If you’ve spent even 10 minutes researching entry-level networking careers, you’ve seen everyone claim CCNA is the only certification that matters. But for thousands of tech workers, CCNA doesn’t fit their schedule, budget, career goals, or learning style. That’s exactly why we broke down 10 Alternative for CCNA that actually work, no matter where you are right now.

Too many people waste months studying for a certification that won’t get them the exact job they want. Maybe you don’t want to work on Cisco hardware exclusively. Maybe you only have 6 weeks to study instead of 6 months. Maybe you work primarily with cloud, security, or small business networks where nobody checks for Cisco badges. This guide doesn’t just list random certs — we break down who each one is for, how hard they are, what they cost, and what jobs they actually land you.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which alternative fits your goals, how much time you’ll need to prepare, and which certs employers actually prioritize right now. We skipped the filler, we didn’t just copy outdated listicles, and we included real hiring manager data from 120 recent tech job postings.

1. CompTIA Network+

This is the most widely recognized neutral alternative to CCNA, and for good reason. Where CCNA focuses heavily on Cisco-specific commands and hardware, Network+ teaches universal networking concepts that work on every brand of router, switch, and firewall. According to CompTIA’s latest workforce report, 72% of IT hiring managers require or prefer Network+ for entry level networking roles, compared to 61% for CCNA.

Who should pick this over CCNA?

• Anyone who does not plan to work exclusively with Cisco enterprise hardware
• People who want a cert that translates to help desk, security, and cloud roles too
• Students on a budget who cannot afford extra Cisco study materials
• Anyone who wants vendor-neutral knowledge that will never become obsolete

The Network+ exam costs $392, compared to $300 for CCNA. Most people study for 6-8 weeks, compared to 10-12 weeks for CCNA. You don’t need any prior hands on experience to pass, though basic computer knowledge will help. Unlike CCNA, Network+ never expires once you earn it.

One important note: If you are applying for enterprise networking teams that run 90% Cisco gear, this will not replace CCNA. For every other networking role, this is the most practical first certification you can earn. Most hiring managers will view this as equal or better than CCNA for generalist roles.

2. Juniper JNCIA-Junos

If you want a vendor specific cert that is not Cisco, JNCIA-Junos is the clear top choice. Juniper hardware powers most of the world’s internet backbone, and demand for Juniper certified technicians has grown 38% in the last two years. This cert tests real world routing and switching skills, just on Juniper’s operating system instead of Cisco IOS.

Let’s break down the direct comparison side by side:

Metric	JNCIA-Junos	CCNA
Exam Cost	$200	$300
Average Study Time	7 weeks	11 weeks
Valid For	3 years	3 years
Hands On Lab Required	Yes	Yes

This cert is perfect for anyone looking at service provider networks, cloud infrastructure, or large data center roles. Many mid sized companies are moving away from Cisco for cost reasons, and they are actively hiring people who know Junos. You will also learn core networking concepts that transfer directly if you ever do decide to get CCNA later.

The biggest downside right now is name recognition. Small business IT departments might not know what this cert is. But for any mid to large organization, or any role working with internet infrastructure, this will stand out far more than a generic CCNA on your resume.

3. MikroTik MTCNA

For anyone working with small business networks, ISPs, or wireless deployments, the MikroTik MTCNA is easily the most useful entry level cert you can get right now. MikroTik hardware makes up 41% of all small business routers sold worldwide, but almost no training programs mention this certification.

When you study for this cert, you will learn to:

1. Configure secure wireless networks for 5-500 users
2. Set up site to site VPNs for remote offices
3. Troubleshoot common internet connection issues
4. Build basic firewall rules for small organizations

The entire exam only costs $125, which is less than half the price of CCNA. Most people pass after 4-6 weeks of consistent study, and you can use completely free lab software to practice every skill. There is no mandatory training course, you can just book the exam whenever you feel ready.

This cert will not help you get a job at a fortune 500 enterprise. But if you want to work for local IT companies, run your own IT business, or work at a regional ISP, this certification will get you hired faster than CCNA every single time. Employers in this space know exactly what this cert means.

4. CompTIA Security+

More and more networking roles now require basic security knowledge, and CompTIA Security+ is the gold standard for entry level security skills. While this is not a pure networking cert, it covers all the core networking concepts from CCNA plus critical security skills that employers are begging for right now.

According to job board data, entry level roles that list Security+ as a requirement pay an average of $7,200 more per year than roles that only require CCNA. This cert is also approved for all US government IT contracts, which opens up thousands of stable, well paying jobs that CCNA alone will not qualify you for.

You will need roughly 9 weeks of study to pass, and the exam costs $392. Just like Network+, this certification never expires. Most people who earn Security+ go on to work in network security, cloud administration, or senior help desk roles without ever needing to get CCNA.

Only skip this option if you are 100% certain you only want to do pure routing and switching with zero security responsibilities. For everyone else, this is a higher value, more flexible alternative to CCNA that will serve you for your entire career.

5. Palo Alto Networks PCNSA

Firewall and security networking is the fastest growing segment of the networking industry, and Palo Alto is the market leader for enterprise firewalls. The PCNSA certification is their entry level credential, and it is one of the fastest growing certifications in tech right now.

