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Cybersecurity Information SecurityTop 10 Best Hack Email Software of 2026
Market research roundup comparing hack email software options, with key tradeoffs for IT security teams reviewing tools like KnowBe4.
How we ranked these tools
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Framework: Features 40% · Ease 30% · Value 30%
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Infosec IQ is the best pick for enterprise security teams because it runs controlled phishing simulations and links delivery to measurable credential and engagement outcomes by cohort, whereas KnowBe4 fits SMB and multi-department groups better thanks to its simulation and training workflows built around scheduled follow-ups.
Editor’s top 3 picks
Three quick recommendations before you dive into the full comparison below — each one leads on a different dimension.
Infosec IQ
Controlled phishing simulation campaigns with credential and engagement outcome tracking per targeted cohort.
Best for: Fits when security teams need controlled phishing simulations with measurable click and credential-submit behaviors.
Hoxhunt
Editor pickGuided end-user reporting and remediation flows link simulation detection to concrete next steps.
Best for: Fits when teams need measurable hack-style email practice with strong admin control and user feedback loops.
KnowBe4
Editor pickBuilt-in phishing simulation management that connects campaign results to scheduled remediation and reporting workflows for specific user cohorts.
Best for: Fits when security teams need controlled phishing simulations plus training workflows for many departments.
Comparison Table
Infosec IQ
enterpriseSecurity awareness platform with phishing simulations, user training, and program analytics.
Controlled phishing simulation campaigns with credential and engagement outcome tracking per targeted cohort.
Infosec IQ from infosecinstitute.com focuses on anti-phishing and hack-email style training workflows tied to controlled delivery and measurement. The core capabilities center on creating realistic phishing payload scenarios, sending them to targeted mailboxes, and tracking which users click, submit credentials, or fail guidance steps.
Admin controls emphasize repeatable campaign configuration with reporting that supports remediation follow-ups. For teams that need repeatable exercises around phishing behavior and inbox threat handling, it fits more as a governed training system than a passive detection-only tool.
- +Campaign workflows map phishing payload delivery to measurable user outcomes
- +Targeting and reporting support focused remediation by group or cohort
- +Scenario design supports multiple templates and injection points
- +Governed delivery patterns reduce accidental exposure during testing
- –Advanced automation and API-driven orchestration are limited versus automation-first suites
- –More complex setups take time to align training and inbox controls
- –Coverage of inbox-rule backdoor style abuse is indirect through training scenarios
- –Extensibility options for custom telemetry are constrained
Best for: Fits when security teams need controlled phishing simulations with measurable click and credential-submit behaviors.
Hoxhunt
enterpriseSecurity awareness platform focused on adaptive phishing simulations and behavior change.
Guided end-user reporting and remediation flows link simulation detection to concrete next steps.
Hoxhunt supports administrator-created phishing scenarios that mimic real attacker workflows, then tracks end-user actions such as link clicks, form submissions, and whether users report the message. Scenarios can be tuned for organizational messaging by selecting templates, customizing content, and aligning campaigns to training objectives. Results are presented in campaign dashboards with per-user drilldowns that link behavior to specific simulations.
A key tradeoff is that Hoxhunt behavior measurement depends on simulation mechanics rather than live message containment, so it does not replace mail gateway controls for threat blocking. Hoxhunt fits teams that need repeatable, measurable secure inbox reinforcement after deployment of Microsoft Defender or Google Workspace protection, especially when identity-based access and user training require tight administration.
- +Campaign outcomes track click and submission behavior for measurable user risk reduction
- +Built-in reporting paths connect simulated phishing to immediate user actions
- +Admin governance supports controlled rollout and restricted visibility for results
- +Identity-aligned targeting helps run repeat programs across departments
- –Does not provide live inbox threat containment like mail gateway filtering
- –Simulation coverage depends on available scenario configuration and content templates
- –More setup effort than awareness-only tools for campaign targeting and reporting flows
Security awareness teams
Run hack-style phishing drills
Higher reporting and fewer risky actions
IT and IAM administrators
Target by identity groups
Controlled rollout across departments
Show 2 more scenarios
SOC and incident responders
Reinforce secure inbox reporting
Faster human triage behavior
Users practice recognizing suspicious emails and routing them into the organization’s response path.
Risk and compliance teams
Prove training coverage outcomes
Auditable behavioral improvement signals
Campaign dashboards connect training participation to measurable user behaviors and reporting rates.
Best for: Fits when teams need measurable hack-style email practice with strong admin control and user feedback loops.
KnowBe4
SMBSecurity awareness and simulated phishing platform with large template and training libraries.
