# Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) vs Hack The Box CTF Platform: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/damn-vulnerable-web-application-dvwa) is a free [cyber range training](https://cybersectools.com/categories/cyber-range) solution. [Hack The Box CTF Platform](https://cybersectools.com/tools/hack-the-box-ctf-platform) is a commercial [cyber range training](https://cybersectools.com/categories/cyber-range) solution by [Hack The Box](https://cybersectools.com/companies/hack-the-box). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Side-by-side comparison | | Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) | Hack The Box CTF Platform | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Free | Commercial | | Category | Cyber Range Training | Cyber Range Training | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | On-Premises | Cloud | | Company size fit | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | GitHub stars | 12,763 | – | | Last commit | Feb 2026 | – | | Company | – | Hack The Box | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) | Hack The Box CTF Platform | |---|---|---| | MySQL | Yes | – | | PHP | Yes | – | | Education | Yes | – | | Vulnerable Applications | Yes | – | | CTF | – | Yes | | Cyber Range | – | Yes | | Blue Team | – | Yes | | Gamification | – | Yes | | Wargames | – | Yes | ### Core features **Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA)** No features listed. **Hack The Box CTF Platform** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA)** No integrations listed. **Hack The Box CTF Platform** 1 integration listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/damn-vulnerable-web-application-dvwa) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you are a startup, you need a free product and you want an open-source product. - [Hack The Box CTF Platform](https://cybersectools.com/tools/hack-the-box-ctf-platform) fits if you want a cloud product and you are an enterprise. ## Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) vs Hack The Box CTF Platform FAQ Common questions when comparing Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) vs Hack The Box CTF Platform for cyber range training. ### What is the difference between Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) and Hack The Box CTF Platform? **Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA)**: A deliberately vulnerable PHP/MySQL web application designed for security training, testing, and educational purposes in controlled environments. **Hack The Box CTF Platform**: Gamified CTF platform for hosting cybersecurity team assessments and training. Built by Hack The Box. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) and Hack The Box CTF Platform? **Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA)** is open-source with 12,763 GitHub stars. **Hack The Box CTF Platform** is made by Hack The Box. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) a good alternative to Hack The Box CTF Platform? Often, yes. Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) and Hack The Box CTF Platform are both Cyber Range Training products. Key differences: Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) is Free while Hack The Box CTF Platform is Commercial, Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) vs GemForge Labs](https://cybersectools.com/compare/damn-vulnerable-web-application-dvwa-vs-gemforge-labs) - [Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) vs MetaCTF Cloud Labs / Cloud Ranges](https://cybersectools.com/compare/damn-vulnerable-web-application-dvwa-vs-metactf-cloud-labs-cloud-ranges) - [Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) vs SudoCyber](https://cybersectools.com/compare/damn-vulnerable-web-application-dvwa-vs-sudocyber) - [Hack The Box CTF Platform vs GemForge Labs](https://cybersectools.com/compare/gemforge-labs-vs-hack-the-box-ctf-platform) - [Hack The Box CTF Platform vs MetaCTF Cloud Labs / Cloud Ranges](https://cybersectools.com/compare/hack-the-box-ctf-platform-vs-metactf-cloud-labs-cloud-ranges) - [Hack The Box CTF Platform vs SudoCyber](https://cybersectools.com/compare/hack-the-box-ctf-platform-vs-sudocyber) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/damn-vulnerable-web-application-dvwa) - [See all Hack The Box CTF Platform alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/hack-the-box-ctf-platform) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/damn-vulnerable-web-application-dvwa-vs-hack-the-box-ctf-platform For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/damn-vulnerable-web-application-dvwa.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA) and Hack The Box CTF Platform: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md