Are you a Managed Service Provider owner, IT director, or the office’s unofficial “cybersecurity person”? There can’t be many other reasons to click on this article, so we’re assuming that’s why you’re here.

You’re also here because you know the truth: Security Awareness Training matters, but not every SAT platform makes sense for the way MSPs actually work. Enterprise tools are great - for enterprises (obviously) and internal IT teams with the budget and time that entails. A little… less great for teams managing twenty, fifty, or a hundred clients at once.

So this guide walks you through:

• What MSPs should look for in a SAT platform 
• Which “popular” providers MSPs often start with (and why those aren’t always ideal)
• The top MSP-friendly SAT platforms on the market
• Why (spoiler alert) Phin tends to win when MSPs compare their options

If you want the deep dive into what Phin is and why MSPs love us, you can also check out What is Phin Security?

What MSPs Should Look For in a Cybersecurity Awareness Training Platform

MSPs operate differently from internal IT teams. You’re not managing one organization, you’re managing loads - spinning a lot of plates, wearing a lot of hats. Sometimes it feels like you’re not a Managed Service Provider but a clown at the circus being paid with laughter and peanuts. 

Anyway, the right SAT platform isn’t necessarily the one with the biggest feature list, but the one that tangibly reduces your workload.

Here are 6 things MSPs consistently tell us they need:

1. True multi-tenant management

One login. One dashboard. All clients in one place. If a platform forces you to jump through separate portals for every tenant, you’ll lose hours every month.

2. Flexible billing that fits MSP reality

Month to month. Based only on active users, since your users can fluctuate. If a SAT vendor makes you lock into a two or three year deal, that’s a red flag for MSPs.

3. Integrations that reduce admin.

Especially PSA and directory integrations, like ConnectWise, Datto Autotask, HaloPSA, Microsoft Azure, GSuite, and more.

4. Automated campaign management

User syncing, compliance tracking, overdue reminders, and monthly training should not require MSP hands on effort.

5. White labelling

Because your clients should associate the value with you, not your vendor.

Auditors, insurers, and business owners want proof that training works. MSPs need automated, exportable reports that tell a story without requiring a ton of TLC.

7. Content that isn’t long and boring

Short, relevant, modern, and easy to consume. Nobody wants another thirty minute monotone video recorded in 2009.

If a SAT tool doesn’t meet those criteria, it’s probably not MSP friendly. Certainly not as MSP friendly as it could be. It’s more MSP civil. MSP polite. MSP begrudgingly respectful to keep the peace but it only extends as far as a nod when you pass each other in the street, and you’re absolutely not invited to any barbecues.

Platforms MSPs Commonly Use (But Aren’t Always Designed for MSPs)

These are the tools MSPs often start with because they’re well known, widely marketed, or bundled with other security products. They’re not bad tools. They’re just not built specifically for MSP workflows.

KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training

The biggest name in SAT, with the largest content library and deep enterprise features. Excellent for internal IT teams with lots of admin time. It’s so good, we have actually recommended it to prospective clients in the past - because it better fits their needs and their workload. Less ideal for MSPs due to long term contracts, no true multi-tenancy, and heavier management overhead. You can do your own research here.

BullPhish ID (ID Agent / Kaseya)

Popular in MSP circles because it’s often bundled within larger security suites.

Simple and inexpensive, but content variety, reporting depth, and automation are limited compared to specialist SAT platforms. Especially since it’s not their main entree, more like a side of green beans. But it could still be right for you, so have a look at some unbiased reviews here.

Proofpoint Security Awareness Training

Enterprise-grade with strong phishing simulation depth and polished training modules.

Potentially overkill for many small to midsize MSP clients. On the expensive side, and not necessarily structured with multi-tenant MSP workflows in mind. Find out more here.

Great tools for some. Not always the best tools for MSPs.

The Best SAT Platforms for MSPs (And Why MSPs Choose Them)

These are the platforms MSPs consistently compare and switch to when they want something simpler, more automated, or better aligned with an MSP business model.

1. Phin Security (our personal favorite)

We’ll try to be humble about this part, but Phin is designed specifically for MSPs, not retrofitted for them.

What MSPs love

• True multi tenant platform
• Month to month billing
• Usage based pricing (only pay for active users)
• Onboarding that takes ~10 minutes
• Automated campaigns and user syncing
• Content from six different training providers
• Reporting built for auditors and insurers
• No direct sales to SMBs — we don’t compete with MSPs
• PSA and directory integrations
• Although Phin is newer than the legacy SAT giants, MSPs like that the product moves faster and adapts quickly

Challenges for MSPs

Challenges as far as Phin goes are that we don’t currently have integrations for all PSAs - currently ConnectWise and Halo (in progress), but we are constantly adding new integrations. We’re also fairly limited on languages - very English focused, with a some training available in French and Spanish. But, hey, if your clients are predominantly English speakers, that shouldn’t be a dealbreaker, right?

What MSPs say

“Real-time training, as well as the monthly, quarterly, even weekly cadence of having a five-minute video, it all helps keep security constantly on the mind." - CCB Technology.

“We were doing everything by hand... Now, we’ve dropped engineering time by 80 percent.” - Certified CIO.

“Easiest deployment of any platform I’ve worked with.” - Fortify Technology.

Find out what else our “Phinatics” have to say!

(We have a 4.8/5 stars on G2 but only 13 reviews, and we know people prefer lower ratings with more reviews to higher ratings with less reviews. We get it, and we’re working on getting our partners to provide more G2 reviews, or else…)

2. Breach Secure Now

An MSP focused SAT platform with simple deployment, bundled dark web monitoring, and risk assessments.

MSP friendly features

• Built for MSP resale
• Straightforward management
• All in one feature bundle
• Budget friendly for small clients

Challenges for MSPs

• Less robust automation
• Smaller content library
• Integrations (especially Azure) can be inconsistent
• Reporting is more basic than enterprise focused tools

We’ve not been able to find BSN on G2 or any of the big review sites, so this summary is based largely on our findings on r/MSP and general industry knowledge. You can find more information on their actual website.

3. Huntress SAT

A managed, story driven SAT offering that requires minimal admin time for MSPs.

MSP friendly features

• Fully managed experience
• Easy onboarding
• Strong phishing simulations
• Engaging narrative style lessons

Challenges

• Less control than self managed platforms
• Content simplicity may feel lightweight for advanced users
• Multi-tenant control is more limited

Source: Huntress G2 Profile

Why Phin Security Ends Up Being the Best Choice for MSPs

KnowBe4 is excellent for enterprise. Truly.

Huntress is excellent for small teams wanting a managed solution.

Breach Secure Now is great for simple, entry level SAT needs.

But MSPs have the tricky balancing act of scaling whilst minimizing friction. And Phin solves that by offering:

• A platform designed around multi-client management
• Automation that eliminates tedious SAT admin
• Billing that matches MSP pricing models
• Reporting that satisfies insurers, auditors, and compliance frameworks
• Content variety that keeps users engaged
• Integrations that reduce back office time
• A vendor relationship that never competes with MSP revenue

The result is simple: less admin, more security, happier clients, and more profitable MSP offerings.

If that’s what you’re looking for, Phin is the SAT platform built for you.

BUT it might not be the best one FOR you, and that’s okay. We’ve got a handy checklist to help you figure out which provider best suits your wants, needs, workflows, and budget - whether that’s us or not. Here you go.

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