CEH vs. PenTest+: Which Ethical Hacking Certification Is Right For You?

Obtaining the right certification is important if you want to stand out in the rapidly growing field of ethical hacking. Two of the most popular certifications in this space are the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and CompTIA PenTest+—but which one is best for you?

Choosing between CEH and PenTest+ depends on your career goals, budget, and preferred learning style. CEH is well-known and widely accepted in government and corporate cybersecurity roles, while PenTest+ focuses on hands-on penetration testing skills. Understanding their differences will help you make an informed decision.

In this article, we’ll look at the key differences between CEH and PenTest+, including cost, exam format, and recognition. We’ll also show you how each certification impacts job opportunities and salary potential and how Cyberkraft can help you along whichever journey you choose.

Overview of CEH and PenTest+

What is CEH?

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, offered by the EC-Council, is one of the most recognized credentials in cybersecurity. It focuses on understanding hacking techniques, tools, and methodologies malicious actors use and how to counter them.

CEH is widely accepted in government and corporate settings and is compliant with DoD 8140/8570, making it a requirement for many federal cybersecurity roles. The exam primarily tests theoretical knowledge, requiring candidates to understand hacking concepts rather than perform hands-on penetration tests. CEH is best if you’re looking for a foundational understanding of ethical hacking concepts and compliance-focused cybersecurity roles.

What is PenTest+?

The CompTIA PenTest+ certification is a practical, hands-on alternative designed for professionals seeking penetration testing skills. Unlike CEH, PenTest+ focuses on real-world attack scenarios, vulnerability assessments, and exploitation techniques.

PenTest+ is vendor-neutral and aligns with modern penetration testing job roles, making it ideal for those who want to perform actual security assessments rather than just understand hacking theories. Since the exam includes performance-based questions, candidates must demonstrate practical skills in penetration testing environments. PenTest+ is perfect if you want hands-on penetration testing experience and plan to work in offensive security roles.

CEH vs. PenTest+: Key Differences

Although both CEH and PenTest+ focus on ethical hacking, they have significant differences in exam format, content, cost, and industry recognition. Below is a breakdown of their key distinctions:

Focus and Content

• CEH emphasizes theoretical knowledge of hacking techniques, tools, and methodologies. The exam tests how well candidates understand cyber threats, attack vectors, and security countermeasures.
• PenTest+ focuses on practical penetration testing skills. Candidates must demonstrate how to identify vulnerabilities, exploit systems, and conduct security assessments.

Exam Format

• CEH: A 125-question multiple-choice exam with no hands-on components. There is an optional CEH Practical exam, but it costs extra.
• PenTest+: A hybrid exam with both multiple-choice questions and hands-on performance-based tasks that simulate real-world pentesting scenarios.

Cost & Renewal

• CEH: Costs around $1,199 (exam + training) and requires $100 annual renewal fees.
• PenTest+: Costs $392 (exam only) with no annual renewal fees, making it the more affordable option.

Industry Recognition

• CEH is widely recognized and often required for government and DoD cybersecurity roles. It is a staple in many corporate security teams.
• PenTest+ is gaining popularity, especially among professionals looking for hands-on skills, but CEH is still more commonly required in job listings.

These differences highlight why one certification may be better than the other depending on your career goals.

CEH vs. PenTest+: Side-by-Side Comparison

To help you quickly compare CEH and PenTest+, here’s a breakdown of their key features:

This table provides a clear side-by-side comparison of CEH vs. PenTest+, making it easier to decide which certification fits your needs.

Pros and Cons of CEH

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is one of the most recognized ethical hacking credentials, but it comes with both advantages and drawbacks.

Pros of CEH

✔ Highly Recognized & DoD-Approved – CEH is well-established and meets DoD 8140/8570 requirements, making it a strong choice for those seeking government cybersecurity jobs.

✔ Broad Ethical Hacking Knowledge – Covers a wide range of hacking tools, techniques, and attack vectors, making it useful for security analysts, consultants, and IT professionals.

✔ Many Job Listings Require CEH – Because of its industry reputation, many companies list CEH as a preferred or required certification in cybersecurity job postings.

✔ Stepping Stone to Advanced Certs – CEH provides a strong foundation for more advanced certifications like OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) or CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional).

