2026 Comparison Guide

Best CompTIA Study Resources

Whether you're starting with A+ or pushing on to Network+, this page covers the study guides, practice exams, and free resources worth your time — and helps you figure out which certification to tackle first.

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
A+ Study Resources →
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
Network+ Study Resources →
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
Security+ Study Resources →
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

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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

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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

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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
See Full A+ Resource Guide with Pros, Cons & Decision Guide →
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

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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

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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

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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
See Full Network+ Resource Guide with Pros, Cons & Decision Guide →
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

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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

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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

Access 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
See Full Security+ Resource Guide with Pros, Cons & Decision Guide →
Free study guides — no sign-up required
These articles cover the networking concepts that appear most on both the A+ and Network+ exams.