overview

What is TryHackMe?

TryHackMe is a global cybersecurity training platform used by over 6 million learners worldwide. It teaches cyber security through short, gamified, real-world labs and challenges in a hands-on, interactive environment.

Mission

TryHackMe provides accessible, beginner-friendly cybersecurity education through structured learning paths, interactive challenges, and virtual labs that simulate real-world scenarios.

Founded

While the exact founding date isn’t specified in recent sources, TryHackMe has grown to become one of the two most popular cybersecurity training platforms alongside HackTheBox.

How It Works

Virtual Rooms

TryHackMe provides virtual rooms that simulate various cybersecurity scenarios. These rooms contain:

Challenges and exercises
Step-by-step walkthroughs
Interactive learning resources
Real-world security scenarios

Learning Paths

The platform offers curated learning paths that guide users through a series of interconnected rooms:

Structured progression from beginner to advanced
Organized by topics (web hacking, networking, cryptography, etc.)
Designed to build skills systematically
Covers both offensive and defensive security

Virtual Machines & VPN

Built-in VPN service - Establishes encrypted tunnel for secure access to labs
Attack Box - Browser-based virtual machine for practicing attacks
Virtual environments - Isolated, safe environments to practice hacking

Gamification

TryHackMe uses game mechanics to keep learners engaged:

Leagues and leaderboards
Achievement badges and milestones
Streak tracking
Points and progress tracking
Certificates upon completion

Pricing & Tiers

Free Tier

Access to 390+ free rooms covering various topics
Limited content compared to premium
Great for getting started and testing the platform
No credit card required

Premium Subscription

Cost: 14/month depending on source)

Annual option: ~$126/year (discounted)
Full access to all learning paths and rooms
Access to advanced topics and labs
Unlimited room access
Priority support

Enterprise/Teams

Custom pricing for organizations
Ability to create custom learning paths
Create private CTF challenges
Team management and progress tracking
Tailored training for specific organizational needs
Free trials available

Key Features

Content & Learning

500+ rooms available (with free tier giving access to 390+)
Interactive labs with hands-on virtual environments
Guided walkthroughs - Step-by-step instructions for beginners
Structured learning paths for various skill levels
Real-world scenarios based on actual security incidents
Skills covered: Linux/Windows fundamentals, web exploitation, SOC alert triage, malware analysis, cloud security

Community & Support

Community forums and discussion groups
Team functionality for collaborative learning
Social features - Connect with other learners
Learn from expert instructors including John Hammond, DayCyberwox, Unix Guy, Bearded IT Dad, Grant Collins

Platform Features

Progress tracking - Monitor your learning journey
Certifications - Earn certificates upon module completion
Multiple authentication - Google, LinkedIn, OAuth2
Browser-based - No need to install local VMs for many challenges

Content Areas

TryHackMe covers a wide range of cybersecurity topics:

Offensive Security

Penetration testing
Web application hacking
Network exploitation
Privilege escalation
Password cracking

Defensive Security

SOC (Security Operations Center) simulations
Incident response
Threat detection
Log analysis
SIEM tools

Core Skills

Linux fundamentals
Windows fundamentals
Networking basics
Cryptography
Scripting and automation

Advanced Topics

Malware analysis
Cloud security (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Active Directory attacks
Reverse engineering
Binary exploitation

Annual Events

Advent of Cyber

TryHackMe’s flagship annual event running every December:

Advent of Cyber 2025 Details:

Duration: December 1-25 (24 challenges + bonus day)
Format: One new challenge released daily
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
Cost: Completely free
Prizes: Over $150,000 in prizes
Certification: Completion certificate and badge upon finishing all days

Learning Focus:

Linux & Windows fundamentals
Web exploitation
SOC alert triage
Malware analysis
Cloud security basics

Expert Instruction:

Guided by globally recognized cybersecurity educators
Expert walkthroughs for each challenge
Designed for complete beginners

2025 Partnership:

TryHackMe partnered with CyberSafe Foundation
Focus on advancing cybersecurity education in Africa
Supporting women and underserved groups

TryHackMe vs HackTheBox

When to Choose TryHackMe

Best for:

Beginners new to cybersecurity
Structured learners who prefer guided paths
Budget-conscious learners (25/month)
Those who want extensive free content (390+ free rooms)
Learners who prefer step-by-step walkthroughs

Advantages:

More beginner-friendly
Better guidance and support
More affordable
Generous free tier
Simpler platform navigation
Basic IT fundamentals included (Linux, networking, VPNs)

Limitations:

