TryHackMe Alternatives: Is SOC Level 1 Worth It? (2026)

TryHackMe is where a lot of SOC analysts take their first real step, and for good reason. Its SOC Level 1 path is structured, rated Easy, and comes with an in-browser attack machine, so you can start without building a lab.

This guide covers what SOC Level 1 actually includes, what free, Premium and MAX cost, where the SAL1 certification fits, and which alternatives make sense depending on what you want next.

Last checked: October 2026. Prices change, check TryHackMe's site before you buy.

What does TryHackMe SOC Level 1 include?

According to TryHackMe's path outline, SOC Level 1 is:

• 14 modules
• 65 hands-on labs
• An estimated 65h 29m of work
• Difficulty: Easy

That is a substantial path for a beginner. At an hour a day, that is roughly two months of evenings.

TryHackMe describes itself as having 1,000+ interactive labs across offensive and defensive topics, so SOC Level 1 is one path among many. If you enjoy it, there is plenty more on the same platform.

How much does TryHackMe Premium cost in 2026?

These are the prices TryHackMe shows to a US visitor as of October 2026. They may vary by region (TryHackMe pricing). Prices change, check their site before you buy.

For SOC Level 1 specifically, the plan that matters is Premium, because it gives full access to beginner paths and removes the daily machine limit. MAX makes more sense once you are ready for advanced paths or cloud content.

Is TryHackMe SOC Level 1 worth it?

In our view, for most complete beginners, yes. Here is why:

• Low friction. The in-browser attack machine means you do not need a home lab to start.
• Structure. A path with a fixed order means you are never guessing what to learn next.
• Breadth. 65 labs across 14 modules is a lot of hands-on repetition at an Easy level.
• Price. Premium billed annually is $11.19/month at US pricing as of October 2026, which is one of the lower entry points in this list.

Where you might want something else is not about quality, it is about format. SOC Level 1 is a guided path: you learn a concept, then use it in a lab. Some readers finish and want a different kind of practice, such as an alert queue, deeper forensics, or one long investigation. That is what the rest of this guide is for.

What is SAL1, and should you take it?

SAL1 (Security Analyst Level 1) is TryHackMe's certification. It combines multiple-choice questions with a practical section in TryHackMe's SOC simulator (SAL1). Premium includes 15% off certifications and MAX includes 40% off one certification.

If you have finished SOC Level 1 and want something on your CV from the same platform, SAL1 is the natural next step. If you are comparing it with other entry-level certifications, our SOC analyst certifications ranked guide lays them side by side.

What are the best TryHackMe alternatives?

Pick by what you want next, not by which platform is "best".

If you want an alert queue: LetsDefend

LetsDefend's core format is a simulated SOC environment where alerts arrive and you investigate them. Hack The Box acquired LetsDefend (announced 16 September 2025), and LetsDefend's own site still sells its plans.

• Free (Basic): free courses, challenges, quizzes, 1 hour of hands-on labs per month, limited SOC Analyst alerts.
• VIP: $24.99/month, or $16.99/month billed annually, with 140 lab hours a month.
• VIP+: $39.99/month, or $29.99/month billed annually, with unlimited lab hours and Incident Responder content.
• 50% student discount with a .edu email. Prices as of October 2026 (LetsDefend pricing). Prices change, check their site before you buy.

More in our LetsDefend review.

If you want harder labs or offensive skills too: Hack The Box

Hack The Box is best known for offensive labs, and it also runs Sherlocks, its defensive investigation challenges with evidence and questions.

• HTB Labs: free plan with 20 active machines and 80+ active challenges. VIP+ $25/month or $223/year; PRO $49/month or $490/year (HTB Labs).
• HTB Academy: 350+ modules, and HTB says it has added 191 defensive courses from LetsDefend. From 12 October 2026: Student $10/month, Silver Monthly $30/month, Silver Annual $550/year with two bundled exam vouchers (HTB Academy pricing).
• HTB CDSA is aimed at entry-level SOC analysts. You must complete 100% of the "SOC Analyst" job-role path before the hands-on exam, which requires a commercial-grade report.