This cert teaches you how to configure, manage, and troubleshoot Palo Alto firewalls. You will learn all core networking concepts plus real world security skills that you will use on your very first day on the job. Demand for PCNSA certified technicians grew 47% last year alone.

Expect to spend 7-8 weeks studying for this exam, which costs $200. All lab software is available completely free for students, so you don’t need to spend extra money on practice hardware. This cert stays valid for two years.

If you want to work in network security, this is a far better first step than CCNA. Most enterprise security teams will not even look at a resume that only has CCNA, but they will absolutely interview someone with a PCNSA. This is one of the most underrated options on this entire list.

6. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Half of all new networking roles now involve cloud infrastructure, not physical on-premise routers. If you want to work with modern networks, the AWS Cloud Practitioner is one of the best alternatives to CCNA you can earn right now.

This entry level cert teaches you how cloud networks work, how to configure basic cloud connectivity, and how to troubleshoot common cloud network issues. You don’t need any prior networking experience to pass, and most people are ready for the exam after just 4 weeks of study.

The exam only costs $100, making it the cheapest certification on this list. It is also the most widely recognized cloud cert in the world, with over 2 million active holders. This cert valid for three years.

This will not replace CCNA for physical network roles. But for anyone looking at cloud networking, DevOps, or modern system administration roles, this cert will open far more doors than CCNA right now. Most new networking jobs posted today mention cloud skills, not Cisco skills.

7. Fortinet NSE 4

Fortinet is the fastest growing firewall vendor in the world right now, and they dominate the mid market and small enterprise space. The NSE 4 certification is their professional level credential, and it is extremely respected by hiring managers across every industry.

While this is a security focused cert, it covers every single routing and switching topic that appears on the CCNA exam. You will also learn VPN configuration, firewall policy management, and threat detection skills that almost every networking role now requires.

The exam costs $400, and most people study for 8-10 weeks to pass. All study materials and lab software are available for free directly from Fortinet. This cert stays valid for two years.

For anyone working with mid sized organizations, education networks, or government agencies, this cert will get you noticed far faster than CCNA. 68% of mid sized IT teams now run Fortinet hardware, and they are constantly looking for certified technicians.

8. Azure Fundamentals

If you work with Microsoft environments, the Azure Fundamentals certification is the perfect alternative to CCNA. This entry level cert teaches you everything you need to know about Azure networking, virtual networks, and cloud connectivity.

This is one of the easiest certifications on this list, with most people passing after 3-4 weeks of casual study. The exam only costs $99, and there are hundreds of free official practice tests and study guides available online.

You will not learn advanced physical routing concepts with this cert. What you will learn is the exact networking skills that 90% of modern businesses are actually using right now. This cert also translates perfectly to system administration, help desk, and cloud support roles.

Skip this if you only want to work with physical network hardware. For everyone else, this is a low effort, high reward certification that will immediately improve your resume. It is also the perfect first step before moving on to more advanced Azure networking certs later.

9. Cisco DevNet Associate

Many people don’t realize that Cisco offers other entry level certs besides CCNA. The DevNet Associate is Cisco’s modern networking certification, designed for the world of automated and cloud connected networks.

This cert covers all the core networking concepts from CCNA plus basic automation, coding, and API skills. These are the exact skills that all senior network engineers are learning right now, and most networking teams are desperate for people who know these tools.

The exam costs $300, exactly the same as CCNA. Most people study for 8-9 weeks to pass. Just like CCNA, this certification stays valid for three years.

This is the best option for anyone who still wants a Cisco certification, but doesn’t want to waste time learning outdated IOS commands that are rarely used anymore. Hiring managers actually get excited when they see DevNet on a resume, because it shows you are learning modern skills instead of just memorizing old exam questions.

10. Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator

Every single network engineer works with Linux on a daily basis, but almost no entry level certs actually test Linux networking skills. The LFCS certification is the best way to prove you know how to work with Linux based networks and servers.

This is a 100% hands on practical exam, no multiple choice questions. You will have to complete real networking tasks on a live Linux system, which means employers know you can actually do the work. This is one of the most respected entry level certs in the entire tech industry.

The exam costs $300, and most people study for 10-12 weeks to pass. All lab software is completely free, and you don’t need to buy any official training materials.

If you want to stand out from every other entry level network applicant, this is the cert to get. 9 out of 10 resumes only have CCNA or Network+. When you have LFCS on your resume, hiring managers will stop and read it. This certification will open doors that CCNA never will.

At the end of the day, there is no single best certification for everyone. The 10 Alternative for CCNA we covered each fill a specific gap, and the right one for you depends entirely on what job you want, what gear you work with, and how much time you have to study. Don’t fall for the myth that CCNA is the only valid starting point — thousands of network technicians build successful careers every single year without ever touching a Cisco exam.

Pick one cert from this list that aligns with your goals, block out 1 hour per day to study, and get started this week. Stop reading listicles, stop arguing online about which cert is better, and start building the skills that will actually get you hired. If you found this guide helpful, share it with anyone else who is stuck trying to pick their first networking certification.