What Are the Best Online Platforms to Practice Ethical Hacking?

Introduction

Ethical hacking is 90% practice and 10% theory. YouTube videos and books won't get you ₹12 to 60 LPA jobs at Deloitte, EY, Paytm, and Indian banks. Real hands-on labs will. Our 8,000+ placed students at Ethical Hacking Training Institute & Webasha Technologies started on these exact online platforms, solved 500+ challenges, and transitioned to our private lab for OSCP-level practice. This guide contains the top 15 legal, free platforms they used in 2025.

Top 15 Best Online Platforms for Ethical Hacking Practice (2025)

• TryHackMe – Guided rooms and learning paths
• HackTheBox – Real-world machines and CTFs
• VulnHub – Downloadable vulnerable VMs
• PortSwigger Web Security Academy – Free Burp Suite labs
• OverTheWire – Bandit and wargames
• PicoCTF – Beginner-friendly annual CTF
• PentesterLab – Web and API exercises
• Root-Me – 500+ challenges in all categories
• CTFtime – Live competitions worldwide
• Proving Grounds Practice – OSCP-like machines
• WebGoat – OWASP vulnerable web app
• DVWA – Damn Vulnerable Web Application
• Juice Shop – Modern vulnerable e-commerce
• bWAPP – Bee Web Application
• Google Cybersecurity CTF – Advanced challenges

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Best Platforms for Beginners (First 3 Months)

• TryHackMe: Complete Pre-Security and Intro to Cyber paths
• OverTheWire Bandit: Learn Linux commands step-by-step
• PortSwigger Academy: Master web vulnerabilities with Burp Suite

Intermediate Platforms (Months 4-6)

• HackTheBox Starting Point: 10 beginner machines
• PentesterLab: 50+ free web and API challenges
• VulnHub: Download 20 easy machines (Kiwi, Blue, Lame)

See the ultimate practice roadmap

Advanced Platforms for OSCP Prep (Months 7-9)

• HackTheBox Retired Boxes: 50+ medium difficulty
• Proving Grounds Practice: OSCP-style machines
• Root-Me: 100+ medium challenges

CTF Platforms for Competition Practice

• PicoCTF: Annual beginner CTF (free)
• CTFtime: Find live events worldwide
• Google CTF: Advanced annual challenge

Join CTF training near you

Conclusion

Practice is everything in ethical hacking. These 15 platforms give you everything free, but our students get 10x results with guided practice. Join Ethical Hacking Training Institute & Webasha Technologies, India's only institute with 200+ machine lab and 8,000+ placements. New batches every Monday in Pune plus 100% live online.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which platform is best for absolute beginners?

TryHackMe. Guided rooms with step-by-step explanations.

TryHackMe vs HackTheBox: Which first?

TryHackMe for 3 months, then HackTheBox.

Are these platforms 100% free?

Yes. All have large free sections for job skills.

How many machines to solve for job?

Our students solve 500+ before placement.

Which institute provides guided practice?

Only Ethical Hacking Training Institute & Webasha.

Can girls join CTF competitions?

Yes. Many top-ranked female pentesters.

Do companies ask about CTF rankings?

Yes. High rank = instant interview call.

Next batch starting?

Every Monday. Limited seats.

Free demo available?

Yes. Every Saturday 11 AM.

Weekend practice batches?

Yes. Full weekend lab access.

Non-IT can start on these platforms?

Yes. 70% of our students are non-IT.

Job guarantee after practice?

Yes. Written 100% placement.

Parents can attend demo?

Yes. Many do.

Is PicoCTF good for OSCP prep?

No. Need our lab for hard boxes.

Best free book for CTF?

RTFM: Red Team Field Manual.