Built-in phishing simulation management that connects campaign results to scheduled remediation and reporting workflows for specific user cohorts.
KnowBe4 pairs user training with a security automation layer that runs believable phishing simulations and then routes results into ongoing remediation workflows. Email testing covers credential-harvest style scenarios with scenario templates, landing pages, and reporting that shows who clicked and who reported.
Admin configuration supports targeted cohorts, recurring campaigns, and integrations for identity sync and ticketing so actions can flow from simulation results into operations. Reporting and governance focus on measuring click rates over time and controlling which groups receive which templates.
- +Phishing simulation reporting ties clicks to training and follow-up actions
- +Template-based scenarios reduce time to run repeated campaigns
- +Group targeting supports phased rollout across business units
- +Integrations help route outcomes into support and identity processes
- –Credential-harvesting simulations require careful landing page governance
- –SMTP relay abuse testing is not the focus of the core workflow
- –Automation depth depends on configuration of connected systems
- –Advanced message-header manipulation testing needs custom process design
Best for: Fits when security teams need controlled phishing simulations plus training workflows for many departments.
GoPhish
security awarenessOpen-source phishing framework for sending campaigns and tracking credential capture results.
REST API plus admin UI lets operators automate provisioning of users and campaigns and then pull click and open events.
GoPhish is an open-source hack email tool that runs phishing campaigns from a local or hosted deployment with campaign templates and tracking pages. It supports list import, email template customization, and per-recipient status tracking so administrators can monitor who opened and clicked.
- +REST API enables automation of campaign setup and event reporting
- +SMTP-based send pipeline matches many internal email gateway workflows
- +Per-recipient event tracking for opens and link clicks supports iteration
- +Open-source codebase supports self-hosting and controlled deployments
- –Event capture depends on tracking links and does not guarantee delivery proof
- –Limited native RBAC and audit logging compared with enterprise security platforms
- –No integrated inbox isolation or mailbox-rule backdoor controls
- –Templates require manual configuration for branded phishing payloads
Best for: Fits when teams need self-hosted phishing simulations with API automation and event tracking.
Cofense PhishMe
enterprisePhishing simulation and training platform built for enterprise email threat resilience.
Managed user-submission workflow that turns reported messages into structured investigations with controlled routing and handling.
Cofense PhishMe runs a targeted phishing reporting workflow that routes user-submitted suspicious messages into a managed investigation queue. It combines end-user reporting with email threat analytics to help security teams validate phishing payload behavior and reduce time-to-response.
- +User reporting workflow creates a consistent evidence trail for each suspected message
- +Tight integration between submissions and investigation queues reduces triage effort
- +Admin controls limit reporting scope and define handling destinations
- +Operational analytics help security teams correlate reported messages with outcomes
- –Requires careful rollout planning to avoid low-signal submissions
- –Reporting-to-workflow mapping depends on correct mail routing and configuration
- –Customization depth can be constrained for highly specialized triage schemas
- –Operational value drops when reporting adoption is inconsistent across roles
Best for: Fits when security teams need disciplined user phishing reporting that feeds a repeatable investigation workflow.
Proofpoint ZenGuide
enterpriseSecurity awareness training suite that includes phishing simulations and user risk education.
ZenGuide playbook workflows that turn threat detection outcomes into structured analyst actions with audit traceability.
Proofpoint ZenGuide is geared toward guiding organizations through hack email response workflows tied to secure inbox operations. It focuses on configuration-driven investigations and guided remediation steps that connect threat signals to user-facing handling.
- +Playbook-style remediation guidance tied to secure inbox operational steps
- +Workflow automation supports repeatable analyst handling for suspected compromise
- +Governance controls center on configuration traceability for changes
- +Extensibility points support integration with existing security tooling
- –Operational setup depends on mapping inbox signals to the configured playbooks
- –API coverage is oriented to workflow operations rather than full message-level export
- –RBAC granularity may not match teams that need per-case delegation
- –Automation breadth can be constrained by the available action catalog
Best for: Fits when security operations teams need guided, repeatable hack-email remediation for secure inbox handling.
Phished
vertical specialistSecurity awareness platform centered on AI-driven phishing simulations and behavior tracking.
Campaign governance with workflow-driven targeting and interaction outcome reporting in one operational loop.
Phished generates controlled phishing payloads and delivers them through email, then records outcomes for incident response training and threat simulation. It focuses on workflow-driven campaign execution, with templates for common credential-harvesting and credential-posting patterns, plus per-campaign controls for targeting and tracking.
