CCNA or Network+: which networking certification first
CCNA costs $300 and Network+ $399 to sit in November 2026, and you can prepare for either with a free video course. Take CCNA if you want to configure routers and switches, especially Cisco ones, or your target jobs ask for it; take Network+ if you are moving from a help desk into general networking and want a vendor-neutral start. If you can only pay for one and you are willing to lab, CCNA costs $99 less at the exam and goes further, though it usually takes longer to prepare (our estimate).
Side by side
| CCNA | Network+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Exam fee (US) | $300 | $399 ($519 with a retake) |
| Issuer and scope | Cisco; Cisco routing, switching and IOS configuration | CompTIA; vendor-neutral networking concepts and troubleshooting |
| Exam | One exam, 200-301, 120 minutes | One exam, N10-009, up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, pass 720 of 900 |
| Suggested background | No formal prerequisite; Cisco recommends lab practice | No formal prerequisite; CompTIA recommends A+ and 9 to 12 months in support |
| Next version | v2.0 from February 3, 2027 | N10-009 retirement estimated for 2027 (CompTIA) |
| Free video course | Jeremy's IT Lab with Packet Tracer labs | Professor Messer |
| Five-day class, first attempt | About $3,800 to $4,500 | About $2,500 to $3,300 |
| Renewal | 3 years: 30 CE credits, or pass the exam again or a higher Cisco exam | 3 years: 30 CEUs plus a $150 fee, or CertMaster CE for $199 |
Depth versus breadth
Network+ teaches how networks work: addressing, protocols, cabling, wireless and a structured way to troubleshoot, without tying you to one vendor. CCNA covers much of the same theory and then expects you to configure it on Cisco devices; Cisco says you cannot pass by reading alone. We rate CCNA the harder exam because it covers more and expects hands-on configuration, and it is the more useful one if your job involves configuring equipment.
Is it worth taking both?
Usually not back to back. Someone who passes CCNA already knows most of what Network+ tests, so Network+ adds little new knowledge; take it if a job posting, employer or contract names it. Network+ first and CCNA later makes sense if you want an easier step after A+. CCNA is also on ISC2's list of credentials that can count for one year of CISSP experience.
Watch the version dates
Both exams change soon. Cisco's current CCNA version runs until February 2, 2027, and v2.0 starts the next day with a new operations and AI area. CompTIA usually retires an exam about three years after launch, and N10-009 launched in June 2024. If you will test in 2027, check which version a course or book covers before you buy it.
Questions
- Is CCNA harder than Network+?
- Usually, in our assessment: it goes deeper and tests Cisco configuration.
- Which costs less?
- CCNA: $300 against $399 for the Network+ voucher, as of November 2026. Both can be prepared for with free courses.
- Do I need Network+ before CCNA?
- No. Neither has a formal prerequisite.
Full cost guides: CCNA and Network+.
Next step
Sources
- Cisco: CCNA (exam fee, length, validity), checked November 5, 2026
- Cisco: CCNA exams and training (hands-on preparation), checked November 5, 2026
- Cisco Learning Network: CCNA exam topics and version dates, checked November 5, 2026
- CompTIA: Network+ (voucher, exam, renewal), checked November 5, 2026
- ISC2: CISSP experience requirements (approved credential list), checked November 5, 2026
Prices are published list prices we recorded on the dates shown, not quotes. How we research.
Class prices come from the named providers, as listed and dated on the certification pages linked above.