--- title: "Hack The Box Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra" description: "Is Hack The Box the right Training solution for you? Explore 71 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/10004639/Hack-the-Box/reviews/" page_type: "reviews" language: "en" --- Hack The Box 4.9 (71) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/10004639/Hack-the-Box/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated August 26th, 2026 # Reviews of Hack The Box Ease of use 4.7 Customer Service 4.7 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews SK Sokheng K Offensive Security SupervisorBanking, 1,001 - 5,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The platform offers a diverse range of machines and challenges that simulate real-world scenarios, which helped me strengthen my penetration testing and problem-solving skills.“ June 24, 2025 JB Jeremy B Offensive Security ConsultantComputer & Network Security, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “One VPN session per user combined with no internet access for lab machines and no ACLs allowing traffic between VPN-connected users makes the environment unsuitable for red teams practicing use of C2 frameworks.“ May 5, 2025 Maria Eduarda D estagiariaInformation Technology and Services, 11 - 50 employeesUsed the software for: 1-2 years. “I like the Hack The Box platform because it allows me to study subjects that usually don't have enough material for online studies, and the practical teaching method is the best“ October 7, 2024 SK Sunny K Cyber Security AnalystAccounting, 10,001+ employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “Some of the advanced labs can be challenging if you don’t have prior experience, and you won’t get direct walkthroughs of HTB, so you need to figure things out on your own.“ October 8, 2025 Jeremy C HelpdeskInformation Technology and Services, 51 - 200 employeesUsed the software for: Less than 6 months. “It’s interactive, engaging, and addicting in the best way possible. If you’re serious about breaking into cybersecurity — especially red team, penetration testing, or SOC work — Hack The Box is worth every minute.“ October 28, 2025 ST Sebin T Cyber Security ConsultantAccounting, 10,001+ employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Mhm, the only con I felt was the cost, because when converting from USD to my currency it becomes more than I can afford.“ September 14, 2025 MH M. Yousuf H Application Security EngineerAutomotive, 5,001 - 10,000 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “They keep adding new content all the time, so there’s always something fresh to try. Plus, it’s completely safe to practice, so you can experiment without worrying about risks or compliance issues. If you want a fun way to level up your cybersecurity skills, HTB is perfect.“ September 27, 2025 R® RudiKarus ® HackerInformation Technology and Services, Self-employedUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The CPTS certification lacks something between the path and the exam (like Ippsec's unofficial CPTSPrep and/or a pro lab like Dante).“ July 16, 2025 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 71 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Maria Eduarda D. estagiaria Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "On the path to becoming an HTB Hacker" October 7, 2024 5.0 I have been studying at Hack The Box for a year and a half since I started studying cybersecurity and it is very good for those who do not have much knowledge in the area Pros I like the Hack The Box platform because it allows me to study subjects that usually don't have enough material for online studies, and the practical teaching method is the best Cons some modules are a bit complicated to understand and some are very extensive Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Application Security Engineer Automotive Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "HTB Makes Learning Cybersecurity Fun and Practical" September 27, 2025 5.0 My overall experience with Hack The Box has been amazing! It’s fun, challenging, and super rewarding—the gamified challenges really helped me level up my skills. Thanks to the experience and practical skills I gained on HTB, I was able to land a cybersecurity job - Application Security Engineer. The community is helpful, the content is constantly updated, and it’s a safe place to practice Pros Honestly, HTB is one of the best platforms I’ve used for learning cybersecurity. The value for money is great—you get tons of labs and challenges without breaking the bank. The platform is super easy to use, and the gamified setup keeps it fun while you learn. Customer support and the community are really helpful whenever you get stuck. The labs and challenges help you build real skills that you can actually show on your resume, which definitely helps with job hunting. They keep adding new content all the time, so there’s always something fresh to try. Plus, it’s completely safe to practice, so you can experiment without worrying about risks or compliance issues. If you want a fun way to level up your cybersecurity skills, HTB is perfect. Cons Honestly, there’s very little I didn’t like about HTB. If I had to pick something, it would be that some of the harder challenges can feel a bit overwhelming at first, especially for beginners—but that’s also part of what makes the learning so rewarding. Review