Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate vs CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701)
Google Cybersecurity and CompTIA Security+ are two of the most common starting points in cybersecurity, but they’re different things. Google Cybersecurity is a beginner-friendly Coursera career certificate that builds broad, hands-on skills (Linux, SQL, Python, SIEM) with no separate exam. CompTIA Security+ is a widely recognised industry certification earned by passing a separate, paid vendor exam — the course here prepares you for it. Many people do Google first for the skills, then Security+ for the credential.
Side-by-side comparison
Price, certificate, length, rating and more — straight from each course, compared field by field.
CybersecurityNetwork securityThreats and vulnerabilitiesRisk managementCryptographySecurity operations
Length
180h
31h
Price
Audit free · Cert $49/mo
$69.99 one-time · 30-day money-back guarantee
Certificate
Professional Certificate
Course Certificate
Certificate cost
Free to audit · paid certificate
Included with subscription
Rating
4.8 (67,000)
4.6 (119,543)
Enrolled
1.6M
494K
Language
English
English
Figures are pulled from each course listing and can change — always confirm price, certificate cost and availability on the provider’s own site before enrolling. We’re not affiliated with either provider, and blank fields mean the data isn’t published, not zero. Last reviewed August 2026.
Which should you choose?
There’s no single winner — it depends on where you’re starting and where you’re headed. If you are…
A complete beginner with no IT background → Google
You want a widely recognised industry certification → CompTIA Security+
You want hands-on skills (Linux, SQL, Python, SIEM) → Google
You want a government or defense role (DoD 8570) → CompTIA Security+
You want the fastest, cheapest exam prep → CompTIA Security+
You’re not sure where to start → Google
You already have some IT skills and want to certify → CompTIA Security+
Google Cybersecurity is the better first step for a complete beginner building broad, hands-on skills, while CompTIA Security+ is the credential to earn when you want a widely recognised, HR-filter certification — a common path is Google first, then Security+.
Best for: Both suit people breaking into cybersecurity, but they play different roles. Google Cybersecurity is a structured, no-experience-required course that builds practical skills and awards a completion certificate. CompTIA Security+ is exam preparation for a vendor-neutral industry certification — the credential is the exam you sit separately, not the course. They complement each other more than they compete.
Career outcomes: Both point toward entry-level roles like SOC Analyst, Security Analyst and Cybersecurity Analyst. Security+ is a common baseline requirement — especially for government and defense roles under DoD 8570 — while Google Cybersecurity builds the hands-on skills employers look for. Whichever you pick, hiring still depends on demonstrated skills and a focused search; and to actually hold Security+ you must pass the separate CompTIA exam (around $400), which the course only prepares you for.
Frequently asked questions
For most beginners, Google first — it builds skills and a portfolio and needs no prior IT — then Security+ within a few months for the recognised, exam-backed credential. If you already have IT experience, you can go straight to Security+.
They’re different things. Security+ is a recognised industry certification earned by passing a separate exam; Google is a hands-on career certificate with no exam. Employers value both, for different reasons — many people end up with both.
It assumes some foundational IT and security knowledge. Plenty of people pass it as a first cert, and the Google certificate is a good way to build that base before you sit the exam.
Often, yes. Security+ is a common HR filter and is required for many U.S. government and defense roles under DoD 8570/8140. Google Cybersecurity is a strong skills signal but isn’t an exam-backed requirement.
Google is a Coursera subscription (~$49/month, free to audit). The Security+ course is cheap on Udemy, but the certification exam itself costs around $400, paid separately.
They’re a start, not a guarantee. What actually lands the job is hands-on practice (a home lab), a portfolio and a focused search — the credential gets you looked at.