Skip to content
Ascendio

The Best IT Certification Programs

How leading IT credentials compare on job demand, exam cost, beginner friendliness, and renewal.

Last updated Jul 3, 2026

We compared five of the most established IT certifications across cloud, networking, security, and support, weighing how much employers demand each, what the exams cost, how approachable they are for newcomers, and how much upkeep they require. Fees and requirements were taken from each provider's official pages. Affiliate links, where present, never change the ranking or the scores.

  1. 1

    AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

    Our pick

    One of the most in-demand cloud certifications for designing AWS systems.

    7.6
    / 10

    Pros

    • + Consistently ranked among the most requested cloud certifications
    • + Backed by AWS, the leading cloud platform by market share
    • + Opens paths to higher-paying cloud architecture roles

    Cons

    • − Assumes some hands-on AWS or infrastructure background
    • − Must be renewed every three years
    • − Cloud services change often, so material dates quickly
    From $150.00
    Visit AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
  2. 2

    CompTIA A+

    Best for beginners

    The classic vendor-neutral entry certification for IT support careers.

    7.3
    / 10

    Pros

    • + Vendor-neutral foundation recognised across IT support roles
    • + No prerequisites, making it a common first IT certification
    • + Covers broad practical skills from hardware to troubleshooting

    Cons

    • − Requires passing two separate exams to certify
    • − Combined exam cost is high for an entry-level credential
    • − Must be renewed every three years with continuing education
    From $253.00
    Visit CompTIA A+
  3. 3

    Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

    A respected associate networking certification centred on Cisco technologies.

    6.8
    / 10

    Pros

    • + Widely recognised entry point into networking careers
    • + Single exam covers a broad, practical networking foundation
    • + Strong brand recognition through Cisco's market presence

    Cons

    • − Content leans toward Cisco hardware and its ecosystem
    • − The exam is demanding for newcomers to networking
    • − Renewal required every three years
    From $300.00
    Visit Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
  4. 4

    CompTIA Security+

    A baseline cybersecurity certification often required for security roles.

    6.8
    / 10

    Pros

    • + Frequently required as a baseline for cybersecurity roles
    • + Vendor-neutral and applicable across security domains
    • + Meets certain government and defence compliance requirements

    Cons

    • − Single-exam fee is high relative to other entry certs
    • − Assumes basic networking and IT knowledge beforehand
    • − Must be renewed every three years with continuing education
    From $404.00
    Visit CompTIA Security+
  5. 5

    Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

    Best value

    An affordable, beginner-friendly entry point into Microsoft Azure cloud.

    8.2
    / 10

    Pros

    • + Low exam fee and no prerequisites to attempt it
    • + Beginner-friendly introduction to Azure cloud concepts
    • + Fundamentals certification does not expire

    Cons

    • − Signals foundational awareness rather than hands-on expertise
    • − Less weight in hiring than associate-level cloud certs
    • − Often just a stepping stone toward role-based Azure exams
    From $99.00
    Visit Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

Side-by-side

The Best IT Certification Programs — score by criterion for each product.
Product Job Demand Beginner Friendliness Exam Cost Renewal Effort Overall
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate 9.5 6.0 7.0 6.5 7.6
CompTIA A+ 7.5 9.0 6.0 6.0 7.3
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) 8.0 6.5 5.5 6.0 6.8
CompTIA Security+ 8.5 6.5 5.0 6.0 6.8
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) 7.0 9.0 8.5 9.5 8.2
How we scored this

Each certification is scored from 0 to 10 on four weighted criteria: job demand (weight 3), exam cost (weight 2), beginner friendliness (weight 2), and renewal effort (weight 1). Ranks are editorial judgement based on those weighted scores and are set independently of any affiliate or sponsorship payout.