Best software · Careers
10 Best IT Certifications of 2026
This list is for two groups: career changers who want a first credential that gets them past resume filters, and working IT staff who want the next certification that moves them up a pay band. We compared ten certifications from AWS, CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, ISC2, Google and PeopleCert using what each vendor documents: exam length, question count, passing score, recommended experience, validity and published U.S. exam fees. Scores weigh features (recognition, depth and the roles the credential maps to) at 40 percent, and ease of access (prerequisites, exam format, prep needed) and value at 30 percent each. We compared documented features and published prices; CompTIA, Microsoft and PeopleCert set prices by country, so those rows are marked as pending until we can confirm the U.S. figure. Fees are for one exam attempt unless noted.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 10, 2026 · 10 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 10, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate is our top pick: one 130 minute exam, a $150 fee and a credential that maps directly to cloud engineering and architecture jobs. CompTIA Security+ is the best choice for anyone aiming at security roles or U.S. Department of Defense work, since it is approved for a long list of DoD 8140 work roles. Complete beginners should start with the Google IT Support Certificate or CompTIA A+, then add Network+ or CCNA for networking, AWS Cloud Practitioner or Azure Fundamentals for cloud basics, and ITIL 4 Foundation for service desk and IT operations roles. CISSP is the senior credential on the list and requires five years of paid security experience, so it is a goal for later, not a first step.
Top picks
Best overall
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
8.9 / 10
IT pros and career changers with some hands-on cloud time who want a credential tied to cloud engineering and architecture roles.
Read the review →Runner-up
CompTIA Security+
8.7 / 10
Career changers and sysadmins moving into security, and anyone applying for U.S. government or defense contractor IT jobs.
Read the review →Also great
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
8.6 / 10
Complete beginners with no degree or IT experience who want a structured, low-cost path to a help desk job.
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate | IT pros and career changers with some hands-on cloud time who want a credential tied to cloud engineering and architecture roles. | $150 per exam attempt; foreign exchange rates apply outside the U.S. | 8.9 |
| 2 | CompTIA Security+ | Career changers and sysadmins moving into security, and anyone applying for U.S. government or defense contractor IT jobs. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.7 |
| 3 | Google IT Support Professional Certificate | Complete beginners with no degree or IT experience who want a structured, low-cost path to a help desk job. | Included in Coursera Plus at $59 per month after a 7-day free trial | 8.6 |
| 4 |  Cisco CCNA | Network technicians and administrators, and career changers who want a deep, respected networking credential. | $300 per exam (200-301 CCNA), or Cisco Learning Credits | 8.5 |
| 5 | CompTIA A+ | Career changers and new technicians who want the most widely requested help desk and desktop support credential. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.4 |
| 6 | AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner | Career changers and non-technical staff who want a cheap first cloud credential before an associate exam. | $100 per exam attempt; foreign exchange rates apply outside the U.S. | 8.3 |
| 7 | CompTIA Network+ | A+ holders and junior technicians who want a networking credential before Security+ or CCNA. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 8.1 |
| 8 |  CISSP | Experienced security practitioners, managers and executives with at least five years of paid security work. | U.S. $749 standard registration in the Americas | 8.0 |
| 9 |  Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) | Beginners and staff at Microsoft-centric employers who want a first Azure credential. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.9 |
| 10 |  ITIL 4 Foundation | Service desk staff, IT operations teams and managers in organizations that run ITIL-based processes. | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.7 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
An associate-level AWS exam that tests whether you can design cloud solutions using Amazon Web Services.
aws.amazon.com8.9
out of 10
Best for: IT pros and career changers with some hands-on cloud time who want a credential tied to cloud engineering and architecture roles.
Solutions Architect Associate is the AWS certification most employers recognize, and it is the strongest single credential on this list for the price. The exam has 65 multiple choice or multiple response questions over 130 minutes, and you can sit it at a Pearson VUE center or online with a remote proctor. AWS charges $150 per attempt. The exam is about designing solutions that use AWS services, which is the daily work of cloud engineers and architects. AWS recommends at least a year of hands-on experience designing cloud solutions, but says candidates with one to three years of general IT experience have also earned it as a starting point. People with no IT work experience are advised to take Cloud Practitioner first. The credential is valid for three years, and you renew by passing the newest version of the exam or by earning the Solutions Architect Professional. The main limit is scope: it is an AWS credential, so Azure or Google Cloud shops may weigh their own certifications higher.
