# OffSec Proving Grounds vs Sadcloud: 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). [Sadcloud](https://cybersectools.com/tools/sadcloud) 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 | Sadcloud |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Free |
| Category | Cyber Range Training | Cyber Range Training |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | Cloud |
| Company size fit | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | – | 757 |
| Last commit | – | Jul 2021 |
| Company | OffSec | – |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | OffSec Proving Grounds | Sadcloud |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration Testing Framework | Yes | – |
| CTF | Yes | – |
| Lab | Yes | – |
| Education | Yes | Yes |
| Vulnerable Applications | Yes | – |
| Windows | Yes | – |
| Linux | Yes | – |
| Reconnaissance | Yes | – |
| Exploitation Framework | Yes | – |
| Online Learning | Yes | – |
| AWS | – | Yes |
| Infrastructure as Code | – | Yes |
| Misconfiguration | – | Yes |

### Core features

**OffSec Proving Grounds**

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

**Sadcloud**

No features listed.

### Integrations

**OffSec Proving Grounds**

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

**Sadcloud**

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 are a startup.
- [Sadcloud](https://cybersectools.com/tools/sadcloud) fits if you need a free product and you want an open-source product.

## OffSec Proving Grounds vs Sadcloud FAQ

Common questions when comparing OffSec Proving Grounds vs Sadcloud for cyber range training.

### What is the difference between OffSec Proving Grounds and Sadcloud?

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

**Sadcloud**: A Terraform tool that creates intentionally misconfigured AWS infrastructure with 84 vulnerabilities across 22 services for security training and testing purposes.

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

### Who makes OffSec Proving Grounds and Sadcloud?

**OffSec Proving Grounds** is made by OffSec. **Sadcloud** is open-source with 757 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 Sadcloud?

Often, yes. OffSec Proving Grounds and Sadcloud are both Cyber Range Training products, and both cover Education. Key differences: OffSec Proving Grounds is Commercial while Sadcloud is Free, Sadcloud 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 MetaCTF Cloud Labs / Cloud Ranges](https://cybersectools.com/compare/metactf-cloud-labs-cloud-ranges-vs-offsec-proving-grounds)
- [Sadcloud vs GemForge Labs](https://cybersectools.com/compare/gemforge-labs-vs-sadcloud)
- [Sadcloud vs ACI Learning Skill Labs](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aci-learning-skill-labs-vs-sadcloud)
- [Sadcloud vs MetaCTF Cloud Labs / Cloud Ranges](https://cybersectools.com/compare/metactf-cloud-labs-cloud-ranges-vs-sadcloud)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all OffSec Proving Grounds alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/offsec-proving-grounds)
- [See all Sadcloud alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/sadcloud)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/offsec-proving-grounds-vs-sadcloud

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 Sadcloud: 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