Best CompTIA Certifications in 2026
CompTIA certifications are popular because they often work well for entry-level and early-career tech paths. This ranking rewards accessibility and demand.
How we ranked these certifications
We ranked these certifications for beginners using lower difficulty, fewer prerequisites, lower cost, shorter study time, and demand.
Quick picks
Best Overall
Best Beginner Pick
Best Remote Fit
Rankings
#1 · CompTIA Data+
Data Analytics (Foundational)
Score: 0.56
Price: $255
Time: 80–120 hrs
Salary: $65k–$95k
Difficulty: 2
Demand: 2
Remote: 7
#2 · CompTIA A+
IT Support / Hardware
Score: 0.56
Price: $265 x 2 exams = $530
Time: 80–120 hrs
Salary: $45k–$70k
Difficulty: 2
Demand: 2
Remote: 7
#3 · CompTIA Security+
Cybersecurity (Core)
Score: 0.53
Price: $425
Time: 80–150 hrs
Salary: $85k–$115k
Difficulty: 3
Demand: 4
Remote: 8
#4 · CompTIA Cloud+
Cloud Infrastructure (Associate)
Score: 0.51
Price: $390
Time: 80–120 hrs
Salary: $90k–$120k
Difficulty: 3
Demand: 3
Remote: 8
#5 · CompTIA Network+
Networking (Associate)
Score: 0.51
Price: $390
Time: 80–120 hrs
Salary: $60k–$90k
Difficulty: 3
Demand: 3
Remote: 8
#6 · CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)
Cybersecurity (Advanced)
Score: 0.46
Price: Retired Jun 17, 2025 → Replacement SecurityX (CAS-005) $529
Time: 120–180 hrs
Salary: $120k–$160k
Difficulty: 4
Demand: 3
Remote: 8
Quick comparison table
| Certification | Category | Price | Time | Difficulty | Demand | Remote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CompTIA Data+ | Data Analytics (Foundational) | $255 | 80–120 hrs | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| CompTIA A+ | IT Support / Hardware | $265 x 2 exams = $530 | 80–120 hrs | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| CompTIA Security+ | Cybersecurity (Core) | $425 | 80–150 hrs | 3 | 4 | 8 |
| CompTIA Cloud+ | Cloud Infrastructure (Associate) | $390 | 80–120 hrs | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| CompTIA Network+ | Networking (Associate) | $390 | 80–120 hrs | 3 | 3 | 8 |
| CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) | Cybersecurity (Advanced) | Retired Jun 17, 2025 → Replacement SecurityX (CAS-005) $529 | 120–180 hrs | 4 | 3 | 8 |