By Quick answer: Is Cisco CCNA worth it in 2027?
- Verdict — Worth it for network engineer roles.
- Cost — Check Cisco's official page
- Time — Three to four months
- Best for — aspiring network engineers
Key takeaways
- Cisco CCNA is worth it for aspiring network engineers.
- It's less useful for people avoiding networking.
- Compare the alternatives below before you pay.
This is an honest review of Cisco CCNA: 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.
Cisco CCNA 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 | 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 Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store3 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 4 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1504 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 5 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country5 | 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 Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
Cisco CCNA, then the alternatives worth comparing
- CiscoCisco CCNAThe credential reviewedCheck the official page
- CompTIACompTIA Network+Vendor-neutral alternativeVoucher price on the CompTIA store
- CompTIACompTIA Security+Security add-onVoucher price on the CompTIA store
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page1
Cisco's associate networking credential; ANAB accredited. 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 forthe credential reviewed
CompTIA Network+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store2
- 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 forvendor-neutral alternative
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store3
- 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 forsecurity add-on
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1504
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
AWS SAA. 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
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country5
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
AZ-104. 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
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Respected | Demanding |
| Accredited | Cisco-focused |
| Network demand | Fee on official page |
Table: Cisco CCNA pros and cons
Our verdict
Worth it for network engineer roles. It's a strong choice for aspiring network engineers. If you're people avoiding networking, look at the alternatives above first.
How we ranked these picks
We reviewed Cisco CCNA 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 Cisco CCNA worth it?
Worth it for network engineer roles. It suits aspiring network engineers.
How much does Cisco CCNA cost?
Check Cisco's official page.
How long does Cisco CCNA take?
Three to four months.
CCNA or Network+?
CCNA for network engineers; Network+ for broad IT.
Is there a free practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free practice tests for this topic, instantly graded with a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- Cisco — Cisco CCNA, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Network+, 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.
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