CCNA (Cisco 200-301) is the harder exam, and Network+ (CompTIA N10-009) is the easier one, but Network+ now costs more. As of September 2026, CCNA carries an official Cisco price of $300, and Network+ carries an official CompTIA voucher price of $399 USD. Neither vendor publishes an official pass rate. CCNA uses live Cisco IOS CLI simulations with no answer-elimination safety net, while Network+ relies mainly on multiple-choice and shorter performance-based questions. Realistic prep time is 3 to 6 months for CCNA from a standing start and 6 to 10 weeks for Network+.
If your goal is a Cisco-heavy network engineering role, CCNA is the better first stop despite the harder exam. If your goal is general IT support, help desk, or a vendor-neutral foundation, Network+ is the lower-risk starting point.
What Is the Core Difference Between CCNA and CompTIA Network+?
CCNA is Cisco’s single associate-level networking certification, tied to one vendor’s hardware and command-line syntax. CompTIA Network+ is vendor-neutral, covering networking concepts, protocols, and troubleshooting that apply across any manufacturer’s equipment.
| Attribute | Cisco CCNA (200-301) | CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) |
| Vendor scope | Cisco-specific | Vendor-neutral |
| Current version | v1.1 | V9 |
| Launch date | v1.1 update: August 2024 | June 20, 2024 |
| Governing body | Cisco Systems | CompTIA |
CCNA vs CompTIA Network+ Cost: Which Is More Expensive?
CompTIA Network+ is now the more expensive exam. CompTIA raised its US pricing across the certification lineup in June 2026, pushing the Network+ voucher from $390 to $399. Cisco’s CCNA price has held at $300 for several years.
| Cost Item | CCNA (200-301) | Network+ (N10-009) |
| Official exam price (US) | $300 | $399 |
| Retake cost | Full price again, no discount | Full price again unless Retake Assurance is purchased upfront |
| Certification validity | 3 years | 3 years |
| Renewal method | Continuing Education (CE) credits or retake an Associate-level exam | Continuing Education (CE) units |
For candidates outside the US (UK, EU, Australia, India, Canada), both Cisco and CompTIA localize pricing by country and currency at checkout. Check the official regional store before budgeting, since converted totals do not always match a simple currency conversion of the US price.
Learn More: CCNA 200-301 Certification Exam Cost: Complete Breakdown in 2026
Is CCNA Harder Than CompTIA Network+?
Yes. CCNA is consistently rated as the harder exam because it tests live configuration ability, not just concept recognition. Network+ allows more process-of-elimination guessing on its largely multiple-choice format; CCNA’s CLI simulations do not.
| Difficulty Factor | CCNA (200-301) | Network+ (N10-009) |
| Duration | 120 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Question count | Approximately 100 to 120 | Maximum 90 |
| Format | Multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, CLI simulations (simlets) | Multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, shorter performance-based questions |
| Official passing score | Not published by Cisco | 720 out of 900 |
| Community-estimated passing score | Approximately 825 out of 1000 (unofficial estimate, not confirmed by Cisco) | Officially confirmed at 720/900 |
| Recommended prior experience | None required; Cisco suggests basic networking familiarity | CompTIA A+ plus 9 to 12 months of hands-on networking experience |
Neither Cisco nor CompTIA publishes an official pass rate. Third-party training data suggests Network+ pass rates run near 70% for well-prepared candidates, dropping to 50 to 55% for underprepared test-takers. Community-aggregated estimates for CCNA range from 55 to 65% for candidates with structured study and hands-on lab practice, falling to 30 to 40% for candidates who skip lab work. Treat both ranges as directional, not official.
The practical difficulty gap comes down to format. A Network+ candidate who forgets a detail can often reason through a multiple-choice answer. A CCNA candidate dropped into a simulated Cisco CLI with a misconfigured router either knows the exact commands or does not; there is no elimination shortcut.
More On Network+ Difficulty: How hard is CompTIA Network+ Certification?
What Are the Exam Domains for CCNA and Network+?
Domain weighting tells you exactly where study time should go.
CCNA 200-301 v1.1 domains (Cisco official exam topics):
| Domain | Weight |
| Network Fundamentals | 20% |
| Network Access | 20% |
| IP Connectivity | 25% |
| IP Services | 10% |
| Security Fundamentals | 15% |
| Automation and Programmability | 10% |
IP Connectivity is the single largest domain, covering static and dynamic routing, IPv4/IPv6, and OSPF. The v1.1 refresh also added AI, machine learning, and cloud network management concepts inside the Automation and Programmability domain.
Network+ N10-009 domains (CompTIA official exam page):
| Domain | Weight |
| Networking Concepts | 23% |
| Network Implementation | 20% |
| Network Operations | 19% |
| Network Security | 14% |
| Network Troubleshooting | 24% |
Network Troubleshooting is the largest single domain at 24%, followed closely by Networking Concepts. Security is a smaller share of Network+ (14%) than of CCNA (15% plus additional security-adjacent content inside other domains), which is why a dedicated “CCNA vs CompTIA Security” comparison usually favors CCNA for security-adjacent infrastructure roles and CompTIA Security+ (a separate exam) for dedicated security roles.
