Capture The Flag competitions are one of the best ways to teach real-world cybersecurity skills. For many years, CTFd has been the standard open-source framework for running these events. It is reliable, flexible, and free to use if you are ready to manage everything yourself.
However, more organizers now want modern features, VPN-based labs, live support, and scalable hosting without handling infrastructure alone. If you are searching for the best CTFd alternatives, here are the top platforms to consider — including Parrot CTFs, a popular fully managed option.
1. Parrot CTFs
Parrot CTFs makes it easy to run your own CTF without managing servers or building challenges alone. They provide full event hosting for universities, companies, or public communities.
Key features:
• Affordable event-based pricing (starting at $399)
• Secure VPN labs for realistic network challenges
• Custom or provided challenges
• Real-time scoreboard and team management
• Private or public event pages
• Dedicated domain and live support for larger events
Parrot CTFs is a good fit for schools, training providers, or businesses that want a professional experience without technical headaches.
2. RootTheBox
RootTheBox is an open-source platform that adds game-like elements. Players can earn virtual currency, unlock hints, and compete for ownership of flags.
This twist makes it popular for security clubs and smaller competitions that want a fun, RPG-style atmosphere.
3. FBCTF
FBCTF was built by Facebook for its own competitions. It includes both Jeopardy and King-of-the-Hill modes and features a unique map-based interface.
While no longer actively maintained, it remains a good option for teams with technical experience who want a polished alternative to CTFd.
4. Mellivora
Mellivora is a simple, lightweight CTF framework. It offers dynamic scoring, a clean interface, and a straightforward PHP and SQL setup.
If you want an open-source platform that is easier to run than CTFd but still reliable, Mellivora is worth exploring.
5. Hack The Box CTF
Hack The Box offers a premium CTF-as-a-Service for schools and companies. They handle everything, including VPN labs, player tracking, custom or prebuilt machines, and enterprise-grade support.
This is a strong choice for large organizations that need custom training environments or want to run large-scale flagship competitions.
Should You Switch From CTFd?
CTFd is still a great option if you have the skills to manage it yourself. But when you want realistic VPN environments, reliable hosting for hundreds or thousands of players, or professional event management, a full-service provider like Parrot CTFs or Hack The Box can deliver a smoother experience.
Ready to host your next CTF?
Visit Parrot CTFs Event Hosting to see how easy it is to run a secure, high-quality event at any scale.
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