What Are the Best Ethical Hacking Courses for Beginners?

Introduction

Every day thousands of beginners search for the “best” ethical hacking course, but most end up wasting months on outdated YouTube playlists or theory-only classes. A good beginner course must have three things: simple explanations, 100% hands-on labs, and a clear job-oriented roadmap.

Below is the updated 2025 ranking based on syllabus quality, practical labs, student results, and job placement records.

Top 10 Ethical Hacking Courses for Beginners 

Start with free platforms before investing money.

Official CEH v13 with 100% Practical Training

• 500+ virtual labs and cyber range
• Covers latest cloud, IoT, OT hacking
• Live weekend/online batches available
• Placement assistance & resume building
• Most recognized certificate worldwide

Practical Ethical Hacking by Heath Adams (TCM Security)

• 25+ hours of pure hands-on videos
• Teaches real methodology used by pentesters
• Very affordable one-time fee
• Lifetime access + free updates

Perfect if you hate theory-heavy courses.

TryHackMe & Hack The Box Academy Paths

• Beginner paths completely free
• Learn by breaking real machines
• Active community support

eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester (eJPT)

• 100% practical exam
• Teaches report writing
• Highly respected in industry

Build your own lab alongside any course.

Free YouTube + Resources That Actually Work

• NetworkChuck
• The Cyber Mentor
• LiveOverflow
• John Hammond
• STÖK

Courses You Should Avoid as a Beginner

• Old CEH v9/v10 material
• Only PowerPoint classes
• Courses without labs
• Random Udemy courses with 1000+ hours

Protect yourself from scams promising “hacking in 7 days”.

Conclusion: Your Perfect Beginner Roadmap

Month 1-2 → Free: NetworkChuck + TryHackMe Pre-Security path
Month 3-5 → Paid: Either CEH v13 (for jobs) or TCM Practical Ethical Hacking (for skills)
Month 6+ → Hack The Box / PortSwigger labs daily

Follow this exact path and you will go from zero to job-ready ethical hacker in under 8 months. Join a reputable institute that gives live training, unlimited lab access, and real placement support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a beginner directly start CEH?

Yes, if you choose a training center that starts from networking basics.

Which is better CEH or CompTIA PenTest+ for beginners?

CEH is more beginner-friendly and globally recognized.

Is ethical hacking course costly?

Good CEH courses range ₹25,000–₹45,000 with labs and placement help.

Are online ethical hacking courses effective?

Yes, if they include live doubt sessions and 24×7 labs.

Do companies hire freshers after ethical hacking course?

Yes. SOC analyst, junior pentester roles are open for certified freshers.

Is coding required for ethical hacking?

Basic Python/Bash helps, but not mandatory for beginners.

Which course has the best labs?

Official CEH iLabs + TryHackMe combination is unbeatable.

Should I learn Linux first?

Yes. Kali Linux basics are taught in every good course.

Is 3-month course enough?

Yes for basics, but practice 6–12 months for job readiness.

Can I learn ethical hacking for free?

Yes, but paid courses with mentors save years of struggle.

Is weekend batch available?

Most reputed institutes offer Saturday-Sunday live classes.

Will I get placement after the course?

Good institutes provide 100% placement assistance and interview preparation.

Is CEH worth it in 2025?

Absolutely. Demand is higher than supply.

Which country has most ethical hacking jobs?

India, USA, UK, Singapore, UAE.

How much salary after beginner course?

Freshers in India: ₹4–8 LPA. With 1 year exp: ₹12–20 LPA.