Source JB Jeremy B. Offensive Security Consultant Computer & Network Security Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Solid labs for pentesting, but not for red teams" May 5, 2025 4.0 Pros VPN network stability is top notch. Pro labs have a larger number of systems and servers which are more realistic than typical boot-to-root labs. Cons Data mining makes the environment hostile to the use of custom tooling. One VPN session per user combined with no internet access for lab machines and no ACLs allowing traffic between VPN-connected users makes the environment unsuitable for red teams practicing use of C2 frameworks. Review Source VR Verified Reviewer Security Engineer Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Hack The Box Sets the Standard" July 25, 2025 5.0 My overall experience with Hack The Box has been incredibly positive. Out of all the platforms I’ve tried, HTB offers the most well-structured, realistic, and engaging content. The challenges and labs are thoughtfully designed to reflect real-world scenarios, and the learning path is both rewarding and practical. It’s by far the best resource I’ve used for hands-on cybersecurity training. Pros Hack The Box provides the highest quality content out of any cyber security educational platform out there. Their content engineers are very talented and the hands-on practice labs they provide are like no other. They are truly at the top of the food chain. The value you receive for the cost is also by far the best deal you can get when learning both blue and red team skills. Cons I can’t say I’ve run into any real cons personally, the platform has exceeded my expectations. The only thing I might be able to mention is that users new to cybersecurity might feel overwhelmed at first. Review Source GS Goh S. Penetration Tester Computer & Network Security Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Try out HackTheBox!" August 1, 2025 5.0 Pros When it comes to anything cybersecurity, HackTheBox is my favorite training platform for learning and improving my skills. Their academy platform has a ton of great modules covering every topic of interest at an affordable and worth-it price. I am currently doing the penetration tester job role path and I can confidently say that I am able to learn new things in each one of them as they go so in depth in the topics. The best thing is that these modules are not purely just text, they are also accompanied by some challenging practices that force you to always think outside of the box, which is very important in this field. Besides academy, their main platform is also the perfect place for practicing cyber. Even for free users like myself, I am still able to play machines and challenges that are very important when it comes to upskilling and putting our knowledge to test. They have challenges that ranges from beginner to advanced level so that everyone with different skill level is able to upskill. I will 100% recommend anyone whether they are just starting or looking to up their cybersecurity skills to try out HackTheBox, it has truly helped me a ton in my career. Cons I don't have any big complains about Hack The Box and I seriously mean this. It is the perfect platform for cybersecurity training and I couldn't thank it enough Review Source JG Joseph G. Cybersecurity Engineer Defense & Space Used the software for: 2+ years ### "HTB continues to improve" October 6, 2025 5.0 Overall good, the platform is a lot more mature then it was a few years ago and feels like its going in a positive direction. Pros The variety of content. There is so much different content in different subjects that allow someone to learn a lot of different content. Cons The start up time for boxes and academy modules. Depending on the academy module it feels like im spending more time spinning up than actually doing the module. Review Source SK Sokheng K. Offensive Security Supervisor Banking Used the software for: 2+ years ### "A Challenging and Rewarding Journey into Cybersecurity" June 24, 2025 5.0 My overall experience with Hack The Box has been highly rewarding and educational. The platform offers a diverse range of machines and challenges that simulate real-world scenarios, which helped me strengthen my penetration testing and problem-solving skills. I appreciated the hands-on learning approach and the active community that shares insights and techniques. The gamified environment kept me motivated, and progressing through ranks gave a clear sense of achievement. While some challenges were difficult, they pushed me to learn and research deeper. Overall, Hack The Box has been a valuable tool in my cybersecurity journey and an excellent supplement to formal learning. Pros Their training and course help me gain my knowledge and help me confident on my cyber security jobs. Cons One of the things I liked least about Hack The Box is the inconsistent difficulty curve across some of the machines. Review Source MW Maixmilian W. Senior Cybersecurity Engineer Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Used the software for: 2+ years ### "If you want real skills, go here!" May 31, 2025 5.0 Hack the Box is my daily core task. Wake up in the morning and take some chapters in the accademy to build up my skills in this field. It helped me to grow in my carrer and make the world to a safer place. Pros I depth knowledge which they teach you in a understandable way. If you want to have skills