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CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ are both vendor-neutral IT certifications, but they are designed for different stages of an IT career. A+ provides a broad foundation in computer hardware, operating systems, troubleshooting, networking and security. Network+ goes deeper into how business networks are designed, operated, secured and troubleshot.
For somebody completely new to IT support, A+ is usually the better starting point. If you already have solid support experience and understand hardware and operating systems, you may be ready to move directly to Network+.
What is CompTIA A+?
CompTIA A+ is an entry-level certification aimed particularly at people building practical IT support skills.
The current A+ certification uses two exams:
- 220-1201 Core 1
- 220-1202 Core 2
Candidates must pass both exams to achieve the certification.
A+ covers a broad range of topics because IT support technicians need to troubleshoot many different types of problem.
Typical areas include:
- PC hardware
- mobile devices
- operating systems
- Windows administration
- basic Linux and macOS
- networking fundamentals
- printers and peripherals
- virtualisation and cloud concepts
- security fundamentals
- troubleshooting
- operational procedures
ExperTrain's CompTIA A+ Accelerated Course develops these practical support skills and prepares learners for the current Core 1 and Core 2 exams.
What is CompTIA Network+?
CompTIA Network+ focuses specifically on networking.
The current Network+ exam is N10-009. The certification covers the knowledge required to establish, maintain, secure and troubleshoot networks across different vendors and platforms.
Topics include:
- the OSI model
- Ethernet
- copper and fibre cabling
- switching
- IPv4 and IPv6
- subnetting
- routing
- VLANs
- DNS and DHCP
- wireless networking
- WAN technologies
- network monitoring
- network security
- high availability
- cloud and data-centre networking
- network troubleshooting
ExperTrain's CompTIA Network+ Course provides instructor-led training in these vendor-neutral networking skills.
What is the main difference between A+ and Network+?
The simplest distinction is:
A+ teaches you how to support computers and end users.
Network+ teaches you how to support the networks those computers use.
There is some overlap. A+ introduces networking because every modern support technician needs to understand connectivity. Network+ takes those concepts much further.
Which certification is more beginner-friendly?
A+ is generally more beginner-friendly because it assumes a broader entry-level audience.
It introduces the components, operating systems and troubleshooting processes that form the foundation of everyday IT support.
Network+ is still accessible, but networking concepts such as subnetting, routing, VLANs, ports and protocols are easier to understand when you already have some practical IT knowledge.
Do you need A+ before Network+?
No. A+ is not a compulsory prerequisite for Network+.
You can study Network+ directly if you already have equivalent knowledge through work experience, previous training or self-study.
The question is not whether you possess the A+ certificate. It is whether you already understand the fundamentals A+ represents.
When should you take A+ first?
A+ is the stronger starting point if:
- you are completely new to professional IT
- you want a help-desk or desktop-support role
- computer hardware is unfamiliar
- you have limited Windows troubleshooting experience
- you are unsure how operating systems, devices and networks fit together
- you are changing career and want a broad technical foundation
When could you start with Network+?
You may be ready to begin with Network+ if:
- you already work in IT support
- you regularly troubleshoot Windows devices
- you understand PC hardware and operating systems
- you already know basic IP addressing
- you want to move from support into networking
- you have practical experience equivalent to A+ knowledge
Which certification is harder?
Difficulty depends on your background.
A+ covers a wider range of technologies and requires two exams, so there is a lot of material to learn.
Network+ is narrower but goes deeper into networking concepts. Learners often find subnetting, routing, wireless standards and troubleshooting particularly demanding if they have not worked with networks before.
A learner with strong PC-support experience may find A+ straightforward but Network+ challenging. A junior network technician might experience the opposite.
What jobs can A+ help with?
A+ is especially relevant to roles such as:
- help-desk technician
- service-desk analyst
- desktop-support technician
- IT support technician
- field-support technician
- junior systems support
The certification helps demonstrate broad practical knowledge rather than expertise in one particular vendor.
What jobs can Network+ help with?
Network+ is relevant to roles such as:
- network-support technician
- network administrator
- infrastructure support
- network operations technician
- help-desk technician with networking responsibilities
- junior network engineer
It can also provide a useful foundation before moving into Cisco, cloud, cyber security or data-centre technologies.
Is Network+ useful before CCNA?
It can be.
Network+ is vendor-neutral, whereas Cisco CCNA goes deeper into Cisco networking technologies and configuration.
