revel8 vs. SoSafe vs. KnowBe4: The Best Security Awareness Platform in 2025?

July 31, 2025

SAT platforms have evolved far beyond sending annual phishing emails. Today’s top solutions blend AI-powered simulations, multichannel attack vectors, real-time coaching, and deep enterprise integrations. The right choice can mean the difference between an organization that learns from threats and one that falls victim to them.

Whether you’re a CISO, security engineer, or compliance manager, this analysis will help you cut through the hype and choose the platform that actually reduces human risk.

What Defines a Best-in-Class SAT Platform in 2025

1. Multichannel Attack Simulation: Attackers don’t just use email anymore; so why train on email alone? The best platforms simulate phishing, vishing (voice), smishing (SMS), and more.

2. Real-Time, Context-Aware Content: Static templates are outdated. Top tools use AI and live threat intel to generate highly relevant simulations that reflect today’s attack landscape.

3. Frequent, Gamified Microlearning: Bite-sized, interactive training sessions deliver better retention than long annual seminars; especially when personalized and gamified.

4. Deep Enterprise Integration: SAT tools must integrate with your SIEM, SOC, SSO, SCIM, and directory services to maximize value and ensure consistent enforcement.

Platform Comparison: revel8 vs SoSafe vs KnowBe4

1. revel8 - The Most Advanced, Real-Time SAT Platform in 2025

Best for: Organizations that want AI-powered, real-world simulations and real-time coaching.

Key Strengths:

  • AI-Created Phishing from Real Context: revel8’s context collector uses real attack patterns from across organizations to craft highly relevant, personalized phishing simulations.
  • Real-Time Coaching & Interventions: Integrated into SOC and SIEM tools, it delivers just-in-time coaching exactly when risky behavior is detected.
  • Multichannel Simulations: Goes beyond email with SMS, voice, and other channel simulations; mirroring real-world tactics.
  • OSINT-Based User Risk Profiling: Unmatched visibility into user exposure using open-source intelligence.
  • Call Reporting App: Employees can report suspicious calls and messages directly; critical in the age of hybrid vishing attacks.

revel8 is the only platform that fully integrates AI, real-time response, and multichannel simulation with enterprise-grade compliance and SOC integration. It doesn’t just test employees; it actively strengthens their behavior in real time.

2. SoSafe - Gamified Learning with Limited Threat Simulation

Best for: Organizations focused on engaging UX and e-Learning.

Key Strengths:

  • Gamified Learning Experience with points, avatars, and progress tracking.
  • Compliance-Ready Reporting aligned with GDPR and ISO/IEC standards.
  • Awareness Assistant Chatbot helps reinforce learning in a conversational format.

Notable Limitations:

  • No Voice Call Simulations: Lacks vishing attack coverage. Critical in 2025.
  • No Real-Time Coaching: No system to correct behavior in the moment.
  • No OSINT Profiling: Cannot tailor content based on users' actual risk exposure.
  • AI Phishing is Template-Based: Less dynamic and realistic than revel8’s live-threat-informed simulations.

SoSafe provides solid engagement and visual appeal but misses key features required for advanced threat simulation and real-time intervention. Best for smaller teams or early-stage programs focused on awareness, not active defense.

3. KnowBe4 - Legacy Leader with Limited Innovation

Best for: Organizations needing a large content library and mature platform.

Key Strengths:

  • Extensive Content Library: Thousands of training modules covering phishing, compliance, and more.
  • Risk Agent: Proactively alerts admins to high-risk users based on behavior analytics.
  • Compliance-Driven Reporting: Advanced customization and automation features.

Notable Limitations:

  • No Multichannel Simulation: Training is limited to email phishing. No SMS or voice simulation.
  • No Real-Time Coaching or Interventions: Feedback happens after simulations, not during real threats.
  • No AI-Generated Phishing from Live Context: Relies on static templates rather than AI-adaptive content.
  • No OSINT User Risk Profiling: Can’t prioritize based on publicly available user risk indicators.

Positioning:

While still a go-to name for many, KnowBe4 lags behind in innovation. It’s a good fit for compliance-heavy environments, but lacks the flexibility and contextual realism offered by newer platforms like revel8.

Why revel8 Comes Out on Top

Among the three, revel8 is clearly the most advanced and future-proof SAT platform in 2025. It uniquely combines:

  • AI-powered phishing from real-time context
  • OSINT-based user profiling
  • Real-time behavioral coaching
  • Multichannel simulation (voice, SMS, email, and more)
  • Deep integration with SOC/SIEM systems

While SoSafe excels at engagement and KnowBe4 delivers content scale, only revel8 provides the technical depth, context-awareness, and immediate coaching capabilities needed to defend against today’s evolving threat landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best KnowBe4 alternative in 2025?

revel8 offers AI-powered, real-world simulations, OSINT risk profiling, and real-time coaching - making it the most advanced KnowBe4 alternative.

Does revel8 support voice-based phishing simulations?

Yes. revel8 includes multichannel simulations like email, SMS, and voice calls (vishing), reflecting modern attack methods.

How does revel8 compare to SoSafe in terms of realism?

Unlike SoSafe, revel8 uses AI-generated simulations based on live threat intelligence and user-specific context. This creates more realistic, relevant training.

What makes OSINT risk profiling valuable in SAT platforms?

OSINT profiling helps identify how exposed employees are online, allowing revel8 to tailor attack simulations to actual user risk, boosting training effectiveness.

Does KnowBe4 offer AI-based phishing or multichannel simulations?

No. KnowBe4 relies on static templates and only supports email simulations, missing key vectors like SMS or voice-based attacks covered by revel8.

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