in this field, go to hack the box, go to accademy, grind the paths and take an exam! Cons Sometimes the amount of infomrations is overwhelming. But this is not directly a cons, you have to find you way to take notes and handle informations. Review Source TC Tomasz C. Security Engineer Package/Freight Delivery Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Hack The Box review" April 12, 2025 5.0 Overall, I love Hack The Box. I spend most of my free time there. I use the Academy, Enterprise, and CTF platforms, and all of them are excellent, with only a few minor issues. Pros \- High-quality, in-depth technical content - Well-designed, practical machines for hands-on learning - Clearly defined career and certification paths - Clean user interface Cons \- The biggest issue is that sometimes machines stack in deploying mode, and you must wait or try to contact support - Some of the virtual machines have bugs - Some part need update like crackmapexec with newer nxc - A couple of tasks in subtopics are very difficult compared to other parts of the course in some modules. - For modules and paths, the UI in Academy is better than in Enterprise. - Some tasks need a slight redesign - for example, the brute-forcing task, where most of the time is spent looking for the proper wordlist. Review Source M. Mathieu .. Red Team Member Public Policy Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Top notch cyber security education!" January 27, 2025 5.0 The Pwnbox is super handy and deploys very quickly! The progress bar on each page on academy helps to keep me reading and the overall progress on job role path is nice to see too. The formatting and arrangement of lessons and subsections within lessons has really been thought about, you can tell it's not just random bits of knowledge put together but a more comprehensive piece. I like that the overall user experience and user learning experience has been thought through, this makes a big difference compared to other platform where subjects are just collated together, on Hack The Box there is a real sense of a learning journey. Pros I love the platform, the integration between theory & practice. I use it the platform almost everyday and can only recommend it. I contacted the customer support of couple of times and it has been very smooth, quick answer and resolution. Hack The Box is so much more than the platform, the community is amazing - weekly cube talks, discord and regular online events... I learn new things everyday and can see a direct application to my work. I find that in the overwhelming amount of online courses it's easy to get lost but HTB Academy has been the reference for me. Once I get the theory I can apply it straightaway to a box or a small exercise to reinforce that knowledge. I only hope that in a couple of years the certifications become the new industry standards, widely accepted by recruiters/HR and technical teams. Cons I wish the daily streak feature was implemented on the HTB Enterprise platform as well as the ability for certifications gained through the Enterprise subscription to sync to the HTB Account. Ideally anything that is gained and completed should show and be accessible on the user's account outside of the Enterprise platform. I would say there are still a few typos here and there in some Academy pages and it would be nice to have a simple way to report them so that the community can help the product improve. Some of the pages are really long so a way to break this up would be great but it's always a tight balance between a long page to read vs a lot of short pages to read, overall it's pretty good. One last thing, if HTB certifications could offer equivalency with industry standards like CREST CRT or The Cyber Scheme CSTM (like the OSCP equivalency with CREST) that would be even better! Review Source MC Molly C. Student Computer Networking Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "I like it :)" May 31, 2025 5.0 Pros I enjoy the hands-on labs! I've heard positive reviews from cybersecurity students of many different skill levels. Cons I enjoy using Hack The Box but it can be difficult to keep up with the material and stick to a schedule. Review Source JL Jaden L. Student Education Management Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "HTB FEEDBACK" May 7, 2025 5.0 Pros I can learn a lot through this platform. Cons Maybe the arrangement of the modules, sometimes it's hidden and can be hard for new users to find past work. Review Source KP KRISHNADAS P. Security researche Computer Networking Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good platform to learn Cybersecurity " December 6, 2024 5.0 Good platform to learn cybersecurity and learn more about practical experience with labs Pros Hackthebox is the platform that give labs in different scenarios of learning Cons There is no issue with that type of things some time I think about prolabs need more stable in AD LABS mainly Review Source MW Matthew W. Solutions Engineer Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "The only platform you need" October 13, 2024 5.0 I've come to appreciate the pace at which I study, and I'm proud to achieve the goals set by Hack The Box. The platform's material has helped me explore new areas while strengthening my knowledge. I also love the flexibility of picking up where I left off, even after taking a week or two off, allowing me to review and continue progressing