15 Best Cybersecurity Labs for Hands-On Practice (2026)

What Are Cybersecurity Labs?

Cybersecurity labs are virtual environments where you can legally practice hacking techniques, penetration testing, and defensive security skills. They provide intentionally vulnerable systems that simulate real-world targets without legal risk. Think of them as flight simulators for hackers.

Types of Cybersecurity Practice Labs

• CTF Platforms Capture The Flag competitions with puzzle-style challenges. Great for learning specific techniques in isolation. See our CTF for beginners guide.
• Vulnerable VMs Downloadable virtual machines you run locally. Realistic but require setup knowledge.
• Guided Learning Platforms Structured courses with hands-on labs. Best for beginners who need direction. Examples include TryHackMe and HTB Academy.
• Cyber Ranges Enterprise-grade simulations with full network environments. Used by corporations and military.

How We Evaluated These Cybersecurity Labs

We assessed each platform across five criteria:

• Skill level appropriateness: Does it match beginner, intermediate, or advanced needs?
• Cost and value: What do you get for free versus paid tiers?
• Content quality: Are the labs realistic and well-designed?
• Community and support: Can you get help when stuck?
• Career relevance: Does it prepare you for real jobs and certifications?

Disclosure: HackerDNA is our platform. We've included it because we genuinely believe it offers value, but we've been objective about its limitations compared to established competitors.

Best Cybersecurity Labs for Beginners

Starting your cybersecurity journey? These platforms offer structured learning paths and beginner-friendly content that won't overwhelm you.

1. TryHackMe

TryHackMe pioneered browser-based cybersecurity labs with guided learning paths. No VPN setup, no local VMs - just open your browser and start hacking. Their "rooms" walk you through concepts step-by-step with integrated questions to verify understanding. Looking for savings? Check out our TryHackMe discount guide for student discounts and legitimate promo codes.

• Best for: Complete beginners who need structure
• Pricing: Free tier available, $16.99/month premium (student discount available)
• Focus: Broad cybersecurity fundamentals

Pros:

• Structured curriculum with clear learning paths
• Active community and Discord support
• No local setup required - runs in browser
• Excellent for building foundational knowledge

Cons:

• Can feel hand-holdy for experienced users
• Some paths require premium subscription
• Less realistic than standalone machines

2. HackerDNA

HackerDNA combines CTF-style challenges with realistic hacking labs focused on web application security. The platform emphasizes practical skills over theoretical knowledge, with labs designed to teach techniques used in real penetration tests.

• Best for: Beginners wanting practical web security skills
• Pricing: Free tier available
• Focus: Web application security, ethical hacking fundamentals

Pros:

• Clean, modern interface
• Strong focus on web application vulnerabilities
• Active development with new content regularly
• Free tier with meaningful content

Cons:

• Smaller lab library than established competitors (growing rapidly)
• Newer platform with developing community

3. PicoCTF

Created by Carnegie Mellon University, PicoCTF is an educational CTF platform designed specifically for students. The challenges progress from trivially easy to moderately difficult, teaching fundamentals across all major security categories.

• Best for: Students, CTF newcomers
• Pricing: Completely free
• Focus: Educational CTF challenges

Pros:

• 100% free with no paywalls
• Beginner-friendly difficulty progression
• Educational focus with learning resources
• Annual competition for resume building

Cons:

• Less realistic than full penetration testing labs
• Limited to CTF format
• Some challenges feel academic rather than practical

4. OverTheWire

OverTheWire offers command-line wargames that teach Linux fundamentals through progressive challenges. The Bandit wargame is legendary as the starting point for countless security professionals learning their way around a terminal.

• Best for: Linux fundamentals, CLI proficiency
• Pricing: Completely free
• Focus: Command-line skills, system administration

Pros:

• Excellent for building Linux foundations
• Self-paced with no time pressure
• Teaches skills used in every other platform

Cons:

• No graphical interface - pure command line
• Steep learning curve for complete beginners
• Minimal guidance - you're on your own

Best Cybersecurity Labs for Intermediate Users

Ready to move beyond guided tutorials? These platforms offer realistic environments that simulate actual penetration testing scenarios.

5. Hack The Box

Hack The Box is the industry standard for realistic penetration testing practice. Their machines simulate real corporate environments with multiple attack vectors and no hand-holding. Many hiring managers specifically look for HTB rankings when evaluating candidates.

