By Quick answer: What is the best networking certification for beginners?
- Start — Google IT Support.
- Next — CompTIA A+.
- Then — CompTIA Network+.
- Practise — free tests along the way.
Key takeaways
- Start with fundamentals before specialist exams.
- Hands-on practice matters at every step.
- One finished certification beats several started.
Beginners in networking often start in the wrong place. These certifications are arranged in learning order, from first steps to a first job-ready credential.
Beginner networking picks
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 | Google IT Support Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan1 | 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 2 | CompTIA A+CompTIA | Two exams2 | 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam | Free test |
| 3 | CompTIA Network+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store3 | 90 minutes | Free test |
| 4 | Cisco CCNACisco | Check the official page4 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 5 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store5 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | 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.)
- IT Support and Troubleshooting CertificationPractise for Google IT Support Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA A+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA A+ before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Network+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Network+ before you pay.Start free test →
- Cisco CCNA Practice TestPractise for Cisco CCNA before you pay.Start free test →
Each pick, in the order beginners take them
- CourseraGoogle IT Support Professional CertificateIT basics$49/mo Coursera plan
- CompTIACompTIA A+IT supportTwo exams
- CompTIACompTIA Network+Networking basicsVoucher price on the CompTIA store
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan1
- Time
- 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week
Google IT Support. 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 forIT basics
CompTIA A+
- Cost
- Two exams2
- Format
- 90 minutes and up to 90 questions per exam
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on IT support
CompTIA A+. 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
CompTIA Network+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store3
- Format
- 90 minutes
- Entry
- CompTIA recommends 9–12 months of networking experience
CompTIA 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 fornetworking basics
Cisco CCNA
- Cost
- Check the official page4
Cisco 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 engineering
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store5
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
CompTIA 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
A beginner plan
- Months 1–3 — Google IT Support or A+.
- Months 4–5 — Network+ with a home lab.
- Months 6–9 — CCNA.
How we ranked these picks
We chose certifications open to beginners and ordered them as a learning path. Fees from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best networking certification for beginners?
Start with Google IT Support.
Can I learn networking with no experience?
Yes, in the order above.
How long does it take?
Typically three to six months part-time to a first job-ready credential.
Are there free options?
Yes; training for most exams is free.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free beginner tests.
Sources
- Google — Google IT Support Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA A+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Network+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Cisco — Cisco CCNA, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, 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
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- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027IT certifications for beginners: seven best for 2027 if you're starting your first tech jobThe 7 best IT certifications for beginners in 2027: Google IT Support, CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, ISC2 CC, AWS Cloud Practitioner and AZ-900.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best networking certifications of 2027: seven for network engineers and IT staffThe 7 best networking certifications of 2027: Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Network+, A+, Security+, Google IT Support, AWS Solutions Architect and Azure AZ-104.
- 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.
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Prove the skill before you pay for the exam.
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