What Is TryHackMe?
TryHackMe (THM) is a cybersecurity education platform where you build skills by interacting with vulnerable machines.
For absolute beginners, you want a safe environment to learn cybersecurity skills hands-on. You also don’t want to be overwhelmed or thrown into the deep end. TryHackMe makes it easy to learn without any of the headaches associated with setting up a lab environment.
- Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
- Platform Focus: CTFs & Offensive and Defensive Techniques
- THM Pricing: $0 - $12 USD Monthly
Is TryHackMe Free?
Yes, and for many beginners the free version will be enough. You get access to over 500 free rooms! However, for serious learners, a paid subscription is inexpensive and comes with several benefits:
- Unlimited Web-Based AttackBox & Kali time
- Faster machines
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Full access to learning paths and premium rooms
The main drawbacks of a free experience are:
- Limited to an hour of the Web-Based AttackBox (afterward you can set up a local instance of Kali and connect via OpenVPN, which has no limit in itself)
- Slower machines
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Access to free rooms only (this is only a problem if you’re following a Learning Path since those contain premium content)
THM’s official Free Path
See the latest pricing at TryHackMe
TryHackMe is often seen as a good, free platform for beginners to start building their skills in a hands-on way.
What Does THM Lack Compared To Other Options?
Most of the content on THM is created by volunteers. This means anyone can create a room and submit it for the THM team to review and approve.
As a result, the learning experience can feel disorganized. Most of the content is good, however, if you want a consistent learning experience from beginning to end, you’ll want to consider other options.
TryHackMe Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Free Content – Plenty of free content for beginners and experienced professionals alike.
- Easy To Get Started – Create an account and get hands-on within minutes.
- Pricing – Reasonable pricing for full access to all of their content.
Cons:
- Content Depth – Lacks deep technical dives.
- Learning Module Cohesion – The Learning Paths will feel less organized and cohesive compared to other options.
If you’re a beginner, THM is an incredible platform. Using the Web-Based AttackBox, you’re hands-on in minutes with minimal setup.
If you’re an experienced professional, much of the advanced content requires a paid subscription. Because THM is geared towards beginners, you may find a lack of in-depth content.
Conclusion
THM is a great platform for beginners who want to get hands-on quickly. There are better options if you want a consistent learning experience or deeply technical content. However, the pricing is fair and the community is kind (Discord). And every year THM runs cool events like Advent Of Cyber.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TryHackMe Good For Complete Beginners?
Yes! It’s one of the most recommended platforms for beginners. There is plenty of content crafted specifically for complete beginners.
Will TryHackMe Help Land Me A Job?
As with most similar platforms, the value of a having THM on a resume is arguable. While it likely won’t have recruiters reaching out to you because of it, it could become a great conversation point in an interview.
Are TryHackMe Certificates Valuable?
Used strategically on a resume (for entry-level positions) it could show you are dedicated to personal development. However by itself these badges would hold little value to most hiring managers.
TryHackMe Alternatives?
HackTheBox (HTB) is a common alternative to THM with a similar approach to learning. Think of it as a “Harder” version. Read our review here.
TryHackMe Coupons?
THM has Student Discounts for 20%. They also occasionally run discounts throughout the year for up to 20%.