• Best for: OSCP preparation, pentesting practice
• Pricing: Free tier, $25/month VIP
• Focus: Realistic penetration testing

Pros:

• Massive community with active forums
• Realistic machines that mirror corporate environments
• Excellent preparation for OSCP certification
• Regular new machine releases

Cons:

• Can be frustrating for beginners - minimal guidance
• Requires VPN setup and configuration
• Some machines are brutally difficult

6. PortSwigger Web Security Academy

Created by the makers of Burp Suite, the Web Security Academy offers industry-leading web application security training. The labs cover every web vulnerability category with professional-grade content that rivals expensive training courses.

• Best for: Web application security specialists
• Pricing: Completely free
• Focus: Web application vulnerabilities

Pros:

• Best-in-class web security content
• Written by the Burp Suite team
• Covers advanced techniques not found elsewhere
• Completely free

Cons:

• Focused only on web security
• No network pentesting content
• Can be challenging for complete beginners

7. VulnHub

VulnHub hosts downloadable vulnerable virtual machines created by the community. Each VM is a self-contained challenge that you run locally, offering complete control over your practice environment.

• Best for: Offline practice, home lab building
• Pricing: Completely free
• Focus: Varied - depends on the VM

Pros:

• Huge library of community-created machines
• Works completely offline
• Realistic scenarios with full VM access
• Great for building local lab environments

Cons:

• Requires VM software and setup knowledge
• No guided learning - you're on your own
• Quality varies between machines

8. Root-me

Root-me is a French platform offering challenges across multiple security categories. The breadth of content is impressive, covering everything from web exploitation to forensics to cryptography.

• Best for: Diverse skill development
• Pricing: Free with premium options
• Focus: Multi-category challenges

Pros:

• Wide variety of challenge categories
• Active international community
• Regular new content additions

Cons:

• Interface less polished than competitors
• Some content only in French

Best Cybersecurity Labs for Advanced Users

These platforms target experienced practitioners preparing for advanced certifications or developing specialized skills.

9. Offensive Security Proving Grounds

Created by the makers of OSCP, Proving Grounds offers the most authentic OSCP preparation experience available. The machines are designed by the same team that creates the certification exam.

• Best for: OSCP and OSEP certification prep
• Pricing: $19/month (Practice), higher tiers available
• Focus: Penetration testing certification prep

Pros:

• Made by OSCP creators - most realistic prep
• Machines mirror actual exam difficulty
• Official walkthroughs available

Cons:

• Assumes existing penetration testing knowledge
• Subscription cost adds up during prep

10. Pentester Academy (AttackDefense)

Pentester Academy's AttackDefense platform offers over 2000 browser-based labs covering offensive security techniques. The content targets red team professionals developing advanced skills.

• Best for: Red team skill development
• Pricing: $69/month
• Focus: Advanced offensive techniques

Pros:

• Massive library of 2000+ labs
• Browser-based with no setup
• Constantly updated with new content

Cons:

• Premium pricing
• Overwhelming for beginners

11. SANS Cyber Ranges

SANS offers enterprise-grade cyber range environments used by military, government, and Fortune 500 companies. These are full network simulations with dozens of interconnected systems.

• Best for: Corporate teams, advanced practitioners
• Pricing: Enterprise (contact for pricing)
• Focus: Enterprise security scenarios

Pros:

• Industry gold standard
• Most realistic enterprise scenarios available
• Used by top security teams globally

Cons:

• Very expensive - enterprise pricing
• Overkill for individual learners

Best Free Cybersecurity Labs

Budget constraints shouldn't stop your learning. These free resources provide excellent training at zero cost.

12. OWASP Juice Shop

Juice Shop is an intentionally vulnerable web application covering all OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities. The gamified scoring system tracks your progress across 100+ challenges.

• Best for: OWASP Top 10 practice
• Setup: Docker or Node.js
• Focus: Web application vulnerabilities

Pros:

• Comprehensive coverage of web vulnerabilities
• Gamified progress tracking
• Actively maintained by OWASP

Cons:

• Requires self-hosting
• No guided learning path

13. DVWA (Damn Vulnerable Web Application)

DVWA is the classic vulnerable web application that has trained generations of security professionals. Its adjustable difficulty levels make it suitable for learning progression.

