If you are starting a career in cyber security, especially with the goal of becoming a SOC analyst or blue team professional, you have likely seen both TryHackMe and LetsDefend recommended.
On the surface, they appear similar. Both focus on hands-on learning. Both move beyond passive video courses. Both promise real-world defensive skills.
But they are built with very different learning philosophies.
For beginners, that difference matters more than feature lists or lab counts.
This guide breaks down how each platform approaches learning, what kind of learner they suit best, and which one makes more sense if you are starting from scratch.
What Beginners Actually Need
Before comparing platforms directly, it is important to define the real problem beginners face.
Breaking into cyber security is not just about practising investigations. It is about building technical foundations that make those investigations meaningful.
A strong beginner needs to understand how networks communicate, how operating systems manage processes, how authentication works, and how attacks are executed. Without that knowledge, defensive work becomes procedural. You follow steps without understanding the system behind them.
The best early training builds fundamentals first, then layers specialisation on top.
With that in mind, let’s look at how each platform approaches the journey.
TryHackMe: Structured Progression From Foundations to SOC
TryHackMe is built around guided learning paths.
Instead of placing beginners immediately into complex alert investigations, it starts with structured foundations. Learners move through networking basics, Linux fundamentals, web application concepts, and core security principles in a logical sequence.
Only after those foundations are established do learners transition into focused paths such as SOC Level 1 and blue team training.
This progression model reduces overwhelm. More importantly, it builds understanding.
When you later investigate an alert, you recognise how a reverse shell behaves. You understand how logs are generated. You can reason through abnormal traffic because you have studied how normal communication works.
The platform intentionally blends offensive and defensive concepts. That cross-discipline exposure strengthens defensive reasoning and prepares learners for real-world environments where attacks and defences constantly interact.
For beginners, that structure creates clarity and momentum.
LetsDefend: Simulation-First SOC Training
LetsDefend focuses primarily on SOC-style simulation.
Learners are placed into investigation scenarios where alerts appear, logs must be analysed, and reports must be written. The emphasis is on operational realism. You are expected to think like an analyst responding to incidents.
This approach can feel engaging and practical, particularly for learners who already understand networking and common attack techniques.
However, simulation-first learning assumes that the learner already has a mental model of how systems behave. If those foundations are missing, investigations can become checklist-driven rather than analytical.
LetsDefend prioritises immersion early. It is designed to replicate the experience of handling alerts inside a SOC environment.
For learners who are already comfortable with core concepts, that immersion can be valuable practice. For absolute beginners, it can introduce friction.
Foundation vs Immediate Realism
The core difference between TryHackMe and LetsDefend is sequencing.
TryHackMe prioritises building technical foundations before increasing complexity. LetsDefend introduces realistic investigations early and expects learners to build understanding alongside experience.
For beginners, foundation-first training typically produces stronger long-term results. Understanding how attacks work improves your ability to detect and explain them. Knowing how systems are configured strengthens log analysis. Familiarity with offensive techniques sharpens defensive instincts.
Realism is powerful, but only when you are ready to interpret what you are seeing.
In early stages, structured progression provides stability. It ensures that when you enter simulated SOC environments, you are analysing evidence rather than guessing.
Breadth of Skill Development
Another important distinction is scope.
TryHackMe exposes learners to both offensive and defensive concepts within a single ecosystem. This broader approach reflects how cyber security roles often overlap. Even blue team professionals benefit from understanding exploitation workflows and attacker methodologies.
By learning both sides of the equation, beginners build adaptable skills. They are not limited to one narrow operational workflow.
LetsDefend remains more tightly focused on defensive investigation. That focus can sharpen repetition in alert handling, but it does not necessarily provide the same cross-disciplinary depth.
For beginners who are still discovering where they want to specialise, broader exposure can be a strategic advantage.
Which Platform Is Better for Beginners?
If you are completely new to cyber security, TryHackMe is generally the stronger starting point.
Its structured learning paths guide you from foundational knowledge to practical blue team skills in a deliberate, confidence-building way. You learn how systems work before learning how to defend them. That sequencing strengthens long-term capability.
LetsDefend can be a useful platform for practising SOC-style investigations, particularly if you already have a solid understanding of networking and security basics.
But for true beginners deciding where to begin, foundation-first training provides a more stable and sustainable path.
Strong fundamentals compound over time.
Start Building the Right Foundations
If you are ready to begin your journey in cyber security, start with structured learning that builds core skills before moving into advanced simulations.
Begin with foundational knowledge on TryHackMe's Pre Security Path.
Nick O'Grady