By Quick answer: ITIL 4 or PMP: which should I choose in 2027?
- Choose ITIL 4 — you work in IT service or operations.
- Choose PMP — you lead projects.
- Verdict — Different jobs; choose by your work.
- Before you pay — take a free practice test.
Key takeaways
- Choose ITIL 4 if you work in IT service or operations.
- Choose PMP if you lead projects.
- Check job posts in your target market before deciding.
ITIL 4 and PMP are often compared, but they suit different people. Here's a side-by-side comparison and a clear way to choose.
The options 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 | ITIL 4 FoundationPeopleCert / AXELOS | Check the official page1 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 2 | PMP – Project Management ProfessionalPMI | $425 PMI members / $675 non-members2 | 240 minutes, 180 questions | Free test |
| 3 | Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Scrum.org | Check the official page3 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 4 | CAPM – Certified Associate in Project ManagementPMI | $225 PMI members / $300 non-members4 | 180 minutes, 150 questions | 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.)
- ITIL 4 Foundation Practice ExamPractise for ITIL 4 Foundation before you pay.Start free test →
- PMP Practice ExamPractise for PMP – Project Management Professional before you pay.Start free test →
- PSM I Practice TestPractise for Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) before you pay.Start free test →
- CAPM Practice ExamPractise for CAPM – Certified Associate in Project Management before you pay.Start free test →
Each option, and who should choose it
- PeopleCertITIL 4 FoundationIT serviceCheck the official page
- PMIPMP – Project Management ProfessionalProjects$425 PMI members / $675 non-members
- Scrum.orgProfessional Scrum Master I (PSM I)AgileCheck the official page
ITIL 4 Foundation
- Cost
- Check the official page1
Foundation exam. PeopleCert's ITIL 4 Foundation covers the core concepts of IT service management and continual improvement. It's foundation-level, quick to prepare for and especially common in IT service roles in the UK and Australia.
Best forIT service
PMP – Project Management Professional
- Cost
- $425 PMI members / $675 non-members2
- Format
- 240 minutes, 180 questions
- Entry
- 3–5 years leading projects (by education) plus 35 hours of training
$425/$675. PMI's Project Management Professional is a 240-minute, 180-question exam covering predictive, agile and hybrid approaches. It needs 3–5 years leading projects plus 35 hours of training and costs $425 for PMI members or $675.
Best forprojects
Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)
- Cost
- Check the official page3
Exam-only Scrum. Scrum.org's Professional Scrum Master I is exam-only, with no course required, and it doesn't expire. Study the free Scrum Guide and practise before booking; check Scrum.org's page for the current fee.
Best foragile
CAPM – Certified Associate in Project Management
- Cost
- $225 PMI members / $300 non-members4
- Format
- 180 minutes, 150 questions
- Entry
- Secondary diploma plus 23 hours of project management education
$225/$300. PMI's entry credential is a 180-minute, 150-question exam for people early in project roles. It needs a secondary diploma plus 23 hours of project management education and costs $225 for PMI members or $300.
Best forPM start
ITIL 4 vs PMP side by side
| ITIL 4 | PMP | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Running IT services | Delivering projects |
| Level | Foundation | Professional |
| Experience | None | 3–5 years |
| Best for | Service desk and ops | Project managers |
Table: ITIL 4 vs PMP
How to choose
- Choose ITIL 4 — you work in IT service or operations.
- Choose PMP — you lead projects.
- Still unsure — search job posts in your city for each name.
How we ranked these picks
We compared both options on cost, format, prerequisites and fit using official pages, checked 3 November 2026. Science of Apps has no commercial relationship with either issuer.
Frequently asked questions
Are they competitors?
No; they cover different work.
Which is easier?
ITIL 4 Foundation.
Do IT managers need both?
Many benefit from both.
Which first?
The one matching your current role.
Is there a free practice test for both?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free practice tests for both, instantly graded with a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- PeopleCert — ITIL 4 Foundation, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — PMP – Project Management Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — CAPM – Certified Associate in Project Management, 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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Prove the skill before you pay for the exam.
Start with the free ITIL 4 Foundation Practice Exam. 1,200+ free, test-based certifications graded on our server. Pass and get a founder-signed certificate with a credential ID employers can verify.