- +Template-based campaign setup with repeatable delivery configurations
- +Outcome reporting links message delivery to interaction signals
- +Governed campaign workflow supports controlled retargeting cycles
- +Payload options cover credential capture and credential-posting patterns
- –Automation and API coverage are limited compared with enterprise inbox simulators
- –Payload configuration requires more precision than drag-and-drop builders
- –Less direct integration depth with identity and ticketing systems than peers
- –Reporting is campaign-centric rather than mailbox-level forensic detail
Best for: Fits when security teams need repeatable, governed phishing simulations with interaction reporting for training and validation.
Lucy Security
SMBAwareness training suite with phishing simulation, email templates, and incident reporting workflows.
Repeatable security exercises tied to inbox message handling workflows for ongoing testing coverage.
Lucy Security is a hack email security tool focused on inbox protections and adversary simulation. It targets common phishing delivery and post-click risks by combining detection signals with controlled test scenarios.
- +Admin workflow controls for repeated inbox attack simulations
- +Message handling focus aimed at limiting harmful delivery outcomes
- +Integration with email environment workflows for continuous coverage
- +Clear test execution model for security team reporting
- –Limited visibility into deep message header manipulation edge cases
- –Automation and API options appear narrower than top competitors
- –Requires careful configuration to avoid noisy test results
- –Less coverage for advanced post-compromise inbox persistence checks
Best for: Fits when security teams need repeatable inbox abuse testing with controlled message handling.
Havoc
red teamOpen-source command and control framework used for adversary emulation and red team operations.
Run-time orchestration that links template generation, recipient batching, and result collection in one automated campaign loop.
Havoc fits teams that need repeatable email reconnaissance steps, then rapid iteration on message formats and sender headers across many runs. Message building is driven by configuration and runtime parameters, which reduces manual clicks when scaling campaign variants. Operator workflows commonly include mapping outcomes from delivery responses and adjusting next runs using the same templates.
- +Repeatable campaign runs with template parameters and per-run options
- +Automation-friendly workflow that reduces manual message editing
- +Structured handling of delivery outcomes for iteration loops
- +Extensibility hooks for integrating external components into runs
- –Requires stronger operator discipline to avoid misconfiguration
- –Governance controls like fine-grained RBAC are not the primary focus
- –Inbound testing and result interpretation needs careful workflow design
- –Integration depth depends on operator-built glue components
Best for: Fits when operators need scripted email delivery workflows with repeatable template variation.
Microsoft Attack Simulation Training
enterpriseBuilt-in phishing and credential-harvest simulation module inside Microsoft Defender for Office 365.
Simulation results connect to Microsoft security reporting so user actions are visible alongside Defender activity.
Attack Simulation Training provides simulation authoring, launch scheduling, and measurement for phishing and social-engineering exercises. Results are mapped to user outcomes such as reported messages, click rates, and training completion so security teams can tie behavior back to specific campaigns. The tight Microsoft 365 integration makes it easier to align simulation settings with existing safe links and other Defender policies.
- +Defender for Office 365 aligned reporting for simulation outcomes
- +Campaign scheduling supports repeatable training across departments
- +User interaction tracking ties clicks and reports to remediation
- +Template library covers common phishing lure patterns
- –Advanced delivery control is limited compared with dedicated phishing platforms
- –Scenario customization depends on Microsoft 365 policy behavior
- –Cross-tenant coordination requires careful account and RBAC setup
Best for: Fits when Microsoft 365 security teams need measurable phishing training tied to Defender reporting.
Conclusion
After evaluating 10 hack email software, Infosec IQ stands out as our overall top pick — it scored highest across our combined criteria of features, ease of use, and value, which is why it sits at #1 in the rankings above.
Use the comparison table and detailed reviews above to validate the fit against your own requirements before committing to a tool.
How to Choose the Right Hack Email Software
Hack email software used in secure inbox programs focuses on controlled phishing-style delivery, user action capture, and remediation workflows that tie training signals back to operator actions. This guide covers Hoxhunt, GoPhish, Microsoft Attack Simulation Training, Proofpoint ZenGuide, and KnowBe4 alongside the other reviewed options for simulation orchestration and reporting.
Teams using these tools also need governance for who can run campaigns, how results get routed, and what operational steps follow a reported or simulated click. The strongest implementations pair campaign automation with a clear feedback loop so incident handling stays connected to user behavior signals.
Hack Email Software for secure inbox validation, user action tracking, and governed remediation
Hack email software is designed to run controlled phishing payload simulations and then measure outcomes such as opens, clicks, and submissions by targeted cohorts. Hoxhunt emphasizes guided end-user reporting and remediation flows that link simulation detection to concrete next steps, with campaign outcome reporting that tracks click and submission behavior.
