Professor Messer CompTIA Courses -- Top Free Resource
Professor Messer's free video courses for A+, Network+, and Security+ have been a staple of the CompTIA community for over a decade. The videos are tightly organized by exam objective, making it easy to target weak areas. A paid study group membership adds practice exams, a course notes PDF, and access to a moderated Discord where test-takers share real exam feedback. The free tier alone is genuinely competitive with paid products elsewhere.
Check price on Amazon →Compare the top CompTIA training platforms for A+, Network+, and Security+ in 2026. Find the right course for your study style, budget, and certification goal.
Earning a CompTIA certification remains one of the most direct paths into IT support, networking, and cybersecurity roles. The right training platform makes the difference between a first-attempt pass and a costly retake. This guide breaks down five strong options across different learning formats, price points, and certification tracks. | Product | Best For | Rating |
| — | — | — |
| Professor Messer CompTIA Courses | Budget-conscious self-studiers | 4.8/5 |
| Jason Dion Udemy Courses | Video learners on a schedule | 4.7/5 |
| CompTIA CertMaster Learn | Official structured learning path | 4.5/5 |
| Mike Meyers Total Seminars | real-world and visual learners | 4.6/5 |
| Pluralsight IT Paths | Subscription-based multi-cert prep | 4.4/5 |
How we picked
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
Top picks compared
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professor Messer CompTIA Courses -- Top Free Resource | Check price | ||
| Jason Dion Udemy CompTIA Courses -- Best for Video Learners | Check price | ||
| CompTIA CertMaster Learn -- Official Structured Path | Check price | ||
| Mike Meyers Total Seminars -- Best for hands on Learners | Check price | ||
| Pluralsight IT Certification Paths -- Best Subscription Value | Check price |
Our picks up close
Professor Messer CompTIA Courses -- Top Free Resource
Professor Messer's free video courses for A+, Network+, and Security+ have been a staple of the CompTIA community for over a decade. The videos are tightly organized by exam objective, making it easy to target weak areas. A paid study group membership adds practice exams, a course notes PDF, and access to a moderated Discord where test-takers share real exam feedback. The free tier alone is genuinely competitive with paid products elsewhere.
Jason Dion Udemy CompTIA Courses -- Best for Video Learners
Jason Dion's Udemy courses for Network+, Security+, CySA+, and PenTest+ consistently land among the platform's top-rated IT offerings. Each course includes 10-20 hours of video, domain-by-domain breakdowns, and a full practice exam set. Dion's teaching style leans practical, with scenario-based questions that mirror the performance-based items appearing more frequently on recent CompTIA exams. Udemy sales bring prices below making multiple certs affordable in a single purchase.
CompTIA CertMaster Learn -- Official Structured Path
CertMaster Learn is CompTIA's own e-learning platform. Each course maps directly to exam objectives and includes interactive lessons, performance-based questions, and a final readiness assessment. Pricing is higher than third-party options, but the official content alignment is a genuine advantage for learners who want certainty that nothing in the exam blueprint is missing. Bundles pairing CertMaster Learn with CertMaster Labs (browser-based virtual environments) are available for real-world practice.
Mike Meyers Total Seminars -- Best for hands on Learners
Mike Meyers wrote the textbooks many IT instructors still use in classrooms, and his Total Seminars video courses carry that depth of explanation. Coverage for A+ is particularly thorough, with detailed hardware walkthroughs and real-world troubleshooting scenarios. Companion study guides and practice exam bundles are available separately. The teaching pace is deliberate, which benefits beginners but may feel slow for experienced technicians who already know the hardware side.
Pluralsight IT Certification Paths -- Best Subscription Value
Pluralsight organizes CompTIA content into skill paths, letting subscribers move through A+, Network+, and Security+ content in a single subscription. The platform adds skill assessments to identify gaps before you start studying, which is useful for experienced IT workers who do not need to cover every objective from scratch. At per month on an annual plan, learners targeting two or more certifications within a year get strong value compared to paying per course.
Before you buy
What to consider
Start by identifying your target certification and exam number (e.g., SY0-701 for Security+), since content varies between versions. Check how long until the exam version retires to avoid studying for discontinued objectives. Match the format to your study habits: video-heavy learners do well with Dion or Meyers; readers benefit from CertMaster or Meyers' printed guides. Budget matters but should not be the only factor -- a cheap course that leaves gaps costs more in retake fees. Prioritize platforms that include practice exams scored by domain, so you can target weak areas before test day.
What to consider
Pairing a strong video course with regular practice tests is the most reliable prep formula. Once you pass your first cert, check out our guide to [best laptop for programming](/articles/best-laptop-for-programming) for setting up a study environment, and our [best external hard drive for backup](/articles/best-external-hard-drive-for-backup) picks for creating a reliable lab setup. For more on how we evaluate training products, see our [methodology](/methodology).
Quick answers
Most learners need 60-120 hours of study for CompTIA A+ or Network+, and 80-150 hours for Security+. A structured course with video lessons, labs, and practice exams compresses prep time compared to self-study from books alone. Your prior IT experience also significantly affects how quickly material clicks.
CompTIA A+ is the standard starting point for IT support roles and covers hardware, software, networking basics, and troubleshooting. If you already have real-world IT experience, Network+ or Security+ may be more appropriate first targets. Check job postings in your target role to see which cert employers ask for most.
Tom Reeves has reviewed consumer electronics for over a decade, with a focus on televisions, monitors, laptops, and smart home devices. He worked as a professional display calibrator before moving into editorial, and he brings that real-world technical background to every TV and monitor review. At TheTestedHub, Tom covers display calibration, computer monitors, laptops and 2-in-1s, smart home platforms, home theater setups, and HDR performance.