All HTB prices as of October 2026. Prices change, check their site before you buy. For a head-to-head, see TryHackMe vs Hack The Box for blue team.

If you want investigation scenarios: Blue Team Labs Online

BTLO is run by Centri (formerly Security Blue Team). All its security challenges are free: downloadable memory dumps, phishing emails, packet captures and logs. PRO adds 274 in-browser investigation labs for £15/month or £144/year as of October 2026 (BTLO). Prices change, check their site before you buy.

BTLO's own FAQ says it is designed for defenders who already have experience with security tools and investigations, which makes it a sensible step after a beginner path rather than before one. Our blue team labs comparison covers BTLO and the rest in more detail.

If you want DFIR and threat hunting depth: CyberDefenders

CyberDefenders runs blue team labs in the browser with zero setup, covering DFIR, threat hunting, threat intelligence and malware analysis. It is free to start; pricing is shown after you create a free account. Its CCDL1 certification targets entry-level SOC skills, and CCDL2 (formerly CCD) is a threat hunting and DFIR certification with a 48-hour practical exam.

If you want one continuous investigation: EpicDetect

This is our platform, so read it as such. EpicDetect focuses on beginners and career changers. Adventures Season Zero is free: five episodes of one continuous, story-driven SOC investigation, roughly 3-4 hours in total. The Atlas skill map, guided analysis cases and every case not marked Premium are free too, with no card and no time limit.

Premium is $25/month or $180/year ($15/month billed annually) with a 7-day free trial. It adds Premium modules, the Security+, Network+ and A+ tracks with timed exam simulators, Security+ flashcard decks, Season One and every Premium case.

What we don't have: a SIEM-style alert queue simulator, a proctored certification, offensive content, memory or disk forensics labs, malware reverse-engineering labs, or cloud labs. If you need those, the platforms above fit better.

TryHackMe vs alternatives at a glance

Prices as of October 2026, from each provider's public page (see Sources). Prices change, check their site before you buy.

FAQ

How much is TryHackMe Premium in 2026?

As of October 2026, TryHackMe shows US visitors $18.11/month, or $11.19/month billed annually. MAX is $30.73/month or $18.99/month billed annually. Prices may vary by region (TryHackMe pricing).

How long does TryHackMe SOC Level 1 take?

TryHackMe estimates 65h 29m across 14 modules and 65 hands-on labs.

Can I do SOC Level 1 on the free plan?

The free plan gives limited access to learning paths and free content only, with a 1-hour daily limit on the in-browser machine. Premium gives full access to beginner paths.

Is SAL1 worth it?

SAL1 combines multiple-choice questions with a practical section in TryHackMe's SOC simulator. In our view it suits people who have finished SOC Level 1 and want a credential from the same platform. Compare it with other options before paying.

What should I do after TryHackMe SOC Level 1?

Choose by format: LetsDefend for alert queues, BTLO or CyberDefenders for investigation scenarios and DFIR, Hack The Box for harder or offensive labs, and EpicDetect for one continuous investigation.

How EpicDetect Can Help

If you have done guided labs and want to see what following one incident from first alert to final report feels like, play Adventures Season Zero. It is five free episodes, roughly 3-4 hours.

If Security+ is next on your list, take the free 20-question Security+ practice test. No account needed, and it shows your weakest domain.

Start free. No card needed.

Sources

• TryHackMe pricing
• TryHackMe SOC Level 1
• TryHackMe SAL1
• LetsDefend pricing
• Hack The Box acquires LetsDefend
• HTB Labs subscriptions
• HTB Academy pricing
• HTB CDSA
• Blue Team Labs Online
• CyberDefenders blue team labs
• CyberDefenders CCDL1
• CyberDefenders CCDL2