seamlessly. The material has made it so easy to learn even when the subject is extremely complex and difficult to convey. The team really made a great platform Pros Hack The Box is an excellent platform for beginners looking to enhance their cybersecurity skills and for seasoned professionals wanting to stay sharp. Its standout feature is flexibility, allowing you to learn at your own pace. If you get stuck, the platform has a helpful forum that guides you without simply giving away the answers. Not only does Hack The Box provide a comprehensive set of learning resources, but it also allows you to apply what you've learned through practical exercises. The regularly updated environments offer new and exciting challenges, ensuring there's always something fresh to hack. Cons There is nothing that I feel I can put into this section. Review Source wG willy G. pen tester Telecommunications Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Progresser grâce à HTB" June 22, 2024 4.0 D'une manière globale je suis satisfait par HTB, par contre la hausse de tarif est assez soudaine! c'est un peu dommage de devoir repayer et se recréer un nouveau compte pour accéder à HTB Academy par exemple. A l'avenir il faudrait trouver un moyen de pouvoir transféré des point ou de l'expérience d'un compte perso vers un compte pro et vice versa car j'ai commencé HTB avec un compte perso puis mon entreprise m'a créé un compte pro mais je ne peux pas capitaliser d'un compte vers l'autre. Pros Le contenu technique est pertinent et très pointu. Rien n'est laissé au hasard, même sur les sujets connu et répandu il y a toujours un approfondissement du sujet traité au travers d'une vrais recherche didactique. On sent bien que les personnes qui ont fait le contenu ont pris soin de bien vérifier et validé les résultats. Cela reflète bien le niveau technique des experts qui travaille chez HTB, bravo ! Cons Je pense qu'il faudrait donner la possibilité de pouvoir télécharger d'une manière ou d'une autre le contenu des cours de manière à avoir un pense bête ou un memo au format PDF par exemple. Même si je comprends bien que le contenu est dynamique et doit être mis à jour assez régulièrement. Review Source GM Gowtham M. security consultant Computer Hardware Used the software for: 2+ years ### "One stop solution for learning cybersecurity" February 20, 2024 5.0 Pros It is awesome platform which boosts one's learning curve by 10 fold. It contains many machines and challenges on varied topics like binary,web,cryptography etc.. I use their platform everyday and im addicted to learn lot of things from this platform. Since they have enterprise version my organization had subscribed, so i spend time at office when I'm free, They have integrated enterprise and public platform in such a way one doesnot loose their progress, which is very good for tracking user milestones etc.. HTB community is all about dedication. It is good to learn from the people aiding in sharing content and knowlege. Their web apps are so well designed for user experience without compromising on content. Spending time here will likely boost our career options, since the profile ranks and points shows an individual's time spent on the platform which is proportional to the user's skillset. I really like their weekly machines and challenges for which ranks are acheived creating a compitition among users. Their customer support are very prompt in solving technical/non technical issues. Cons They guided mode to aid beginners to solve challenges but it needs to be improved. Learning curve is steep compromising on the content. More academy related theoretical content mapping to practical labs needs to be developed to aid newbies. Review Source BM Belet M. Security Solution Engineer Computer & Network Security Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "A true cybersecurity training platform " November 29, 2023 5.0 Thanks to HackTheBox Academy I rediscovered my passion for hacking. Every module is wonderfully written. From my experience I could confidently say that HTB Academy is the first cybersecurity teaching platform that doesn't tell you the way to hacking, It shows you the way to hacking. Pros having experience with 3 other security training programs (ImmersiveLabs, INE, PentestAcademy) I could strongly say that HTB Academy has the most complete and easy-to-understand learning material. Cons Without being biased, I did not find something least satisfying about the platform. Review Source Response from Hack The Box April 8, 2024 It's great to hear that Hack The Box is helping you develop skills for the cyber world. We're committed to providing a platform that supports your learning and growth in this field. MN Minh N. Red Team Security and Investigations Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Big Fan of HTB" February 29, 2024 5.0 2+ year with HTB , it help me to earn many certificates Pros Have many course Have many course Have many course Have many course Cons High Price High Price High Price High Price Review Source Response from Hack The Box April 8, 2024 Thank you for your positive feedback! We're glad to hear that you enjoy the diversity of content on Hack The Box. We understand your concern about pricing and will take it into consideration for future improvements. Srinivas A. Student Higher Education Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "HackTheBox:A Fantastic Platform for cyberians" March 25, 2024 