CompTIA Security+ vs CEH: Which Certification Is Better in 2026?

Choosing between Security+ and CEH is one of the most common dilemmas for aspiring cybersecurity professionals. Both certifications are globally recognized, but they serve different purposes, career levels, and job roles.

In this guide, we’ll compare CompTIA Security+ and EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) in detail — so you can decide which one is better for your career in 2026.

 What Is CompTIA Security+?

CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) is an entry-to-intermediate level cybersecurity certification. It focuses on foundational security concepts, including:

• Threat management

• Risk mitigation

• Incident response

• Network security

• Governance & compliance

It is vendor-neutral and widely accepted for government and enterprise roles, especially under U.S. DoD 8140/8570 requirements.

 Best For:

• Beginners in cybersecurity

• IT support professionals transitioning to security

• Network administrators

• SOC analysts

What Is CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)?

CEH is designed to validate skills in offensive security — specifically ethical hacking techniques.

It focuses on:

• Penetration testing

• Exploitation techniques

• Reconnaissance & scanning

• Web application attacks

• Malware & social engineering

CEH is more specialized and hands-on compared to Security+.

 Best For:

• Aspiring ethical hackers

• Penetration testers

• Red team professionals

• Offensive security specialists

Security+ vs CEH: Side-by-Side Comparison

Security+ 

• Level

  Entry–Intermediate

  
  

• Focus

  Defensive security Vendor CompTIA Experience Needed 1–2 years IT Exam Difficulty Moderate Cost Lower Recognition Very broad

  
  

CEH

• Level

  Intermediate

  
  

• Focus

  Offensive security Vendor EC-Council Experience Needed 2+ years security Exam Difficulty Harder Cost Higher Recognition Specialized

  Career Impact Comparison

   After Security+

  • Security Administrator

  • SOC Analyst

  • Cybersecurity Technician

  • Systems Security Engineer

  Average Salary (2026): $75K–$105K

  After CEH

  • Ethical Hacker

  • Penetration Tester

  • Red Team Analyst

  • Security Consultant

   Average Salary (2026): $90K–$130K

  CEH roles typically command higher salaries due to technical specialization.

  Difficulty Level: Which Is Harder?

  CEH is generally considered more challenging because:

  • It dives deeper into attack methodologies

  • Requires stronger technical background

  • Includes scenario-based hacking questions

  Security+ is broader and concept-focused, making it more suitable for beginners.

   Which Should You Take First?

  For most professionals, the recommended path is:

  👉 Start with Security+
  👉 Gain experience
  👉 Move to CEH

  Security+ builds your foundation in cybersecurity principles, while CEH enhances your offensive skills.

   Industry Recognition in 2026

  Security+ is:
  ✔ Widely required in government contracts
  ✔ Highly valued for entry-level roles
  ✔ Vendor-neutral and flexible

  CEH is:
  ✔ Recognized in penetration testing roles
  ✔ Popular in consulting firms
  ✔ Focused on ethical hacking branding

  If your goal is corporate IT security, Security+ may be better.
  If your goal is hacking and pentesting, CEH is the stronger choice.

  Final Verdict: Which Certification Is Better?

  There is no universal “better” certification — it depends on your career goals.

   Choose Security+ if:

  • You’re new to cybersecurity

  • You want broad security knowledge

  • You need DoD compliance

  • You want a cost-effective certification

   Choose CEH if:

  • You want to become an ethical hacker

  • You enjoy penetration testing

  • You already understand security basics

  • You want higher specialization

  Conclusion

  Both CompTIA Security+ and CEH are powerful cybersecurity certifications in 2026.

  • Security+ = Foundation + Defensive Security

  • CEH = Specialized + Offensive Security

  For most beginners, Security+ is the smarter starting point. CEH becomes valuable once you want to move into advanced ethical hacking roles.