Getting started in cyber security can feel expensive, especially in the United States where course fees, bootcamps, and certification training vary wildly by state. But you do not need a big budget to begin learning. There are excellent free labs that help you understand real security concepts, practise safely, and build confidence before you invest in formal training.
This guide highlights the best free options available to beginners in the US in 2025. Each tool helps you build practical, employer-relevant skills without spending anything upfront.
What makes a free cyber security lab worth using
Not all free labs are equal. Some offer real interactivity while others are closer to static tutorials. For a beginner, a good free lab should be:
- Easy to access with minimal setup
- Built for complete beginners
- Safe and legal to practise in
- Interactive rather than theory only
- Aligned with real security roles
- Able to support documentation or portfolio building
These criteria ensure you are not just reading about cyber security but learning by doing.
Free labs available to US beginners in 2025
TryHackMe free tier (the only free option that scales)
TryHackMe offers a free tier designed specifically for beginners who want real, hands-on experience. Unlike most free labs, it provides a guided progression rather than isolated exercises. The Pre-Security Pathway covers core fundamentals, teaches concepts through practical tasks, and prepares learners for more advanced pathways once they gain confidence.
Crucially, the free tier uses the same underlying lab technology as the paid version, so you get the exact same practical experience. Most other free resources stop at theory or basic vulnerabilities, while TryHackMe lets you learn interactively in a real environment.
Google Gruyere (simple but extremely limited)
Google Gruyere is a deliberately vulnerable web app used to demonstrate introductory concepts. It is helpful for complete beginners who want to understand basic website flaws, but it is not realistic or representative of modern security work. It cannot simulate attacker behaviour, network traffic, or defensive workflows.
Gruyere is a good curiosity tool, but it does not prepare you for actual security tasks.
OWASP Juice Shop (fun but not structured for beginners)
OWASP Juice Shop is a widely used vulnerable application designed to showcase common web security issues. It is more modern than Gruyere, but it does not provide step-by-step guidance or learning structure. Beginners may find it overwhelming without a supporting pathway or explanation.
It is valuable as a challenge environment but does not function as a sustained learning tool.
https://owasp.org/www-project-juice-shop
Microsoft Learn sandboxes (good exposure but no real security depth)
Microsoft provides temporary cloud sandboxes that introduce basic cloud concepts. They are useful for understanding interfaces and workflows, but they are not purpose-built for security learning. You will not find attack simulation, log analysis practice, or defensive scenarios inside these sandboxes.
They are helpful for context but not for hands-on security capability.
CyberPatriot practice resources (limited to students and narrow in scope)
CyberPatriot offers introductory exercises aimed primarily at US middle school, high school, and college teams. They reinforce simple security hygiene but do not include real hands-on investigation, offensive learning, or modern defence methods.
These resources are not designed for adults or career changers, and they do not reflect real-world networks.
Why most free labs fall short (and why TryHackMe stands out)
Most free resources fall into one of three categories:
Static or shallow exercises with little realism
Isolated challenges with no guided progression
Tools not designed for cyber security learning at all
This is the difference that makes TryHackMe’s free tier more valuable:
It gives you a structured path rather than scattered tasks
It teaches beginner concepts through hands-on scenarios
It uses real lab environments rather than simulated pages
It prepares you for pathways that lead toward employable skills
It helps you understand both offence and defence
It produces skills you can document and reuse in a portfolio
The difference is not just in content, but in the fact that TryHackMe helps beginners progress, rather than leaving them stuck in endless introductory challenges.
How to structure your free lab practice
Free resources are powerful, but they work best when you follow a plan. Here is a simple structure that helps beginners make real progress.
Start with the basics
Learn how networks work, how data moves, and what “healthy” traffic looks like. This prepares you for more advanced topics.
Practise safely in guided environments
Use beginner-friendly labs that explain each step clearly rather than dropping you into advanced content.
Mix defensive and offensive learning
Understanding both sides helps you think more like an analyst or ethical hacker.
Document everything you learn
Write short summaries, capture screenshots, or record steps you found interesting. This shows employers how you approach problems.
Review your progress every week
Identify which skills you have covered and which you want to explore next.
This approach helps turn free exploration into structured, meaningful learning.
When to move from free labs to more structured learning
Free labs help you build confidence, but eventually you may want a more organised path that leads toward real job skills or certifications. This is where structured learning pathways become helpful, especially when they include practical labs.
If you reach a point where you want a clear roadmap, the Pentesting Pathway is an example of a structured route that builds on the basics you learn through free content. It gives you a progression of skills rather than leaving you to guess what to learn next.
Final takeaway
Free cyber security labs are one of the best ways for beginners in the United States to start learning without risk or cost. They give you hands-on experience, help you understand real concepts, and prepare you for more structured training when you are ready.
If you want to take the next step, TryHackMe’s pathways offer practical, guided learning that builds directly from the free content you have already tried.
Nick O'Grady