Phin Security vs. KnowBe4 - What's Best for You?

When you're searching for a way to train your clients on cybersecurity best practices, you want an efficient yet effective solution that's easy to deploy, use and manage. Numerous awareness training platforms are available, so narrowing down your choices can seem like a complex task.

Two of the most popular security awareness training options are Phin Security and KnowBe4 — but they differ in a few crucial ways. Explore our in-depth guide to compare KnowBe4 to Phin Security and make an informed decision for your company.

What Is Phin Security?

Founded in 2019, Phin Security provides a range of training, phishing, reporting and analytics solutions to help managed service providers (MSPs) save time and effort in creating a more cyber-secure workspace. Through Phin Security's comprehensive security awareness training platform, clients gain access to numerous training tools and a content library to make training simple. Additionally, clients get support throughout the process to help them manage and overcome their challenges.

What Is KnowBe4?

KnowBe4 was founded in 2010, and its internet security awareness training program came into development soon after. Beyond security awareness training, the KnowBe4 platform contains solutions regarding compliance, phishing and coaching.

Product Offerings

Phin Security and KnowBe4 may both deliver security awareness training, but each provider's offerings differ. Here's an overview of the platforms and solutions you can find:

Phin Security

Phin Security offers a training solution focused on improving your clients' cybersecurity awareness so they know how to recognize potential security threats and make secure choices with their data. Phin's training platform is made for MSPs, but companies and organizations of all types can benefit from its range of features and compliance training on data privacy and protection regulations.

Within the Phin Security platform, you get:

• Simple, relevant and personalized training content: To keep your clients continuously engaged in training, Phin Security provides a content library with more than 100 comprehensive videos. MSPs can easily show their clients the most relevant training content. Additionally, the platform comes with the Continuous Campaign creator, allowing you to create a customized training campaign that's relevant to your business and focuses on today's most pressing cybersecurity obstacles.
• Automated security awareness campaigns: In the Continuous Campaign creator, MSPs can build automatic training campaigns that will run forever after setup. There's no need to do any extra manual work — simply answer seven brief questions, and you can create a tailored training campaign for your needs.
• Unique Learning Moments: Phin Security's Learning Moments offer valuable hands-on training for clients. The system sends out automated emails that simulate phishing attempts, giving clients experience with how to properly identify and report suspicious messages. If they open the test email's contents, they'll be prompted with questions and tips about how they could've handled the situation differently.
• Reporting and analytics insights: An essential part of cybersecurity training is keeping track of your clients' progress. Phin Security gives you plenty of details and statistics about how well the training campaign is going — you can see how many users have completed the training, who's clicked on the phishing simulation emails and more. As a result, you can make informed decisions about changes you may need to make.

KnowBe4

KnowBe4's security awareness training platform is powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and offers a large content library of training material to help educate and train users on social engineering threats. Additionally, KnowBe4 provides compliance and regulation training content to help teams align with data privacy requirements.

Some of the key elements of KnowBe4 security training include:

• AI-driven training approaches: This platform allows you to use AI to create personalized phishing awareness training. As a result, users can work on their understanding of different cybersecurity concepts, and you can enjoy the ease of automated administration.
• Simulated phishing attacks: KnowBe4 streamlines the process of setting up simulated phishing attacks for users, and Smart Groups provide insight into user behavior and attributes to tailor the simulation.
• PhishER Plus threat intelligence and incident response: With PhishER Plus, you can make anti-phishing protection simpler for your organization or clients. The platform gives you a quick way to block phishing attempts — even threats that get past your secure email gateway.
• Large content library: No matter how your users like to learn, KnowBe4 offers various types of training materials, ranging from videos to games to newsletters.

Key Features Comparison

Taking a closer look at each platform's specific capabilities can give you a better idea of what to expect. Here's a brief breakdown of Phin Security vs. KnowBe4 when it comes to features:

Training Contents

When it comes to content libraries, Phin Security provides an array of quick, bite-sized modules and videos to keep users engaged in learning. This content comes from world-class cybersecurity partners and rotates consistently to keep things fresh. This way, content is almost never repeated, and users can be immersed in new topics. Plus, Phin Security has a dedicated content team member you can connect with directly for more information.

Similarly, KnowBe4 offers an extensive content library, with more than 1,000 training modules that come in multiple formats.

