So you're thinking about getting a networking certification, but you're stuck between two popular options: CompTIA Network+ and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). I’ve taken and passed both of them, and in this post, I’ll break down their pros and cons and help you figure out which one makes more sense for your career.
This is coming from experience, not guesswork. I’m not here to repeat what you’ll find on Google. I’ve earned both certs, I’ve worked in the industry for almost seven years, and I’m currently a full-time penetration tester (a.k.a. ethical hacker). I’ve seen what these certifications are worth in the real world, so let’s talk about it.
We’ll cover:
Difficulty
Exam format
Content coverage
Career opportunities
Price
Prerequisites
Hands-on vs theory
Recertification and expiration
Which one should you get first
Final verdict and advice
Related Video:
Difficulty
Let’s get straight to the numbers.
Network+ requires a 720/900 to pass, but all CompTIA exams start you off at 100 points. So, in reality, it’s 620/800, or 77.5%.
CCNA requires an 82.5%.
On paper, the CCNA is harder. But it's not just about percentages; the CCNA questions are way more challenging. They’re more technical, more detailed, and expect a deeper understanding. I actually failed the CCNA on my first try, and I’m not ashamed to say that. I've only failed three of the 16 certs I’ve earned. CCNA was one of them.
Exam Format
Network+:
Max of 90 questions (you might get fewer).
Mix of multiple choice and performance-based questions.
Typically, you'll see 3 to 6 performance-based ones.
Performance-based questions take longer, so you’ll get fewer multiple-choice questions when they appear.
CCNA:
120-minute exam.
The number of questions varies, especially now that it includes performance-based questions.
My version of the CCNA didn’t have any performance-based items, but it was still tough. I had 102 questions both times I took it.
The new version has hands-on simulations, so expect fewer total questions but more complexity.
Content Coverage
Network+ Domains (5):
Networking Concepts
Network Implementation
Network Operations
Network Security
Network Troubleshooting
CompTIA does a great job telling you exactly what’s on the exam. You can download the objectives for free; if a bullet point is listed, you are expected to know about it for the test.
CCNA Domains (6):
Network Fundamentals
Network Access
IP Connectivity
IP Services
Security Fundamentals
Automation & Programmability
At first glance, it might seem like the CCNA covers less due to the lack of sub-bullet points in the exam objectives. But that’s misleading. The CCNA goes deeper. It includes everything from Network+ and adds Cisco-specific concepts, plus new stuff like AI and machine learning basics. That AI content wasn’t even part of the exam when I took it. Now it is.
Career Opportunities
Network+ can help you land:
Help Desk roles
Sysadmin positions
Entry-level networking jobs
But when it comes down to it, CCNA beats Network+ every time if all other things are equal. It’s more advanced and respected, especially for network engineer or security engineer roles.
That said, not every job requires the deep technical knowledge that CCNA teaches. As a pentester, I honestly don’t use much of my CCNA knowledge. I haven’t touched a Cisco command line since passing the exam. So if you’re going into roles like cybersecurity analyst or penetration tester, Network+ is more than enough in my opinion.
Price
Network+: $369
CCNA: $300
CCNA is actually cheaper despite the higher complexity and industry recognition. And that’s not a typo.
Prerequisites
Neither exam has formal prerequisites. But here’s what I recommend:
Network+: Basic IT fundamentals (A+ helps).
CCNA: Basic IT and basic networking fundamentals.
Network+ is the better entry point if you're new to networking. But if you already know the basics and want a challenge, CCNA can still be your first networking cert. That’s my route (I got Network+ after passing CCNA).
Hands-On vs. Theory
CCNA (even the old version with all multiple choice) was very hands-on.
You had to configure real routers or use Cisco Packet Tracer. The questions would show a terminal output and ask what command created it. The answer choices would look nearly identical, down to one character difference. You wouldn’t know the answer unless you’d typed the command out yourself many times.
So, while it might be heavy on the multiple choice, you don’t pass CCNA without serious lab time.
Network+, on the other hand, is more theory-based. You can pass it without doing hands-on work, though I don’t recommend that. If you skip labs, you’ll struggle with the performance-based questions, but you might still get by thanks to the easier multiple-choice questions.
That’s not going to fly with CCNA.
Recertification and Expiration
Both certs expire after 3 years.
Network+ Recert Options:
Get a higher-level CompTIA cert (like Security+)
Submit continuing education units (CEUs)
Attend approved training or other industry-recognized certifications
CCNA Recert Options:
Only Cisco training or certifications count
You can’t renew it with another certification vendor such as CompTIA or ISC2
I renewed my CCNA by earning the Cisco CyberOps Associate
So CompTIA is more flexible. Cisco wants you to stay in their ecosystem.
Which Should You Get First?
If you’re going into deep networking or security engineering: CCNA.
If you’re going into general IT, support, or offensive security (like pentesting): Network+ is good enough.
If you're planning to get the CCNA eventually, Network+ is a great baby step. It'll make your CCNA journey easier but also longer and more expensive. Going straight to CCNA is faster and cheaper but riskier. You're more likely to fail on your first try, and it’s going to be a grind.
If you want the challenge and don’t mind a potential setback, go straight to CCNA.If you want to build confidence and reduce the chance of failure, start with Network+.
Final Thoughts
Every IT and cybersecurity role requires networking knowledge. You don’t need a cert for that, but certifications help you learn, stay structured, and stand out from the crowd.
If I could go back, I would’ve skipped the CCNA and just done the Network+ for my pentesting path. But if I were aiming for a network engineer or cybersecurity engineer job, I’d definitely go for the CCNA.
Whichever path you choose, commit to actually learning the material, not just memorizing it to pass. That’s what will make the difference in your career.
If you're Team Cisco, check out my breakdown of the Cisco CyberOps Associate. If you're Team CompTIA, you might like my Security+ strategy guide.
Until next time, keep learning, stay sharp, and don’t forget actually to type the commands as you learn them.