Standout feature
A widely requested cloud architecture credential for a single $150 exam.
Use cases
Sysadmins moving to cloud
Prove they can design workloads on AWS
Outcome: A recognized associate credential for cloud engineer applications
Developers
Show they understand AWS architecture beyond their own code
Outcome: A credential that supports moves into DevOps or architecture roles
Key features
- One exam: 65 multiple choice or multiple response questions in 130 minutes
- Taken at a Pearson VUE test center or as an online proctored exam
- Offered in English, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese
- Valid for 3 years; renew by passing the latest version or the Professional exam
- Four-step exam prep plan on AWS Skill Builder
Pros
- Low fee for a credential tied to well-paid cloud roles
- Can be taken online or at a Pearson VUE test center
- Skillsoft's IT Skills and Salary Report ranked it among the top 10 certifications of 2023, as AWS notes
Cons
- AWS recommends at least a year of hands-on cloud design experience
- Specific to AWS, so it says less about Azure or Google Cloud skills
- Beginners without IT experience are pointed to Cloud Practitioner first
Rank 2 · Runner-up
CompTIA Security+
A vendor-neutral security exam covering threats, security architecture, operations and governance, approved for many U.S. DoD 8140 work roles.
comptia.org8.7
out of 10
Best for: Career changers and sysadmins moving into security, and anyone applying for U.S. government or defense contractor IT jobs.
Security+ is the usual first security exam for people leaving help desk or sysadmin work, and it is closely tied to U.S. defense hiring. The current V7 exam, SY0-701, has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, mixing multiple choice with performance-based tasks, and you need 750 on a 100 to 900 scale to pass. CompTIA lists a long set of DoD 8140 work roles it covers, including cyber defense analyst, incident responder, vulnerability analyst, security control assessor and system administrator. Because it is vendor neutral, the knowledge carries across employers and tools. CompTIA recommends holding Network+ and having two years in a security or systems administrator role first, though there is no formal prerequisite, so motivated career changers often take it after A+ or Network+. Timing matters right now: CompTIA has announced Security+ V8 for November, and the English V7 exam retires on June 11, 2027. We could not confirm the U.S. voucher price from this location, so the price is marked pending.
Standout feature
Approved for a wide range of DoD 8140 work roles, from incident responder to IT project manager.
Use cases
Help desk technicians
Move into a junior security analyst role
Outcome: A recognized security baseline that meets many DoD 8140 role requirements
Veterans and career changers
Qualify for defense contractor IT jobs
Outcome: A credential named in many government job postings
Key features
- Exam SY0-701: up to 90 multiple choice and performance-based questions in 90 minutes
- Passing score of 750 on a 100 to 900 scale
- Approved for DoD 8140 work roles such as cyber defense analyst, incident responder and system administrator
- Offered in English, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai
- A new version, Security+ V8, is announced for November
Pros
- Vendor neutral, so it applies to any employer's stack
- Long list of DoD 8140 work roles, which matters for government jobs
- Single exam with no formal prerequisite
Cons
- CompTIA recommends Network+ and two years of security or sysadmin experience
- Performance-based questions demand hands-on practice, not just reading
- The English V7 exam retires on June 11, 2027, so check which version your prep covers
Rank 3 · Also great
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
A six-course online program built by Google that teaches IT support from scratch and prepares learners for the CompTIA A+ exams.
coursera.org8.6
out of 10
Best for: Complete beginners with no degree or IT experience who want a structured, low-cost path to a help desk job.