Phishing Simulations

Phin Security and KnowBe4 provide phishing simulations that give users concrete knowledge about identifying risks. Phin Security provides realistic phishing templates and custom options that allow MSPs to provide highly effective, personalized simulations. KnowBe4 also offers customizable email templates with landing pages that can provide another opportunity for training.

Reporting and Analytics

With Phin Security, you get real-time, automated reports that can help you track user growth and identify areas of opportunity. It's easy to find and assess all the data you need to continue educating clients and building their awareness skills.

Using KnowBe4 gives you access to only some of the same information, including Phish-Prone Percentages and benchmarking.

Integrations and APIs

Phin Security offers numerous ways for MSPs to integrate the platform with external applications. For example, the Phin Security report phishing button can integrate into Microsoft Outlook, giving users a fast, convenient way to report both real and test phishing emails within the platform. You can also enable a public API in just three quick steps.

KnowBe4 features 100+ API-based integrations, which all come with step-by-step instructions for simple configuration.

Pricing

Cost is a major consideration before you make any software investment — you want to ensure the platform's features are worth paying for, no matter which training option you choose.

Phin Security offers a free 30-day trial so you can get a feel for the platform and its capabilities. Additionally, you can enjoy the freedom of no long-term contracts. The program is available through a convenient monthly subscription, and MSPs can build a flexible package based on usage. Reach out to Phin Security for more information about pricing.

KnowBe4 offers its products through a software-as-a-service (SaaS) subscription model. The company divides its offerings into four categories, each with three levels of training access. This allows users to choose a category and training level that best aligns with their needs and budget, but they may not get the flexibility they need for their specific organization. Browse the company's pricing page to learn more.

Customer Reviews and Case Studies

Of course, you want to know that the training software you choose has been successful for other MSPs and their clients. Seeing what past and current users of the platform think about it can help you better understand whether it might suit your clients or team. Be sure to check out customer reviews and case studies as you look into Phin Security, KnowBe4 and alternatives.

Phin Security's Uncut Phinatics case study program gives you transparent insights into how the security training platform is working for clients in a quick video series. Each interview covers the advantages and challenges partners have experienced with Phin, giving you a complete picture of the platform and how it works specifically for MSPs. Additionally, you can check out written customer reviews about Phin Security on G2.

KnowBe4 also offers details about customer success stories with its security training program. Plus, you can browse case studies to see how companies in various industries have used KnowBe4.

Why Phin Security Is the Go-To Choice for MSPs

As an MSP overseeing various kinds of clients, you want a tailor-made solution that meets your needs from day one. Compared to KnowBe4, Phin Security comes out on top for MSPs, providing essential features and advantages that make it the clear winner:

• Focused on MSPs: Phin Security is dedicated to providing actionable training solutions for MSPs. Through an MSP Advisory Council and MSP partner community, you can feel confident Phin Security can understand and address your unique needs. In comparison, KnowBe4 targets several enterprise customers, so you may not get the targeted support you need.
• Quick onboarding: Phin Security makes onboarding happen in just 10 minutes, whereas KnowBe4 requires some heavy lifting to get clients started. This simple, hassle-free process makes Phin highly preferable for your clients.
• Simple management: MSPs can employ dozens of automated training content modules to inform clients through Phin's Continuous Campaign creator. Plus, you can effortlessly set up the platform and add tenants and licenses independently. KnowBe4 is more complicated to manage, which can take valuable time away from MSPs, and requires users to contact support to add licenses.
• Supportive partner relationship: Phin is easy to set up and manage, but you can always reach out to Phin's Partner Success team when you need assistance. No matter your questions or concerns, you have direct access to support team members who can help you find a helpful solution fast. KnowBe4's support offerings are less comprehensive and may not suit the needs of MSPs.

Start Your Free Trial of Phin Security Today

Ultimately, both platforms aim to train users on cybersecurity threats that can lead to disastrous consequences — and if you're an MSP providing clients with training, you want them to be well-equipped to manage their organizations.

Fortunately, Phin Security is built specifically for MSPs. With a range of training solutions and materials, you can provide your clients with a simple yet effective and memorable security training experience. At Phin Security, we're proud to support our partners from the moment they choose our platform — you get all the assistance and resources you need to make your training efforts successful.

Are you ready to get started with a powerful, hands-off security training platform? Sign up for a free 30-day trial of Phin Security today!