# OffSec Proving Grounds vs Root the Box: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[OffSec Proving Grounds](https://cybersectools.com/tools/offsec-proving-grounds) is a commercial [cyber range training](https://cybersectools.com/categories/cyber-range) solution by [OffSec](https://cybersectools.com/companies/offsec). [Root the Box](https://cybersectools.com/tools/root-the-box) is a free [cyber range training](https://cybersectools.com/categories/cyber-range) solution. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | OffSec Proving Grounds | Root the Box |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Free |
| Category | Cyber Range Training | Cyber Range Training |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | On-Premises |
| Company size fit | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | – | 1,092 |
| Last commit | – | Feb 2025 |
| Company | OffSec | – |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | OffSec Proving Grounds | Root the Box |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration Testing Framework | Yes | – |
| CTF | Yes | Yes |
| Lab | Yes | – |
| Education | Yes | Yes |
| Vulnerable Applications | Yes | – |
| Windows | Yes | – |
| Linux | Yes | – |
| Reconnaissance | Yes | – |
| Exploitation Framework | Yes | – |
| Online Learning | Yes | – |
| Wargames | – | Yes |

### Core features

**OffSec Proving Grounds**

10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Root the Box**

No features listed.

### Integrations

**OffSec Proving Grounds**

3 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Root the Box**

No integrations listed.

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [OffSec Proving Grounds](https://cybersectools.com/tools/offsec-proving-grounds) fits if you want a cloud product.
- [Root the Box](https://cybersectools.com/tools/root-the-box) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you need a free product and you want an open-source product.

## OffSec Proving Grounds vs Root the Box FAQ

Common questions when comparing OffSec Proving Grounds vs Root the Box for cyber range training.

### What is the difference between OffSec Proving Grounds and Root the Box?

**OffSec Proving Grounds**: Online lab platform offering hands-on penetration testing practice machines for OSCP prep. Built by OffSec.

**Root the Box**: Root the Box is a real-time CTF scoring engine that provides a configurable platform for cybersecurity training through gamified wargames and competitions.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes OffSec Proving Grounds and Root the Box?

**OffSec Proving Grounds** is made by OffSec. **Root the Box** is open-source with 1,092 GitHub stars. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is OffSec Proving Grounds a good alternative to Root the Box?

Often, yes. OffSec Proving Grounds and Root the Box are both Cyber Range Training products, and both cover CTF, Education. Key differences: OffSec Proving Grounds is Commercial while Root the Box is Free, Root the Box is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [OffSec Proving Grounds vs GemForge Labs](https://cybersectools.com/compare/gemforge-labs-vs-offsec-proving-grounds)
- [OffSec Proving Grounds vs ACI Learning Skill Labs](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aci-learning-skill-labs-vs-offsec-proving-grounds)
- [OffSec Proving Grounds vs Hack The Box Hacking Labs](https://cybersectools.com/compare/hack-the-box-hacking-labs-vs-offsec-proving-grounds)
- [Root the Box vs GemForge Labs](https://cybersectools.com/compare/gemforge-labs-vs-root-the-box)
- [Root the Box vs ACI Learning Skill Labs](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aci-learning-skill-labs-vs-root-the-box)
- [Root the Box vs Hack The Box Hacking Labs](https://cybersectools.com/compare/hack-the-box-hacking-labs-vs-root-the-box)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all OffSec Proving Grounds alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/offsec-proving-grounds)
- [See all Root the Box alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/root-the-box)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/offsec-proving-grounds-vs-root-the-box

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/offsec-proving-grounds.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on OffSec Proving Grounds and Root the Box: 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