What's It Really Like to Work at KnowBe4?
An inside look at the culture, salaries, benefits, and interview process at KnowBe4. Explore real employee reviews and see if it's the right fit for you.
Working at KnowBe4 means joining a fast-paced, high-growth cybersecurity company known for its quirky and energetic culture. Based in Clearwater, Florida, the company emphasizes a 'fun' work environment with extensive perks, transparent leadership under CEO Stu Sjouwerman, and a mission-driven focus on security awareness training. Employees benefit from strong compensation packages, including unlimited PTO and robust health benefits. However, candidates should be aware of the intense, sales-driven atmosphere and the cultural shifts following its 2023 acquisition by private equity firm Vista Equity Partners, which has introduced more structured, metric-focused processes.
- Founded
- 2010
- HQ
- Clearwater, Florida
- Employees
- 2500
- Industry
- Cybersecurity
- Ownership
- Private
- KnowBe4 is known for a high-energy, 'fun' culture with numerous office perks, but has a demanding, sales-focused environment.
- Compensation is generally competitive, with roles like Senior Software Engineer earning an average base salary around $135,000, according to Glassdoor data.
- Benefits are a major highlight, featuring 'unlimited' PTO, comprehensive health coverage, and a 401(k) match.
- The company was acquired by private equity firm Vista Equity Partners in 2023, leading to increased focus on metrics and process.
- Leadership, headed by founder Stu Sjouwerman, is often praised for transparency and accessibility, though the culture is evolving post-acquisition.
- The interview process typically involves a recruiter screen, a hiring manager interview, and a panel or technical assessment, taking 2-4 weeks on average.
Working at KnowBe4 means joining a fast-paced, high-growth cybersecurity company known for its quirky and energetic culture. Based in Clearwater, Florida, the company emphasizes a 'fun' work environment with extensive perks, transparent leadership under CEO Stu Sjouwerman, and a mission-driven focus on security awareness training. Employees benefit from strong compensation packages, including unlimited PTO and robust health benefits. However, candidates should be aware of the intense, sales-driven atmosphere and the cultural shifts following its 2023 acquisition by private equity firm Vista Equity Partners, which has introduced more structured, metric-focused processes.
What is it actually like to work at KnowBe4?
Working at KnowBe4 is often described as an experience of dualities: it's simultaneously a high-energy, perk-filled environment and a demanding, metric-driven workplace. The company built its reputation on a vibrant and unconventional culture, particularly at its Clearwater, Florida headquarters. This includes amenities like free snacks and lunches, an on-site gym, and frequent social events. Employees frequently praise the collaborative atmosphere and the shared sense of purpose in combating cybercrime. The company's mission—to enable employees to make smarter security decisions—is a tangible part of daily work.
However, the pace is rapid, especially within the sales and customer-facing teams, which form the core of the company's growth engine. Performance is closely tracked, and the pressure to hit targets is a consistent theme in employee reviews. This intensity has been amplified since the early 2023 acquisition by Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm known for implementing rigorous operational frameworks across its portfolio companies. While this has brought more structure and process, some long-time employees have noted a shift away from the original startup-like, family feel toward a more corporate and KPI-focused environment. Work-life balance can be a challenge, particularly during peak sales quarters or project deadlines. For many, the trade-off is worth it for the career opportunities, strong compensation, and dynamic team environment.
Source: Glassdoor Employee Reviews
How does KnowBe4 pay compare?
KnowBe4's compensation is generally considered competitive, particularly within the Tampa Bay Area tech scene where it is a major employer. Salaries are structured to attract and retain talent in the competitive cybersecurity and SaaS industries. Pay varies significantly by department, with technical and sales roles commanding the highest earning potential.