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is the easiest entry point on this list for someone starting from zero. It runs on Coursera as six self-paced courses: Technical Support Fundamentals, The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking, Operating Systems and You, System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services, IT Security, and a short course on using AI in a job search. Google estimates about three months at 10 hours a week, and the course hours listed add up to roughly 120. No prior experience or degree is required, and the program states that it prepares learners for the CompTIA A+ exams. Completing it lets graduates apply directly to Google and over 150 U.S. employers through the program. It is included in Coursera Plus, which costs $59 a month after a 7-day free trial, so a fast learner can finish for a few hundred dollars. The limit is recognition: it is a course certificate rather than a proctored exam, so pairing it with A+ is the stronger move for most job hunters.
Standout feature
Built by Google for beginners, finished in about three months for the price of a Coursera Plus subscription.
Use cases
Career changers from retail or hospitality
Learn IT support fundamentals from scratch
Outcome: A Google credential and a foundation for the A+ exams
Students without a degree
Build a first IT resume line on a small budget
Outcome: A completed six-course program and access to the program's employer network
Key features
- Six courses: support fundamentals, networking, operating systems, system administration, IT security and an AI job search course
- Beginner level with no prior experience required
- About 3 months at 10 hours a week, self-paced
- Prepares learners for the CompTIA A+ exams
- Graduates can apply to Google and over 150 U.S. employers through the program
Pros
- Designed for people with no IT background or degree
- Monthly subscription keeps the cost low if you study steadily
- Covers the same ground as A+, so it doubles as exam prep
Cons
- A course certificate, not a proctored industry exam
- Many employers still ask for CompTIA A+ on top of it
- Cost rises the longer you take to finish
Rank 4
Cisco CCNA
Cisco's associate networking certification, earned with one exam on network fundamentals, access, IP connectivity, services, security and automation.
cisco.com8.5
out of 10
Best for: Network technicians and administrators, and career changers who want a deep, respected networking credential.
CCNA is the networking certification with the most weight behind it at the associate level. You earn it with a single exam, Administering Cisco Solutions (200-301 CCNA), which runs 120 minutes in English and is graded pass or fail, with results online within 48 hours. The topics are broad: network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability. There are no prerequisites. The exam costs $300, or you can pay with Cisco Learning Credits, and Cisco also sells Exam Safeguard Plus for $450, which adds a second attempt if you fail the first within 90 days. The credential is valid for three years and can be renewed with Continuing Education credits or by retaking exams. Prep options include Cisco U., Cisco Networking Academy and Cisco Modeling Labs for virtual labs. The trade-off is difficulty: CCNA asks for real configuration skill, so beginners often take Network+ first, and the content leans on Cisco equipment.
Standout feature
One 120 minute exam covering networking from fundamentals to automation, with no prerequisites.
Use cases
Junior network technicians
Qualify for network administrator roles
Outcome: A respected associate credential that shows hands-on routing and switching skill
Help desk staff
Specialize in networking
Outcome: A path into network operations and later CCNP
Key features
- One exam, 200-301 CCNA, 120 minutes, in English
- Covers network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability
- No prerequisites
- Valid for 3 years; renew with Continuing Education credits or exams
- Exam Safeguard Plus option at $450 includes a second attempt within 90 days
Pros
- Deeper networking content than most entry certifications
- Single exam with no prerequisite
- Cisco Networking Academy, Cisco U. and Cisco Modeling Labs support hands-on prep
Cons
- Harder than Network+ for true beginners
- Exam offered in English only
- Focused on Cisco gear, though the concepts carry over
Rank 5
CompTIA A+
CompTIA's entry-level IT support certification, earned by passing two exams on hardware, operating systems, networking, security and troubleshooting.
comptia.org8.4
out of 10
Best for: Career changers and new technicians who want the most widely requested help desk and desktop support credential.
CompTIA A+ is the standard first proctored exam for IT support careers and the natural next step for career changers. You need to pass two exams from the same version: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202) in the V15 series, which launched on March 25, 2025. Each exam has up to 90 questions in 90 minutes, mixing multiple choice, drag-and-drop and performance-based tasks, with passing scores of 675 and 700 on a 900 point scale. The content is broad: Core 1 covers mobile devices, networking, hardware and troubleshooting, and Core 2 covers operating systems, security and software troubleshooting. CompTIA lists DoD 8140 work roles for A+, including technical support specialist, system administrator and cyber defense infrastructure support specialist. CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on support experience, though many people pass with self-study and labs. The two-exam structure makes it more expensive and slower than single-exam options, and it is offered in English only. We could not confirm the U.S. voucher price from this location, so it is marked pending.
