TryHackMe Pricing: Plans, Discounts & Is It Worth It? (2026)

TryHackMe Plans and Pricing in 2026

TryHackMe uses a freemium model: anyone can create an account and access basic content for free, while a Premium subscription unlocks the full library. Here is a quick overview of the current pricing structure:

The biggest takeaway from this table: if you plan to use TryHackMe for more than a few months, annual billing saves you roughly 25% compared to paying month-to-month. Students save even more with the verified discount.

What You Get with a Free TryHackMe Account

The free tier is not just a teaser. TryHackMe actually gives you access to a meaningful amount of content without paying anything. Here is what the free plan includes:

• Selected rooms and challenges: Many introductory rooms are completely free, including popular ones like "Learn Linux Fundamentals" and basic networking modules
• Learning paths (partial): You can start most learning paths, though premium rooms within those paths remain locked
• Community features: Access to the leaderboard, badges, streaks, and the community Discord
• Attack box (limited): Free users get a browser-based virtual machine for 1 hour per day, enough for a quick practice session
• OpenVPN access: You can connect your own Kali Linux VM to TryHackMe labs at no cost

Limitations of the Free Plan

The free tier works well for exploring the platform and learning the basics. However, you will hit these walls fairly quickly:

• Most rooms in structured learning paths are premium-only
• The 1-hour daily attack box limit can feel restrictive during longer challenges
• No access to certificates of completion for learning paths
• Limited room selection means you cannot follow a comprehensive curriculum

If you are testing the waters or supplementing other training, the free plan is solid. But serious learners who want to follow TryHackMe's structured paths will likely outgrow it within a few weeks.

TryHackMe Premium: Features and Cost

TryHackMe Premium removes the limits and opens up the full platform. Here is exactly what you gain by upgrading:

Full Content Access

• All rooms unlocked: Access every room on the platform, including guided walkthroughs, challenges, and CTF-style content
• Complete learning paths: Follow structured curricula from start to finish (Cyber Defense, Offensive Pentesting, CompTIA prep, and more)
• New content: Premium rooms are released regularly, keeping the library current with modern attack techniques and defense strategies

Lab Environment Upgrades

• Unlimited attack box time: No more 1-hour daily limits. Use the browser-based VM as long as you need
• Faster machine deployment: Premium users get priority when launching lab machines
• Custom Kali instances: Personalize your attack box environment to suit your workflow

Career and Certification Support

• Certificates of completion: Earn shareable certificates for finished learning paths
• Exam prep modules: Guided preparation for certifications like CompTIA Security+, Pentest+, and more

Premium pricing comes down to roughly $10-14 per month depending on your billing cycle. Compared to bootcamps that cost thousands or certification exams at $300-400 each, TryHackMe Premium is relatively affordable for the volume of hands-on content you receive. If you are looking for more discounts, check out our guide to TryHackMe coupons and promo codes.

TryHackMe Student and Annual Discounts

TryHackMe offers two main ways to reduce your subscription cost: the student discount and annual billing. Let us break down both options.

TryHackMe Student Discount

If you are a current student, TryHackMe provides a 20% discount on annual plans. Here is how it works:

• Eligibility: You must be enrolled at an accredited educational institution
• Verification: Requires a valid student email address (ending in .edu, .ac.uk, or similar educational domains)
• Applies to: Annual subscriptions only, not monthly billing
• Cannot combine: The student discount does not stack with seasonal promos or vouchers

With the student discount, your annual cost drops to approximately $100/year, which works out to around $8 per month. That is less than two cups of coffee at most cafes, and you get unlimited access to one of the largest cybersecurity learning platforms available.

Annual vs Monthly: The Math

Even without the student discount, switching from monthly to annual billing saves significant money:

Seasonal Promotions

TryHackMe occasionally runs sales, typically around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, offering 20-30% off subscription plans. These promotions are announced on their official blog and social media channels. If you are not in a rush, timing your subscription around late November could save you extra money. For the latest verified deals, see our TryHackMe coupon guide.

Is TryHackMe Premium Worth It?

This is the question everyone asks, and the honest answer depends on your situation. Let us look at it from different angles.

When TryHackMe Premium Is Worth It

• You are a complete beginner: TryHackMe's guided learning paths are some of the best in the industry for people starting from scratch. The step-by-step approach, built-in hints, and browser-based labs lower the barrier to entry significantly.
• You prefer structured learning: If you want a clear curriculum rather than piecing together resources yourself, TryHackMe's paths from "Pre-Security" through "Offensive Pentesting" provide a logical progression.
• You are preparing for certifications: TryHackMe offers specific prep paths for CompTIA Security+, Pentest+, and other popular certifications. The hands-on practice complements traditional study materials well.
• You value convenience: Browser-based labs mean no local VM setup, no troubleshooting VirtualBox issues, and practice from any computer with internet access.