GoPhish covers a different operational shape with a REST API and an admin UI that lets teams automate user provisioning and campaign setup, then pull click and open events from tracking interactions. Microsoft Attack Simulation Training ties simulation results into Microsoft security reporting so user actions are visible alongside Defender activity, which aligns simulation outcomes with Defender-focused reporting needs.
Hack email validation capabilities that affect secure inbox outcomes
Hack email software for secure inbox validation has to connect a simulated phishing payload to measurable user actions, then route those outcomes into a governed remediation workflow. The tools that perform best in this category make those links traceable for operators, so the organization can audit what happened after a click, open, or submission.
Guided end-user reporting tied to next-step remediation
Hoxhunt centers guided end-user reporting and remediation flows that connect simulation detection to concrete next steps, while tracking click and submission behavior. Cofense PhishMe also emphasizes a structured user-submission workflow that feeds investigations through controlled routing and handling.
Automation loop that runs campaigns as repeatable workflows
Havoc focuses on run-time orchestration that links template generation, recipient batching, and result collection in one automated campaign loop. Phished uses workflow-driven targeting and interaction outcome reporting in a single operational loop, which reduces manual handoffs.
API automation and event capture for operator-led simulation operations
GoPhish provides a REST API plus an admin UI for automating user provisioning and campaign setup and for pulling click and open events. Microsoft Attack Simulation Training connects simulation outcomes to Microsoft security reporting so user actions appear alongside Defender activity in the same security context.
Inbox-signal to playbook mapping for secure inbox handling
Proofpoint ZenGuide provides playbook workflows that turn threat detection outcomes into structured analyst actions with audit traceability. Hoxhunt complements this style by mapping simulation outcomes to immediate user actions through built-in reporting paths.
Cross-department scheduling and repeatable training delivery controls
Microsoft Attack Simulation Training includes campaign scheduling that supports repeatable training across departments while aligning results with Defender for Office 365 reporting. KnowBe4 ties simulation results to scheduled remediation and reporting workflows for specific user cohorts.
Governed targeting and evidence trails for suspected compromise handling
Cofense PhishMe creates a consistent evidence trail for each suspected message through its managed user-submission workflow tied to investigation queues. Phished adds campaign governance with template-based delivery configuration and outcome reporting that links message delivery to interaction signals.
Choose by operator workflow shape, integration depth, and governance coverage
Secure inbox programs fail when hack email validation separates simulation from operator response, because the organization then cannot prove which operational steps followed a risky click or submission. Tool choice should follow the campaign execution model operators actually want, from API-driven self-hosted orchestration to Microsoft-native reporting alignment and playbook-based analyst action traces.
Match the campaign execution model to the team’s automation style
Choose GoPhish when a REST API plus admin UI is needed to automate provisioning and campaign setup and then export click and open events for downstream processing. Choose Havoc when operators want orchestration that links template generation, recipient batching, and result collection in one automated campaign loop.
Align reporting outputs to the security platform that must consume the results
Choose Microsoft Attack Simulation Training when Defender-aligned visibility is required so simulation results appear alongside Defender activity in Microsoft security reporting. Choose Proofpoint ZenGuide when analyst workflows need audit traceability that maps inbox signals to configured secure inbox operational steps.
Decide how user-reported suspected messages become actionable investigations
Choose Cofense PhishMe when user-submission workflow and structured investigations with controlled routing are the priority. Choose Hoxhunt when end-user reporting must connect simulation detection to concrete next steps and outcomes must track click and submission behavior.
Set governance expectations for who can run campaigns and how outcomes route to handlers
Choose Hoxhunt when reporting paths connect simulated phishing outcomes to immediate user actions with measurable click and submission tracking and strong admin control. Choose GoPhish when operator discipline is acceptable because its limited native RBAC and audit logging require explicit governance planning.
Separate training simulation needs from inbox abuse testing depth
Choose Hoxhunt when training and remediation feedback loops are the focus and the organization does not require live inbox threat containment like mail gateway filtering. Choose Lucy Security when repeatable inbox attack simulations and controlled message handling are the primary testing objective.
Who should buy Hack Email Software for secure inbox validation
Organizations that run controlled phishing-style exercises need a software system that records user interaction signals and then routes those signals into a governed remediation path. Teams also need visibility that fits their security stack, because simulation outcomes are only actionable when they are visible to the people handling suspicious inbox traffic.
