CCNA vs CompTIA Network+: Which Certification Should You Take First?
Both certifications prove you understand networks, but they are built for different people. Here is how to choose based on where you are today, not on internet arguments.
If you search “CCNA or Network+,” you will find strong opinions on both sides. Some people say Network+ is a waste of money if you are going to take the CCNA anyway. Others say the CCNA is too hard for beginners and you will burn out. Both camps are partly right.
We teach both courses, and it is one of the first questions new learners ask. This guide compares them side by side and ends with a short decision guide you can actually use.
The short version
- Network+ (N10-009) is vendor-neutral. It teaches how networks work in general, across any brand of equipment. It is the easier entry point.
- CCNA (200-301) is Cisco-specific and hands-on. It expects you to configure and troubleshoot real Cisco routers and switches from the command line. It is harder and carries more weight for network jobs.
If you have never worked in IT, Network+ is usually the gentler first step. If you already understand basic networking or work in IT support, go straight to the CCNA.
Side by side
| CompTIA Network+ | Cisco CCNA | |
|---|---|---|
| Exam | N10-009 | 200-301 (v2.0 from Feb 3, 2027) |
| Focus | Vendor-neutral concepts | Cisco configuration and troubleshooting |
| Exam fee (US) | Around $400 list price | $300 |
| Exam length | 90 minutes, up to 90 questions | 120 minutes |
| Hands-on | Performance-based questions | Simulations on Cisco IOS |
| Typical study time | 60 to 120 hours | 120 to 200 hours |
| Valid for | 3 years | 3 years |
| Good for | Help desk, desktop support, junior network support | NOC, network support, junior network engineer |
CompTIA adjusts prices from time to time, so check the CompTIA store before you buy a voucher. Both exams are delivered through Pearson VUE, at a test center or online.
What Network+ covers
Network+ teaches the concepts every IT professional needs, regardless of brand:
- The OSI model, ports and protocols
- IPv4 and IPv6 addressing and subnetting
- Switching, routing and wireless basics
- Network services such as DHCP, DNS and NTP
- Cloud and data center networking concepts
- Security basics and common attacks
- A structured troubleshooting method and the tools that go with it
You will see some performance-based questions where you drag, drop or configure something in a simple interface, but you will not type many real router commands.
What CCNA covers
The CCNA goes deeper and more practical. You will configure VLANs and trunks, set up OSPF, build access control lists, configure NAT, secure switch ports and read routing tables. The 2027 version adds more troubleshooting, layer 2 security features like DHCP snooping, first hop redundancy with HSRP and VRRP, and a small domain on AI in network operations.
The biggest difference is the command line. CCNA candidates spend weeks typing commands into Cisco IOS, and the exam includes simulation questions where you work on a virtual device. That is exactly why employers trust it more for network roles.
Which one employers ask for
Look at entry-level job postings in your area and you will notice a pattern:
- Help desk and desktop support postings often list A+ and sometimes Network+.
- Network support, NOC technician and junior network engineer postings ask for the CCNA far more often than Network+.
- Government and defense contractor roles care most about Security+ because of the Department of Defense 8140 rules, but networking roles in that world still list the CCNA as a strong plus.
Network+ shows you understand networking. CCNA shows you can work on a network. For network-specific jobs, the second one wins.
Does Network+ help you pass the CCNA?
Yes, but less than you might think. About a third of the CCNA overlaps with Network+: the OSI model, subnetting, basic switching and routing concepts, and common services. If you take Network+ first, the opening weeks of CCNA study feel like review, and you can move faster.
The parts of the CCNA that people struggle with (IOS configuration, OSPF, ACLs, NAT and troubleshooting from command output) are not covered in depth by Network+. You still need to put in the lab time.
A simple decision guide
Choose Network+ first if:
- You have no IT background and want a confidence-building first win.
- You are aiming at help desk or desktop support first and plan to grow from there.
- Your employer or a job posting specifically asks for it.
- You prefer to understand concepts broadly before going deep on one vendor.
Choose CCNA first if:
- You already work in IT support, or you have taken A+.
- You know you want to work with networks, not just around them.
- You learn best by doing and are willing to practice in a CLI most days.
- You are comparing the two mainly on career value per dollar.
Consider both if:
- You are completely new and want a structured path. Network+ for 2 to 3 months, then CCNA for 3 to 4 months, is a solid plan that fits comfortably inside a year. It also gives you two lines on your resume before you start applying for network roles.
What about A+?
CompTIA A+ is the hardware, operating system and support certification. It is the usual first step for help desk jobs and it requires two exams. If you have never worked in IT and want to start in support, A+ comes before both of these. If you already have support experience, you can skip it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Network+ easier than the CCNA?
Yes, for most people. Network+ asks you to understand and recognize networking concepts across many technologies. The CCNA asks you to configure and troubleshoot Cisco devices, which takes more practice. Students who pass Network+ in two months often need three to four months for the CCNA.
Can I skip Network+ and go straight to the CCNA?
Absolutely. Many successful network engineers never took Network+. If you are comfortable with IP addresses, subnet masks and basic home networking, and you are willing to spend time in a lab, start with the CCNA.
Do Network+ and CCNA expire?
Both are valid for three years. CompTIA certifications can be renewed with continuing education units or by passing a higher-level CompTIA exam. Cisco certifications can be renewed by passing an exam or by earning continuing education credits.
Which one helps more for government jobs?
For DoD 8140 compliance, Security+ matters most. Network+ also appears on some DoD baseline lists for technical roles, which gives it a small edge over the CCNA for certain federal contractor positions. For the actual network work on those contracts, the CCNA is still the stronger skill signal.
Our recommendation
If you want a network career and already know what an IP address and a default gateway are, take the CCNA first. It is harder, but it is the certification network hiring managers look for, and the hands-on skills it builds are the ones you will use every day.
If you are starting from scratch, do not be talked out of Network+. A first certification that you pass in a few months builds momentum, and the concepts make the CCNA much less intimidating.
Want to see how each course is structured? Compare our Network+ course and our CCNA course, or read our breakdown of what CCNA-level jobs pay in the US.