CyberDefenders Review and Alternatives (2026)
CyberDefenders review for 2026: browser blue team labs, CCDL1 and CCDL2 (formerly CCD), who it suits, and the best CyberDefenders alternatives by goal.
EpicDetect Team
9 min read
CyberDefenders Review and Alternatives (2026)
You've found CyberDefenders and you're wondering: is it right for where you are, and what else should you look at before you commit?
This guide covers what CyberDefenders offers, what its certifications (CCDL1 and CCDL2, formerly CCD) are for, who we think it suits, and which alternatives fit better depending on your goal.
Disclosure: we run EpicDetect, one of the alternatives here. We'll say where another platform is the better pick. For forensics, it often is.
Last checked: October 2026.
What is CyberDefenders?
CyberDefenders is a blue team training platform built around hands-on labs. According to its own site, the labs run in your browser with zero setup. The lab domains it lists include:
- DFIR (digital forensics and incident response)
- Threat hunting
- Threat intelligence
- Malware analysis
You can start for free: the site has a "Get started for Free" sign-up.
The format, in general terms, is investigation-led: you work through evidence from a scenario to answer questions about what happened.
What CyberDefenders does well, in our view: evidence-handling practice in the areas hardest to self-teach. Forensics and malware analysis are painful to set up at home, and a zero-setup browser lab removes that friction.
What are the CCDL1 and CCDL2 certifications?
CyberDefenders offers two certifications.
CCDL1 (Certified CyberDefender Level 1) is its entry-level SOC analyst training and certification. It targets Tier 1 SOC skills, and Splunk/SPL practice is part of the preparation. If you're aiming at your first SOC role and you want a practical cert alongside (or instead of) a multiple-choice one, CCDL1 is the one to look at.
CCDL2 (formerly CCD, Certified CyberDefender) is the more advanced one: a threat hunting and DFIR certification with a 48-hour practical exam. If you've seen people talk about "the CCD", this is it under its newer name.
A 48-hour practical rewards people who can sit with evidence, follow a thread and document what they find. In our view it's not where complete beginners should start; CCDL1 is the entry point.
How much does CyberDefenders cost?
CyberDefenders shows its pricing after you create a free account, so we're not going to quote a number here. As of October 2026, the public pages we checked don't list prices; sign up for the free account to see current plans and certification pricing. Prices change, so check their site before you buy.
Our suggestion: make the free account and see whether the format clicks before you look at paid options.
Who is CyberDefenders best for?
In our view, CyberDefenders fits best if you are:
- Heading toward DFIR or incident response. The lab domains line up with that work, and CCDL2 is built for it.
- An entry-level SOC candidate who wants a practical cert. CCDL1 is aimed squarely at Tier 1, with Splunk practice built into the prep.
- Comfortable learning by investigating. If you enjoy getting a pile of evidence and a list of questions, the format will suit you.
It may be a less natural first stop if you're still learning what a process, a port or a log source is. If you can't read the evidence yet, pair it with a fundamentals platform. We cover beginner-friendly free options in our free blue team labs comparison.
What are the best CyberDefenders alternatives?
There's no single "best". It depends on what you want more of. Here's how we'd sort them.
Blue Team Labs Online (Centri): more investigation labs, plus BTL1
Blue Team Labs Online (BTLO) is run by Centri (formerly Security Blue Team) and is the closest match in spirit: investigation-style blue team practice.
As of October 2026, BTLO's free tier includes all of its security challenges, which come as downloadable content: memory dumps, phishing emails, packet captures and logs. The PRO tier adds 274 investigation labs that run in a dedicated in-browser environment with no VM or VPN, plus all the challenges. PRO costs £15/month, £40.50 for 3 months, £76.50 for 6 months or £144/year, and you can cancel any time (source). Prices change, check their site before you buy.
One honest note: BTLO's own FAQ says it's designed for defenders who already have experience with security tools and investigations, as a place to keep skills sharp. Centri also sells the BTL1 certification (£399 GBP for training and exam, as of October 2026, source), which has a practical exam. We wrote a full breakdown in our BTL1 review.
Pick it if: you like the CyberDefenders format and want a second deep pool of investigation labs, or you're weighing BTL1 against CCDL1.
Hack The Box: Sherlocks, Academy and CDSA
Hack The Box is best known for offensive (penetration testing) labs, but it has a real defensive side too.
- Sherlocks are HTB's defensive investigation challenges: you get evidence and a set of questions. Similar shape to CyberDefenders labs.
- HTB Academy is the structured course side, with 350+ modules. HTB says it added 191 defensive courses from LetsDefend after acquiring it.
- HTB CDSA (Certified Defensive Security Analyst) is aimed at entry-level SOC analysts. To start the exam you must complete 100% of the "SOC Analyst" job-role path, and the exam is hands-on (security analysis, SOC operations and incident handling) and requires a commercial-grade report. Our HTB CDSA review covers cost and requirements.
Academy pricing changes on 12 October 2026. From that date, Silver Monthly is $30/month and Silver Annual is $550/year, the annual plan including two bundled exam vouchers (HTB CJCA plus one Specialist certification) (source). Before 12 October, Silver Annual is $490/year. Prices change, check their site before you buy.
Pick it if: you want structured courses feeding into a hands-on cert with a report-writing component, or you also want offensive content on the same platform.
LetsDefend: the alert-queue format (now part of Hack The Box)
LetsDefend's core format is a simulated SOC where alerts arrive and you investigate them. Hack The Box announced it had acquired LetsDefend on 16 September 2025, and LetsDefend's own site still sells plans.