Cons of CEH

✘ Expensive – The exam and training can cost over $1,199, making it one of the pricier cybersecurity certifications. There are also $100 annual renewal fees.

✘ Less Hands-On Training – The CEH exam is multiple-choice, meaning it tests knowledge rather than practical skills. While the optional CEH Practical exam offers a hands-on component, it requires an additional fee.

✘ Criticized for Outdated Content – Some cybersecurity professionals argue that CEH doesn’t reflect the latest penetration testing methods, making it less valuable for those focused on real-world hacking techniques.

Overall, CEH is ideal for cybersecurity professionals who need industry recognition and a strong ethical hacking foundation, but it lacks hands-on penetration testing skills compared to PenTest+.

Pros and Cons of PenTest+

The CompTIA PenTest+ certification is a hands-on alternative to CEH, designed for professionals who want to focus on penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. However, it has both advantages and disadvantages.

Pros of PenTest+

✔ Hands-On and Practical – Unlike CEH, the PenTest+ exam includes real-world, performance-based tasks, making it more relevant for penetration testers.

✔ More Affordable – The exam costs only $404, which is significantly cheaper than CEH. Plus, there are no annual renewal fees.

✔ Covers the Entire Pentesting Process – PenTest+ includes scoping, vulnerability assessment, exploitation, post-exploitation, and reporting, providing a well-rounded penetration testing skill set.

✔ Vendor-Neutral and Up-to-Date – Since PenTest+ is regularly updated to match current cybersecurity threats, it is considered more modern and relevant than CEH.

Cons of PenTest+

✘ Less Recognized Than CEH – While PenTest+ is growing in popularity, it isn’t as widely accepted in job listings, especially in government and DoD roles.

✘ Not Yet Required for Compliance – Unlike CEH, PenTest+ does not meet DoD 8140/8570 requirements, which may limit opportunities in certain government-related positions.

✘ May Require Additional Certifications – While PenTest+ is great for penetration testing, professionals aiming for advanced pentesting roles may still need to pursue OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional).

PenTest+ is a strong choice for professionals who want hands-on penetration testing experience, but CEH still holds more industry recognition.

Job Opportunities & Salary Impact for CEH and PenTest+

Both CEH and PenTest+ can help you land cybersecurity roles, but they lead to different job opportunities and salary ranges based on their focus and industry recognition.

Job Roles for CEH vs. PenTest+

• CEH is better for general cybersecurity analyst and compliance-based roles, especially in government jobs.
• PenTest+ is better for those who want to specialize in penetration testing and offensive security.

Salary Comparison: CEH vs. PenTest+

Salaries vary based on experience, location, and additional certifications, but here’s a general comparison:

• CEH holders often earn higher salaries in corporate and government roles due to its recognition.
• PenTest+ holders can earn similar salaries, but for higher-paying pentesting jobs, OSCP or CISSP may be required.

Which Offers Better Career Growth?

• If you want to work in cybersecurity analysis, ethical hacking, or consulting, CEH is a great choice.
• If you want to specialize in penetration testing or red teaming, PenTest+ is better, but pairing it with OSCP can significantly boost job prospects.

Cyberkraft CEH & PenTest+ Training Programs

If you’re preparing for CEH or PenTest+, choosing the right training provider can make a huge difference. Cyberkraft offers comprehensive, instructor-led Bootcamps and self-paced courses to help professionals pass their certification exams and advance in their careers.

By partnering with Cybekraft, you’ll get hands-on labs, expert instruction, and exam-focused study materials to ensure success.

