bWAPP vs Hack Yourself First: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)
Features, pricing, ratings, and pros & cons — compared head-to-head.
bWAPP is a free cyber range training tool. Hack Yourself First 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 available product data, here is our conclusion:
Security training teams and individual developers who need a free, hands-on lab for learning web vulnerability basics should start with bWAPP; its deliberately vulnerable design lets you practice injection, XSS, and authentication flaws without licensing friction or infrastructure complexity. The tool covers OWASP Top 10 vectors and runs locally in minutes, making it ideal for junior developer onboarding and security fundamentals courses. Skip bWAPP if you need realistic business logic vulnerabilities, API security testing, or a managed platform with progress tracking; it's a raw sandbox, not a structured curriculum.
Security teams building internal talent want hands-on practice without the setup burden, and Hack Yourself First delivers that through free, ready-to-use labs that let developers and engineers exploit real vulnerabilities in isolated environments. The platform removes cost and infrastructure friction that stops most teams from running cyber ranges, letting you run 50 concurrent users through the same scenario without provisioning. Skip this if your priority is measuring skill gaps across hundreds of staff or integrating training outcomes into your HRIS; Hack Yourself First is built for voluntary upskilling, not mandatory compliance tracking.