For example, a Sales Development Representative (SDR), an entry-point to the company's sales organization, can expect a base salary around $51,600 per year, which is slightly above the Tampa area median. With commission, total compensation can be substantially higher. In technical roles, a mid-level Software Engineer earns an average base of approximately $108,200, while a Senior Software Engineer averages around $135,100. These figures are competitive and align with or slightly exceed the local market rate for similar roles. Customer Success Managers, who are crucial for retention, earn an average base salary of about $73,400. It's important to note that these figures are base pay; many roles, especially in sales and leadership, include significant variable components like bonuses and commissions tied to individual and company performance. The company's move to private ownership under Vista Equity Partners means that public stock options are no longer part of the compensation package for new hires, a notable change from its time as a publicly traded company.
Source: KnowBe4 Salaries on Glassdoor
What benefits and time-off does KnowBe4 offer?
KnowBe4's benefits package is a significant part of its value proposition and is consistently rated highly by employees. The company invests heavily in the well-being and satisfaction of its team, offering a comprehensive suite of perks that goes beyond standard offerings.
Key highlights of the benefits package include:
- Health and Wellness: KnowBe4 provides comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families. The company contributes a significant portion of the premiums, making coverage affordable. They also offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution.
- Time Off: The company offers an "unlimited" Paid Time Off (PTO) policy for salaried employees, branded as "Paid Time for You." This flexible policy is intended to give employees the autonomy to take the time they need for rest and personal matters. In addition to PTO, the company observes numerous paid holidays throughout the year.
- Retirement Savings: A 401(k) retirement plan is available to all employees, and KnowBe4 offers a company match to help employees save for the future. Details of the matching percentage are typically provided during the offer stage.
- Parental Leave: The company provides paid parental leave for new parents, supporting employees during a critical life event.
- Office Perks: For those working from the Clearwater headquarters, the list of perks is extensive. It includes complimentary breakfast and lunch, free and unlimited snacks and drinks, an on-site fitness center with trainers, and social lounges with games. These perks are central to the company's effort to create a fun and engaging workplace.
While the unlimited PTO policy is a major draw, prospective employees should clarify expectations with their hiring manager. In fast-paced environments, taking extended time off can sometimes be challenging, but employee reviews generally indicate the policy is respected.
Culture, leadership, and DEI at KnowBe4
KnowBe4's culture is its most famous attribute. For years, it has been defined by three core tenets: radical transparency, extreme ownership, and being a fun place to work. Founder and CEO Stu Sjouwerman has been a visible and accessible leader, known for his direct communication style and for hosting regular company-wide meetings to share performance metrics and strategic updates. This transparency has historically built a high level of trust and alignment across the organization.
The 'fun' element is embedded in the physical workspace and company rituals, from themed dress-up days to department-wide competitions. This is designed to foster camaraderie and make the intense work environment more enjoyable. However, as noted, the acquisition by Vista Equity Partners has introduced a more formal, data-driven layer to this culture. While the core commitment to transparency remains, there is an increased emphasis on standardized processes and performance metrics, which some employees view as a natural evolution for a maturing company, while others see it as a dilution of the original quirky spirit.
On Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), KnowBe4 has made public commitments and established employee resource groups (ERGs) to support underrepresented communities. These groups include Women in Tech, Black Employees in Tech, Pride, and Vets in Tech. The company's goal is to foster an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued. It actively participates in and sponsors community initiatives aimed at improving diversity in the technology pipeline. While progress in tech DEI is an ongoing journey for any company, KnowBe4 provides the frameworks and executive support to drive meaningful change.
Source: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at KnowBe4
The hiring and interview process at KnowBe4
The hiring process at KnowBe4 is designed to be thorough but relatively efficient, typically lasting between two and four weeks from application to offer. The company seeks candidates who not only have the right skills but also align with its high-energy and results-oriented culture.
A typical interview process follows these stages:
- Recruiter Phone Screen: The first step is usually a 30-minute call with a talent acquisition partner. This conversation covers your background, interest in the role, salary expectations, and provides a high-level overview of the company culture and the position's responsibilities.
- Hiring Manager Interview: If you move forward, you'll meet with the hiring manager. This interview delves deeper into your specific experience, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities. Expect behavioral questions designed to assess your fit with the team and your approach to challenges (e.g., "Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult client").
