How Much Does Security+ Actually Cost in 2026? (No Fluff, No Hidden Fees)

You Googled it. You saw the number. Now you're here because $404 can't be the whole story.

You're right. It's not. Here's what Security+ actually costs in 2026—exam fee, materials, prep time, and the stuff nobody lists on the official page.

The Exam Fee: $404

The base exam fee from CompTIA is $404 USD. That's what you pay to sit the test.

One retake costs the same as the first attempt: $404. That's why preparation matters more than rushing.

Some employers reimburse it. Some training programs include a voucher. If you're active military, a veteran, or a student, discounts exist—more on that below.

Study Materials: $0 to $200

This is where the range opens up.

Free options that actually work:

- Professor Messer's Security+ course (free on YouTube, paid study guide is ~$25)

- CompTIA's free official study resources (limited but useful as a supplement)

- ExamCompass practice questions (free)

Paid options worth considering:

- Jason Dion's Udemy course ($15-$30 when on sale—it goes on sale constantly)

- Professor Messer's practice exams ($15)

- Mike Chapple's Official CompTIA Study Guide (~$50)

What you can skip:

- $200+ bootcamps that promise to prepare you in a weekend

- Redundant practice test packs after you've done 200+ questions already

- Physical textbooks at full retail price

Realistic study material budget if you're smart about it: $30-$80. You do not need to spend $200.

The Hidden Cost: Your Time

Here's the one nobody puts in the pricing breakdown. Security+ prep takes 60-120 hours of study time depending on your background.

IT background: count on 60-80 hours. Starting from scratch on security concepts: count on 100-120 hours.

At 1 hour per day, that's 2-4 months of prep. Factor that into your actual cost calculation—your time has value. If you want a structured plan for using that time efficiently, the 90-day SOC analyst roadmap integrates Security+ prep into a full study timeline.

Ways to Reduce the Cost

Student and military discounts: CompTIA offers academic pricing for students and discounts for military personnel. Check eligibility on their official site before paying full price.

Employer reimbursement: Many companies with IT or security teams will reimburse certification costs. If you're already employed anywhere in tech, ask before you pay out of pocket.

Discounted exam vouchers: CompTIA occasionally runs promotions, and authorized partners sometimes offer discounted vouchers. Only buy from reputable sources—the official CompTIA partner network.

Retake strategy: If you fail once, don't just rebook the same attempt. Use your score report to identify weak domains, study specifically for those, then retake. Treating the retake as a fresh attempt wastes money.

The Real Total

- Best case (free/cheap materials, pass first try): ~$430-$480

- Realistic (mid-range materials, one retake allowance budgeted): ~$500-$600

- Worst case (expensive materials, multiple attempts): $900+

The way to stay at the low end: don't rush, do practice tests seriously until you're consistently scoring 80%+, and treat your first attempt like it's your only one.

Is It Worth It?

Security+ is one of the most recognized entry-level security credentials in the market. It's required or preferred on most SOC Tier 1 job postings, meets DoD 8570 requirements, and validates the baseline knowledge employers expect. To understand where Security+ fits in the broader career path—and what salaries look like once you're in—the SOC analyst salary breakdown is worth reading alongside this.

For a $430-$480 total investment, it's hard to argue against it if you're entering the field.

TL;DR – What Security+ Actually Costs in 2026

Exam fee: $404. Study materials: $30-$80 if you're strategic about it. Time investment: 60-120 hours. Total realistic budget: $430-$600 with one retake allowance. There are ways to reduce the cost—employer reimbursement, student/military discounts, sale vouchers. But the baseline is what it is, and it's worth it.

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FAQs

Does Security+ expire?

Yes—it's valid for 3 years. Renewal happens through CompTIA's Continuing Education program (~$50) or by passing a higher-level exam. Mark your calendar when you pass.

Can I get Security+ without studying networking first?

Technically yes, but it's harder. Security+ assumes you understand basic networking concepts. If you don't have that background, add 2-4 weeks of networking fundamentals before starting Security+ prep—it'll save you time overall. Once you have Security+ in hand, many analysts pursue CySA+ as their next cert—which opens the door to Tier 2 roles and noticeably higher pay.

Is CompTIA's official study bundle worth the price?

Usually not at full price. Wait for a sale or buy the exam voucher separately and use free or cheap study materials. CompTIA's bundles are convenient but not essential for passing.

What score do I need to pass?

750 out of 900 on a scale score. That's roughly 83%. Aim to be consistently hitting 80%+ on practice exams before booking your real attempt.

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Sources & References:

- CompTIA Security+ Official Page

- CompTIA Military Discounts

- DoD 8570 Approved Certifications

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Final thought: The exam fee is the easy part. The 100 hours of study time is the real investment. Budget your time like you budget your money and Security+ is very achievable.

How EpicDetect Can Help

Ready to build the skills Security+ tests—and the hands-on ability to actually use them on the job? Head to the EpicDetect Atlas for structured lessons covering everything from SOC fundamentals to detection engineering.

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