Lupasafe vs KnowBe4: Which Awareness Platform Is Right for European SMEs? [2026]
KnowBe4 is the world’s largest security awareness platform. Lupasafe is European-built for SMEs and MSPs with NIS2 compliance at its core. Where do the differences lie?
Book a demo View pricingAt a Glance
NIS2 Compliance
Lupasafe maps e-learning to NIS2 Directive Article 21 requirements, including cybersecurity training and remote working policies. KnowBe4 focuses on HIPAA, PCI, and GDPR but has no specific NIS2 compliance mapping.
SME vs Enterprise
KnowBe4 targets mid-market to enterprise (min. 25 seats). Lupasafe is built for SMEs (from 5 users) and MSPs serving the SME market, with personal European support.
MSP White-label
Lupasafe is MSP-first with 100% white-label, Autotask integration, and 3-minute onboarding. KnowBe4 offers a partner model but without full white-label or PSA integration.
NIS2 Directive Compliance: The Biggest Difference
The NIS2 Directive (EU 2022/2555) requires organisations to implement and demonstrate specific cybersecurity measures. Lupasafe maps training directly to NIS2 Article 21 requirements — KnowBe4 does not.
Article 21(2)(g): Cybersecurity Training & Awareness
NIS2 requires demonstrable cybersecurity education for management and employees. Lupasafe delivers this through:
- Integrated e-learning with role-specific modules (management, IT, end-users)
- NIS2 role designation: security officer, incident manager, data protection officer
- Automated annual planning and compliance reporting as audit evidence
KnowBe4: extensive compliance training (HIPAA, PCI, GDPR), but no specific NIS2 compliance mapping or role designation.
Article 21(2)(c): Business Continuity & Remote Working
NIS2 requires policies and training for secure remote working. Lupasafe delivers this through:
- Dedicated e-learning module “Remote Working” (mapped to ISO 27001 A.6.7)
- Endpoint compliance monitoring across home workstations (Mac/Linux/Windows)
- Automated reporting as evidence for auditors
KnowBe4: no dedicated remote working module mapped to NIS2 Article 21, no endpoint monitoring.
Comparing Lupasafe Awareness (from €3.99/user/month). Also need NIS2 compliance, endpoint scanning and M365 audit? See Lupasafe NIS2 in our pricing.
Awareness functionality
Directly comparable features: training, phishing, MSP features and pricing. Here Lupasafe Awareness and KnowBe4 meet on level ground.
| Feature | Lupasafe Awareness | KnowBe4 |
|---|---|---|
| Target audience | ✓ SMEs (5+) & MSPs | ~ Mid-market / enterprise (25+) |
| Security awareness training | ✓ Multi-language | ✓ 1,000+ modules, 35+ languages |
| Custom training development | ✓ Self-service editor — no SCORM tools, no consultancy | ~ SCORM upload only — external authoring tool required |
| Training library | ✓ Monthly updates, European focus | ✓ 1,000+ modules, 35+ languages |
| Phishing simulations | ✓ Unlimited, risk-based: spear, QR, fake login | ✓ 25,000+ templates, spear, fake login |
| Gamification | ~ Limited | ✓ Leaderboards & badges |
| Dark web monitoring | ✓ 20B+ records | ✗ |
| Multi-tenant MSP dashboard | ✓ White-label | ~ Partner model |
| Autotask/PSA integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| White-label branding | ✓ 100% incl. SMTP & PDF reports | ✗ |
| SSO | ✓ Entra ID, Google | ✓ AD, Azure, Okta, OneLogin |
| REST API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile app | ✗ | ✓ Mobile Learner App |
| Transparent pricing | ✓ From €3.99/user | ~ From $1.30/user (USD, 3yr) |
| Minimum users | ✓ No minimum | ~ 25 seats |
| European support | ✓ Personal, multilingual | ✗ US-based, English |
| EU data storage (GDPR) | ✓ Netherlands & Germany | ✓ EU & Germany instance |
| Free trial | ✓ No credit card | ~ Free tools, no full trial |
Extra in Lupasafe NIS2 (from €7.99/user/month)
What pure awareness tools simply don't do. See all features in Lupasafe NIS2.
| Extra NIS2 functionality | Lupasafe NIS2 | KnowBe4 |
|---|---|---|
| Key NIS2 controls (Annex I & II of Directive (EU) 2022/2555 — incl. board education + remote work) | ✓ Built-in | ✗ |
| NIS2 role-specific e-learning | ✓ Security officer, incident manager, DPO | ✗ |
| DMARC + email security | ✓ DMARC, DKIM, SPF | ✗ |
| Endpoint compliance scanning (Win/Mac/Linux) | ✓ CVE/CVSS/EPSS | ✗ |
| Network & domain scans (ports, SSL, security headers) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Microsoft 365 audit (Secure Score, MFA, CIS L1) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Audit-ready NIS2 + ISO 27001 Annex A reports | ✓ | ✗ |
*Pricing notes
- Lupasafe Awareness: from €3.99/user/month — no minimum, 2-year basis (from €2.35 at 500+ users).
- Lupasafe NIS2: from €7.99/user/month — no minimum, 2-year basis (from €4.69 at 500+ users).
- KnowBe4: publicly listed from $1.30/user/month at 3-year contract and minimum 25 seats. Pricing varies by region and volume.
“This security software not only provides an excellent dashboard and proactive support, but also represents an important step towards complying with NIS2 legislation.”
Jurry Bouterse — IT Administrator, Total Packaging
Which Solution Fits Your Organisation?
Choose Lupasafe if you:
- ✓ Need NIS2 Directive compliance reporting for auditors
- ✓ Are an SME or MSP serving SMEs
- ✓ Want 100% white-label to sell under your own brand
- ✓ Need European support and implementation guidance
- ✓ Want dark web monitoring and risk-based phishing included
- ✓ Need Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001 compliance mapping
Choose KnowBe4 if you:
- • Are a large organisation (250+ employees) with global reach
- • Want access to 25,000+ phishing templates and 1,000+ modules
- • Prioritise gamification with leaderboards and badges
- • Do not require specific NIS2 compliance reporting
Verdict
KnowBe4 is the world’s largest awareness platform with a massive content library and 25,000+ phishing templates. For large international organisations, it is a solid choice. But for European SMEs and MSPs that need NIS2 Directive compliance — including Article 21 measures on training, remote working, and incident reporting — Lupasafe offers a more relevant platform.
KnowBe4 lacks NIS2 compliance mapping, has no European-language support team, requires a minimum of 25 seats, and does not offer white-label MSP functionality.
With transparent pricing from €3.99/user, personal European support, and 3-minute onboarding, Lupasafe is built for organisations that take NIS2 seriously.
Book a demo Or start free todaySee also: Lupasafe vs Phished | Lupasafe vs SoSafe
