Top Phishing Simulators to Enhance Your Organization's Security

Phishing remains one of the most pervasive cybersecurity threats, with attackers constantly refining their tactics. The 2023 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report reveals that 74% of security breaches involve human error, underscoring the need for robust employee training.

Modern phishing extends far beyond deceptive emails—it now includes SMS (smishing), voice calls (vishing), and even sophisticated fake MFA prompts. To counter these evolving threats, organizations must equip employees with the skills to recognize and react appropriately.

Phishing simulators provide a controlled environment where employees can safely experience realistic attack scenarios, sharpening their ability to detect and mitigate diverse phishing tactics without real-world consequences.

In this blog, we will explore the best phishing simulators that can help organizations prepare for email, vishing, smishing, and multi-factor authentication phishing attacks. Each simulator offers unique features to enhance employee awareness, strengthen security practices, and build a resilient defense against cyber threats.

Top Phishing Simulators to Protect Your Organization

Email Phishing Simulator

Email phishing remains the most popular phishing attack, and it’s no surprise why—it’s simple, effective, and often overlooked. With an email phishing simulator, organizations can recreate realistic attack scenarios that mimic the deceptive tactics used by cybercriminals.

Key Features:

• Fully customizable templates tailored to replicate the top 10 phishing websites free attackers commonly use.
• Phishing simulation tools, free or paid, often include real-time tracking of employee actions—like clicking on malicious links or downloading attachments.
• Accessible options like a phishing simulator online make it easy to roll out training without the need for specialized software installations.

Benefits:

By using these tools, employees become adept at spotting phishing red flags, such as suspicious sender details, odd email headers, or sketchy links. Whether you’re using a phishing simulation tool open-source or a phishing simulator for Android, the goal remains the same: reducing vulnerability to phishing scams and strengthening organizational security.

With so many top phishing simulators free on the market, it’s easier than ever to get started with one of the best tools in the industry, explore the Keepnet Phishing Simulator. This powerful phishing platform provides all the features you need to launch customized phishing campaigns and track employee performance.

Want to know how to launch an email phishing campaign? Check out this step-by-step guide: How to Run an Email Phishing Simulation.

For a quick overview, watch this YouTube tutorial below and learn how to create your first phishing campaign in minutes!

For a quick overview, watch this YouTube tutorial below and learn how to create your first phishing campaign in minutes!

Vishing Simulator

Vishing, or voice-based phishing, is one of the best phishing simulators for testing how employees handle manipulative phone scams. Fraudsters often impersonate trusted figures, such as IT support or bank representatives, to trick employees into sharing sensitive information. A vishing simulator recreates these scenarios to help your team identify and respond effectively.

Key Features:

• Pre-recorded calls that mimic realistic scams, including fake IT support requests and urgent calls from financial institutions.
• Scenarios that simulate high-pressure situations to evaluate employee responses under stress.
• Mobile-friendly options, like top phishing simulators for Android, make training accessible across devices.

Benefits:

Using a phishing simulation tool free or premium, employees develop the ability to recognize manipulative language, question unusual requests, and verify the authenticity of phone interactions. This training is critical in preventing voice phishing attacks, which are increasingly common.

To get started with one of the top phishing simulators for vishing, check out the Keepnet Vishing Simulator. It’s a powerful tool to prepare your organization against voice-based scams.

Want to learn more? Discover how to run vishing campaigns with this step-by-step guide.

For a visual walkthrough, watch this video below to see how the best phishing simulation tools create realistic and effective training scenarios.

Smishing Simulator

SMS-based phishing, or smishing, is a rising threat where attackers send malicious text messages designed to steal sensitive data or install malware. A smishing simulator helps organizations test employee responses to these deceptive messages, ensuring they stay vigilant against this popular phishing attack.

Key Features:

• Sends fake SMS messages replicating real-world scams, such as fake delivery notifications or fraudulent account alerts.
• Includes customizable scenarios to mimic the tactics of top 10 phishing websites free, making training realistic and relevant.
• Accessible options, including top phishing simulators for Android, allow organizations to run simulations across devices.

Benefits:

These tools encourage employees to be skeptical of unsolicited or urgent text messages, teaching them to recognize red flags like suspicious links and unexpected requests for personal information. With the best phishing simulators, organizations can build a strong defense against smishing attacks.

For one of the best phishing simulation tools in the market, explore the Keepnet Smishing Simulator, a platform designed to enhance your team’s ability to detect SMS-based threats.

