Software Alternatives & Startups

Hack The Box VS TryHackMe

Compare Hack The Box VS TryHackMe and see what are their differences

Hack The Box

An online platform to test and advance your skills in penetration testing and cyber security.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
TryHackMe

TryHackMe is an online platform for learning and teaching cyber security, all through your browser.

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, TryHackMe should be more popular than Hack The Box. It has been mentioned 376 times since March 2021.

social mentions
67 vs 376
Monitoring Tools popularity
45% vs 55%
alternatives listed
84 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Hack The Box
TryHackMe
Website hackthebox.com tryhackme.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Hack The Box 6 features
TryHackMe 6 features
  • Realistic Practice Environment
    Hack The Box offers a wide variety of machines and challenges that closely mimic real-world scenarios, providing users with practical, hands-on experience in cybersecurity.
  • Community and Collaboration
    The platform fosters a strong community where users can interact, collaborate, and share knowledge through forums and team-based activities.
  • Diverse Skill Levels
    Hack The Box caters to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced professionals, ensuring that there are challenges appropriate for everyone.
  • Regular Updates
    The platform consistently updates its content with new machines and challenges, keeping the practice environment fresh and engaging.
  • Competitive Environment
    With leaderboards and point systems in place, users are encouraged to improve their skills and compete in a friendly environment.
  • Job Opportunities
    High performers on the platform can garner attention from companies and recruiters, leading to potential job offers and career advancements.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    The platform can be intimidating for complete beginners as it assumes a certain level of knowledge in cybersecurity.
  • Steep Subscription Costs
    While basic access is free, the more advanced features and machines are locked behind a subscription paywall, which can be pricey for some users.
  • Limited Guidance
    Hack The Box emphasizes self-learning and problem-solving, which might not be suitable for users who require more structured guidance or tutorials.
  • Time-Consuming
    Many of the challenges and machines can be very time-intensive, which may not be practical for those with a busy schedule.
  • Potential for Frustration
    Due to the complex nature of some challenges, users might experience frustration and discouragement when they cannot solve certain tasks.
  • Hands-On Experience
    TryHackMe provides practical, hands-on labs and challenges, allowing learners to gain real-world experience in cybersecurity and ethical hacking.
  • Wide Range of Topics
    The platform covers a broad spectrum of topics, from basic cybersecurity principles to advanced penetration testing techniques.
  • Guided Learning Paths
    Structured learning paths and tutorials make it easier for beginners to advance their knowledge in a systematic manner.
  • Cost-Effective
    Many of the rooms and learning paths are available for free, and the premium subscription is relatively affordable compared to other cybersecurity training platforms.
  • Interactive Community
    An active community of users can help with troubleshooting, provide tips, and foster a collaborative learning environment.
  • Certificates and Badges
    The platform offers certificates and badges upon completion of certain modules or challenges, which can be added to professional profiles.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Content
    While the platform is excellent for beginners and intermediates, some advanced users may find the content lacking in depth or complexity.
  • Dependence on VM
    Most exercises rely on virtual machines (VMs), which can be resource-intensive and may not run smoothly on all computers.
  • Connectivity Issues
    Users sometimes experience connectivity problems with the platform's servers or VMs, affecting the learning experience.
  • Subscription Model
    Although affordable, some users may find it inconvenient to unlock certain valuable content behind a paywall.
  • Varied Quality of Rooms
    The quality of rooms and challenges can be inconsistent, as they are often created by different individuals with varying levels of expertise.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Hack The Box
TryHackMe

Overall verdict

  • Hack The Box is considered a good platform for both beginners and advanced users interested in cybersecurity. It provides an interactive and hands-on approach to learning, with a community of like-minded individuals and experts who can offer guidance and support. The platform's diverse range of challenges accommodates different skill levels, making it a flexible and enriching learning tool.

Why this product is good

  • Hack The Box (HTB) is a popular online platform for cybersecurity enthusiasts to practice and enhance their penetration testing skills. It offers a wide variety of challenges and virtual machines that simulate real-world cybersecurity scenarios, allowing users to hone their skills in a safe and legal environment. This makes HTB a valuable resource for those looking to improve their technical expertise, prepare for cybersecurity certifications, or simply engage in continuous learning in the field of cybersecurity.

Recommended for

  • Aspiring and experienced penetration testers
  • Cybersecurity professionals seeking to enhance their skills
  • Students studying computer science or information security
  • Anyone interested in ethical hacking and cybersecurity

Overall verdict

  • Yes, TryHackMe is a good platform for both newcomers and experienced individuals who want to enhance their skills in cybersecurity. Its combination of practical exercises and theoretical knowledge makes it an effective tool for learning.

Why this product is good

  • TryHackMe is considered a good platform due to its accessible approach to learning cybersecurity. It offers interactive, themed rooms, guided challenges, and a wide range of topics from beginner to advanced levels. The platform also provides hands-on, practical experience which is essential for understanding real-world cybersecurity scenarios.

Recommended for

  • Beginners looking to start a career in cybersecurity.
  • IT professionals seeking to upgrade their cybersecurity skills.
  • Educators needing resources to teach cybersecurity concepts.
  • Anyone interested in cybersecurity and ethical hacking.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Hack The Box 1 video + Add
TryHackMe 2 videos + Add

Hack The Box VIP Review

Hackthebox, TryHackme, Hacker101: Which one to choose? #hacking #bugbounty

More videos

  • - TryHackMe Overview | Cybersecurity 101

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Hack The Box
TryHackMe
45% 45%
55% 55%
29% 29%
71% 71%
46% 46%
54% 54%
37% 37%
63% 63%

User comments

Share your experience with using Hack The Box and TryHackMe. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Hack The Box no reviews yet
TryHackMe no reviews yet

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Hack The Box 67 mentions
TryHackMe 376 mentions

View more

  • About Me - An Outreachy Blog
    When they cut out our internet in about 2017, I have always fantasized about being a hacker and finding a way to restore it completely 😂. I think this was one of the things that led me to explore Cybersecurity. I began my cybersecurity... - Source: dev.to / 9 months ago
  • Logs Fundamentals for Cybersecurity: What Every Analyst Should Know
    📁 More resources available on GitHub 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn ✍️ Prepared by moh4med404 — inspired by the Cybersecurity 101 path on TryHackMe. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Timeline: My Career Shift from Mechanical Engineer to Cybersecurity
    If you are willing to spend some on learning, I recommend subscribing to tryhackme.com. For me, they have the best materials for beginners. If you are on a budget, you may start looking for cybersecurity roadmap in roadmap.sh. They... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago

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Alternatives to Hack The Box and TryHackMe

When comparing Hack The Box and TryHackMe, you can also consider the following products.