Cobalt vs KnowBe4: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Cobalt and KnowBe4 comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Cobalt wins this matchup. 1Password is our overall Security pick. LastPass is our free Security pick. Pick KnowBe4 if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Cobalt
Human-led, AI-powered offensive security to continuously find and remediate risk across your attack surface.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly faster time to report (2.6X faster than traditional pentesting)
- • You want accelerates remediation (50% faster) for increased cycle efficiency
KnowBe4
Reduce human and AI agent risk with an end-to-end human risk management platform.
Best for you if:
- • You want reduces 'Phish-prone' percentage significantly
- • You want integrates compliance and security training into one platform
| At a Glance | Cobalt | KnowBe4 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | Custom |
Best For | Security | Security |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Cobalt or KnowBe4?
Choose Cobalt if
Human-led, AI-powered offensive security to continuously find and remediate risk across your attack surface.
- You want significantly faster time to report (2.6X faster than traditional pentesting)
- You want accelerates remediation (50% faster) for increased cycle efficiency
Choose KnowBe4 if
Reduce human and AI agent risk with an end-to-end human risk management platform.
- You want reduces 'Phish-prone' percentage significantly
- You want integrates compliance and security training into one platform
| Feature | Cobalt | KnowBe4 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 137 reviews | ★4.6/5 2,424 reviews |
| Categories | SecurityTesting & QA | SecurityLearning & Training |
In-Depth Analysis
Cobalt
Human-led, AI-powered offensive security to continuously find and remediate risk across your attack surface.
However, the comprehensive features across all plans suggest a premium service tailored for organizations prioritizing robust security.
Strengths
- +Significantly faster time to report (2.6X faster than traditional pentesting).
- +Accelerates remediation (50% faster) for increased cycle efficiency.
- +Provides on-demand access to a diverse pool of expert security talent.
- +Leverages AI trained on over a decade of real pentesting data for deeper insights.
- +Offers a flexible, consumption-based model with Cobalt Credits.
Weaknesses
- -Pricing details are not publicly available and require a quote.
- -The platform's full capabilities and benefits might require a learning curve for new users.
Key features
KnowBe4
Reduce human and AI agent risk with an end-to-end human risk management platform.
Watch out
Potential for high minimum seat counts
Strengths
- +Reduces 'Phish-prone' percentage significantly.
- +Integrates compliance and security training into one platform.
- +Offers AI-powered defense agents for real-time risk detection and mitigation.
- +Provides a comprehensive toolkit for assessing and improving an organization's security posture.
Weaknesses
- -Pricing details are not publicly available, requiring a demo request.
- -Requires active participation from employees for training effectiveness.
- -Implementation and customization may require dedicated IT resources.
Key features
Pricing: Cobalt vs KnowBe4
| Plan | Cobalt | KnowBe4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Get a quote Standard | Contact us Silver |
| Tier 2 | Get a quote Premium | Contact us Gold |
| Tier 3 | Get a quote Enterprise | Contact us Platinum |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Contact us Diamond |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Cobalt pricing and KnowBe4 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Cobalt
Want the highest-rated option?
Cobalt: 4.4/5 (137 reviews). KnowBe4: 4.6/5 (2,424 reviews).
Go with: KnowBe4
Value user reviews?
Cobalt: 137 reviews (4.4/5). KnowBe4: 2,424 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: KnowBe4
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are security tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
KnowBe4 is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Cobalt
- Our pick for this comparison
KnowBe4
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (2,424 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Cobalt wins this matchup. 1Password is our overall Security pick. LastPass is our free Security pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cobalt or KnowBe4 better?
Cobalt is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Cobalt and KnowBe4 used for?
Cobalt: Human-led, AI-powered offensive security to continuously find and remediate risk across your attack surface.. KnowBe4: Reduce human and AI agent risk with an end-to-end human risk management platform..
What does Cobalt cost vs KnowBe4?
Cobalt is a paid tool. KnowBe4 is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.