Hack The Box has expanded HTB Academy’s Tier 0 catalogue from 47 to 58 modules and made the entire tier free to start without spending Cubes. The October 30 announcement gives learners 11 additional foundational modules to explore through guided lessons and practical exercises.
The update also changes the reward system: learners will no longer receive Cube credits for finishing these free modules or answering their questions.
What Changes for Learners
Tier 0 is Academy’s free entry tier. According to the official announcement, its 58 modules can now be started without using the platform’s training currency.
That distinction matters when planning a study budget. Learners can work through this tier without reserving Cubes to unlock each module, but completing it will not build a Cube balance for further training.
How Access Works
Cubes are credits used to unlock other Academy content. HTB’s Academy introduction explains that Tier 0 requires no Cubes, while higher tiers have separate access arrangements. The free expansion does not make the whole Academy catalogue free.
An account is required to enter the module library. HTB’s help guide directs newcomers to the Academy platform’s Start for Free option; existing HTB account holders can sign in and link their Academy access. A paid subscription is not required for Tier 0.
Who This Is For
The expanded tier may interest beginners, career changers and learners refreshing their technical foundations. It can also be a starting point before more specialized study for roles such as:
- Cybersecurity analyst, where understanding systems and security concepts supports later investigation and assessment work.
- SOC analyst, where technical fundamentals support later monitoring and incident-triage training.
These are suggested learning directions, rather than job qualifications awarded by the free modules. To get started, open the Academy module library, sign in and choose content marked Tier 0. Review each module’s description and work through its exercises before deciding whether you need higher-tier training.