Cyberkraft CEH Training

Cyberkraft is recognized as an EC-Council Accredited Training Center. Cyberkraft’s CEH Bootcamp includes:

• 40 Hours of Live Instruction
• Official EC-Council CEH v13 eCourseware
• Unlimited Practice Exam Attempts
• Lifetime Access to Cyberkraft Training Materials and Boot Camp Recordings
• Next Version eCourseware
• Exam Voucher for CEH v13 ANSI
• Ethical Hacking Video Library
• 6 Months Official Labs
• CEH Engage
• Global CEH Challenge Competitions
• First Time Exam Pass Guarantee
• Career Assistance

If you’d rather go the self-paced route, Cyberkraft offers an EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker Course and Voucher Bundle that includes:

• Official EC-Council iLabs
• Official EC-Council e-Courseware
• Exam Voucher

Cyberkraft PenTest+ Training

Cyberkraft Training has been recognized by CompTIA as an Authorized Training Partner and our PenTest+ Bootcamp is designed for professionals who want hands-on penetration testing experience. It includes:

• 40 hours of live, fully interactive, instructor-led content:
  – Weekday sessions will be held from 10:00am – 06:00pm ET
  – Weekend sessions will be held from Sat-Sun on three consecutive weekends from 10:00am – 06:00pm ET.  All three weekends are included in the course
  – Evening sessions will run from 07:00pm – 11:00pm ET Monday through Friday over two consecutive weeks.  Both weeks are included in the course
  – All sessions will be held remotely via Zoom
  – All hands on activities and labs will be provided to you and require no software to download
• Instruction on all five domains including:
   – Domain 1: Planning and Scoping
   – Domain 2: Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning
   – Domain 3: Attacks and Exploits
   – Domain 4: Reporting and Communication
   – Domain 5: Tools and Code Analysis

• One year access to the Official CompTIA Learn+Labs training environment
  -Performance Based Questions
  -Custom build labs
  -Games, flashcards, lessons, tests, and more
• Custom penetration testing lab environment
  -Learn to build your own penetration testing lab
  -Store this lab on any laptop, desktop, cloud storage, or even flash drive
  -Includes the full Kali Linux penetration testing suite with all the tools you’ll need on the job
• Fully paid exam voucher!  The entire price of the exam voucher ($405) is included in the bootcamp!
• Live instructor led study sessions
• Access to two practice quizzes per domain to check your knowledge:
   – 20 questions per quiz for a total of 40 questions per domain
• Three exams with 90 questions each that simulate the actual test
• Software demonstrations for security tools (details listed below)
• Lifetime access to recorded bootcamp sessions so you don’t need to worry if you miss a day of class!
• Exam preparation Masterclass and exam scheduling assistance
• Enrollment in the Cyberkraft Alumni Program to help you land your next big job!
• First Time Pass Guarantee – if you don’t pass on the first attempt, we will pay for your second exam

Cyberkraft also offers a Self-Paced PenTest+ course that includes:

• One Year Access to the Official CompTIA PenTest+ Learn+Labs training environment
  • Self-paced lessons
  • Video lessons
  • Study guides
  • Practice questions
  • Performance-based questions
  • Flash cards
  • Games
  • Simulation exams
• Personalized weekly study sessions
  • Customized to meet your training goals and schedule
  • Taught by our expert CompTIA trained and certified instructors
• Access to discounted exam vouchers
• Full access to the Cyberkraft Training Community
  • Free training resources
  • Certification updates and news
  • Free training sessions on YouTube and Discord
• Enrollment in the Cyberkraft Alumni Program
  • Discounts with resume writers
  • Career coaching
  • Access to our extensive recruiter network
• Bonus course on how to build your own penetration testing toolkit
  • Create a fully functioning test environment to use at your next penetration testing role
  • Includes all tools needed to perform a full penetration test (over 350 tools included)
  • The lab is connected with Windows Server, Windows 10, Linux, and other devices in a fully functional virtual network
• 7 Day Full Money Back Guarantee
  • If you are not completely satisfied with the course, you will receive a full refund within 7 days of enrollment

For professionals serious about getting certified, Cyberkraft provides an excellent training pathway for both CEH and PenTest+, helping students gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.

CEH vs PenTest+ – Which Certification Should You Choose?

Choosing between CEH and PenTest+ depends on your career goals, learning style, and budget. No matter which path you choose, both CEH and PenTest+ can be valuable additions to your cybersecurity career. Your decision should be based on where you want to specialize and which certification aligns best with your job goals. If you’d like more information about certified ethical hacking certifications, see our blog here.

Contact Cyberkraft today and let their expert-led training programs prepare you for CEH or PenTest+ for structured learning, hands-on labs, and exam prep support. Choosing the right ethical hacking certification is an important step and Cyberkraft can help you succeed.