How much do CEH and Security+ cost?

Security+ is a one-time voucher of about $425. CEH is roughly $950–$1,199 for the voucher (channel-dependent), plus a $100 eligibility fee if you self-study, and more if you buy official training. CEH is several times more expensive overall.

CEH vs Security+: Which Should You Take First?

Q: Should I take CEH or Security+ first?

For almost everyone, Security+ first. It’s cheaper (~$425 vs ~$950–$1,199), has no eligibility hurdles, and is the standard entry-level credential employers expect. CEH assumes you already understand security fundamentals, so it makes more sense as a later step once you have Security+ (or equivalent knowledge) and possibly some experience.

Q: Is CEH harder than Security+?

They test different things. Security+ is broad, entry-level defensive security; CEH is a longer (125-question, 4-hour) exam covering offensive tools and techniques and assumes more background. CEH sits a level above Security+ in scope and price, so most people find it the bigger step — but it’s still largely multiple-choice, not a hands-on hacking test.

Q: Which is more valuable for getting a job?

For most entry-level roles, Security+ — it’s the recognized baseline and a DoD 8140 requirement for many positions. CEH adds value for roles that specifically list it, offensive-security awareness, and certain government jobs (it’s also DoD-approved). Many security professionals end up holding both over time.

Q: Can I skip Security+ and go straight to CEH?

You can if you meet CEH’s eligibility (official training, or two years of infosec experience plus a $100 application). But CEH assumes security fundamentals, so most people are better served doing Security+ first to build the base, then CEH.

Updated: June 2026 · Read time: 9 min · Level: Beginner

Both are big names in cybersecurity certs, and people constantly ask which to get first. The short answer for almost everyone: Security+ first, CEH later. They sit at different levels, cost very different amounts, and prove different things. Here's the full comparison so you can decide with eyes open.

The short answer

Breaking into cybersecurity? Start with Security+ — cheaper, no eligibility hurdles, and the standard entry-level credential.
Already have fundamentals (or Security+) and want offensive-security breadth? Add CEH.
Targeting a job that names one of them? Get that one. (Check the actual postings you want.)

CEH isn't "better" than Security+ — it's a different, higher-cost, more specialized credential. For most beginners it's the second cert, not the first.

Side by side

	CompTIA Security+	CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
Provider	CompTIA	EC-Council
Level	Entry	Intermediate
Focus	Broad defensive security	Offensive tools & techniques (knowledge)
Exam	Up to 90 Q (MC + performance-based), 90 min	125 MC questions, 4 hours
Passing score	750 / 900 (scaled)	No fixed score — ~60%–85% by exam form
Cost	~$425 (one-time)	~$950–$1,199 + $100 eligibility fee if self-studying
Eligibility	None	Official training or 2 yrs experience
Valid for	3 years (50 CEUs)	3 years (120 ECE credits, ~$80/yr)
DoD 8140 baseline	Yes (widely)	Yes (certain roles)

⚠️ Prices and rules change, and EC-Council pricing is bundle-heavy. Confirm on the official CompTIA and EC-Council pages.

The three biggest differences

1. Level and order. Security+ is entry-level and assumes no security background. CEH is intermediate — it assumes you already understand networking and security basics. That alone is why Security+ comes first in most paths.

2. Cost. This is huge. Security+ is a single ~~$425 voucher. CEH runs several times more once you add the voucher (~~$950–$1,199), the $100 eligibility fee (if self-studying), and often official training. If budget matters, Security+ is far gentler.

3. Eligibility. You can book Security+ anytime — just pay and schedule. CEH has a gate: you must either take official EC-Council training or prove two years of infosec experience (plus a $100 application and references). New folks usually can't meet the experience route, so CEH effectively pushes you toward paid training.

What each is best at

Security+ is the better first cert because it's affordable, has no barriers, covers the broad foundation employers expect, and satisfies the DoD baseline for many entry roles. It's the recognized "you understand security basics" stamp.

CEH is the better recognition play for offensive awareness. It's a name HR knows, it's DoD-approved for certain roles, and it gives you a wide tour of attacker techniques (recon, scanning, exploitation, web/wireless/cloud, and AI-driven attacks in v13). The catch: it's mostly multiple-choice, so it shows knowledge, not hands-on skill. For proving you can actually hack, technical interviewers lean toward practical certs like OSCP.

Which should you take first?

New to cybersecurity / on a budget?
   → Security+ first. Add CEH later if a role wants it.

Already have Security+ or solid fundamentals,
and want offensive breadth or a role that lists CEH?
   → CEH next.

A specific job posting names one of them?
   → Get that one first. Postings beat generic advice.

Aiming at hands-on penetration testing?
   → Security+ for the base, then a practical cert (e.g. OSCP)
     — CEH is optional here, not the strongest signal.

Do you need both?

Plenty of security professionals end up holding both over a career — Security+ early, CEH later as they specialize or chase roles that ask for it. But you rarely need both at once. Get the one that matches where you are now, and add the other when a concrete goal (a job posting, a DoD requirement, a promotion) calls for it.

Best-value starting move for most people: Security+ now, hands-on practice alongside it, and CEH only when it clearly maps to a job you want.

FAQ

Should I take CEH or Security+ first? Security+ first for almost everyone — cheaper, no eligibility hurdles, the entry-level standard. CEH assumes fundamentals, so it fits better as a later step.

Is CEH harder than Security+? It's a bigger step — longer exam, broader offensive scope, assumes more background — but still mostly multiple-choice, not hands-on. Security+ is the gentler, entry-level exam.

Which is more valuable for getting a job? Security+ for most entry roles and the DoD baseline; CEH for roles that name it and certain government jobs. Many people get both eventually.

How much do they cost? Security+ ~$425 one-time; CEH ~$950–$1,199 plus a $100 eligibility fee (self-study) and possibly training. CEH is several times pricier.

Can I skip Security+ and go straight to CEH? If you meet CEH eligibility, yes — but CEH assumes fundamentals, so doing Security+ first usually pays off.

→ Full guides: Security+ (SY0-701) · CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) · Is CEH worth it?

Figures are from CompTIA, EC-Council, and public sources (2026) and change over time. Confirm current details on the official sites before you commit.