No professional certifications
Less challenging for advanced users
More hand-holding (less “real-world” difficulty)

When to Choose HackTheBox

Best for:

Intermediate to advanced practitioners
Those seeking professional certifications (CPTS, CBBH, CDSA)
Learners who want minimal guidance (more realistic)
Those comfortable with higher difficulty challenges

Advantages:

Industry-recognized certifications
More realistic, challenging scenarios
Strictly hands-on exams (no multiple choice)
Better for experienced professionals

Limitations:

Steeper learning curve
More complex platform navigation (3 separate sites)
More expensive ($25/month VIP+, plus Academy separate)
Can be overwhelming for beginners

Recommendation

Starting path:

Begin with TryHackMe (months 1-6)
- Build foundational skills
- Learn the basics affordably
- Gain confidence with guided learning
Transition to HackTheBox (after mastering basics)
- Take on more advanced challenges
- Pursue professional certifications
- Practice in less-guided environments
Use both + Home Lab (optimal)
- TryHackMe for structured learning
- HackTheBox for advanced challenges and certifications
- Home lab for realistic practice and detection work

Use Cases

Individual Learners

Career changers - Break into cybersecurity from other fields
Students - Supplement academic learning with hands-on practice
Hobbyists - Learn ethical hacking skills
Job seekers - Build portfolio projects and demonstrate skills

Organizations

New employee training - Onboard security team members
Upskilling teams - Keep existing staff current with threats
Custom training paths - Tailor learning to organizational needs
Team competitions - Internal CTF events for engagement

Educators

University courses - Practical labs for cybersecurity programs
Boot camps - Hands-on training for intensive programs
Workshops - Structured content for training events

Getting Started

For Complete Beginners

Create free account at tryhackme.com
Start with Pre-Security path (free)
- Learn the basics: Linux, Windows, networking
- No prior knowledge required
Try Advent of Cyber (if it’s December)
- Beginner-friendly daily challenges
- Expert walkthroughs included
Join Introduction to Cyber Security path (free)
- Explore different career paths
- Try offensive and defensive roles
Consider premium after exhausting free content
- Full access to all paths
- $11/month investment

For Career Advancement

Complete structured paths
- Web Application Security
- Penetration Tester
- SOC Level 1
- Red Teaming
Build portfolio
- Document your progress
- Write walkthroughs (without spoilers)
- Showcase certificates on LinkedIn
Participate in events
- Advent of Cyber
- King of the Hill
- Community challenges
Supplement with HackTheBox certifications
- After mastering fundamentals
- Industry-recognized credentials

Limitations & Considerations

Not a Replacement for Certifications

TryHackMe doesn’t offer professional certifications
Great for learning, but pair with industry certs (OSCP, CEH, etc.)
Certificates are completion-based, not exam-based

Guided vs Real-World

Heavy guidance makes learning easier but less realistic
Real penetration tests don’t come with walkthroughs
Supplement with HackTheBox or home labs for realism

Free Tier Limitations

Many advanced paths locked behind paywall
Free content is substantial but incomplete
Premium required for comprehensive learning

Platform Complexity

While simpler than HackTheBox, still has learning curve
VPN setup can be challenging for absolute beginners
Some technical requirements (OpenVPN, browser compatibility)

Success Metrics

TryHackMe has helped millions of learners:

6+ million users worldwide
Active community forums with thousands of discussions
Partnerships with organizations like CyberSafe Foundation
Regular events with substantial prizes ($150k+ for Advent of Cyber)
Used by enterprises, universities, and government organizations

Community & Resources

Official Channels

Website: https://tryhackme.com
Blog: Career guides, platform updates, learning resources
Discord: Active community discussions
Forums: Platform-integrated help and discussions

Learning Support

Room walkthroughs (community-created)
Discord help channels
Reddit: r/tryhackme
YouTube: Many creators provide video walkthroughs

Responsible Disclosure

No spoilers policy - Don’t publish writeups immediately
Respect creators - Wait appropriate time before sharing solutions
Learning focus - Writeups should teach, not just provide answers

Career Paths Supported

TryHackMe content aligns with these cybersecurity roles:

Penetration Tester - Find vulnerabilities in systems
Security Analyst - Monitor and respond to threats
SOC Analyst - Triage alerts and investigate incidents
Red Team Operator - Simulate advanced persistent threats
Blue Team Defender - Protect and monitor networks
Malware Analyst - Reverse engineer malicious software
Cloud Security Engineer - Secure cloud infrastructure
Incident Responder - Handle security breaches