Standout feature
The default first IT certification, now in a V15 version expected to run until 2028.
Use cases
Career changers
Land a first help desk or desktop support job
Outcome: A vendor-neutral credential that is widely named in entry IT support ads
Self-taught technicians
Prove broad troubleshooting skills
Outcome: A vendor-neutral baseline for later Network+ or Security+
Key features
- Two exams, 220-1201 (Core 1) and 220-1202 (Core 2), from the same V15 version
- Up to 90 questions and 90 minutes per exam, including performance-based questions
- Passing scores of 675 for Core 1 and 700 for Core 2 on a 900 point scale
- Approved for DoD 8140 work roles including technical support specialist and system administrator
- V15 launched March 25, 2025, with retirement estimated for 2028
Pros
- The standard first certification for IT support jobs
- Vendor neutral and broad, from hardware to security basics
- Current V15 version has a long runway before retirement
Cons
- Two exams means two fees
- Offered in English only
- CompTIA recommends 12 months of hands-on support experience
Rank 6
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
AWS's foundational exam on cloud concepts, core AWS services, security and billing, built for people new to cloud.
aws.amazon.com8.3
out of 10
Best for: Career changers and non-technical staff who want a cheap first cloud credential before an associate exam.
Cloud Practitioner is the cheapest proctored exam here and the easiest way to get a first cloud credential. AWS says it is designed for candidates new to cloud who may not have an IT background, including people in sales, marketing, product and project management. The exam has 65 multiple choice or multiple response questions over 90 minutes, costs $100, and is offered in 12 languages at Pearson VUE centers or online. It is valid for three years, and you can recertify through a game-based AWS Cloud Quest, by passing the latest version, or by passing an associate or professional exam. Passing it also gives you a 50 percent discount on another AWS Certification exam, which cuts the price of Solutions Architect Associate. AWS itself recommends that people with no IT work experience take it before the Solutions Architect Associate. The downside is depth: on its own it rarely qualifies anyone for a technical role, and people with IT experience can usually go straight to the associate level.
Standout feature
A $100 exam that also gives 50 percent off your next AWS Certification exam.
Use cases
Career changers with no IT background
Learn cloud basics with a recognized exam
Outcome: A first AWS credential and a discount on the next exam
Project managers and sales staff
Understand AWS well enough to work with engineers
Outcome: A foundational credential for cloud-adjacent roles
Key features
- 65 multiple choice or multiple response questions in 90 minutes
- Designed for candidates new to cloud, including people without an IT background
- Offered in 12 languages at Pearson VUE centers or online
- Valid for 3 years, with a game-based AWS Cloud Quest recertification option
- Earning it gives a 50% discount on another AWS Certification exam
Pros
- Lowest exam fee on this list
- No IT background expected
- The 50% discount lowers the cost of the next AWS exam
Cons
- Too basic on its own for most technical job offers
- AWS only
- Experienced IT staff can usually skip straight to an associate exam
Rank 7
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA's vendor-neutral networking exam on designing, configuring, securing and troubleshooting wired and wireless networks.
comptia.org8.1
out of 10
Best for: A+ holders and junior technicians who want a networking credential before Security+ or CCNA.
Network+ sits between A+ and Security+ in the CompTIA path and is the vendor-neutral way to prove networking skill. The current V9 exam, N10-009, launched on June 20, 2024, with up to 90 multiple choice and performance-based questions in 90 minutes and a passing score of 720 on a 100 to 900 scale. It is offered in English, German, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish, a wider language choice than A+. CompTIA maps it to NICE and DoD 8140 work roles including technical support specialist, network operations specialist and system administrator. The recommended background is A+ plus 9 to 12 months as a junior network administrator or network support technician. Compared with CCNA, it is broader and less tied to one vendor, but shallower on configuration, so people targeting network engineering jobs often go on to CCNA anyway. Retirement is estimated for 2027, so check that your study material matches V9. We could not confirm the U.S. voucher price from this location, so it is marked pending.