As of October 2026: Basic is free; VIP is $24.99/month (or $16.99/month billed annually); VIP+ is $39.99/month (or $29.99/month billed annually), with a 50% student discount for .edu emails (source). Prices change, check their site before you buy. Its career paths include SOC Analyst, Incident Responder and Detection Engineering, with certificates of completion on paid plans.
Pick it if: you want to practise the rhythm of a Tier 1 alert queue, which is a different skill from deep forensics. More in our LetsDefend review.
TryHackMe: the broadest structured starting point
TryHackMe describes itself as having 1,000+ interactive labs across offensive and defensive topics. Its SOC Level 1 path has 14 modules and 65 hands-on labs, with an estimated 65h 29m to complete, rated Easy. Its SAL1 (Security Analyst Level 1) certification combines multiple-choice questions with a practical section in TryHackMe's SOC simulator.
As of October 2026, for a US visitor, Premium is $18.11/month or $11.19/month billed annually (source). Prices may vary by region and change, so check their site before you buy.
Pick it if: you want a guided path from zero with a lot of hand-holding, then plan to move to CyberDefenders or BTLO once the basics are solid.
EpicDetect: fundamentals plus one continuous investigation
This is us, so read it with that in mind.
EpicDetect is browser-based with nothing to install. The free tier, with no card and no time limit, includes the Atlas skill map with every free module and track (Linux, Windows, Active Directory, Python and more), Adventures Season Zero (five episodes of a continuous, story-driven SOC investigation, roughly 3-4 hours in total), guided analysis cases, and a free 20-question Security+ practice test. Premium is $25/month or $180/year and adds the Security+, Network+ and A+ tracks, timed exam simulators, flashcards, Season One and every Premium case.
What we don't have, plainly: no memory or disk forensics labs, no malware reverse-engineering labs, no SIEM-style alert queue simulator, no cloud labs, and no proctored certification. If forensics is the goal, CyberDefenders, BTLO or Sherlocks will serve you better than we will.
Pick it if: you're earlier in the journey and want fundamentals, a feel for how one incident unfolds across several stages, and optionally Security+ prep, all in one place.
Home labs: free software, paid in time
Security Onion, Splunk Free, Elastic and Wazuh are free software. The cost is your time and hardware. A home lab teaches you what breaks when you misconfigure a forwarder; it's also slow to reach the interesting part.
Pick it if: you've done some guided practice and want to understand the tooling from the inside.
CyberDefenders vs alternatives: comparison table
Prices as of October 2026; check each site before you buy.
| Platform | Main format | Certification | Entry price shown publicly | Best fit (our view) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CyberDefenders | Browser labs: DFIR, threat hunting, threat intel, malware analysis | CCDL1 (entry SOC), CCDL2 (48-hour practical) | Shown after free sign-up | Heading toward DFIR/IR |
| BTLO (Centri) | Challenges (downloadable) + PRO investigation labs | BTL1 (£399) | Free tier; PRO £15/month | Investigation reps, BTL1 candidates |
| Hack The Box | Sherlocks, Academy courses | CDSA (hands-on + report) | Academy Silver $30/month from 12 Oct 2026 | Structured path into a practical cert |
| LetsDefend | Simulated SOC alert queue | Certificates of completion (paid plans) | Free Basic; VIP $24.99/month | Alert-triage rhythm |
| TryHackMe | Guided labs, offensive and defensive | SAL1 | Free; Premium $18.11/month (US) | Structured start from zero |
| EpicDetect | Fundamentals + continuous story investigation + Security+ prep | None (no proctored cert) | Free; Premium $25/month | Beginners and career changers |
| Home lab | Your own SIEM/IDS stack | None | Free software | Learning tools from the inside |
So which should you choose?
Here's how we'd decide:
- You want DFIR or incident response: stay with CyberDefenders, and add BTLO or HTB Sherlocks for more variety of evidence.
- You want your first SOC job and a practical cert: compare CCDL1, BTL1, CDSA and SAL1 side by side. They test differently, so pick the exam format that matches how you learn.
- You're still learning the fundamentals: start guided (TryHackMe, or EpicDetect's free Atlas and Season Zero), then come back when the evidence makes sense.
Most people end up using two platforms, not one. That's normal.
FAQ
Is CyberDefenders free?
You can start for free; the site offers a "Get started for Free" sign-up. Pricing for paid plans and certifications is shown after you create a free account.
What is the difference between CCDL1 and CCDL2 (CCD)?
CCDL1 is CyberDefenders' entry-level SOC analyst training and certification, focused on Tier 1 skills with Splunk practice in the prep. CCDL2, formerly called CCD, is a threat hunting and DFIR certification with a 48-hour practical exam.
Is CyberDefenders good for complete beginners?
It depends on your starting point. In our view, the labs are most rewarding once you can read logs and system artifacts comfortably. If you're starting from zero, a guided fundamentals platform first, then CyberDefenders, is a smoother route.
What is a free alternative to CyberDefenders?
BTLO's free tier includes all of its security challenges, TryHackMe and LetsDefend have free plans, and EpicDetect's free tier includes the Atlas modules and all five Season Zero episodes. A home lab with Security Onion, Splunk Free, Elastic or Wazuh is free software, paid for in time.
How EpicDetect Can Help
If you're platform-shopping because you're early in the journey, try Adventures Season Zero. It's five episodes of one continuous SOC investigation, roughly 3-4 hours, and it's free. You'll find out quickly whether you enjoy following an incident from first signal to conclusion.
Want the fundamentals that make investigation labs easier? The Atlas maps free modules on Linux, Windows, Active Directory and more, so you can fill gaps before you dive into forensics evidence elsewhere.
And if Security+ is on your list too, take the free 20-question Security+ practice test to see where you stand. Start free. No card needed.
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