ACI Learning Skill Labs vs README SQLI-LABS: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)
Features, pricing, ratings, and pros & cons — compared head-to-head.
ACI Learning Skill Labs is a commercial cyber range training tool by ACI Learning. README SQLI-LABS is a free cyber range training tool. Compare features, ratings, integrations, and community reviews side by side to find the best cyber range training fit for your security stack.
CST VerdictBased on our analysis of NIST CSF 2.0 coverage, core features, company size fit, deployment model, here is our conclusion:
Academic programs and corporate training teams need ACI Learning Skill Labs because it actually lets students break things hands-on instead of watching videos, which is the only way network and security fundamentals stick. The CollegePro sets align with real course calendars across years 1-2, and auto-grading cuts instructor overhead on repetitive validation work. This is built for schools and training departments, not for security operations teams looking to upskill existing staff on incident response or threat hunting; if your goal is certifications and foundational competency, this works; if you need role-specific depth for security engineers already in the field, look elsewhere.
Security teams and developers building secure coding practices need hands-on SQL injection labs that don't require infrastructure setup; README SQLI-LABS delivers that with 5,733 GitHub stars and zero licensing friction. The platform isolates injection techniques in contained, runnable environments so practitioners drill the specific attack vectors and defenses they'll encounter in code review, without the lab sprawl of commercial ranges. Skip this if your goal is simulating full-stack breach scenarios or compliance-driven assessment; SQLI-LABS is deliberately narrow, teaching injection mechanics rather than enterprise attack chains.
