The CompTIA A+ exam voucher costs $253. Official training from CompTIA-authorized partners runs $1,500 to $2,000. A Udemy course covering the same material typically goes for $15 to $20 during one of their near-constant sales.
That price gap explains why CompTIA A+ Udemy courses have become the default study path for most candidates. But cheap doesn't mean effective — Udemy has hundreds of CompTIA listings, and their rating system rewards completion rates and review volume, not actual pass rates. The top courses genuinely are worth your time, but knowing which ones to pick, and how to use them, makes a measurable difference in whether you pass on your first attempt or burn another $253 on a retake.
This guide focuses primarily on the A+, but also covers the best Udemy options for Security+ and CompTIA's newer SecAI+ certification.
What the CompTIA A+ Exam Actually Tests
The A+ consists of two separate exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). You need to pass both to earn the certification. Core 1 covers mobile devices, networking, hardware, virtualization, and cloud computing. Core 2 focuses on operating systems, security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures.
A few things worth knowing before you start studying:
- Performance-based questions (PBQs): These are drag-and-drop and simulation-style questions that appear at the start of each exam. Most candidates find these harder than multiple choice. Courses that walk through PBQ scenarios are worth prioritizing over pure lecture content.
- Current exam objectives: CompTIA updated the A+ objectives with the 220-1201 / 220-1202 series. If a Udemy course still references the older 220-1101 / 220-1102 objectives, it has gaps. Check the instructor's update notes before purchasing.
- Passing scores: Core 1 requires 675/900; Core 2 requires 700/900. These aren't high bars, but candidates who only watch video lectures without drilling practice questions consistently underestimate the exam's scenario-based questions.
Why CompTIA A+ Udemy Courses Dominate Study Prep
Udemy's model suits CompTIA A+ prep for specific structural reasons. The exams are defined by published objectives, so instructors can map lectures directly to what's tested. There's no ambiguity about the syllabus — a competent instructor covers the domains in order, includes practice questions, and updates content when CompTIA revises its objectives.
Udemy also lets you watch at 1.5x or 2x speed, which matters for a course that runs 20 to 30 hours. Most people studying for A+ are working full-time or transitioning from a different field. They don't have time for slower-paced classroom instruction, and they're not paying for the social experience of a live cohort.
The limitation is that quality varies significantly. A course with 20,000 reviews might be outdated or padded with filler content. The top-rated options on this page have been filtered by current exam coverage and actual review quality, not just aggregate star ratings.
Top CompTIA A+ Udemy Courses and Best Picks for Other CompTIA Exams
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Full Course & Practice Exam
Covers the current 220-1201 objectives in full with built-in practice exams — the right starting point for Core 1 if you want video instruction and test questions without buying them separately. Rated 9.4; regularly updated to reflect current objectives.
CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) 6 Practice Tests [2026]
Six full-length timed practice tests against the 220-1201 objectives — significantly more question volume than most bundled course options. Best used in the final two to three weeks before your exam date once you've completed a lecture course. Rated 9.4.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) Exam Prep 2026 – For Beginners
The most accessible Security+ course for candidates moving directly from A+ — structured for people without a deep networking background, with clear coverage of threat landscape concepts that make up a significant portion of SY0-701. Rated 9.5.
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) 1,000+ Practice Questions 2026
Security+ has a reputation for questions that test nuance rather than pure memorization. Over 1,000 practice questions mapped to the SY0-701 objectives gives you enough volume to identify weak areas before they cost you the exam. Rated 9.5.
CompTIA SecAI+ (CY0-001) Course + EBook + Exams (ALL IN ONE)
CompTIA's newest certification targets AI security fundamentals. This all-in-one bundle covers the CY0-001 objectives, includes an ebook for offline study, and adds practice exams — practical if you're planning to sit this exam and want to avoid hunting down supplemental materials separately. Rated 9.6.
Where Udemy Prep Falls Short
Udemy courses won't give you hands-on lab experience. For A+, this matters most for PBQs — the performance-based questions that simulate real troubleshooting scenarios. Reading about how to configure a SOHO router or interpret a RAID setup is different from actually doing it, and the exam expects the latter.
If you don't have access to physical hardware or a home lab, a few workarounds help:
- Professor Messer's free materials: His A+ study groups include worked PBQ examples that closely mirror the real exam format.
- CompTIA CertMaster Labs: Browser-based lab environments from CompTIA directly. Worth considering for the hands-on component even if you're using Udemy for lectures and practice tests.
- Standalone practice exam courses: Buying a dedicated practice test course separately from your lecture course typically gives you better question quality and more volume than the built-in quizzes most lecture courses include.
Also worth noting: Udemy courses have no official affiliation with CompTIA. Instructors don't have access to real exam questions. Any course that claims to have "actual exam questions" is using brain dump material, which violates CompTIA's candidate agreement and is less useful for passing than well-written original questions anyway.
