By Quick answer: Which networking certification is best in 2027?
- Network engineer — Cisco CCNA.
- Vendor-neutral — CompTIA Network+.
- Beginners — Google IT Support or A+.
- Cloud networking — AWS SAA or AZ-104.
Key takeaways
- CCNA remains the networking credential employers name most.
- Cloud networking skills are increasingly expected.
- Practise in labs; networking interviews are hands-on.
Networking underpins IT, security and cloud. The credentials have stayed fairly stable: Cisco's CCNA and CompTIA's Network+ lead. What's changed is that networks now extend into the cloud, so this list includes cloud certifications too.
Seven networking certifications at a glance
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cisco CCNACisco | Check the official page1 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 2 | CompTIA Network+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store2 | 90 minutes | Free test |
| 3 | CompTIA A+CompTIA | Two exams3 | 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam | Free test |
| 4 | Google IT Support Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan4 | 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 5 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store5 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 6 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1506 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 7 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country7 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- Cisco CCNA Practice TestPractise for Cisco CCNA before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Network+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Network+ before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA A+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA A+ before you pay.Start free test →
- IT Support and Troubleshooting CertificationPractise for Google IT Support Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and the networking role it fits
- CiscoCisco CCNANetwork engineersCheck the official page
- CompTIACompTIA Network+Vendor-neutral networkingVoucher price on the CompTIA store
- CompTIACompTIA A+IT support foundationsTwo exams
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page1
Cisco's associate credential covers network fundamentals, access, IP connectivity, services, security and automation. Check Cisco's page for the fee. Cisco's associate credential covers network fundamentals, access, IP connectivity, services, security and automation. It's ANAB-accredited and widely recognised for network engineer roles; check Cisco's page for the fee.
Best fornetwork engineers
CompTIA Network+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store2
- Format
- 90 minutes
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience
Vendor-neutral networking: protocols, infrastructure and troubleshooting. 90 minutes; CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of experience. CompTIA's Network+ covers networking concepts, infrastructure, operations and troubleshooting in a 90-minute exam. It's vendor-neutral and ANAB-accredited; CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience.
Best forvendor-neutral networking
CompTIA A+
- Cost
- Two exams3
- Format
- 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on IT support
Two exams covering hardware, operating systems and support, a common start before networking. CompTIA's A+ is two exams covering hardware, operating systems, networking basics and support. It's the help desk credential many job posts name, is ANAB-accredited, and CompTIA recommends about a year of hands-on support experience.
Best forIT support foundations
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan4
- Time
- 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week
A beginner programme including networking basics, about three to six months part-time. Google's professional certificate covers troubleshooting, networking, operating systems, system administration and security for complete beginners. It takes three to six months at about ten hours a week, with financial aid on Coursera.
Best forcomplete beginners
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store5
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Network security knowledge for roles where networking meets security. CompTIA's vendor-neutral security exam covers threats, architecture, operations and governance, and the new version adds AI-related risk. It's listed in ANAB's ISO/IEC 17024 directory; voucher prices vary by country.
Best fornetwork security
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1506
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
Covers VPCs, subnets and routing on AWS, valuable for cloud network engineers. $150. AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best forcloud networking on AWS
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country7
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Covers Azure virtual networks and connectivity. Renew free each year. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can manage Azure identity, storage, compute and networking. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, and renews free online every 12 months, which keeps long-term cost low.
Best forcloud networking on Azure
CCNA or Network+?
| CCNA | Network+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Cisco | CompTIA |
| Focus | Cisco-based networks | Vendor-neutral |
| Best for | Network engineer roles | Broad IT roles |
Table: CCNA and Network+ compared
How we ranked these picks
We ranked networking certifications by employer recognition and fit to networking roles, including cloud networking. Seven credible options, so we list seven. Fees and formats come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best networking certification?
Cisco CCNA for network engineer roles; CompTIA Network+ for vendor-neutral proof.
CCNA or Network+ first?
Network+ if you're new and want broad basics; CCNA if you're aiming for network engineering.
Is networking still a good career?
Yes. Networks underpin cloud and security, both growing fields.
Is CCNA valued in India?
Yes. CCNA is widely recognised by employers in India.
Is there a free CCNA practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free CCNA and Network+ practice tests with instant results.
Sources
- Cisco — Cisco CCNA, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Network+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA A+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google IT Support Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
- The best online certifications of 2027 — the full top 10 across every field
- Best Networking Certifications of 2027: Top 10 Ranked — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 IT certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones IT job posts nameThe top 5 IT certifications to get hired in 2027: CompTIA A+, Security+, AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104 and Cisco CCNA, matched to IT job titles.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 networking certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones job posts nameThe top 5 networking certifications to get hired in 2027: CCNA, Network+, Security+, AWS Solutions Architect and Azure AZ-104.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 10 IT certifications for 2027, from your first help-desk job to senior cloud and security rolesThe top 10 IT certifications for 2027 on one career ladder: CompTIA A+, Google IT Support, Network+, CCNA, Security+, ITIL 4, AZ-104, AWS SAA and AI.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The networking certification roadmap for 2027: from beginner to expertA networking certification roadmap for 2027: Google IT Support or A+, Network+, CCNA, then Security+ and AWS SAA.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best certifications without a degree in 2027: seven routes into well-paid work that don't ask for oneThe 7 best certifications without a degree for 2027: CompTIA A+, Google IT Support, Google Cybersecurity, AWS, Security+, Azure AZ-104 and Salesforce Admin.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Cybersecurity certifications for beginners: seven best for 2027 if you're starting from zeroThe 7 best cybersecurity certifications for beginners in 2027: Google Cybersecurity, ISC2 CC, CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Google IT Support and CCNA.
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