Standout feature
The vendor-neutral networking exam that bridges A+ and Security+.
Use cases
A+ holders
Add networking skills before Security+
Outcome: The middle step of the CompTIA core path
Desktop support technicians
Take on network troubleshooting duties
Outcome: A credential that maps to network operations roles
Key features
- Exam N10-009 (V9): up to 90 multiple choice and performance-based questions in 90 minutes
- Passing score of 720 on a 100 to 900 scale
- Offered in English, German, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish
- Mapped to NICE and DoD 8140 work roles such as network operations specialist
- Launched June 20, 2024, with retirement estimated for 2027
Pros
- Vendor neutral, so it fits any network environment
- Gentler step into networking than CCNA
- Builds directly toward Security+
Cons
- Less depth than CCNA for dedicated network roles
- Current version is expected to retire in 2027
- CompTIA recommends A+ and 9 to 12 months of networking work first
Rank 8
CISSP
ISC2's senior security certification covering eight domains, from risk management to software development security.
isc2.org8.0
out of 10
Best for: Experienced security practitioners, managers and executives with at least five years of paid security work.
CISSP is the credential security managers and senior engineers aim for, and it has the highest ceiling on this list. ISC2 positions it for experienced security practitioners, managers and executives, listing roles from chief information security officer to security architect and security analyst. The exam covers eight domains: Security and Risk Management, Asset Security, Security Architecture and Engineering, Communication and Network Security, Identity and Access Management, Security Assessment and Testing, Security Operations, and Software Development Security. It is accredited by ANAB under ISO/IEC Standard 17024 and approved under U.S. DoDM 8140.03. Standard registration in the Americas costs $749. The barrier is experience: ISC2 requires five years of work experience, which rules it out for career changers. ISC2 has also announced a new exam outline effective April 15, 2027, so anyone studying now should plan their exam date around that change. Passing also brings ISC2 membership, with its training resources and networking.
Standout feature
Eight-domain senior security credential accredited under ISO/IEC 17024 and approved under DoDM 8140.03.
Use cases
Security engineers with five or more years of experience
Move into security architecture or management
Outcome: A senior credential recognized by employers and the DoD
IT managers
Take over security program ownership
Outcome: Broad coverage of risk, governance and operations
Key features
- Eight domains, from Security and Risk Management to Software Development Security
- Five years of required work experience
- Accredited by ANAB under ISO/IEC Standard 17024
- Approved under U.S. DoDM 8140.03
- A new exam outline takes effect on April 15, 2027
Pros
- The most senior and widely recognized security credential here
- Accredited and approved by the U.S. Department of Defense
- Covers management as well as technical security
Cons
- Requires five years of experience before the credential is awarded
- Highest exam fee on the list
- Not a realistic goal for career changers
Rank 9
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
Microsoft's beginner exam on cloud concepts, Azure architecture and services, and Azure management and governance.
learn.microsoft.com7.9
out of 10
Best for: Beginners and staff at Microsoft-centric employers who want a first Azure credential.
Azure Fundamentals is Microsoft's entry exam for cloud and the Azure counterpart to AWS Cloud Practitioner. Microsoft describes it as a common starting point toward a career in Azure. The AZ-900 exam is rated beginner level, gives you 45 minutes, and assesses three areas: cloud concepts, Azure architecture and services, and Azure management and governance. Microsoft Learn offers a free practice assessment and an exam sandbox that shows the real exam interface, which makes self-study straightforward. You schedule through Pearson VUE, or through Certiport if you are a student or educator, and if you fail you can retake it 24 hours later. The exam is offered in more than a dozen languages, and passing it may qualify for ACE college credit. Microsoft sets the fee by the country where the exam is proctored, and we could not confirm the U.S. figure from this location, so the price is marked pending. Like Cloud Practitioner, it is a stepping stone: employers hiring Azure administrators look for the associate-level credential.
Standout feature
A 45 minute beginner exam with a free official practice assessment and exam sandbox.
