CompTIA A+ vs Network+: Which Should You Take First?

Quick answer: CompTIA A+ is the broader, more entry-level certification covering hardware, operating systems, and IT support fundamentals, while Network+ focuses specifically on networking concepts and troubleshooting. Most people take A+ first because it assumes less background, then move to Network+ as they specialize. A+ currently uses exam codes 220-1201 and 220-1202; Network+ uses N10-009.

What is the difference between CompTIA A+ and Network+?

A+ is a wide foundation for IT support roles; Network+ is a focused credential for networking. A+ proves you can set up, support, and troubleshoot computers, mobile devices, operating systems, and basic security and cloud concepts. Network+ goes a level deeper into one subject: how networks are designed, configured, secured, and fixed. Think of A+ as the generalist starting line and Network+ as your first step toward specialization.

What are the current exam codes?

CompTIA rotates exam versions every few years, so the code matters. As of 2026 the current versions are:

The A+ 220-1201/220-1202 series (V15) has been available since March 2025 and replaced the older 220-1101/220-1102 pair. Network+ N10-009 has been available since mid-2024. Because CompTIA periodically retires older codes, always confirm the active version on CompTIA’s site before you buy study materials or schedule, so you prepare for the right objectives.

Why does the code matter so much in practice? Because study guides, video courses, and practice exams are written against a specific version’s objectives. Buying a highly rated course for a retired code means studying the wrong emphasis and, occasionally, outdated technology. CompTIA publishes a free exam objectives PDF for each current version; downloading that document is the single best way to confirm you are studying the right material and to use as a study checklist.

How are the exams structured?

Both certifications use a mix of standard multiple-choice questions and performance-based questions (PBQs), which are interactive tasks that simulate real scenarios, such as configuring a setting or matching items correctly. PBQs often appear at the start of the exam and tend to be the most time-consuming, so a common test-taking strategy is to flag and skip them initially, answer the faster multiple-choice questions to bank points, and return to the PBQs with the remaining time.

Remember that A+ is two separate exams (Core 1 and Core 2), each scheduled, paid for, and passed independently, and you need both to earn the certification. Network+ is a single exam. That structural difference affects both your total cost and your total study time: plan for roughly double the scheduling and fees with A+ compared with Network+. Exact question counts, time limits, and passing scores are set per version by CompTIA, so verify the current figures on the official exam pages.

What does each certification cover?

A+ spans two exams. Core 1 (220-1201) covers mobile devices, networking basics, hardware, virtualization, cloud, and hardware/network troubleshooting. Core 2 (220-1202) covers operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. You must pass both to earn the certification.

Network+ is a single exam that goes deeper on networking: network concepts and models, infrastructure and implementation, network operations, security, and troubleshooting. Where A+ gives you a working familiarity with networks, Network+ expects you to understand them in detail, from subnetting to common protocols to diagnosing connectivity problems.

• A+ emphasis: breadth across devices, OSes, and support workflows.
• Network+ emphasis: depth in networking design, operation, and troubleshooting.

Which certification should you take first?

For most beginners, A+ first. It assumes the least prior knowledge and maps directly to help desk and desktop support roles, which are common first IT jobs. It also introduces networking at a basic level, which makes Network+ feel like a natural next step rather than a cold start.

There are exceptions. If you already work in IT support, have solid hardware and OS knowledge, and know you want to go into networking, you can skip straight to Network+. CompTIA does not require A+ as a prerequisite for Network+; it is only a recommendation. Be honest about your current baseline when you decide.

How hard is each exam, and how long should you study?

Difficulty depends on your background. A+ is broad, so the challenge is the sheer surface area across two exams. Network+ is narrower but deeper, and topics like subnetting trip up people who avoid the math. A reasonable study window for someone newer to IT is several weeks to a few months per exam, studying consistently. If you want a sense of how structured study timelines work in practice, our guide on how long to study for Security+ shows realistic pacing you can adapt to A+ and Network+.

What careers does each certification support?

These two certs point toward overlapping but distinct early-career paths.

If networking excites you, Network+ is a stepping stone toward Cisco’s CCNA and eventually a career path you can explore in our breakdowns of what a system administrator does and network engineer salary. If you lean toward broad infrastructure support, A+ leads comfortably into becoming a system administrator.

One honest note about expectations: neither certification is a magic ticket to a well-paying job on its own. They are widely recognized and genuinely help you clear resume screens and early interviews, especially for a first IT role, but employers also want to see hands-on ability. The strongest candidates pair the cert with a home lab, a few troubleshooting stories they can tell in an interview, and basic familiarity with ticketing and remote-support tools. Think of A+ and Network+ as credible proof that you have the fundamentals, not as a substitute for being able to actually do the work when you sit down at the keyboard.

What does the day-to-day work feel like?

The certifications map to genuinely different first jobs. With A+ pointing you toward help desk and desktop support, a typical day involves resetting accounts, imaging and setting up laptops, troubleshooting a printer or an application that will not launch, and documenting tickets. It is varied, people-facing, and an excellent way to learn how real environments break and get fixed.

Network+ pointing you toward network-focused roles means more time thinking about connectivity: why a VLAN is not routing, whether a firewall rule is blocking traffic, how DNS or DHCP is misbehaving, and reading network diagrams. The work is less about end-user devices and more about the infrastructure that connects them. Knowing which of these daily rhythms appeals to you is a better guide than any salary chart.

Do you need to renew these certifications?

Yes. Both A+ and Network+ are valid for three years from the date you pass and must be renewed to stay active. CompTIA’s Continuing Education (CE) program lets you renew by earning CE activities, and there is a renewal fee. Conveniently, earning a higher-level CompTIA certification can renew lower ones automatically; for example, passing Network+ can renew an active A+. That stacking effect is one more reason the A+-then-Network+ sequence is efficient: your later cert keeps your earlier one current.

Do you need both certifications?

Not necessarily. Many IT support professionals hold only A+ and do fine. Others skip A+ entirely because their experience already covers it and go straight to Network+. Holding both is a reasonable combination if you want to demonstrate a broad foundation plus networking depth, which can strengthen a resume for roles that straddle support and infrastructure. But collect certifications because they match your target job, not just to pad a list.

It also helps to see where these two sit in a longer roadmap. A+ and Network+ are foundation-level credentials. From there, common next steps include Security+ for a security direction, Cisco’s CCNA for a networking direction, or a cloud certification for an infrastructure direction. Thinking one step ahead keeps you from over-investing in foundations you have already outgrown. If security is the direction that appeals to you, our take on whether Security+ is worth it helps you plan the next stage once you move past A+ and Network+.

CompTIA A+ vs Network+: which should you choose?

Choose A+ if you are new to IT and want the broadest foundation and the clearest path to a first support job. Choose Network+ if you already have the basics down and want to specialize in networking. For true beginners, the standard and sensible route is A+ first, then Network+ once you know networking is the direction you want.

Remember that a certification validates knowledge and helps you get interviews; it does not guarantee a job or a specific salary. Pair whichever cert you choose with hands-on practice, a home lab, and real troubleshooting experience. If you are still deciding whether IT and security are for you at all, our honest take on whether cybersecurity is hard is a good gut check before you commit time and money.