If networking is new to you, Network+ can make the transition into CCNA easier. If you already have networking experience and specifically work with Cisco equipment, you might move directly to CCNA.
Read CCNA vs CompTIA Network+: Which Certification Should You Choose? for a fuller comparison.
Which is better for cyber security?
Both can contribute to a cyber security pathway, but Network+ is particularly valuable because security professionals need to understand how systems communicate.
Cyber security analysts regularly work with:
- IP addresses
- DNS
- ports and protocols
- network traffic
- firewalls
- remote access
- routing
- network segmentation
If you are completely new to IT, A+ can still be the right first step. A common progression is:
A+ → Network+ → Security+
This is not a compulsory sequence, but it creates a logical progression from computer support to networking and then into security.
Our How Do You Start a Career in Cyber Security? guide explains several routes into the profession.
Does A+ include networking?
Yes, but at a more introductory level.
A+ learners need to understand concepts such as:
- IP addressing
- Wi-Fi
- common network devices
- basic ports and protocols
- SOHO networking
- network troubleshooting
Network+ builds substantially beyond this foundation.
Does Network+ include hardware and operating systems?
Only where they relate to networking.
Network+ is not designed to teach the broad PC repair, operating-system installation and end-user support skills covered by A+.
How much security is in A+?
A+ includes practical security topics because support technicians are often responsible for securing endpoints and helping users.
Learners encounter malware, authentication, device hardening, permissions and basic network security.
However, A+ is not a dedicated cyber security certification.
How much security is in Network+?
Network+ contains more network-focused security content, including network hardening, authentication, wireless security, security appliances and secure network operations.
It remains a networking certification rather than a full cyber security qualification.
Should you take Security+ instead?
If you already understand IT systems and networking and your goal is security, Security+ may be the more relevant next certification.
If networking concepts are still weak, going directly to Security+ can make topics such as firewalls, traffic analysis, segmentation and network attacks harder to understand.
For many learners, strengthening Network+ knowledge first produces a better technical foundation.
Is A+ worth taking if you already work in IT?
It depends on your experience.
If you already spend every day supporting hardware, operating systems, users and devices, studying A+ may mainly confirm knowledge you already have.
In that situation, Network+ or another more specialised certification might provide greater development value.
If your practical experience is narrow, A+ can still be useful for filling gaps.
Is Network+ worth taking if you already have CCNA?
Usually the value is lower because CCNA already demonstrates substantial networking knowledge.
Network+ may still be useful in a particular employer or training programme, but most CCNA holders would normally develop deeper networking, security or cloud skills rather than return to a more foundational networking qualification.
Which certification should a career changer choose?
If the career changer has little technical background, A+ is usually the safer first choice.
It provides broad context and introduces the everyday technologies encountered in support roles. That can make later specialisation much easier.
Someone moving from a technically related profession, such as telecoms, infrastructure engineering or another networking role, may already have enough knowledge to begin with Network+.
Which course should you take first?
Use your current ability rather than your job title.
Choose A+ first if you need to build broad IT support skills.
Choose Network+ first if you already have those fundamentals and want to specialise in networking.
ExperTrain currently offers:
A simple decision guide
New to IT? Start with A+.
Already working on a help desk? Consider Network+ if your A+ knowledge is already strong.
Want to become a network administrator? Network+ is the more directly relevant qualification.
Want to move into cyber security but have little IT knowledge? A+ then Network+ can provide a strong foundation.
Already understand networks and want Cisco skills? Consider CCNA rather than repeating foundational content.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Network+ without A+?
Yes. A+ is not a mandatory prerequisite. Make sure you already understand basic hardware, operating systems and troubleshooting before beginning Network+.
Is Network+ higher than A+?
They cover different subject areas, but Network+ is generally treated as the next step for learners moving from broad IT support into networking.
Do I need both certifications?
No. Take both only if both sets of skills are relevant to your goals. Experience may mean you can skip a certification while still learning the underlying knowledge.
Which one is better for a first IT job?
A+ is particularly aligned to entry-level IT support and help-desk work. Network+ is more targeted towards networking and infrastructure roles.
Which one should I take before Security+?
Network+ knowledge is especially helpful before Security+, although complete beginners may benefit from A+ first.
Explore CompTIA training
Browse ExperTrain's CompTIA training courses and the CompTIA Certifications pathway to compare certification options across IT support, networking, cyber security and infrastructure.
If your longer-term goal is cyber security, also see Which Cyber Security Certification Should I Take?.
Further reading
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