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CompTIA A+ vs Network+ vs Security+: Which First?

A+ vs Network+ vs Security+: choose the first credential by your IT foundation and target work, with current fees and vendor preparation guidance.

Use the 3-question Fit Check

Certification details change. Always confirm final pricing, availability, and credential terms on the official provider page linked in the sources below before you pay for anything.

Last updated 2026-08-24 — the article text's own revision date; dated evidence on this page carries its own check date. See the Citation Ledger at the foot for this page's sources.

The call

The call: New to IT: start with A+. Support basics already workable: choose Network+ for networking or Security+ for security after you have real network and systems context. The classic sequence is useful, not mandatory.

Start with A+ if you are new to IT and still need broad support, device, operating-system, and troubleshooting practice. Start with Network+ if those basics are already workable and networking is the next gap. Start with Security+ if you can already reason about networks and systems and security work is the target. CompTIA does not impose a registration order, but its published experience guidance makes the practical preparation sequence clear.

Next decision

If support fundamentals are already in place, compare Network+, Security+, and CCNA before paying for the next exam. Compare Network+, Security+, and CCNA next.

A+ vs Network+ vs Security+, side by side

CompTIA's official U.S. pages were rechecked on 2026-08-24. The prices below are first-attempt voucher prices, not the cost of training, retakes, or renewal.

Decision factor	CompTIA A+	CompTIA Network+	CompTIA Security+
Best first fit	New IT learner targeting support work	Learner with support basics targeting networking	Learner with network and systems context targeting security
Current exam code(s)	220-1201 and 220-1202	N10-009	SY0-701
Required exams	2	1	1
First-attempt voucher price	548 USD total; 274 USD per exam	399 USD	439 USD
Exam structure	90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam	90 minutes and up to 90 questions	90 minutes and up to 90 questions
Mandatory prior exam	None published	None published	None published
Vendor preparation guidance	12 months in an IT support role	A+ plus 9-12 months in a junior network role	Network+ plus two years in a security or systems-administration role
Primary scope	Devices, operating systems, support, and troubleshooting	Vendor-neutral networking and diagnosis	Security concepts, controls, operations, and risk

No registration prerequisite is published for these exams. That does not mean no preparation is needed: you may be allowed to register without a prior exam and still be poorly prepared. Use CompTIA's experience guidance as a practical preparation baseline, then judge your actual skills rather than treating time served as a rule.

The role-based decision matrix

Use this as a buying filter, not a universal certification ladder.

Your situation	First credential to consider	Why	What to prove alongside it
You are new to IT and want help desk, desktop support, or IT support	A+	It covers the support and troubleshooting foundation the target work uses.	Troubleshooting notes, a home lab, ticket examples, basic networking, and customer communication.
You already have PC and support basics and want network support or junior infrastructure	Network+	It develops vendor-neutral networking without requiring a vendor-specific platform choice.	Subnetting, DNS, DHCP, routing, VLAN, monitoring, and network troubleshooting examples.
You want cybersecurity but cannot yet explain common network and operating-system problems	Usually A+ or Network+ first	Security work depends on systems, networks, identity, and troubleshooting context.	A basic lab that shows you can diagnose and explain systems before trying to defend them.
You have support, networking, military IT, compliance, or sysadmin experience and want security operations	Security+	Its scope is the most direct match of these three once network and systems concepts are workable.	Access-control reviews, log interpretation, vulnerability notes, incident writeups, and control explanations.
A target role, contract, or program names a credential	Verify that exact requirement first	A real requirement can override a general learning sequence.	Save the current requirement and verify the issuer, version, work role, and date before paying.

Already past the broad support foundation? The next decision often includes CCNA as well as Network+ and Security+. Compare that three-way fork before assuming the CompTIA sequence is your only route.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to take A+ before Network+ or Security+?

No mandatory prior exam is published for these three credentials. CompTIA does publish preparation guidance: 12 months of support experience for A+, A+ plus 9-12 months in a junior network role for Network+, and Network+ plus two years in a security or systems-administration role for Security+.

Can I start with Network+?

Yes, when A+-level support and troubleshooting basics are already workable and networking is the target. Skipping the A+ exam is different from skipping the knowledge A+ is meant to cover.

Can I start with Security+?

Yes, when you already have usable networking and systems context or an exact target requirement names Security+. For a brand-new learner, Security+ is often a weak first move because the security concepts rest on networks, endpoints, identity, logs, and troubleshooting.

Should I get all three CompTIA credentials?

Only when the broad support-to-network-to-security sequence serves your goal and budget. It requires four first-attempt exam registrations totaling 1,386 USD at the prices rechecked 2026-08-24. One well-matched credential plus stronger hands-on evidence can be the better use of time and money.

Related, with the cited detail

Core source records

This table lists the page’s core content records and when they were checked. Claim-specific citations appear beside the relevant text and may not be repeated here.

ID	Supports	Source	Checked
CIT-01	CompTIA A+ exam identity, structure, voucher price, and preparation guidance.	https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/a/core-1-and-2-v15/	2026-09-09
CIT-02	CompTIA Network+ exam identity, structure, voucher price, and preparation guidance.	https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/network/	2026-09-09
CIT-03	CompTIA Security+ exam identity, structure, voucher price, and preparation guidance.	https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/security/	2026-09-09
CIT-04	The full A+ plus Network+ plus Security+ sequence is four first-attempt exam registrations.	https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/a/core-1-and-2-v15/; https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/network/; https://www.comptia.org/en-us/certifications/security/	2026-09-09