5.0 Pros Structured way of learning Its ease of use Customer Support User Interface Cons Too technical words in Theory part and difficulty in navigating through different hackthebox sites Review Source Response from Hack The Box April 8, 2024 Thank you for your positive feedback! We strive to provide a welcoming environment for learning experiences. AM Alessandro M. Consultant Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Apreciation of HTB" March 8, 2024 5.0 I have been using HTB for 5+ years and has been an amazing journey that helped me expand my CyberSecurity knowldege. Pros HTB is a FREE platform that allows ANYONE to get acquaintance of Cyber Security world up to expert level. Cons The ranking system makes it hard to level up. Review Source Response from Hack The Box April 8, 2024 Thank you for sharing your positive experience with our high-quality training material. We're committed to providing valuable resources for our users. LB Luca B. Security Analist Computer & Network Security Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Good entry point if you are willing to pay" March 8, 2024 5.0 Pros Hack The Box subscription lab provides a good entry level for getting started in security by hosting easy machines with thorough walkthrough which are a great entry point. Cons Unfortunatly, the boxes I would advice to a beginner are all behind a subscription (which I consider worth the cost) and the freely available easy machines have greatly increased the difficulty compared to the old easy that have been retired. I do still consider the freely available boxes as "easy" but they are not as beginner friendly as the older ones. Review Source Response from Hack The Box April 8, 2024 We're glad to hear that you find our platform helpful for improving your skills and knowledge in cybersecurity. We appreciate your feedback about the Machines' difficulty and will consider it for future improvements. AP Alvaro P. student Computer Games Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Best cybersecurity learning platform " January 3, 2024 5.0 Pros Tons of courses and labs. It makes It easy to learn dificult concepts. Cons None. Review Source Response from Hack The Box April 8, 2024 Thank you for sharing your positive experience with HTB! RA Roberto A. Senior Analyst Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Amazing platform" March 14, 2024 5.0 Pros Ease of use, realistic scenarios, different rates of challenges. The gamified approach keeps the users engaged while fostering collaboration and learning. Cons Some boxes can be quite challenging, especially for beginners. Review Source AR Avyash R. Cybersecurity Associate Information Technology and Services Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Perfect for learning in Real Labs" March 9, 2024 5.0 Pros The pro labs are the best. Its like the real patched machines which will challenge you about your skills. Cons Everything is hood except that it could get little cheaper for someone like students or beginners who wants to start their cyber journey. Review Source Response from Hack The Box April 8, 2024 We're glad to hear that you're enjoying the learning experience on Hack The Box! We appreciate your feedback about pricing and we will consider it for future offerings. NP Nikola P. Ethical Hacker Computer & Network Security Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Pentester job Path - prepping for CPTS" September 15, 2025 5.0 I’m currently on the Pen Tester Path at Hack The Box, prepping for the CPTS certification, and I’m beyond thrilled with the experience—I’m absolutely blown away! HTB delivers an outstanding mix of in-depth lessons and hands-on practice that truly sets it apart. Both their Academy and Labs are packed with top-notch, practical content that dives deep into real-world scenarios. Before HTB, I was on TryHackMe, where I reached the top 1% of users, but I found it focused mainly on basic to medium-level challenges with less emphasis on hands-on learning. HTB takes things to a whole new level with its structured, real-world approach. I’m incredibly satisfied with the platform, and the subscription is absolutely worth every penny for anyone serious about advancing their cybersecurity skills. Huge props to the HTB team for building such an exceptional platform! Pros What I love most about Hack The Box is the hands-on approach and the way it dives into essential details. It’s not just a collection of random knowledge—there’s a clear structure that guides you toward your goal. Absolutely perfect. Cons I think Hack The Box can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming for beginners, as it occasionally assumes prior knowledge of certain concepts or terminology, which might be confusing if you’re just starting out. Switched from [HackerOne](https://www.capterra.com/p/165190/HackerOne/) Before HTB, I was on TryHackMe, where I reached the top 1% of users, but I found it focused mainly on basic to medium-level challenges with less emphasis on hands-on learning. While TryHackMe is a great platform, it felt too basic and mid-level for me after a while, and despite reaching a high level there, I started to feel stuck and missed the thrill of more challenging content. Review Source Similar Products Featured ## Send me user reviews about this product ### Fill out the form and we'll send a list of the top-rated software based on real user reviews directly to your inbox.