By Quick answer: Is Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) worth it in 2027?
- Verdict — Worth it for pentesting roles that name it.
- Cost — Check EC-Council's official page
- Time — Two to three months
- Best for — people aiming at penetration testing
Key takeaways
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is worth it for people aiming at penetration testing.
- It's less useful for beginners without security basics.
- Compare the alternatives below before you pay.
This is an honest review of Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH): what it covers, what it costs, who it helps and who should pick something else. We list the best alternatives so you can compare before you commit.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and its alternatives
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 | Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)EC-Council | Check the official page1 | 125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours | Free test |
| 2 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store2 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 3 | CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalISC2 | See ISC2 page3 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 4 | CompTIA Network+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store4 | 90 minutes | Free test |
| 5 | Cisco CCNACisco | Check the official page5 | Check issuer | 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.)
- CEH Practice TestPractise for Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
- CISSP Practice TestPractise for CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Network+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Network+ before you pay.Start free test →
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), then the alternatives worth comparing
- EC-CouncilCertified Ethical Hacker (CEH)The credential reviewedCheck the official page
- CompTIACompTIA Security+FoundationVoucher price on the CompTIA store
- ISC2CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalSeniorSee ISC2 page
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Cost
- Check the official page1
- Format
- 125 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours
EC-Council's ethical hacking exam: 125 questions in four hours; ANAB accredited. EC-Council's ethical hacking exam has 125 multiple-choice questions in four hours, covering attack techniques and tools. It's ANAB-accredited and often named in penetration testing posts; check EC-Council for the fee.
Best forthe credential reviewed
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store2
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
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 forfoundation
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- Cost
- See ISC2 page3
- Entry
- 5 years of paid security work experience
CISSP. ISC2's senior credential covers eight broad security domains and requires five years of paid security experience. It's ANAB-accredited, and US holders averaged $168,060 in Skillsoft's 2025 survey, the highest of any IT certification there.
Best forsenior
CompTIA Network+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store4
- Format
- 90 minutes
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience
Network+. 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 forfoundation
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page5
CCNA. 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 depth
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Named in pentest posts | Costly |
| Accredited | Multiple-choice core exam |
| Broad tool coverage | Hands-on skills still needed |
Table: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) pros and cons
Our verdict
Worth it for pentesting roles that name it. It's a strong choice for people aiming at penetration testing. If you're beginners without security basics, look at the alternatives above first.
How we ranked these picks
We reviewed Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) on cost, time, assessment, employer recognition and fit, using the official page checked 3 November 2026. Science of Apps has no commercial relationship with the issuer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) worth it?
Worth it for pentesting roles that name it. It suits people aiming at penetration testing.
How much does Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) cost?
Check EC-Council's official page.
How long does Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) take?
Two to three months.
CEH or Security+ first?
Security+ first for most people.
Is there a free practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free practice tests for this topic, instantly graded with a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- EC-Council — Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Network+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Cisco — Cisco CCNA, 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.
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