How Long Should You Study for CCNA vs Network+?
| Starting Point | Network+ Prep Time | CCNA Prep Time |
| Complete beginner, no IT background | 8 to 12 weeks | 4 to 6 months |
| Help desk or A+ holder | 6 to 10 weeks | 3 to 5 months |
| Recently passed Network+ | Not applicable | 6 to 10 weeks (subnetting and protocol fluency transfers directly) |
| Recently passed CCNA | 2 to 4 weeks | Not applicable |
Passing Network+ first typically shaves several weeks off CCNA prep because subnetting, OSI-layer reasoning, and protocol fundamentals transfer directly. Going straight to CCNA is realistic for candidates who already have hands-on router or switch exposure from a job, lab, or coursework.
Which Certification Pays More, CCNA or Network+?
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track pay by certification, only by occupation. The closest official baseline is the Network and Computer Systems Administrators category, which reported a median annual wage of $99,130 USD in May 2025, with the top 10% earning more than $155,050.
Certification-specific numbers only exist through job-board aggregators, and they vary by source because they pool different job titles:
| CCNA-Linked Role | Reported Average |
| Network Engineer (CCNA) | $109,040/year |
| CCNA Network Engineer | $135,331/year |
| CCNA (general) | $110,798/year |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrator (no cert filter) | $99,130/year median |
No equivalent official government breakout exists for Network+ specifically. Industry sources commonly describe a 10 to 20% pay gap favoring CCNA over Network+ at comparable experience levels, largely because CCNA maps to more senior, infrastructure-specific job titles rather than general support roles. Treat any single “CCNA vs Network+ salary” number with caution since job-title conflation, not certification value alone, drives most of the spread between sources.
You can discover more about CCNA salary potential here: CCNA Jobs Salary Insights: Average Pay and Top-Paying Roles
What Jobs Can You Get With CCNA vs Network+?
| Certification | Typical Roles |
| Network+ | IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, NOC Support, Junior Network Administrator |
| CCNA | Network Engineer, Network Administrator, Systems Engineer, Network Security Specialist, Network Operations Engineer |
Network+ roles are generally support-tier. CCNA opens infrastructure-focused roles because it demonstrates the ability to actually configure Cisco-based networks, not just describe how networking works in theory. Cisco’s own dominant share of enterprise network infrastructure is part of why hiring managers in dedicated networking roles weight CCNA more heavily.
Read more on Network+ jobs: CompTIA Network+ Jobs: Career Opportunities and Salary Insights In 2026
Should You Get Network+ Before CCNA?
Neither certification is a formal prerequisite for the other. The decision depends on your starting experience level.
- Take Network+ first if: you have no prior IT or networking exposure, you want vendor-neutral fundamentals before committing to Cisco specifically, or your target roles are general IT support rather than dedicated networking.
- Skip to CCNA if: you already have hands-on router or switch experience (job, lab, coursework), your target roles explicitly list CCNA as a requirement, or you want to minimize total certifications and go directly for the higher-value credential.
- Do both if: you are planning a long-term network engineering career path. Total combined timeline for both, done in sequence, typically runs 5 to 7 months; going straight to CCNA alone and skipping Network+ saves roughly 4 to 6 weeks of otherwise-duplicated subnetting and protocol study.
Do CCNA and Network+ Qualify for Government and Defense Jobs?
This is a common point of confusion. CompTIA Network+ is an approved baseline certification under the DoD 8140 cyber workforce framework (formerly DoD 8570), qualifying holders for IAT Level II technical support, network operations, and system administration work roles.
The standard CCNA (200-301) is not on the DoD 8140/8570 approved baseline certification list. The Cisco credentials that historically appeared on that list, CCNA Security and CCNA Cyber Ops, were separate, narrower exams that Cisco has since discontinued or folded into other tracks. If a DoD or federal contractor role explicitly requires an 8140-approved credential, Network+ satisfies that requirement and the general CCNA 200-301 does not.
Is CCNA or Network+ Better in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, India, or Canada?
Both certifications are administered globally through Pearson VUE, and both vendors localize pricing by country. The core decision logic (vendor-neutral foundation vs. Cisco-specific depth) does not change by region, but two regional factors are worth checking before you commit:
- Currency and tax: Cisco and CompTIA both price by country rather than applying a flat currency conversion. Check the official regional store (cisco.com or comptia.org, switch country in the site selector) for the exact local price before budgeting.
- Employer demand: Cisco’s share of enterprise network infrastructure is high across all five markets, so CCNA recognition is consistent internationally. Network+ recognition is strongest in support and helpdesk-tier hiring in all five markets, with slightly stronger CompTIA brand penetration in the US and Canadian IT support market specifically.
CompTIA Network+ vs CCNA: Which Is Better for You?
