HTB Labs pricing update: Here’s what you need to know

HTB Labs pricing update: Here’s what you need to know

HTB Labs has come a long way in the last few years. We’ve added hundreds of Machines and Challenges, introduced new categories of training, teamed up with key partners and creators, and grown a world-class content team. All with you, our customer and community, top of mind. We are dedicated to the community and transparency as HTB evolves. 

To keep HTB Labs competitive and evolving in our innovation, we are making an adjustment given the dynamics in our industry.

Starting October 1:

• VIP+ monthly subscriptions will increase by 25%.

• VIP+ yearly subscriptions will increase by 10%.

• VIP plans will no longer be available for purchase.

To understand the reasons behind this change and everything we’ve introduced into our plans over the years, please keep reading below. If you're a current VIP subscriber, make sure to check our FAQ section at the end.

Increased value: VIP plans have skyrocketed in the last 5 years

We’ve been on a mission to make HTB Labs the most advanced and hands-on cybersecurity training platform. While other platforms raised prices or slashed features, we listened to you, reinvested everything back into HTB, and improved the experience we provide.

Here are just a few things we’ve added to VIP plans since the introduction of VIP+ in 2020:

• 250+ more Machines and 450+ Challenges (with official write-ups and video walkthroughs).

• New Challenge categories like Hardware, GamePwn, Blockchain, AI-ML, Coding, Secure Coding, and ICS.

• A brand-new category of defensive training content, including 70+ VIP-only Sherlocks added in the last 2 years.

• We are adding all Vulnlab Machines as part of our catalog, and you won't need to pay a separate subscription to access them (that’s more than 40 Machines!). Read more about this partnership here.

• Teamed up with ParrotOS to provide Pwnbox to our free and paid users.

And of course, we haven’t forgotten about the amazing community we’ve built through the years. We’ve made it a priority to ensure that HTB remains accessible to everyone, including those who may not be able to afford a subscription right now. Here’s how we continue to support our free users:

• Weekly Active Machine Releases

• CTFs (e.g., Cyber Apocalypse, University CTF, Hack The Boo) and Seasons competitions open to everyone (including Release Arena access), with prizes worth thousands of dollars

• Free Academy Modules to build essential skills

• We support 115 local HTB groups in 70 different countries and territories

Why now?

Since 2020, we've experienced globally increasing costs of infrastructure, security tooling, and talent without changing our pricing. Spawning private instances in seconds, scaling our global labs, supporting 24/7 uptime, and hiring top-tier content creators all come at a cost.

Also, like every tech company operating at scale, we’ve seen significant rises in operational expenses over the past few years due to the growth of our user base. From backend architecture and cybersecurity protections to maintaining lightning-fast Machines, these improvements require constant reinvestment. 

This change has the goal of keeping Hack The Box growing for everyone and sustaining the high-quality experience for the entire community. We also want to give room to even more cool things to come along.

We’ve held off as long as possible. But to ensure HTB remains the most reliable, responsive, and high-quality platform out there, a sustainable pricing update is essential.

This is our first pricing update in almost 5 years, and we’ve worked hard to keep this increase as minimal as possible while unlocking more value for you.

The bottom line

This update isn’t about raising prices for the sake of it. It’s about ensuring HTB Labs remains strong, relevant, and ready for what’s next. 

Cyber threats are evolving faster than ever. From privilege escalation techniques to the rise of AI-based attack surfaces, what worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. Staying ahead of the curve isn’t just a goal; it’s a must.

To keep pace, we need to move fast too. That means creating cutting-edge content, updating labs to reflect the latest TTPs, and maintaining the infrastructure that powers fast, secure, and seamless training experiences. This pricing change supports that growth.

We see this as a pivotal moment, a chance to raise the bar even higher, and bring you more innovation, better content, and a platform that truly grows with you.

Our mission remains the same: to build and grow the largest, most skilled cybersecurity community in the world. 

We’re committed to helping learners, professionals, and teams stay ahead of threats with the most practical, up-to-date training. This adjustment helps us future-proof our platform and your skills.

As a true HTB fan, we hope you understand the reasons behind this change and share our excitement for what’s next. We look forward to seeing you climb leaderboards, connect on Discord, and remain an active part of our global community.

FAQs

What’s the updated pricing starting October 1?

Here’s the new pricing for VIP plans in each currency, effective October 1:

*Applicable taxes may be added at checkout.

I’m a VIP/VIP+ subscriber. What happens now?

If you’re on a VIP+ monthly or annual plan, your subscription will renew at the updated price starting October 1.
If you’re on a VIP monthly or annual plan, your price stays the same, for now. Any future changes will be clearly communicated ahead of time.
You can still purchase or renew VIP and VIP+ plans at the current price until October 1. These will be honored for the full duration of the subscription cycle and give you the opportunity to lock in savings for up to 12 months (if you choose the annual plan) before the price change hits.

Here is an overview of what happens on October 1, 2025:

• VIP plans (monthly and annual) will no longer be available for purchase on our website

• VIP+ subscribers will start being charged the new rates

• VIP subscribers can keep their subscriptions at the current rate until further notice

Can I start a new VIP subscription after October 1?

No. After October 1, VIP will no longer be available for new purchases. Only VIP+ plans will remain moving forward. If you’re currently on a VIP plan, you can stay subscribed for now, but we encourage you to upgrade to the annual plans to make sure you keep the current rate for the next 12 months.

My VIP plan renews after October 1. What should I expect?

If you’re on a VIP plan that renews after October 1, you’ll continue to pay your current price, with no immediate changes. But that won’t last forever. Future updates may come, and we’ll give you a heads-up so you can plan accordingly.
We recommend upgrading to an annual plan before October 1 to lock in today’s pricing for 12 months.

Why are we sunsetting VIP plans for new subscribers?

We’ve introduced so much new content, features, and value over the last few years that consolidating everything under VIP+ ensures consistency and sustainability. Maintaining two separate tiers creates complexity for both users and our platform.