What Are the Best Websites to Learn Ethical Hacking for Free?

Introduction

Ethical hacking doesn't require a fortune. In 2025, with 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs open, free websites offer world-class labs, tutorials, and challenges that rival paid courses. Imagine exploiting a vulnerable web app on TryHackMe or solving CTFs on OverTheWire—all without spending a dime. These platforms provide hands-on practice in networking, Linux, web security, and pentesting. From guided rooms for beginners to advanced machines for OSCP prep, free learning builds real skills. This guide ranks the top 10, based on user reviews and features. Start today and turn your browser into a hacking lab.

TryHackMe: Gamified Labs for Beginners

TryHackMe turns ethical hacking into an interactive adventure. Free rooms guide you through concepts with step-by-step instructions, no setup needed.

• 500+ rooms on Linux, networking, web
• Free tier: 20+ beginner paths
• Browser-based VMs
• Progress badges and certificates
• Community Discord support
• CEH-aligned content

Hack The Box Academy: Free Modules for All

• 50+ free modules on enumeration
• Video lessons + interactive labs
• Skill paths: Junior to Expert
• No VPN setup required
• Progress tracking
• Free forever

Boost your learning. Enroll in an ethical hacking course with HTB integration.

PortSwigger Web Security Academy: Free Web Hacking

PortSwigger's academy focuses on web vulnerabilities with Burp Suite labs. It's OWASP-aligned and 100% free.

• 200+ labs on XSS, SQLi, CSRF
• Apprentice to Expert levels
• Burp Suite Community integration
• Video walkthroughs
• Progress badges
• No registration needed

OverTheWire: Command-Line Wargames

• Bandit: 33 Linux levels
• Natas: Web hacking series
• SSH-based challenges
• Progressive difficulty
• No GUI, pure terminal
• Free, open-source

Cybrary: Free Courses and Labs

Cybrary offers video-based courses with virtual labs. It's great for structured learning.

• Ethical Hacking 101 course
• Virtual labs for practice
• CEH prep materials
• Community forums
• Progress tracking
• Free with optional premium

Go further. Take a complete hacking course with Cybrary.

SANS Cyber Aces: Gamified Challenges

• Online Challenges for networking
• Space modules for Linux
• Free registration
• Score-based progression
• Team competitions
• Industry-backed

OWASP Juice Shop: Vulnerable Web App

Juice Shop is a deliberately insecure app for learning. Deploy it locally or online.

• OWASP Top 10 challenges
• Score board for progress
• Docker deployment
• Free and open-source
• API and frontend flaws
• Community extensions

VulnHub: Free Vulnerable VMs

• 200+ downloadable VMs
• Difficulty ratings
• Community write-ups
• No internet needed
• Network and web focus
• Free forever

Follow the ultimate career path to apply VulnHub skills.

CTFtime: Free CTF Challenges

• 1,000+ past CTFs
• Write-ups and solutions
• Event calendar
• Team formation
• All free
• Global competitions

YouTube Channels: Visual Learning

YouTube offers free video tutorials. Channels like NetworkChuck make hacking fun and accessible.

• NetworkChuck: Beginner-friendly labs
• LiveOverflow: Reverse engineering
• The Cyber Mentor: CEH prep
• Hak5: Hardware hacking
• John Hammond: Malware analysis
• Free, on-demand

For local training, find ethical hacker courses near you.

Free Ethical Hacking Websites Comparison

• TryHackMe → Guided → Free tier → Beginners
• Hack The Box Academy → Modules → Free → Intermediate
• PortSwigger → Web → All free → Web security
• OverTheWire → CLI → All free → Linux
• Cybrary → Courses → Free → Structured
• SANS Cyber Aces → Challenges → Free → Networking
• Juice Shop → App → Free → OWASP
• VulnHub → VMs → Free → Offline
• CTFtime → CTFs → Free → Competitions
• YouTube → Videos → Free → Visual

Conclusion

Ethical hacking is accessible to all in 2025. Free websites like TryHackMe and PortSwigger offer labs that rival paid bootcamps. Start with OverTheWire for Linux basics. Move to Hack The Box for real machines. Practice on VulnHub offline. Compete in CTFtime. Watch NetworkChuck for fun. In 90 days, you'll hack like a pro. The best part? It costs nothing but time. Communities welcome beginners. Share your write-ups. Ask questions. The cybersecurity world needs you. Start clicking. Start learning. Your first exploit awaits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TryHackMe completely free?

No. Free tier has limits. Premium unlocks all rooms.

Can I learn ethical hacking on YouTube?

Yes. NetworkChuck and LiveOverflow are excellent.

Best free lab for web hacking?

PortSwigger Academy. OWASP-aligned.

Do I need Kali Linux?

No. Most platforms are browser-based.

How to avoid illegal content on forums?

Stick to ethical sites like Reddit r/ethicalhacking.

Can I get certified with free resources?

Yes. Cybrary preps for CEH and Security+.

Best for CTF practice?

CTFtime archives and OverTheWire.

Is VulnHub safe?

Yes. Run in isolated VMs.

How long to learn basics?

30 days with 1 hour daily.

Free alternatives to Hack The Box?

VulnHub and Juice Shop.

Can I practice on my phone?

Yes. Mobile versions of labs.

Best YouTube for Linux hacking?

NetworkChuck's Linux series.

Do free sites have certifications?

Badges yes. Full certs no.

How to build a portfolio?

Write-ups from VulnHub and CTFs.

Where to ask questions?

Reddit r/ethicalhacking or Discord.