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The bottom line
Worth considering for guided, hands-on learning; pair it with independent practice for job preparation.
TryHackMe combines guided paths, lessons, labs and challenges, with the homepage listing more than 1,400 labs and new content each week. Its free plan is limited to free rooms and a one-hour daily AttackBox allowance. The pricing page lists Premium at $11.19 per month billed annually or $18.11 month to month; MAX is $18.99 annually billed or $30.73 month to month.
Reddit users generally praise it as a learning resource, especially for fundamentals, but some say its guided format is not enough for job readiness or standing out to employers. We’d treat it as a structured place to start and practice—not a substitute for broader, independent work.
Good fit if
- Cybersecurity beginners seeking structure
- Learners who prefer guided practice
- People building foundational security skills
Skip it if
- Anyone expecting a job-ready credential
- Learners who want only independent challenges
- Teams needing published annual business pricing
ScoresHow it rates
What works
- Free plan available
- Homepage lists more than 1,400 labs and challenges
- Guided paths cover beginner topics and security roles
- Browser-based practice includes an AttackBox
- Homepage says new content arrives weekly
What doesn't
- Free plan allows only free rooms
- Free AttackBox time is limited to one hour daily
- Premium costs $18.11 monthly without annual billing
- Browser-based tools require an internet connection
- Reddit users caution it alone may not prepare you for jobs
01What TryHackMe actually does
TryHackMe is a cybersecurity learning platform built around guided lessons and practical exercises. Its learning paths organize material by subject and role, including fundamentals, penetration testing and security analysis. Rather than only reading or watching lessons, learners work through rooms with challenges and simulated systems based on real-world scenarios.
The homepage lists more than 1,400 labs and challenges, with new content added every week. Browser-based tools let learners access a machine with security tools, though an internet connection is required. The platform covers offensive and defensive security, and its gamified format makes progress feel more like completing a sequence of exercises than following a conventional course.
That structure is useful for starting out, but it is not the same as workplace experience or a job qualification. One Reddit thread describes it as a good foundation for learning fundamentals; another discussion cautions that TryHackMe alone is not enough to make someone job-ready.
02Where TryHackMe is strong
TryHackMe’s main advantage is the combination of instruction and practice. Guided paths give beginners a sequence to follow, while labs and challenges let them apply concepts instead of stopping at explanations. The platform spans offensive and defensive topics, and its browser-based setup can reduce the need to build a practice environment before getting started.
The free plan is a low-risk way to see whether that format suits you. For more access, the pricing page lists Premium at $18.11 per month or $11.19 per month when billed annually. Premium includes full beginner paths, private OpenVPN servers and unlimited non-persistent AttackBox access. MAX costs $30.73 monthly or $18.99 per month with annual billing, and adds all rooms, advanced paths, cloud labs and unlimited persistent AttackBox access.
Some Reddit learners say the gamified approach still teaches useful fundamentals; one commenter described the platform as a strong starting point. That is a fair use case: build a base, explore a security area and practice regularly. It is more compelling as an affordable learning tool than as a stand-alone career credential.
03Where it falls short
The free plan has real limits: it covers free rooms only, caps daily AttackBox use at one hour and offers limited learning paths and personal hackable instances. Paid access is needed for the full beginner paths, and MAX is the tier listed for advanced paths, all rooms and cloud labs. The pricing details list a trial of up to 30 days, but do not specify its terms here.
Guided exercises can also leave less room for independent problem-solving. In one Reddit discussion, a learner who moved into cybersecurity said the content felt too guided and that they outgrew it; another commenter recommended adding other platforms and building a small lab. TryHackMe can support learning, but Reddit users caution that it alone will not make someone job-ready or make a résumé stand out.
For teams, Business Foundation starts at $99 per license per month and Business Advanced at $199, each with a five-license minimum. Business contracts require at least 12 months, and annual prices are not published. Enterprise pricing is custom.
04TryHackMe pricing: what you'll actually pay
TryHackMe has a free plan, but it limits you to free rooms, one seat and a one-hour daily AttackBox session. The pricing information lists Premium at $18.11 month to month, or $11.19 per month when billed annually. MAX is $30.73 month to month, or $18.99 per month billed annually. That is a sizable step up from Premium for persistent AttackBox access, advanced paths, all rooms and cloud labs; check whether you need those before paying more.
The listed personal-plan trial is up to 30 days. The pricing information does not specify which plans qualify, so confirm the terms before counting on it. No add-ons are listed.
Business Foundation is $99 per license per month and Advanced is $199, with at least five licenses for either. Business contracts require a 12-month minimum, but annual prices are not published. Enterprise pricing is custom. In short: the annual personal rates are lower, but the business commitment and total cost need closer scrutiny.
05Switching to (or from) TryHackMe
TryHackMe is browser-based, so the documented setup is internet access rather than a local lab installation. The published information does not say whether learning progress, notes or other account data can be exported or imported. Treat migration of that material as unconfirmed: keep your own notes and check export options before cancelling or moving a team.
We also have no Reddit posts or comments in the published sources, so we can’t substantiate a claim about why users leave. The clearest switching consideration in the available information is fit: TryHackMe emphasizes guided paths and structured practice, while its verdict recommends pairing it with independent practice for job preparation. If you want only open-ended challenges, or need a job-ready credential, it may not be the right sole resource. Business buyers should factor in the five-license minimum and 12-month contract; annual business prices are not published. The published material does not document a migration tool, data-export process or cancellation workflow.
From the threadsWhat users say
Reddit users generally describe TryHackMe as a useful, hands-on way to learn cybersecurity fundamentals, and some say its gamified format helps rather than hurts learning. The main caution is that guided labs alone may not make someone job-ready or stand out to employers.
It can be both, yes it’s gamified but that doesn’t mean it’s not good for learning
That platform is a good basis for a lot of fundamentals, learning that multiple tools can do the same thing, learning bug classes and how they work and to some extent how to prevent them
The content felt a bit too guided, and I wanted things that pushed me to think more independently
It is not something that is going to make you stand out
Questions people ask
What is TryHackMe?
TryHackMe is an online cybersecurity learning platform with guided paths, lessons, labs, and challenges, covering offensive and defensive security. The site lists more than 1,400 labs and challenges, with new content added weekly. Practice is browser-based, and the platform includes simulations and intentionally vulnerable technology based on real-world scenarios.
Is TryHackMe worth paying for?
Reddit users often recommend it as a hands-on way to learn fundamentals, but one commenter said the paid plan is worth it if you use it regularly. Another advised exhausting the free rooms first. The value depends on whether you keep studying; users also caution that TryHackMe by itself may not prepare you for every career goal.
How much does TryHackMe cost, and what is included?
The pricing page lists a free plan with free rooms, limited learning paths, and a one-hour daily AttackBox limit. Premium is $18.11 monthly or $11.19 per month billed annually; MAX is $30.73 monthly or $18.99 per month billed annually. Business plans start at $99 per license monthly, with a five-license minimum. Annual business prices are not published.
Is TryHackMe enough to become job-ready?
Reddit commenters generally treat TryHackMe as a strong starting point, not a complete route to job readiness. One hiring manager said it would not make a candidate stand out, while another learner found the material too guided over time. Their advice includes building practical skills beyond the platform; individual hiring requirements vary.
Is TryHackMe only a game?
Users disagree with dismissing it as only a game. Reddit commenters say its gamified exercises can still teach fundamentals, tools, and bug classes. The format is interactive, but the learning value depends on what you take from the lessons and labs—not simply completing challenges.