Top Free CTF Labs to Boost Cybersecurity Skills

Whether you’re just starting out in ethical hacking or preparing for certifications like CEH, OSCP, or CompTIA Security+, these Capture The Flag (CTF) platforms offer the best hands-on way to learn real-world cybersecurity skills.

CTF challenges simulate real attacks, allowing you to practice safely while building your technical confidence and portfolio.

TryHackMe​

An interactive, beginner-friendly platform that teaches cybersecurity through guided virtual rooms.
Perfect for learning web hacking, privilege escalation, and red teaming in a structured way.

VulnHub​

Offers downloadable vulnerable virtual machines for offline penetration testing practice.
A great choice if you prefer running labs locally on VirtualBox or VMware.

Root-Me​

A community-driven site packed with challenges in network, web, and reverse engineering.
Ideal for learners who want diverse difficulty levels and technical depth.

OverTheWire​

One of the oldest and most respected CTF sites.
Games like Bandit and Narnia teach Linux basics, privilege escalation, and exploit development step by step.

PicoCTF​

Developed by Carnegie Mellon University, PicoCTF is designed for students and beginners.
It uses a fun game-based format to teach core cybersecurity concepts.

Hack The Box​

A professional-level platform with both free and pro labs.
Used by penetration testers and blue teams worldwide to test skills in realistic attack scenarios.

PentesterLab​

Offers web-focused security exercises and certificates for completing hands-on tasks.
Excellent for mastering XSS, SQL injection, and authentication bypasses.

What You Can Practice​

• Web Exploits
• Privilege Escalation
• Reverse Engineering
• OSINT (Open Source Intelligence)
• Binary Exploits

These platforms help you level up your skills, build your portfolio, and get job-ready for roles in cybersecurity, penetration testing, and digital forensics.

Final Tip​

Start small with beginner-friendly sites like TryHackMe or PicoCTF, then progress to HackTheBox or VulnHub for real-world, complex targets.
Which one is your favorite CTF platform? Drop it in the comments below and share your hacking journey!