Use cases
Staff at Microsoft 365 and Azure shops
Get a baseline cloud credential
Outcome: A first Microsoft certification on the path to Azure administrator
Students
Add a cloud credential while still in school
Outcome: A beginner certification scheduled through Certiport
Key features
- Beginner level, 45 minute proctored exam
- Assesses cloud concepts, Azure architecture and services, and Azure management and governance
- Free practice assessment and exam sandbox on Microsoft Learn
- Scheduled through Pearson VUE, or Certiport for students and educators
- May be eligible for ACE college credit
Pros
- Short exam with free official practice material
- Offered in more than a dozen languages
- A common starting point toward Azure administrator roles
Cons
- Foundational, so it rarely qualifies anyone for a technical job alone
- Price varies by country
- Only covers Azure
Rank 10
ITIL 4 Foundation
The entry certification in ITIL, the most used framework for IT service management, sold by PeopleCert.
peoplecert.org7.7
out of 10
Best for: Service desk staff, IT operations teams and managers in organizations that run ITIL-based processes.
ITIL 4 Foundation is the odd one out here because it certifies process knowledge rather than technical skill. ITIL is a framework for IT service management, covering how teams handle incidents, changes and service requests, and many large employers and managed service providers run their service desks on it. PeopleCert, which owns ITIL, sells the Foundation exam alongside an official eLearning course as a single bundle. The exam is short: 40 multiple choice questions in 60 minutes, closed book, with a minimum passing score of 65 percent, and it is offered in 12 languages. For help desk staff, it adds context about why tickets and change approvals work the way they do, and it often appears in job ads for service desk leads, IT operations and service managers. It does less for people aiming at engineering roles, and small companies rarely ask for it. PeopleCert prices by country and we could not confirm the U.S. price from this location, so it is marked pending.
Standout feature
A 40 question, 60 minute exam on the most common IT service management framework.
Use cases
Service desk analysts
Prepare for a team lead or service manager role
Outcome: A recognized grounding in ITIL service management
IT staff at managed service providers
Work within client ITIL processes
Outcome: A shared vocabulary for incidents, changes and requests
Key features
- 40 multiple choice questions in 60 minutes, closed book
- Minimum passing score of 65%
- Offered in 12 languages including English, Spanish, Japanese and Portuguese
- Official eLearning course and exam voucher sold as one bundle
- Official training materials in a Learning Resource Kit
Pros
- Short exam with a clear passing threshold
- Useful in large organizations with formal service management
- Not tied to any technology vendor
Cons
- Process knowledge rather than technical skill
- Less useful at small companies without ITIL processes
- PeopleCert sets prices by country
Frequently asked questions
+What is the best IT certification to get?
For most people, AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate is the best IT certification to get in 2026: it is one exam, costs $150 and maps to cloud engineering roles. If you have no IT experience yet, start with the Google IT Support Certificate or CompTIA A+, then work up.
+Which online IT certification is best?
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is the best fully online program for beginners: six self-paced courses on Coursera, about three months at 10 hours a week, included in Coursera Plus at $59 a month. For proctored exams you can take online, AWS, CompTIA and Microsoft all offer remote proctoring through Pearson VUE.
+What is the best IT certification to have on a resume?
It depends on the role. CompTIA A+ is the most requested for help desk jobs, Security+ for entry security and U.S. defense roles, CCNA for networking, and AWS Solutions Architect Associate for cloud. For senior security roles, CISSP carries the most weight but requires five years of experience.
+Which certification is best for the IT industry overall?
No single certification covers the whole industry, but cloud and security credentials apply to the widest range of employers. AWS Solutions Architect Associate and CompTIA Security+ are the two we rank highest because both are single exams that map to large job families.
+What is the best IT certification to take first?
Career changers should take the Google IT Support Certificate or CompTIA A+ first, since both assume no prior IT job. People who want to go straight into cloud can take AWS Cloud Practitioner for $100, which also gives 50 percent off the next AWS exam.
+How long are IT certifications valid?
AWS, Cisco CCNA and CompTIA certifications are valid for three years. You renew by passing a newer or higher-level exam, or by earning continuing education credits.
About this list
Updated November 10, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
More best software lists