Need help getting started? Learn how to launch SMS phishing campaigns with this step-by-step guide, and watch this YouTube tutorial below to see how the top phishing simulators create effective and realistic training scenarios

MFA Phishing Simulator

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a vital security layer, but it’s not immune to phishing attacks. Cybercriminals often use fake MFA requests or phishing sites to trick users into approving fraudulent logins. A MFA phishing simulator helps organizations prepare employees for these advanced tactics, making it one of the best phishing simulators for safeguarding accounts.

Key Features:

• Simulates fake MFA approval requests, such as prompt bombing or malicious notifications, replicating techniques used by attackers.
• Includes phishing scenarios that mimic top phishing simulators free and phishing simulation tool open-source platforms.
• Educational modules provide insights into common MFA bypass strategies, helping employees understand and combat these threats.

Benefits:

Using an MFA phishing simulator ensures employees stay vigilant when approving login requests, reinforcing the habit of verifying every prompt. These tools reduce complacency and prepare your team to handle even sophisticated phishing attempts.

To protect your organization with one of the top phishing simulators, explore the Keepnet MFA Phishing Simulator. It’s designed to address the unique challenges of MFA-based phishing attacks.

Want to know more? Check out this step-by-step guide to launch MFA phishing campaigns effectively.

Also, watch this YouTube tutorial below to see how the best phishing simulation tools create realistic, impactful training sessions.

Quishing Simulator

QR code phishing, or quishing, is a creative tactic where attackers embed malicious QR codes in posters, emails, or digital assets. Employees often scan these codes without suspicion, making it essential to train them with a quishing simulator—one of the best phishing simulators for modern threats.

Key Features:

• Generates realistic mock QR codes leading to fake login pages or phishing sites resembling the best free phishing websites.
• Simulates real-world scenarios, such as malicious codes embedded in delivery notifications, posters, or emails, mimicking tactics from top 10 phishing websites free.

Benefits:

Employees learn to verify the legitimacy of QR codes before scanning, fostering a habit of questioning unusual or unsolicited requests. By integrating a phishing simulation tool free or premium, organizations can effectively combat quishing attacks.

Start training your team with the Keepnet Quishing Simulator, designed to enhance awareness of QR code phishing threats.

Want to launch a campaign? Check out this step-by-step guide on how to launch a Quishing campaign and watch this YouTube tutorial below to see how Quishing simulators create impactful awareness training sessions.

Callback Voice Phishing Simulator

Callback phishing targets employees by requesting they return calls to fake support lines, often impersonating trusted entities like IT departments or financial institutions. A callback voice phishing simulator prepares your team for these deceptive tactics, ranking it among the top phishing simulators for voice-based attacks.

Key Features:

Tests how employees respond to callbacks initiated by phishing emails or messages.

Tracks decision-making during simulated interactions to identify areas for improvement.

Mobile-compatible tools for comprehensive security awareness training.

Benefits:

Employees develop a critical mindset, learning to verify contacts and avoid revealing sensitive information during unsolicited calls. These simulations foster better judgment, reducing risks associated with callback scams.

Protect your organization with the Keepnet Callback Phishing Simulator, a robust tool for combating voice-based phishing.

Ready to dive in? Learn how to run callback voice phishing campaigns with this step-by-step guide and watch this YouTube tutorial below to see the best phishing simulation tools in action.

How These Best Phishing Simulators Strengthen Organizational Cybersecurity

These best phishing simulators provide organizations with a practical, targeted approach to fortifying their cybersecurity defenses by addressing real-world vulnerabilities. Here’s how these tools make a difference:

Proactive Training Across Multiple Channels

Phishing isn’t confined to email anymore. Attackers exploit diverse platforms, including SMS (smishing), voice calls (vishing), QR codes (quishing), and even multi-factor authentication (MFA) systems. By using simulators tailored to these various channels, employees gain hands-on experience in recognizing phishing attempts in real-world contexts.

For example:

• Email phishing simulators teach employees to scrutinize suspicious links, attachments, and sender details.
• Smishing and vishing simulators train them to question unsolicited texts and phone calls.
• MFA phishing simulators ensure employees remain vigilant about fake login requests, even with security layers in place. These proactive simulations reinforce a multi-layered defense approach, ensuring employees are prepared for any phishing vector.