Building an Effective Study Plan
Candidates who pass A+ on the first attempt tend to follow a consistent pattern regardless of which specific Udemy course they use:
- Watch the lecture course domain by domain. Don't try to retain everything on the first pass. Take brief notes on concepts that don't stick naturally, particularly hardware specs and networking protocols.
- Do a timed quiz after each domain. Most good A+ courses include domain-specific quizzes. Use these to identify gaps before they compound across six domains.
- In the final two weeks, switch to full-length timed practice exams. Aim for 80% or higher consistently before booking your actual exam. If you're consistently scoring 70–75%, you're likely to fail — the real exam includes harder questions than most practice materials.
- Spend extra time on PBQs. Find worked examples outside your Udemy course if the course doesn't include them. This is where most candidates lose unexpected points.
- Book the exam before you feel ready. Most people who wait until they "feel ready" keep pushing the date back. A booked date creates a concrete deadline that improves study consistency.
For Core 1 and Core 2, treat them as separate projects. Candidates who study both simultaneously often end up with shallow knowledge of each. Finishing Core 1, sitting that exam, and then starting Core 2 prep tends to produce better outcomes.
Career Outcomes After CompTIA A+
A+ opens the door to help desk and desktop support roles, typically at the Tier 1 level. Entry-level help desk salaries in the US range from $38,000 to $52,000 depending on market and company size. This isn't a high-paying certification on its own — it's a credential that gets your resume past automated filters and into phone screens at companies that use it as a baseline requirement.
The more significant career move is what comes after A+. The standard progression looks like this:
- A+ → Network+: Adds networking knowledge and qualifies you for network support roles, expanding the position types you can apply for.
- A+ → Security+: Security+ meets DoD 8570 requirements, which opens government contractor positions. It's also a common requirement for SOC analyst roles and IT security positions at companies handling regulated data.
- A+ → Cloud+ or CySA+: For candidates who want to move into cloud infrastructure or security analysis rather than traditional help desk or networking tracks.
The value of A+ is highest for people with no prior IT credentials or formal education in the field. If you already have a computer science degree or several years of hands-on IT experience, hiring managers may not weight it heavily — in that case, going directly for Security+ or a vendor-specific certification is likely a better use of study time.
FAQ
Are CompTIA A+ Udemy courses worth it compared to official CompTIA materials?
For most candidates, Udemy courses provide better value than CompTIA's official CertMaster Learn platform, which costs several hundred dollars. The quality of top-rated Udemy A+ courses is comparable for exam prep purposes. The main reason to consider official materials is if your employer reimburses them or if you specifically want access to CompTIA's CertMaster Labs for browser-based hands-on practice.
Which CompTIA A+ Udemy course is best for someone starting from zero?
The CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Full Course & Practice Exam is the most complete starting point — it covers all objectives in sequence and includes practice questions, so you're not buying lecture and practice materials separately. Confirm you're looking at the 220-1201 version and not an older course based on the previous exam series.
Can you pass CompTIA A+ with only Udemy prep?
Yes, though most successful candidates supplement their Udemy course with additional practice tests and some hands-on component. If you rely solely on one course without drilling questions separately, you're more likely to underperform on performance-based questions. Combining a lecture course with a dedicated practice test course produces better results than a single all-in-one option for most people.
How many hours of study does CompTIA A+ take with Udemy?
Most candidates spend 60 to 100 hours of total study time across both exams. A typical Udemy A+ Core 1 course runs 15 to 25 hours of video. Add practice exam time and targeted review, and most people are looking at 4 to 8 weeks of consistent part-time study per exam. Candidates with existing hardware or networking familiarity can move meaningfully faster.
Is CompTIA A+ still worth earning in 2026?
For someone with no IT credentials, yes. It remains one of the most referenced entry-level IT certifications on job listings, and CompTIA updates the objectives regularly enough to keep it technically current. For someone already working in IT with several years of hands-on experience, the return on study time is lower — an advanced certification or cloud vendor credential may be a more efficient credential investment.
Do Udemy CompTIA courses stay updated when exam objectives change?
Better-rated instructors update their courses, but not always immediately when CompTIA publishes new objectives. Before purchasing, check the "Last Updated" date and read recent reviews to see if students flag outdated content. A course updated within the last six months is generally safe; one that hasn't been touched in 18 months may have meaningful gaps if CompTIA revised its objectives during that window.
Bottom Line
CompTIA A+ Udemy courses are the most practical study path for most candidates — they're comprehensive, kept current by the better instructors, and cost a fraction of official training options. The A+ Core 1 Full Course & Practice Exam covers everything you need for Core 1. Pair it with a standalone practice test course in the final weeks before your exam date.
The trap to avoid is treating Udemy video lectures as sufficient preparation on their own. The exam is passable with Udemy prep, but candidates who skip dedicated timed practice testing consistently underperform on scenario-based and performance-based questions. Use the courses as your foundation; build the exam stamina separately.
If you're planning to move from A+ to Security+ afterward, the Security+ courses listed above are worth bookmarking now. That progression is one of the more direct paths to roles that pay meaningfully more than entry-level help desk, and the Udemy options for both certifications are among the better resources available at any price point.