When TryHackMe Might Not Be Worth It

• You already have intermediate skills: If you are comfortable with Linux, networking, and basic exploitation, TryHackMe's content may feel too guided. Platforms with more challenging, realistic environments might serve you better.
• You only learn occasionally: Paying $10-14/month for a subscription you use twice a month is poor value. The free tier or free alternatives might be enough for casual learners.
• You need specific, advanced training: TryHackMe's strength is breadth and beginner-friendliness, not deep dives into niche topics like advanced malware analysis or red team operations.
• Budget is extremely tight: Excellent free resources exist. PortSwigger Web Security Academy for web security, OverTheWire for Linux fundamentals, and platforms like HackerDNA offer hands-on labs that can fill the gap.

The Bottom Line on Value

For beginners who commit to learning consistently, TryHackMe Premium is one of the better investments in cybersecurity education. At $8-14/month, you get structured paths, hundreds of labs, and a supportive community. Compare that to a college course at thousands of dollars per semester or a professional bootcamp at $10,000+, and the value becomes clear.

That said, it is not the only option, and it is not automatically the best option for every learner. Your experience level, learning style, and budget all matter. The smartest approach is to try the free tier for two weeks, assess whether the teaching style clicks with you, and then decide if upgrading makes sense for your specific goals.

Best TryHackMe Alternatives for 2026

TryHackMe is a strong platform, but competition in cybersecurity training has grown significantly. Here are the most notable alternatives to consider before committing to a TryHackMe subscription:

HackerDNA

HackerDNA focuses on practical cybersecurity skills through structured courses and hands-on labs. The platform offers an ethical hacking course and a dedicated web attacks course that teach real-world techniques in a controlled environment. If you prefer learning by doing rather than reading through guided walkthroughs, HackerDNA's approach may suit you well.

• Structured courses with clear learning objectives
• Hands-on labs with real attack scenarios
• Competitive pricing compared to other premium platforms
• Focus on practical skills employers actually look for

Hack The Box

Hack The Box is TryHackMe's most direct competitor. It offers more challenging, less guided machines that closely simulate real-world penetration testing scenarios. HTB is better suited for intermediate learners who already understand the basics and want to test their skills. For a detailed breakdown including pricing differences, read our TryHackMe vs Hack The Box pricing and features comparison.

Free Resources

If budget is your primary concern, these free platforms provide genuine learning value:

• PortSwigger Web Security Academy: Best free resource for learning web application security, from the creators of Burp Suite
• OverTheWire Wargames: Free command-line challenges for learning Linux and basic security concepts
• PicoCTF: Free CTF platform from Carnegie Mellon, excellent for beginners

For a more comprehensive list, check out our guide to the best cybersecurity lab alternatives, which covers over a dozen platforms across different price points and skill levels.

How to Choose the Right Cybersecurity Platform

With so many options available, picking the right platform can feel overwhelming. Here is a practical framework to help you decide:

Step 1: Assess Your Current Level

Be honest about where you stand. If you cannot navigate a Linux terminal or do not understand basic networking concepts like IP addresses and ports, you are a beginner. TryHackMe's free tier is an excellent starting point for building foundational knowledge. If you can already run Nmap scans, understand how web requests work, and have completed a few CTF challenges, you might benefit more from a platform with less hand-holding and more advanced scenarios.

A good self-assessment test: can you explain the difference between TCP and UDP? Do you know what a reverse shell is? Can you read basic Python scripts? If you answered no to most of these, start with beginner platforms. If you answered yes, consider intermediate options.

Step 2: Define Your Goal

• Career entry: Platforms with structured paths and certificates (TryHackMe, HackerDNA) help you build a portfolio
• Certification prep: Look for platforms with dedicated cert prep content (TryHackMe has paths for Security+, Pentest+, and others)
• Skill sharpening: Challenge-focused platforms like Hack The Box or HackerDNA Labs push you to think independently
• Hobby/curiosity: Free platforms like PicoCTF and OverTheWire are perfect for exploring without financial commitment

Step 3: Try Before You Buy

Every major platform offers free access of some kind. Spend a week or two on TryHackMe's free tier, try a few HackerDNA labs, and explore Hack The Box's free machines. You will quickly discover which teaching style resonates with you. The best platform is the one you actually use consistently.

Step 4: Consider Combining Platforms

Many successful cybersecurity professionals use multiple platforms. A common approach: start with TryHackMe for fundamentals, practice offensive skills on HackerDNA or Hack The Box, and use PortSwigger for web security depth. You do not have to pick just one, and most learners find that combining two or three platforms gives them the best results.

For example, you might use TryHackMe's structured paths to learn the theory, then immediately apply what you learned in a HackerDNA lab to reinforce the skill. This combination of guided learning plus independent practice accelerates your growth faster than either approach alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How We Verified TryHackMe Pricing

All pricing information in this guide was gathered from TryHackMe's official website and publicly available subscription pages. We cross-referenced pricing with official announcements and community reports. Prices are shown in USD and may vary slightly based on your region, currency conversion, and applicable taxes.

Last verified: February 16, 2026. TryHackMe may update pricing without notice. We recommend checking the official TryHackMe site before purchasing.