# OffSec Proving Grounds vs Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA): 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). [Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/xtreme-vulnerable-web-application-xvwa) 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 | Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA) | |---|---|---| | 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 | – | 1,745 | | Last commit | – | Sep 2020 | | Company | OffSec | – | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | OffSec Proving Grounds | Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA) | |---|---|---| | Penetration Testing Framework | Yes | – | | CTF | Yes | – | | Lab | Yes | – | | Education | Yes | Yes | | Vulnerable Applications | Yes | Yes | | Windows | Yes | – | | Linux | Yes | – | | Reconnaissance | Yes | – | | Exploitation Framework | Yes | – | | Online Learning | Yes | – | | MySQL | – | Yes | | SQL Injection | – | Yes | | PHP | – | Yes | | SSRF | – | Yes | | XSS | – | Yes | | CSRF | – | Yes | ### Core features **OffSec Proving Grounds** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA)** No features listed. ### Integrations **OffSec Proving Grounds** 3 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA)** 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. - [Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/xtreme-vulnerable-web-application-xvwa) 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 Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA) FAQ Common questions when comparing OffSec Proving Grounds vs Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA) for cyber range training. ### What is the difference between OffSec Proving Grounds and Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA)? **OffSec Proving Grounds**: Online lab platform offering hands-on penetration testing practice machines for OSCP prep. Built by OffSec. **Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA)**: XVWA is an intentionally vulnerable PHP/MySQL web application designed for security education, containing multiple common web vulnerabilities for hands-on learning and practice. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes OffSec Proving Grounds and Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA)? **OffSec Proving Grounds** is made by OffSec. **Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA)** is open-source with 1,745 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 Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA)? Often, yes. OffSec Proving Grounds and Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA) are both Cyber Range Training products, and both cover Education, Vulnerable Applications. Key differences: OffSec Proving Grounds is Commercial while Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA) is Free, Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA) 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) - [Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA) vs GemForge Labs](https://cybersectools.com/compare/gemforge-labs-vs-xtreme-vulnerable-web-application-xvwa) - [Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA) vs ACI Learning Skill Labs](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aci-learning-skill-labs-vs-xtreme-vulnerable-web-application-xvwa) - [Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA) vs MetaCTF Cloud Labs / Cloud Ranges](https://cybersectools.com/compare/metactf-cloud-labs-cloud-ranges-vs-xtreme-vulnerable-web-application-xvwa) ## Alternatives to each - [See all OffSec Proving Grounds alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/offsec-proving-grounds) - [See all Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA) alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/xtreme-vulnerable-web-application-xvwa) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/offsec-proving-grounds-vs-xtreme-vulnerable-web-application-xvwa 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 Xtreme Vulnerable Web Application (XVWA): 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