Use this decision matrix to match the certification to your profile.
| Your profile | Better choice | Why |
| Complete beginner, no IT experience | Network+ | Broad foundation, gentler exam, faster to a first job |
| Career changer entering IT | Network+ | Portable knowledge and government recognition |
| Help desk with 6 to 12 months experience | CCNA | Ready for specialization and engineering roles |
| Targeting network engineer roles | CCNA | Preferred by employers, path to CCNP and CCIE |
| Working in a mixed-vendor shop | Network+ | Vendor-neutral skills fit multiple brands |
| Targeting Cisco-heavy enterprises | CCNA | Direct configuration skill on Cisco gear |
| US government or DoD track | Network+ | DoD 8140 approved baseline requirement |
| Cybersecurity goal | Network+ or CCNA, then Security+ | Networking base first, dedicated security cert next |
| Limited budget and time | Network+ | Lower total prep cost and shorter study window |
Read Further: Is CCNA A Good Career: Discuss Benefits and Perks of Cisco CCNA Certification
Final Verdict: Which Certification Should You Choose?
- Complete beginner with no IT background: Start with Network+. Lower cost of entry in time, broader applicability if networking turns out not to be the right fit.
- Help desk technician planning to specialize in networking: Go directly to CCNA if you already have router/switch exposure; otherwise use Network+ as a 2 to 3 month bridge.
- Targeting Cisco-heavy enterprise or ISP environments: CCNA is non-negotiable. Network+ will not substitute for Cisco-specific hiring requirements.
- Targeting DoD, federal, or defense-contractor IT roles: Network+ satisfies the DoD 8140 baseline requirement; the general CCNA does not.
- Budget-constrained but time-flexible: CCNA is the cheaper exam ($300 vs $399) despite being the harder one; the cost difference no longer favors Network+ as of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is CCNA harder than CompTIA Network+?
Yes. CCNA is significantly harder because it includes configuration simulations inside a live command-line interface, where guessing does not help. Network+ is moderate and mostly conceptual, mixing multiple-choice with performance-based questions. Most candidates need 3 to 6 months to prepare for CCNA versus 2 to 3 months for Network+, depending on prior experience.
Which certification is better for beginners, CCNA or Network+?
Network+ is the better starting point for most beginners. It builds broad, vendor-neutral knowledge and has a gentler exam, so you can reach a first support or technician role faster. CompTIA recommends CompTIA A+ and 9 to 12 months of networking experience before attempting it, but these are guidelines rather than requirements.
Should I get both CCNA and Network+?
Only if you are building a long-term network engineering career and want both a vendor-neutral foundation and Cisco-specific depth. For most single-role job targets, one certification matching the job posting’s stated requirement is sufficient.
Should I get Network+ before CCNA?
Not required, but often helpful. The two overlap at the fundamentals level, so Network+ softens the CCNA learning curve. Take Network+ first if you are new to IT or want a job quickly. Skip straight to CCNA if you already have some IT experience and are certain you want a dedicated networking career, since this saves time and one exam fee.
Is it worth getting both CCNA and Network+?
For most people, no. The two certifications overlap heavily, so holding both adds limited value over CCNA alone. Getting both makes sense only in specific cases, such as a government role that requires Network+ while your engineering track needs CCNA. Earning Network+ after you already hold CCNA offers little benefit, since CCNA is the more advanced credential.
What is the cost difference between CCNA and CompTIA Network+?
The voucher gap is small. CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) costs $369 USD, and Cisco CCNA (200-301) costs $300 USD. Total spend usually runs higher for CCNA once you add lab tools, practice exams, and study materials, since simulation questions require hands-on configuration practice.
Does CCNA pay more than Network+?
CCNA correlates with higher pay because it qualifies you for engineering and specialist roles, not because the badge itself raises wages. Network+ typically maps to support roles, where computer support specialists earn a median of $62,760. Network and computer systems administrators, a common CCNA-aligned role, earn a median of $95,360. Experience and location drive the actual number.
Do CCNA and Network+ certifications expire?
Yes. Both are valid for three years from the date you pass. Network+ renews through CompTIA’s Continuing Education program using continuing education units or a higher certification. CCNA renews through Cisco’s recertification policy by retaking an exam or earning Continuing Education credits before it lapses. Factor this ongoing maintenance into long-term cost.
Is CCNA or Network+ better for cybersecurity?
Neither is a dedicated security certification, so treat both as a foundation. CCNA covers security fundamentals within a networking context, and CCNA’s hands-on depth is valuable for defending infrastructure. If cybersecurity is your goal, use Network+ or CCNA as your base, then pursue CompTIA Security+, the dedicated entry-level security credential.
How many times can I retake CCNA or Network+ if I fail?
Cisco requires a 5-calendar-day wait after a failed Associate-level attempt, with no cap on total retakes, each at full price. CompTIA allows an immediate retake after a first failure, then imposes a 14-day wait from the third attempt onward, with each attempt requiring a new voucher unless Retake Assurance was purchased in advance.