• Best for: Web vulnerability basics
• Setup: XAMPP or Docker
• Focus: Common web vulnerabilities

Pros:

• Simple setup process
• Adjustable difficulty levels
• Excellent documentation

Cons:

• Dated interface
• Limited scope compared to modern platforms

14. Metasploitable

Metasploitable is an intentionally vulnerable Linux virtual machine designed for practicing with the Metasploit Framework. It offers dozens of exploitable services on a single target.

• Best for: Metasploit practice, network pentesting
• Setup: VirtualBox or VMware
• Focus: Network exploitation

Pros:

• Realistic Linux target environment
• Excellent for learning Metasploit
• Multiple vulnerable services

Cons:

• Requires VM knowledge
• Single target with dated vulnerabilities

15. CyberDefenders

CyberDefenders focuses on blue team skills - the defensive side of security. Challenges include log analysis, malware analysis, and incident response scenarios.

• Best for: Defensive security, SOC analysts
• Pricing: Free
• Focus: Blue team challenges

Pros:

• Unique defensive security focus
• Real-world incident scenarios
• Great for SOC analyst preparation

Cons:

• Limited content compared to offensive platforms
• Smaller community

Cybersecurity Labs Comparison Table

Quick reference comparing all 15 platforms:

How to Choose the Right Cybersecurity Lab

The best platform depends on your specific goals. With 15 options to choose from, narrowing down to the right fit requires honest assessment of your current skill level, career objectives, and learning style. Here are recommendations based on common scenarios:

For Certification Preparation

Different certifications require different types of practice. Match your lab choice to your target certification:

• OSCP: Hack The Box, Proving Grounds, and HackerDNA for web exploitation modules. Focus on machines without writeups to simulate exam conditions.
• Security+: TryHackMe learning paths cover the theoretical foundations. CyberDefenders adds blue team practical experience that complements the certification material.
• CEH: TryHackMe structured paths align well with CEH objectives. Pentester Academy provides broader coverage for the hands-on component.
• GPEN/GWAPT: PortSwigger for web application focus, Hack The Box for network penetration testing skills.

For Career Changers

Breaking into cybersecurity from another field requires building both foundational knowledge and demonstrable skills. Start with TryHackMe or HackerDNA for structured learning that builds foundations without assuming prior knowledge. These platforms explain concepts before asking you to exploit them.

Once comfortable with basics, graduate to Hack The Box for realistic penetration testing practice. HTB rankings and completed machine counts appear on resumes and LinkedIn profiles, giving hiring managers tangible evidence of your capabilities. Many job postings specifically mention HTB experience.

For Students

Budget constraints shouldn't limit learning. PicoCTF and OverTheWire are completely free and designed for educational environments. They're also excellent resume builders - participating in PicoCTF competitions demonstrates initiative to potential employers.

HackerDNA offers accessible pricing for students building practical skills alongside academic learning. The platform's focus on hands-on labs complements theoretical coursework.

On a Budget

You can build comprehensive skills using only free resources. Here's a complete free learning path:

• Linux fundamentals: OverTheWire Bandit (free)
• Web application security: PortSwigger Web Security Academy (free)
• Realistic machines: VulnHub downloadable VMs (free)
• CTF skills: PicoCTF challenges (free)
• Basic practice: DVWA and Juice Shop (free, self-hosted)
• Additional content: Free tiers from TryHackMe, Hack The Box, and HackerDNA

This combination covers all major skill areas without spending a dollar. Add paid subscriptions only when you've exhausted free content and need access to more machines.

Building a Learning Progression

Regardless of which platforms you choose, follow this general progression for maximum effectiveness:

1. Build Linux command-line proficiency Complete OverTheWire Bandit levels 0-20. This takes 1-2 weeks and establishes skills used everywhere else.
2. Learn one category deeply Pick web exploitation, network pentesting, or forensics. Complete 20-30 challenges in that category before branching out.
3. Graduate to realistic machines Move from CTF-style puzzles to full machine exploitation on platforms like Hack The Box or VulnHub.
4. Build a portfolio Document your learning. Write blog posts about machines you've completed. Contribute to the community.

Frequently Asked Questions