KnowBe4 vs Sophos: Complete Comparison (2026)

By Elena Kowalski, Security & Enterprise Editorยท12 years of experienceยทUpdated 2026-04-24ยท8 min read

In comparing KnowBe4 and Sophos in 2026, Sophos is the stronger choice for smbs and mid-market companies wanting unified endpoint and network security due to synchronized security across products. KnowBe4 excels for companies training employees to recognize and avoid phishing attacks with best-in-class phishing simulations. KnowBe4 offers Phishing simulations, Security training, Compliance training starting at $18/user/yr. Sophos provides Endpoint protection, Firewall, Email security from $37.50/user/yr. For teams prioritizing value, Sophos delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 72/100. KnowBe4 and Sophos compete in the cybersecurity segment of the SaaS market, where cloud-native solutions, API integrations, and workflow automation drive enterprise and SMB adoption. Other leading cybersecurity tools include Okta, 1Password, Cloudflare. KnowBe4 serves 65K+ orgs users globally (founded 2010) while Sophos reports 600K+ orgs active users (founded 1985).

KnowBe4 vs Sophos at a Glance

KnowBe4
Sophos
Starting Price
$18/user/yr
$37.50/user/yr
Free Plan
No
No
User Rating
4.6/5
4.4/5
Best For
Companies training employees to recognize and avoi...
SMBs and mid-market companies wanting unified endp...
Users
65K+ orgs
600K+ orgs
Founded
2010
1985
hiltonsoftware Score
71/100
72/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
๐ŸŽ“
KnowBe4
Cybersecurity
71
hiltonsoftware.co Score
VS
๐Ÿ”ต
Sophos
Cybersecurity
72
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED

What are the main differences between KnowBe4 and Sophos?

KnowBe4 and Sophos differ across ease of use, features, value, support, integrations, scalability, and learning curve. Sophos leads in 3 of 7 categories.

KnowBe4Sophos
82Ease of Use79
80Features80
63Value for Money62
69Customer Support71
66Integrations64
65Scalability69
69Learning Curve66

What are the pros and cons of KnowBe4 vs Sophos?

KnowBe4
+Best-in-class phishing simulations
+Huge training content library
-Phishing tests can frustrate employees
-Admin portal has quirks
Sophos
+Synchronized security across products
+Good managed threat response
-Complex licensing structure
-Console can be slow

Which is better, KnowBe4 or Sophos?

After evaluating KnowBe4 and Sophos across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, Sophos earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 72/100 versus KnowBe4 at 71/100. Sophos stands out for "synchronized security across products" and "good managed threat response". KnowBe4 delivers competitive advantages in "best-in-class phishing simulations", making KnowBe4 a viable alternative.

Neither KnowBe4 nor Sophos offers a free plan. KnowBe4 starts at $18/user/yr and Sophos at $37.50/user/yr.

Bottom line: Choose KnowBe4 for companies training employees to recognize and avoid phishing attacks. Choose Sophos for smbs and mid-market companies wanting unified endpoint and network security. Both KnowBe4 and Sophos are established cybersecurity platforms.

CHOOSE KNOWBE4 IF:

Companies training employees to recognize and avoid phishing attacks.

CHOOSE SOPHOS IF:

SMBs and mid-market companies wanting unified endpoint and network security.

KnowBe4 vs Sophos: Frequently Asked Questions

Is KnowBe4 better than Sophos in 2026?
Sophos outperforms KnowBe4 in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 72/100 compared to 71/100. KnowBe4 excels in Phishing simulations, Security training, Compliance training, making KnowBe4 the better choice for Companies training employees to recognize and avoid phishing attacks. Sophos is the stronger option for SMBs and mid-market companies wanting unified endpoint and network security due to synchronized security across products. For teams needing endpoint protection, hiltonsoftware.co recommends Sophos.
How does KnowBe4 pricing compare to Sophos in 2026?
KnowBe4 starts at $18/user/yr with no free tier. Sophos starts at $37.50/user/yr without a free plan. KnowBe4 includes features like Phishing simulations, Security training, Compliance training. Sophos provides Endpoint protection, Firewall, Email security. KnowBe4 serves 65K+ orgs users while Sophos serves 600K+ orgs users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between KnowBe4 and Sophos?
KnowBe4 specializes in Phishing simulations, Security training, Compliance training, earning a 71/100 hiltonsoftware Score. Sophos focuses on Endpoint protection, Firewall, Email security, scoring 72/100. KnowBe4 is best for Companies training employees to recognize and avoid phishing attacks. Sophos is best for SMBs and mid-market companies wanting unified endpoint and network security. Both KnowBe4 and Sophos serve the Cybersecurity market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from KnowBe4 to Sophos?
Migrating from KnowBe4 to Sophos is possible since both operate in the Cybersecurity space. Export data from KnowBe4 and verify Sophos import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Phishing simulations, Security training, Compliance training (KnowBe4) versus Endpoint protection, Firewall, Email security (Sophos). Running both KnowBe4 and Sophos in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is KnowBe4 or Sophos better for small business?
Both KnowBe4 and Sophos require paid plans (KnowBe4: $18/user/yr, Sophos: $37.50/user/yr). KnowBe4 (71/100) is ideal for Companies training employees to recognize and avoid phishing attacks. Sophos (72/100) fits SMBs and mid-market companies wanting unified endpoint and network security. Evaluate both during trial periods.

Reviewed by Elena Kowalski, Security & Enterprise Editor. Last updated: 2026-04-24. Pricing verified: March 2026.

Read our scoring methodology to understand how the hiltonsoftware Score is calculated.

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