In-Depth Behavior Analysis

One of the standout features of the best phishing simulation tools is their ability to provide detailed behavior insights. Organizations can track how employees interact with simulated phishing attempts, such as:

• Who clicked on malicious links or opened suspicious attachments.
• Which employees ignored fake SMS or phone requests versus those who engaged.
• Trends in common mistakes across departments or locations.

These insights go beyond surface-level metrics to pinpoint specific areas requiring further training. For instance, if multiple employees fail vishing simulations, it indicates the need for stronger voice phishing awareness programs.

Enhanced Preparedness Through a Security Culture

Regular phishing simulations do more than train employees—they create a culture of vigilance. When employees consistently face realistic phishing scenarios, they naturally develop habits of caution and skepticism. This shift in mindset is crucial in reducing risks:

• Employees become more comfortable reporting suspicious activity, knowing that identifying threats is a shared responsibility.
• Training fosters confidence, eliminating the fear of making mistakes and encouraging open communication about potential risks.
• Organizations can benchmark employee performance over time, measuring progress and identifying improvements in overall security awareness.

By integrating these simulators into routine training programs, businesses significantly minimize the likelihood of real-world phishing success, reducing financial and reputational risks.

Scalable and Adaptive Security Awareness Training

Modern top phishing simulators are designed to grow with the organization. They allow for tailored training that aligns with an organization's unique risks, industry regulations, and threat landscape. Many platforms also include mobile-friendly options like phishing simulators for Android, ensuring every employee—remote or on-site—can participate.

Best Practices for Implementing Top Phishing Simulations

To maximize the effectiveness of these top phishing simulations, organizations need a strategic approach that balances training, realism, and employee engagement. Here are the best practices for implementing phishing simulations that build a stronger, more resilient workforce:

Rotate Different Phishing Simulations to Cover All Attack Vectors

Cybercriminals don’t stick to one method, so your training shouldn’t either. Incorporate a variety of simulators—email, vishing, smishing, MFA phishing, quishing, and callback phishing—to expose employees to multiple attack scenarios.

Rotating these simulations ensures employees are prepared for the diverse phishing tactics used by attackers.

Educate After Simulations for Maximum Impact

Every phishing simulation should be followed by a debriefing session. If an employee falls victim to a simulated attack, take the opportunity to provide immediate feedback and additional training.

• Show employees where they went wrong and explain the potential risks of their actions in real scenarios.
• Offer resources to help them improve, such as guides, videos, or follow-up training modules.
• Highlight successes as well—acknowledging employees who correctly identified phishing attempts can motivate others.

This post-simulation education reinforces learning and turns mistakes into valuable lessons.

Keep Simulated Phishing Tests Realistic and Relevant

Attackers are constantly evolving their techniques, so simulations need to reflect current phishing trends. Use templates that mimic real-world phishing attacks, such as:

• Fake delivery notifications.
• Impersonation of trusted brands or colleagues.
• Malicious QR codes linked to phishing websites free.
• Fake MFA prompts designed to bypass multi-factor authentication.

When employees encounter realistic scenarios, they’re better prepared to identify and respond to actual threats.

Encourage Reporting Through a Non-Punitive Approach

Creating a security culture where employees feel comfortable reporting suspicious activities is essential. To achieve this:

• Avoid penalizing employees who fall victim to simulations. Instead, frame failures as learning opportunities.
• Offer clear channels for reporting phishing attempts, such as dedicated email addresses or incident response tools.
• Recognize and reward employees who report real or simulated phishing attempts, reinforcing positive behavior.

This approach fosters an environment where employees are motivated to actively participate in your organization’s security efforts.

Integrate Best Phishing Simulations Into Routine Security Awareness Training

Phishing simulations shouldn’t be standalone activities. Make them a regular part of your broader cybersecurity awareness training program to ensure continuous learning and improvement.

• Schedule simulations quarterly or monthly to keep employees alert.
• Use performance data to identify trends and adjust training content accordingly.
• Pair simulations with modules on topics like password hygiene, secure browsing, and social engineering.

By integrating these best practices, organizations can transform phishing simulations into a powerful training tool. A well-structured program not only reduces the risk of successful phishing attacks but also cultivates a security culture across the organization.

To get started with advanced tools, explore the Keepnet Human Risk Management Platform, a comprehensive platform for running realistic and effective phishing simulations. For step-by-step guidance, check out this guide to launching phishing simulations.