Not sure which certification to study for?
A+, Network+, and Security+ serve different purposes and different stages of an IT career. A+ and Network+ build the foundation — Security+ is where you move into cybersecurity. Here's a quick comparison to help you decide where to start.
Start Here
CompTIA A+
The entry-level IT certification. Covers hardware, operating systems, networking basics, and troubleshooting. Recommended as the first certification for anyone new to IT.
Exam code 220-1201 & 220-1202
Difficulty Beginner–Intermediate
Best for Help desk, IT support roles
Prerequisite None
Level Up
CompTIA Network+
A deeper networking certification covering subnetting, routing, network security, and cloud networking. More respected than A+ for networking and infrastructure roles.
Exam code N10-009
Difficulty Intermediate
Best for Network admin, IT infrastructure
Prerequisite A+ recommended
Go Deeper
CompTIA Security+
The most widely recognised entry-level cybersecurity certification. Covers threats, attacks, cryptography, identity management, and governance. The starting point for a security career.
Exam code SY0-701
Difficulty Intermediate–Advanced
Best for Security analyst, SOC roles
Prerequisite Network+ recommended
CompTIA A+ Resources
📘 Best Overall Study Guide
CompTIA A+ 220-1201 & 220-1202 Study Guide
by Walker Bridge · #1 Best Seller · 4.7 ★ · ~$30 paperback
Covers both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) in one volume
#1 Best Seller in Computer Hardware Peripherals — 4.7 stars
Scenario-based approach, includes question banks and Exam AI Trainer Pro access
🧪 Best Practice Exams
Dion Training A+ Practice Exams
by Jason Dion · Closest wording to the real exam · ~$30–40
Question style mirrors the real A+ exam more closely than any other provider
Detailed explanations for every answer — includes why wrong answers are wrong
Performance tracking identifies your weakest domains
🎥 Best Free Option
Professor Messer Free A+ Course
by Professor Messer · Full video course · Free
100% free — covers all A+ exam objectives in structured video format
Updated for the current 220-1201/1202 exam versions
Best free starting point if budget is tight
🎓 Best Paid Video Course
Jason Dion A+ Course on Udemy
by Jason Dion · 220-1201 & 220-1202 video course · ~$15–20 on sale
Covers both Core 1 & Core 2 — frequently on sale for $15–20
Video format is ideal for hardware and troubleshooting topics
Affiliate link — I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
CompTIA Network+ Resources
📘 Best Overall Study Guide
CompTIA Network+ Study Guide: Exam N10-009 (Sybex)
by Todd Lammle & Jon Buhagiar · Includes 10% exam voucher coupon · ~$40–50
Covers full N10-009 exam objectives — subnetting, routing, security, cloud networking
Includes coupon for 10% off your Network+ exam voucher (~$37 savings)
Written by Todd Lammle — one of the most respected names in networking certification prep
🧪 Best Practice Exams
Dion Training Network+ Practice Exams
by Jason Dion · Exam-realistic N10-009 questions · ~$30–40
Covers all Network+ domains — concepts, infrastructure, security, troubleshooting
Scenario questions closely mirror the real N10-009 exam difficulty
Recommended by Network+ passers on r/CompTIA
🎥 Best Free Option
Professor Messer Free Network+ Course
by Professor Messer · Full N10-009 video course · Free
100% free — covers all N10-009 objectives in organized video format
Visual format is well-suited to networking concepts like routing and subnetting
Updated for the current Network+ exam version
🎓 Best Paid Video Course
Jason Dion Network+ Course on Udemy
by Jason Dion · N10-009 video course · ~$15–20 on sale
Covers all N10-009 domains — great for visual learners studying routing and subnetting
Frequently discounted to $15–20 on Udemy
Affiliate link — I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
CompTIA Security+ Resources
📘 Best Overall Study Guide
CompTIA Security+ Certification Kit: Exam SY0-701 (Sybex), 7th Edition
by Mike Chapple & David Seidl · Complete kit including practice test access · ~$50–60
Covers all SY0-701 domains — threats, cryptography, identity, architecture, operations
7th edition fully updated for the current exam — written by two of the most trusted Security+ authors
Includes performance-based question (PBQ) practice — the hardest question type on the exam
🧪 Best Practice Exams
Dion Training Security+ Practice Exams
by Jason Dion · Scenario-based SY0-701 questions · ~$30–40
Scenario-based questions mirror the real SY0-701 format — tests judgment, not just memorization
Includes PBQ practice — consistently cited by passers as the most exam-realistic option
Detailed explanations for every answer including why wrong answers are wrong
🎥 Best Free Option
Professor Messer Free Security+ Course
by Professor Messer · Full SY0-701 video course · Free
100% free — covers all SY0-701 objectives in structured video format
Especially effective for visual concepts like cryptography and network architecture
Updated for the current Security+ exam version
🎓 Best Paid Video Course
Jason Dion Security+ Course on Udemy
by Jason Dion · SY0-701 video course · ~$15–20 on sale
Covers all SY0-701 domains — one of the highest-rated Security+ courses on Udemy
Frequently discounted to $15–20 and pairs well with Dion's standalone practice exams
Affiliate link — I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Free study guides — no sign-up required
These articles cover the networking concepts that appear most on both the A+ and Network+ exams.