- Panel or Technical Interview: Depending on the role, this stage can vary. For technical positions like software engineering, this will involve a live coding challenge or a system design discussion. For sales roles, it might be a mock-call or presentation. For other roles, it could be a panel interview with potential team members who will ask situational and behavioral questions.
- Final Interview / Culture Fit: In some cases, there may be a final brief interview with a department head or senior leader. This is an opportunity to ask high-level questions and for the company to make a final assessment of your alignment with its values, like extreme ownership and radical transparency.
Candidates generally report a positive experience, citing clear communication from recruiters and a well-structured process. Preparation is key; be ready to speak about your accomplishments with specific data and to articulate why you are drawn to KnowBe4's specific mission and fast-paced environment.
Source: KnowBe4 Interview Reviews on Glassdoor
Career growth and learning at KnowBe4
As a company whose entire business is built on training and education, KnowBe4 places a strong emphasis on internal learning and development. The company provides clear pathways for career progression, especially within its large sales and customer success organizations. Employees often start in roles like Sales Development Representative and can advance to Account Executive, Team Lead, and management positions.
The company encourages internal mobility, allowing employees to move between departments to gain new skills. They provide access to their own suite of training products, enabling employees to become experts in cybersecurity awareness. Additionally, KnowBe4 offers professional development stipends that can be used for external courses, certifications, and conferences. This investment helps employees stay current in the rapidly evolving tech and cybersecurity landscape.
Leadership development is also a priority. The company runs its own management training programs to equip new leaders with the skills needed to manage teams effectively within the KnowBe4 culture. Mentorship is encouraged, both formally and informally, with senior employees often guiding newer team members. The rapid growth of the company historically created numerous opportunities for advancement, and while that growth rate may moderate under private ownership, the focus on scaling and efficiency continues to create new roles and responsibilities for high-performers.
Risks, criticisms, and what to watch
No workplace is perfect, and candidates considering KnowBe4 should be aware of potential challenges. The most common criticism revolves around the high-pressure sales culture. The environment is heavily-driven by monthly and quarterly targets, which can lead to stress and a demanding work-life balance, especially for sales teams. While this is common in SaaS companies, it is a prominent feature of the KnowBe4 experience.
The second major consideration is the impact of the acquisition by Vista Equity Partners. PE ownership often brings a sharpened focus on profitability and operational efficiency. For KnowBe4, this has translated into more rigorous tracking of performance metrics, budget controls, and standardized processes. Some reviewers on platforms like Glassdoor have described this as a shift toward a more "corporate" feel, with some of the spontaneity and autonomy of the early days being replaced by structured playbooks. Candidates should weigh whether they thrive more in a fluid, startup-like environment or a more structured, process-driven one.
Finally, the rapid growth that defined KnowBe4 for a decade has led to some scaling challenges, including reorganizations and evolving role definitions. While the company has matured significantly, it is still a dynamic environment where change can be frequent. Prospective employees should be comfortable with ambiguity and a fast pace of change, and ask pointed questions during the interview process about team structure, performance expectations, and the impact of the Vista acquisition on their specific role.
Source: Vista Equity Partners Completes Acquisition of KnowBe4
Most Loved Workplaces® context
Most Loved Workplaces® are a class of companies where employees are the happiest and most satisfied at work. KnowBe4 has been certified as a Most Loved Workplace®, a testament to its employee-centric culture. This certification is based on the analysis of over 2.8 million employee data points from the 1,800 certified companies in the program. Research shows that top-tier Most Loved Workplaces® achieve 4× higher revenue growth compared to their industry peers and benefit from 48% higher employee retention. Furthermore, 92% of employees at Most Loved Workplaces® apply for roles when openings arise, indicating a strong internal belief in the company's vision and management. This culture is often built on the SPARK framework: Systemic Collaboration, a Positive Vision of the Future, Alignment of Values, Respect, and Kindness.
How we researched this report
This report was researched and written by the Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff. Our analysis is based on publicly available primary sources including official company statements, career pages, SEC filings, and reputable trade press, as well as anonymized employee sentiment data from platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed. For more on our approach, please see our full methodology.
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Researched and edited by Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff. See our methodology.