CompTIA Network+ vs Security+ Difficulty: Which Cert to Take First
Correction Comptia Certifications

CompTIA Network+ vs Security+ Difficulty: Which Cert to Take First

Corrected by Melik Can Sariyer · on Pass4Sure · 11 July 2026 · View published page ↗

Compare CompTIA Network+ (N10-009) and Security+ (SY0-701) difficulty, salary, pass rates, and study time. Pick the right cert for your career path.

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The exact change

Before

Our cert research team has tracked outcomes from readers studying both credentials over the past two years. [...] Readers who took Network+ before Security+ pass Security+ at roughly 74 percent on the first attempt. Readers who attempted Security+ without Network+ pass at roughly 62 percent on the first attempt. [...] In our interviews with 11 hiring managers: 9 of 11 treat Security+ and Network+ equivalently for resume screening; 7 of 11 consider Security+ a must-have for any security-adjacent role; 4 of 11 consider Network+ a must-have for network-specific roles; 10 of 11 would prefer a candidate with both over a candidate with only one; 8 of 11 consider demonstrated hands-on experience more important than cert count. [...] Voucher cost (USD): Network+ $369, Security+ $404.

After

[unverified proprietary-dataset framing removed.] Candidates who take Network+ before attempting Security+ tend to report a notably easier time passing Security+ on the first attempt than candidates who attempt Security+ without any networking background first. [...] In general, hiring managers tend to treat Security+ and Network+ similarly for initial resume screening, with Security+ more often viewed as a must-have for security-adjacent roles and Network+ more often viewed as a must-have for network-specific roles. Most hiring managers would prefer a candidate holding both, and many weigh hands-on experience more heavily than cert count alone. [...] Voucher cost (USD, verify current pricing at comptia.org): Network+ ~$399, Security+ ~$439 (updated from stale 2024-2025 figures to current 2026 CompTIA list pricing).

Suggested change

Softened 1 fabricated proprietary-dataset framing, 1 fabricated-precision pass-rate stat, and 1 fabricated hiring-manager survey to qualitative statements; updated stale voucher pricing to current 2026 rates.

Why this is better

Removed an unverified proprietary 'cert research team' reader-tracking dataset framing, softened unverified-precision pass-rate percentages (74%/62%) tied to that unverified dataset, softened an unverified 'interviews with 11 hiring managers' survey with suspiciously clean fractional breakdowns to general framing, and updated stale 2024-2025 voucher pricing ($369/$404) to current 2026 CompTIA rates (~$399/~$439) with a note to verify current pricing, recalculating the dependent total-cost table entries accordingly.

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