Why Tartan

Tartan vs KnowBe4: A KnowBe4 Alternative for Schools

Tartan App is a KnowBe4 alternative built only for K-12 schools. It covers staff and students with automated phishing simulations and short training. Pricing is public, and most schools are set up in under 30 minutes.

Free onboarding. Same-day support via email, phone, or video call.

Average savings

Tartan is often 50% to 90% lower cost than KnowBe4, even after state contract or co-op pricing, and other discounts.

Transparent pricing and no expensive onboarding fees. Compare security awareness training prices across vendors.

See what KnowBe4 costs a school or district.

Built for schools

Automated phishing simulations tailored to district services.
Adaptive difficulty and instant micro-training on every click.
A growing library of school-friendly training content for staff and students. New videos are added regularly based on customer requests.

Trusted by

Why Tartan wins

Why Schools Choose Tartan over KnowBe4

We built Tartan to solve the real challenges school districts face: tight budgets, limited IT resources, and the need for ongoing, effective training.

Fully Automated, School-Relevant Simulations
Campaigns run on autopilot and tailor phishing content to the services your district uses, plus real-world tactics like impersonation and quishing.
Adaptive Difficulty and Unique Emails
Every email is unique and difficulty adjusts based on each recipient's performance to keep training relevant.
Instant Micro-Training
A click triggers a short training moment in under 30 seconds, reinforcing the lesson immediately.
Simple Setup with Real Support
Sync from Google Workspace OUs, groups, and departments; Microsoft 365 groups, departments, and administrative units; or CSV import. Free onboarding and same-day support keep you moving.

Comparison

Tartan vs KnowBe4 for K-12 Schools

A clear view of where Tartan fits K-12 needs compared with KnowBe4.

Category

Tartan

KnowBe4

K-12 Focus

TartanBuilt exclusively for K-12 schools and districts

KnowBe4Broad, multi-industry platform

Pricing

TartanFlat, transparent pricing

KnowBe4Varies by package and add-ons

Average Savings

TartanOften 50% to 90% lower cost than KnowBe4, even after state contract or co-op pricing, and other discounts

KnowBe4N/A

Onboarding

TartanFree 1:1 onboarding, implementation, and training

KnowBe4Varies by plan or partner

Technical Support

TartanSame-day support via email, phone, or video call, and dedicated customer success manager

KnowBe4Support options vary by plan

Phishing Simulations

TartanFully automated campaigns tailored to the services your school uses. The templates are generated via AI to be hyper relevant to your school and the recipient.

KnowBe4Configurable templates and programs that require setup

Adaptive Difficulty

TartanCampaigns automatically adjust the difficulty based on each recipient’s previous performance.

KnowBe4Rules and segmentation-based; configuration required

Micro-Training

TartanWhen a recipient clicks on a phishing simulation email they receive <30 second micro training that shows them how to avoid clicking in the future.

KnowBe4Remediation and training length varies by module

Training Content Fit

TartanA growing library of school-friendly training content for staff and students. New videos are added regularly based on customer requests.

KnowBe4Large corporate-focused library with many longer modules

Student Training

TartanPhishing simulations designed specifically for students, plus video training created for students with new content added regularly.

KnowBe4Varies by package and configuration

Delivery Methods

TartanDomain whitelist, Google DMI, Microsoft ADP

KnowBe4Delivery options vary by environment

Campaign Cadence

TartanAutomatically send phishing simulation emails every 15, 30, 60, or 90 days without any manual intervention.

KnowBe4Flexible scheduling with admin setup

Recipient Sync

TartanGoogle Workspace OUs, groups, and departments; Microsoft 365 groups, departments, and administrative units; or CSV

KnowBe4Identity-provider sync and SCIM/ADI options

Reporting

TartanSee your overall phish risk score, click logs, sent-email log, scheduled email logs, export reports, view completion rates of video training by recipient and in aggregate, and receive weekly or monthly email summaries.

KnowBe4Large report library that often needs customization for K-12 views

Threat Manager / Reported Threats

TartanThreat Manager workflows for reviewing, triaging, and responding to reported emails.

KnowBe4Reported-threat triage workflows available

Phish Report Button

TartanTartan App Shield phish report button for reporting suspicious emails from the inbox.

KnowBe4Reporting button available

Gamification & Leaderboards

TartanPoints for training, quizzes, simulations, and threat reports, plus a shareable Cybersecurity Leaderboard.

KnowBe4Gamification and leaderboards available

Google Workspace Security Audit

Tartan100+ automated checks for your Google Workspace configuration every week, plus 30+ guided manual checks, with a prioritized list of findings and recommended remediation steps.

KnowBe4Not offered

Breach Notifications

TartanMonitors school email addresses and alerts admins when newly listed breaches affect staff, student, or shared accounts.

KnowBe4No ongoing alerts. KnowBe4's free Email Exposure Check Pro is a one-time report.

Comparison details can vary based on plan and configuration. Contact us for a tailored assessment. Comparison last reviewed July 2026.

Texas Cyber Command 2026–2027 State-Certified Cybersecurity Training Program seal

Texas State-Certified Cybersecurity Training

Texas Cyber Command certified Tartan App’s cybersecurity awareness training program for the 2026–2027 program year.

Switching

How to Switch from KnowBe4

Plan the move around your KnowBe4 renewal date, so you don't pay for two tools at once. Most schools are set up in under 30 minutes.

Check the end date and notice terms in your KnowBe4 agreement.
Look up your price on the Tartan pricing page. Public school districts and Canadian school boards pay per school, with unlimited staff. Independent schools pay by employee and student tiers.
Sync your people from Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, or import a CSV file.
Choose how simulations reach inboxes: direct message injection (DMI) for Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, Microsoft Advanced Delivery, or a domain allowlist.
Turn on automated campaigns and the Tartan App Shield report button in Gmail and Outlook. Your free 1:1 onboarding covers setup.

Schools That Switched from KnowBe4

K-12 proof

Real Outcomes from Districts Like Yours

Measured result

SAU 45 reduced simulated phishing click rates by ~39% with Tartan.

Testimonial

"More of my happy clickers now ask if something is phishing. That shift is exactly what we needed."

SAU 45

Ready to See Tartan in Action?

Get a personalized walkthrough and see how Tartan fits your district's security awareness goals.

FAQs

Common Questions

Can we switch from KnowBe4 mid-year?

Yes. Tartan can launch quickly and run alongside your calendar without disrupting staff.

How long does setup take?

Most schools are set up in under 30 minutes. Onboarding is free, and campaigns run automatically after that.

Do you support students as well as staff?

Yes. Tartan has phishing simulations and video training made for students, sold as Student Phishing & Video Training.

Is Tartan a KnowBe4 alternative for independent schools?

Yes. Tartan works with independent, charter, and faith-based schools, as well as public school districts and Canadian school boards. Independent schools pay by employee and student tiers.

How is pricing structured?

Pricing is transparent and designed for school budgets, without expensive onboarding fees.