CompTIA CEH vs EC Council CEH: Which Certification Should You Choose? | EC-Council CEH or CompTIA CEH: Which One Suits Your Cybersecurity Career?

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• What is CompTIA PenTest+?
• What is EC-Council CEH?
• Exam Structure Comparison
• Skills and Domains Covered
• Certification Cost Comparison
• Difficulty Level and Prerequisites
• Recognition and Employability
• Who Should Choose CompTIA PenTest+?
• Who Should Choose EC-Council CEH?
• Real-World Application and Labs
• Renewal and Continuing Education
• Global Acceptance
• Training Options Available
• Market Demand and Job Roles
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Conclusion

Introduction

In the dynamic field of cybersecurity, having the right certification can make or break your career path. Two of the most sought-after ethical hacking certifications are the CompTIA PenTest+ (often mistakenly referred to as CompTIA CEH) and the EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Both are respected globally, yet they differ significantly in approach, curriculum, difficulty level, and industry acceptance.

What is CompTIA PenTest+?

CompTIA PenTest+ is a vendor-neutral, intermediate-level cybersecurity certification that focuses specifically on penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. Offered by CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association), it is designed for professionals who are responsible for identifying, exploiting, reporting, and managing vulnerabilities on networks and systems.

Key Highlights of CompTIA PenTest+:

• Exam Code: PT0-002 (as of 2025)

• Duration: 165 minutes

• Questions: Up to 85 (multiple-choice + performance-based)

• Passing Score: 750 on a scale of 100–900

• Validity: 3 years (renewable via CEUs)

What You Learn in PenTest+:

CompTIA PenTest+ emphasizes hands-on, practical cybersecurity skills, including:

• Planning and scoping penetration tests

• Conducting reconnaissance and vulnerability scanning

• Exploiting networks, applications, and systems

• Writing and communicating penetration test findings and reports

• Applying appropriate tools and techniques across various platforms

Who Should Take PenTest+?

PenTest+ is ideal for:

• Security consultants

• Penetration testers

• Vulnerability assessors

• Network security specialists

• Red team members

• Anyone pursuing an offensive cybersecurity career path

Tools and Topics Covered:

PenTest+ covers real-world tools and techniques including:

• Nmap, Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nikto

• Exploitation frameworks and post-exploitation tactics

• Web app testing, privilege escalation, and scripting

Why Choose PenTest+?

• More affordable than CEH

• Focuses on real-world scenarios

• Includes performance-based questions

• Widely recognized in the cybersecurity industry

• Maps to DoD 8140/8570 job roles (for U.S. federal jobs)

What is EC-Council CEH?

The EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a comprehensive program that teaches professionals how to think and act like a hacker (legally). It includes theory, labs, and a practical exam option (CEH Practical).

Exam Structure Comparison

Skills and Domains Covered

CompTIA PenTest+ focuses on planning, scoping, recon, exploitation, post-exploitation, and reporting.
CEH offers 20 core modules including footprinting, enumeration, malware threats, cryptography, IoT hacking, and cloud security.

Certification Cost Comparison

• CompTIA PenTest+: Approximately $392 USD (exam only)
• EC-Council CEH: Around $1,199 USD for exam + training bundles; CEH Practical adds ~$550

Difficulty Level and Prerequisites

PenTest+ is slightly more technical with hands-on questions, while CEH has a broader theoretical foundation. Neither has mandatory prerequisites, but 2+ years of experience is recommended.

Recognition and Employability

CEH is more recognized by recruiters, particularly in compliance-heavy industries like government or finance. PenTest+ is preferred in hands-on security roles due to its technical rigor.

Who Should Choose CompTIA PenTest+?

If you are looking to focus on technical skills in penetration testing with real-world simulation environments, PenTest+ is ideal. It’s also budget-friendly and suitable for practical learners.

Who Should Choose EC-Council CEH?

Choose CEH if your goal is to work in roles requiring compliance certifications or you aim for a career in security auditing, ethical hacking consultancy, or government jobs.

Real-World Application and Labs

CEH provides extensive labs via the iLabs platform; CEH Practical further enhances your real-world readiness. PenTest+ includes performance-based questions in the exam itself and encourages lab practice externally.

Renewal and Continuing Education

• CompTIA PenTest+: Valid for 3 years, requires 60 CEUs for renewal.
• EC-Council CEH: Valid for 3 years, requires 120 ECE credits.

Global Acceptance

Both are globally accepted, but CEH is often listed in DoD 8570 and other international government frameworks, giving it an edge in defense-related careers.

Training Options Available

Both certifications offer self-paced, instructor-led, and bootcamp-style training. CEH offers official iLabs, while PenTest+ relies on independent platforms like TryHackMe or Hack The Box for practice.

Market Demand and Job Roles

• PenTest+ Jobs: Penetration Tester, Vulnerability Analyst, Security Consultant
• CEH Jobs: Ethical Hacker, SOC Analyst, Cybersecurity Auditor, Security Engineer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is CompTIA CEH the same as CEH?

No, CompTIA offers PenTest+, not CEH. CEH is provided by EC-Council.

2. Which is harder, CEH or PenTest+?

PenTest+ is more technical and hands-on, while CEH is more theory-based. Difficulty depends on your learning style.

3. Which certification is better for beginners?

CEH is better for beginners due to its structured theoretical modules and foundational approach.

4. What’s the cost difference between CEH and PenTest+?

CEH costs around $1,199, while PenTest+ is approximately $392, making PenTest+ more affordable.

5. Are both certifications globally accepted?

Yes, both CEH and PenTest+ are globally recognized by employers and government agencies.

6. Do I need programming knowledge for either certification?

Basic understanding of scripting or programming helps, especially for PenTest+.

7. Can I do both certifications?

Yes, many professionals pursue both to cover theoretical and hands-on knowledge.

8. Is CEH compliant with DoD 8570?

Yes, CEH is DoD 8570 compliant and widely accepted for government jobs.

9. Does PenTest+ offer a practical exam?

No, but it includes performance-based questions simulating real-world tasks.

10. How long is each certification valid?

Both are valid for 3 years with required continuing education for renewal.

11. Are there any prerequisites?

No formal prerequisites, but 2 years of IT experience is recommended for both.

12. Which certification is best for freelance ethical hackers?

PenTest+ is ideal due to its practical testing approach and lower cost.

13. Which certification has better labs?

CEH has dedicated labs via iLabs; PenTest+ uses third-party lab platforms.

14. Which one should I do first?

Start with CEH if you’re a beginner; advance to PenTest+ for deeper hands-on practice.

15. Do employers value CEH more than PenTest+?

CEH has more brand recognition, but PenTest+ is gaining strong employer acceptance.

16. Can students take these exams?

Yes, as long as they meet the basic knowledge requirements or complete preparatory training.

17. Which course is more theoretical?

CEH is more theory-oriented, covering a wider range of hacking methodologies.

18. Can I self-study for these certifications?

Yes, both offer self-paced options and books for independent preparation.

19. Are mock exams available?

Yes, official and third-party platforms provide mock exams for both certifications.

20. Which certification has more real-world application?

PenTest+ focuses more on practical, real-world penetration testing scenarios.

Conclusion

Both CompTIA PenTest+ and EC-Council CEH are highly valuable ethical hacking certifications, but they serve slightly different career goals. If you prefer hands-on, technical penetration testing, PenTest+ is an excellent choice. If you're looking for wider recognition, especially in compliance or auditing roles, CEH provides a broader foundation. Your choice should depend on your career trajectory, learning style, and budget.