-on to Harmony Email & Collaboration (Check Point Email Security) | Generative AI simulations modelled on attacks aimed at your organisation, by attack type from QR code to BEC | Ask us | Targets the most-attacked users and departments | Existing Check Point email security customers |
| Hornetsecurity | Standalone or with 365 Total Protection | Spear Phishing Engine at varying difficulty | Multiple | Employee Security Index and Awareness Dashboard | Organisations wanting training that adjusts to each user |
| IRONSCALES | Alongside IRONSCALES email security | Templates based on real-world threat data and generative AI, including personalised spear phishing | More than 10 | Reporting by person, department or smart group | Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace users of IRONSCALES |
| Proofpoint Essentials | Add-on to any Proofpoint Essentials email package | Simulations built from real threats, with just-in-time teaching | Ask us | Very Attacked People | Proofpoint Essentials email customers |
| Sophos Phish Threat | Part of the Sophos platform, managed in Sophos Fusion | Phishing, credential harvesting and attachment campaigns, with templates from beginner to expert | Nine | Awareness Factor dashboard | Existing Sophos customers, especially with Sophos Email |
| Acronis | Advanced Pack in the Acronis console | Phishing simulations with micro-learning | More than eight (training videos) | Automated reporting and real-time progress | Acronis backup and security customers |
| Guardz | Part of the Guardz SMB platform, run by us as a managed service | AI-generated or template emails, including QR and credential harvesting | More than 70 | Completion, high-risk users and a compliance export | Small businesses wanting one managed security platform |
| Webroot | Alongside Webroot endpoint and DNS protection (also sold as OpenText Core Security Awareness Training) | Template library with an editor to adapt lures or build your own | Ask us | Reporting Center with user progress and risk scores | Existing Webroot customers |
| Bitdefender | Consultant-led service | Tailored campaigns, from credential harvesting and malware delivery to QR, SMS, MFA fatigue and executive BEC scenarios | Ask us | Executive and technical reports with root-cause analysis and role heatmaps | One-off expert exercises and board-level tests |
Comparing by delivery model
Standalone platforms (usecure, HacWare, Breach Secure Now) usually lead on automation: users are enrolled from your directory, campaigns run themselves and new starters are picked up automatically. They also add things email security vendors do not, such as policy acknowledgement and dark web checks.
Email security add-ons (Microsoft, Check Point, Hornetsecurity, IRONSCALES, Proofpoint Essentials) keep training next to the system that sees real phishing. Simulations can reflect the attacks actually reaching you, and reported emails flow into the same console.
Wider platforms (Sophos, Acronis, Guardz, Webroot) mean one less console and one less supplier to manage.
Consultant-led services (Bitdefender) give an expert, tailored exercise and a detailed report, but they are not a year-round programme on their own.
Comparing how they measure people
Measurement is where the platforms differ most, and it is worth deciding what your board needs before you choose:
- Behaviour metrics: click, credential entry and report rates per campaign, and repeat clickers. All platforms offer these in some form.
- Prediction: Microsoft's predicted compromise rate shows how hard a payload is likely to be, so you can compare expected and actual results.
- Benchmarks and indices: Hornetsecurity's Employee Security Index scores each user's security behaviour and steers their training.
- Most-targeted people: Proofpoint Essentials' Very Attacked People view shows who attackers are actually going after.
- Human risk scoring: usecure uHealth combines training and simulation results with Microsoft Entra ID or Google Workspace signals.
Our guide to measuring security awareness training effectiveness explains which numbers matter, and human risk management explains the wider approach.
What the table cannot tell you
Some important questions depend on your environment rather than the vendor's feature list:
- Allow-listing: most simulation tools need exclusions in your email filtering and sometimes in web filters and browsers, although tools built into your email security often need less. Effort varies by stack.
- Email platform: some options support only Microsoft 365, others Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Check before you shortlist.
- Content fit: UK spelling, UK examples and sector topics matter for completion rates. Ask for a content preview.
- Admin time: a platform nobody runs does not change behaviour. If time is short, consider managed security awareness training.
Vendors update features often, so treat this as a starting point. We will confirm current details for your shortlist. Contact us for a recommendation and a quote.
How Forever Systems runs your awareness programme
We are vendor-independent. We compare the security awareness and phishing simulation platforms that suit your size, sector, Microsoft 365 licensing and existing security tools, recommend one, then run it for you so training and phishing tests actually happen month after month.
- Baseline phishing simulation to see where you start
- Platform selection and set-up, with single sign-on and automatic user sync from Microsoft Entra ID or Google Workspace where the platform supports it
- A year-round plan of short training modules, simulated phishing campaigns and policy sign-off, including new-starter induction
- Sector and role content for schools, charities, healthcare, legal, finance, public sector and high-risk roles such as finance teams and help desks
- Reporting for the board, auditors, insurers and Cyber Essentials, showing completion, reporting and click trends
- Joined-up defences: email security, MFA, endpoint protection and dark web monitoring so training is backed by technology
Forever Systems Ltd provides IT and cyber security services to UK organisations. Pricing depends on user numbers and platform, so ask us for a quote.
Want help choosing and running security awareness training?
Tell Forever Systems what you need and we will come back to you by email with options, not a hard sell.
Contact usFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between standalone and bundled security awareness training?
A standalone platform focuses entirely on training, simulation and human risk, and usually offers more automation and extras. Bundled training comes with email security or a wider security platform you already use, so you manage fewer consoles and the simulations can reflect the threats that platform sees.
Which platforms work with Google Workspace?
usecure syncs users from Google Workspace, IRONSCALES email security covers Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, and Sophos documents a Google Workspace set-up for Phish Threat. Microsoft Attack Simulation Training works on Microsoft 365 mailboxes. For the others, ask us and we will confirm current support for your setup.
Do all security awareness training platforms include phishing simulation?
All thirteen options we supply include phishing simulation. They differ in how simulations are built (templates, real attacks, AI or consultants) and in how much runs automatically.
Why does the table say 'ask us' for some languages?
We only publish facts the vendor states publicly. Where a vendor does not publish a language count, we confirm it for your needs rather than guess.
Can we switch security awareness training platforms later?
Yes. Most platforms are subscriptions on monthly or annual terms. Before switching, export your completion and simulation history so you keep the evidence trail for auditors and insurers.