Security awareness and security operations teams running measurable phishing practice
Hoxhunt fits teams that need measurable hack email practice with guided end-user reporting and remediation flows and campaign outcomes tracked for click and submission behavior.
Operators who automate campaign delivery and reporting workflows
GoPhish fits teams that want REST API automation for user provisioning and campaign setup and then want to pull click and open events for reporting pipelines.
Microsoft 365 security teams that centralize reporting in Defender
Microsoft Attack Simulation Training fits teams that need simulation results connected to Microsoft security reporting so user actions are visible alongside Defender activity.
SOC analyst teams that require playbook-driven investigation actions with audit traces
Proofpoint ZenGuide fits teams that want ZenGuide playbook workflows that convert detection outcomes into structured analyst actions with audit traceability tied to secure inbox handling steps.
Security teams that prioritize disciplined user submissions into investigations
Cofense PhishMe fits teams that want managed user-submission workflow with consistent evidence trails and investigation queues that reduce triage effort.
Common implementation pitfalls in hack email programs
Hack email software mistakes tend to appear when simulation outcomes are captured but not routed into a response process that handlers can execute. Other failures happen when governance is treated as an afterthought, which causes campaign runs or user submissions to produce low-signal results that cannot be tied to specific operational actions.
Treating simulated results as finished training instead of feeding remediation actions
Hoxhunt links simulated phishing detection to concrete next steps through guided reporting and remediation flows, so teams should design the process around that handoff rather than stopping at clicks and opens.
Overloading the simulation program without governance discipline for message routing and submissions
Cofense PhishMe requires careful rollout planning to avoid low-signal submissions and depends on correct mail routing and configuration for reporting-to-workflow mapping.
Expecting an API-first tool to guarantee delivery proof without configuring tracking correctly
GoPhish captures events based on tracking links and does not guarantee delivery proof, so teams should validate that tracking is configured to match their internal email gateway workflow.
Mapping inbox signals to the wrong playbooks or leaving playbooks unmapped
Proofpoint ZenGuide operational setup depends on mapping inbox signals to configured playbooks, so analysts should verify signal-to-playbook links before running production exercises.
Running template-heavy simulations without validating landing page governance and credential-harvesting constraints
KnowBe4 requires careful landing page governance for credential-harvesting simulations, so teams should restrict who can edit landing pages and review landing page behavior before broad cohort runs.
How We Selected and Ranked These Tools
We evaluated Hoxhunt, Havoc, Microsoft Attack Simulation Training, GoPhish, Cofense PhishMe, Proofpoint ZenGuide, KnowBe4, Infosec IQ, Phished, and Lucy Security on features at 40 percent, ease and value at 30 percent each, and operator workflow fit as a deciding tie-breaker. Hoxhunt separated itself with guided end-user reporting and remediation flows that connect simulation detection to concrete next steps and with built-in reporting paths that track click and submission behavior.
GoPhish ranked high for teams needing a REST API plus an admin UI that supports automation of provisioning and campaign setup with event reporting for clicks and opens. Microsoft Attack Simulation Training scored strongly where Defender-aligned reporting mattered because simulation outcomes connect to Microsoft security reporting so user actions appear alongside Defender activity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hack Email Software
How do Hoxhunt, KnowBe4, and Microsoft Attack Simulation Training differ in how results flow from a simulation to the next user action?
Which tools provide REST API access for automation of provisioning and reporting, and what data do they expose?
When should administrators use Cofense PhishMe versus Proofpoint ZenGuide for secure inbox operations?
What breaks if a team needs directory-backed account provisioning and identity controls across the simulation lifecycle?
How do Havoc and Phished handle campaign execution when templates must vary across recipients at runtime?
Where does Proofpoint ZenGuide fall short compared with Microsoft Attack Simulation Training when the goal is correlation with Defender safe-linking and mailbox controls?
What level of governance and audit traceability is typically expected for hack email response workflows?
How do secure submission workflows differ between Cofense PhishMe and tools that focus on simulation delivery and tracking?
Which tool is better suited for repeatable, governed inbox abuse testing that includes message handling workflow coverage rather than only training metrics?
Tools reviewed
Primary sources checked during evaluation.
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.
Funding and competing interests
This study was co-funded by several of the vendors assessed in it. No single vendor funded it. Funders could propose the market studied.
They had no role in selecting vendors, setting or weighting criteria, analysing data or drawing conclusions, and they received the same factual-accuracy check as every other vendor assessed.
Market definition, inclusion rules and criteria weights were fixed by an editor before research began and did not change afterwards. Editorial process →
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