Top 30 Cybersecurity Certifications (From Cheapest to Most Expensive)
A complete and organized list of the top cybersecurity certifications , ranked by price and level · from beginner-friendly options to elite professional ones. Perfect for…
A complete and organized list of the top cybersecurity certifications, ranked by price and level · from beginner-friendly options to elite professional ones.
Perfect for students, professionals, and enthusiasts aiming to build or advance their cybersecurity career.
🥉 Beginner Level (Budget-Friendly Certifications)#
1. CompTIA Security+#
- 💰 Price: ~$370
- 🌐 Official Site: comptia.org (opens in a new tab)
Top 3 Writeups:
- Professor Messer Study Guide (opens in a new tab)
- Dion Training Notes (opens in a new tab)
- Reddit SY0-601 Mega Thread (opens in a new tab)
2. eJPT (eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester)#
- 💰 Price: ~$200
- 🌐 Official Site: ine.com (opens in a new tab)
Top 3 Writeups:
- eJPT Review and Tips (opens in a new tab)
- eJPT Preparation Guide (opens in a new tab)
- Reddit eJPT Experience (opens in a new tab)
3. CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)#
- 💰 Price: ~$1,200
- 🌐 Official Site: eccouncil.org (opens in a new tab)
Top 3 Writeups:
- CEH v12 Study Guide (opens in a new tab)
- CEH Practical Guide (opens in a new tab)
- CEH Exam Experience (opens in a new tab)
🥈 Intermediate Level (Mid-Range Certifications)#
4. PNPT (Practical Network Penetration Tester)#
- 💰 Price: ~$400
- 🌐 Official Site: tcm-sec.com (opens in a new tab)
Top 3 Writeups:
- PNPT Ultimate Guide (opens in a new tab)
- PNPT Review 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- PNExam Writeup (opens in a new tab)
5. CompTIA CySA+#
- 💰 Price: ~$390
- 🌐 Official Site: comptia.org (opens in a new tab)
Top 3 Writeups:
- CySA+ Study Plan (opens in a new tab)
- CySA+ Experience (opens in a new tab)
- CySA+ Cheat Sheet (opens in a new tab)
6. Cisco CyberOps Associate#
- 💰 Price: ~$300
- 🌐 Official Site: cisco.com (opens in a new tab)
Top 3 Writeups:
- Cisco CyberOps Guide (opens in a new tab)
- Study Notes (opens in a new tab)
- Reddit CCNA CyberOps (opens in a new tab)
7. CPTS (HackTheBox Certified Penetration Testing Specialist)#
- 💰 Price: ~$400 (8 cubes)
- 🌐 Official Site: academy.hackthebox.com (opens in a new tab)
Top 3 Writeups:
- CPTS Review 2024 (opens in a new tab)
- CPTS Preparation Guide (opens in a new tab)
- Community Writeups (opens in a new tab)
🥇 Advanced Level (High-End Professional Certifications)#
8. OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)#
- 💰 Price: ~$1,649
- 🌐 Official Site: offensive-security.com (opens in a new tab)
Top 3 Writeups:
- OSCP Ultimate Guide (opens in a new tab)
- TJ Null's OSCP List (opens in a new tab)
- OSCP Experience 2024 (opens in a new tab)
9. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)#
- 💰 Price: ~$749
- 🌐 Official Site: isc2.org (opens in a new tab)
Top 3 Writeups:
- CISSP Study Guide (opens in a new tab)
- 11th Hour CISSP (opens in a new tab)
- Reddit CISSP Mega Thread (opens in a new tab)
10. CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)#
- 💰 Price: ~$760
- 🌐 Official Site: isaca.org (opens in a new tab)
Top 3 Writeups:
- CISM Review Manual (opens in a new tab)
- CISM QAE Database (opens in a new tab)
- CISM Study Group (opens in a new tab)
💎 Elite Level (Premium & Specialized Certifications)#
11. GCIH (GIAC Certified Incident Handler)#
- 💰 Price: ~$9,795 (includes training)
- 🌐 Official Site: giac.org (opens in a new tab)
Top 3 Writeups:
- SANS GCIH Guide (opens in a new tab)
- GCIH Study Notes (opens in a new tab)
- GCIH Experience (opens in a new tab)
12. GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester)#
- 💰 Price: ~$9,795 (includes training)
- 🌐 Official Site: giac.org (opens in a new tab)
Top 3 Writeups:
- GPEN Study Guide (opens in a new tab)
- GPEN Cheat Sheets (opens in a new tab)
- GPEN Community (opens in a new tab)
13. GXPN (GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester)#
- 💰 Price: ~$9,795
- 🌐 Official Site: giac.org (opens in a new tab)
Top 3 Writeups:
- GXPN Advanced Guide (opens in a new tab)
- Exploit Development Notes (opens in a new tab)
- GXPN Writeups (opens in a new tab)
🚀 Additional Notable Certifications#
| # | Certification | Price (USD) | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional) | ~$599 | isc2.org (opens in a new tab) |
| 15 | CRTP (Certified Red Team Professional) | ~$400 | alteredsecurity.com (opens in a new tab) |
| 16 | CRT (Certified Red Team) | ~$600 | zeropointsecurity.co.uk (opens in a new tab) |
| 17 | OSEP (Offensive Security Experienced Penetration Tester) | ~$1,499 | offensive-security.com (opens in a new tab) |
| 18 | OSWE (Offensive Security Web Expert) | ~$1,499 | offensive-security.com (opens in a new tab) |
| 19 | OSED (Offensive Security Exploit Developer) | ~$1,499 | offensive-security.com (opens in a new tab) |
| 20 | C|CSE (Certified Cloud Security Engineer) | ~$899 | eccouncil.org (opens in a new tab) |
| 21 | CDP (Certified Defensive Programming) | ~$500 | isc2.org (opens in a new tab) |
| 22 | C|EH Practical | ~$550 | eccouncil.org (opens in a new tab) |
| 23 | CCNA Security | ~$300 | cisco.com (opens in a new tab) |
| 24 | CompTIA PenTest+ | ~$381 | comptia.org (opens in a new tab) |
| 25 | CASP+ (CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner) | ~$494 | comptia.org (opens in a new tab) |
| 26 | C|HFI (Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator) | ~$850 | eccouncil.org (opens in a new tab) |
| 27 | C|ND (Certified Network Defender) | ~$750 | eccouncil.org (opens in a new tab) |
| 28 | C|CT (Certified Cybersecurity Technician) | ~$499 | eccouncil.org (opens in a new tab) |
| 29 | C|PTS (Certified Penetration Testing Specialist) | ~$700 | mile2.com (opens in a new tab) |
| 30 | C|SACS (SCADA Security Architect) | ~$1,200 | eccouncil.org (opens in a new tab) |
🧠 Tips for Choosing Your Next Certification#
- Start with beginner-level certs like Security+ or eJPT to build strong fundamentals.
- Move to hands-on certs like PNPT, CPTS, or OSCP for real-world pentesting experience.
- For management or leadership paths, target CISSP or CISM.
- Elite GIAC certs are excellent for specialization but very costly · plan accordingly.
⭐ Recommended Roadmap#
Security+ ➜ eJPT ➜ PNPT ➜ CPTS ➜ OSCP ➜ CISSP ➜ GCIH / GXPN
🧩 Contribute#
Feel free to open a pull request if you want to add:
- New certifications
- Updated pricing
- Useful study resources
🧑💻 Author#
Created by Anas Education · Cybersecurity Engineer & Content Creator.
📺 YouTube: Anas Education (opens in a new tab)
💬 “Cybersecurity isn’t a one-time certification, it’s a lifelong learning journey.”