Phishing simulations can vary widely in price, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the needs of your organisation. Many software vendors offer different pricing tiers or packages so that you can select the level of service that fits your budget and risk profile.

There are four main factors that influence the cost of phishing simulations

1. Size of the organisation
2. Level of customisation
3. Level of support
4. Software providers

Understanding how each factor affects pricing helps you make more informed decisions when you compare options.

How organisation size affects phishing simulation costs

The size of your organisation can affect the cost of phishing simulations in several ways. Larger organisations usually have more employees and user groups, which increases the total number of mailboxes that must be covered. If the vendor charges a per user fee, this will push costs higher as headcount grows.

Bigger organisations can also have more complex security needs. Multiple business units, varied user segments, and a more intricate IT environment often require additional configuration and administration. The complexity of the infrastructure influences the resources, planning, and guidance needed to run simulations effectively, which can increase overall expenditure.

Smaller organisations tend to have fewer employees and simpler setups. With fewer mailboxes and less complex environments, simulations are easier to deploy and manage, which usually results in lower costs.

How customisation requirements influence phishing simulation pricing

The level of customisation you require for a phishing simulation has a direct impact on price.

A highly tailored simulation that reflects your brand, corporate language, and internal processes requires significantly more time and effort to design. Custom templates, branded landing pages, and scenarios that mirror your real world communications all need extra creative and technical work, which adds to the cost.

Customisation can also be important if you want to test specific scenarios or attack vectors that are particularly relevant to your industry or risk profile. For example, you may want to mimic supplier invoice fraud, targeted spear phishing, or credential harvesting pages that are specific to your business operations. Building and validating these specialised campaigns demands more input from the provider.

There are many tools that offer flexible configuration without moving into full bespoke projects. When you choose a phishing simulation platform, it is helpful to look for

• A library of templates that can be adapted to your audience
• Configurable landing pages that reflect your training or feedback approach
• Options to select different user groups and schedule campaigns at times that suit your organisation

These built in options allow you to shape the experience around your needs while keeping costs under control.

More advanced customisation such as complex user journeys, integration with multiple systems, or highly specific workflow requirements will usually require additional technical work and can increase the price. It is important to weigh up whether this extra investment is necessary or whether a more standard configuration can still achieve your goals.

How support levels affect the cost of phishing simulations

Support level is another key factor in phishing simulation pricing.

Higher tiers of support may include

• Personalised onboarding and training for your security or IT team
• Help with campaign planning and template selection
• Regular reporting reviews and recommendations
• Strategic guidance on wider security awareness activity

Some organisations also want more intensive assistance such as in person workshops, live training sessions for staff, or continuous access to specialist consultants. These services require more time from the provider and will increase the overall cost.

If you are comfortable managing simulations internally and only need occasional help with configuration or troubleshooting, you can often select a lighter support tier. This keeps pricing lower while still giving you access to help when you need it.

Choosing the right level of support comes down to your internal resources, experience with phishing simulations, and the amount of guidance you expect from your provider.

How different software providers shape phishing simulation pricing

The provider you choose will also have a major influence on pricing. Vendors structure their plans in different ways and may prioritise different combinations of features, content, and services.

Some platforms justify higher prices with benefits such as

• More realistic and frequently updated phishing templates
• A wider variety of attack types and difficulty levels
• Stronger analytics and reporting options
• Integration with broader security awareness tools or user risk insights

However, a higher price does not automatically mean better value. In other cases, you may find that you are paying for features that you do not need or that are difficult to use in your specific environment.

Many providers offer

• Volume discounts for larger user counts
• Bundle pricing when you use multiple products
• Favourable terms for long term commitments

When you assess phishing simulation providers, it is useful to compare

• The realism and variety of simulated attacks
• The quality and flexibility of templates and landing pages
• The reporting detail and ease of understanding results
• The level and responsiveness of support
• Any available discounts or packages

By weighing these factors against the quoted price, you can get a clearer view of which provider offers the best fit and value for your organisation.

Sophisticated phishing simulations at a reasonable price

Ultimately, the total cost of phishing simulations will depend on your organisation’s size, the level of customisation you require, the support you need, and the provider you choose to partner with.

Recognised for strong customer value and efficient implementation, usecure continues to help businesses improve resilience in a cost effective way. Start with a free fourteen day phishing simulation trial or request an on demand demo to see how the platform can support your security goals.

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