CompTIA A+ vs ITIL 4 Foundation vs Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900)
| Factor | ✅ CompTIA A+ | ITIL 4 Foundation | Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900) | RHCSA - Red Hat Certified System Administrator | LPIC-1 Linux Administrator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | CompTIA | Axelos/PeopleCert | Microsoft | Red Hat | Linux Professional Institute |
| Level | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner |
| Exam Cost | $246 | $385 | $99 | $450 | $200 |
| Pass Rate | 80% | 72% | 82% | 65% | 70% |
| Avg Salary | $55K–$75K | $80K–$110K | $65K–$85K | $80K–$110K | $65K–$90K |
| Difficulty |
Easier
★★☆☆☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Easier
★★☆☆☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
| Best For | Anyone starting an IT career. Career changers, students, help desk professionals. | IT service managers, IT professionals in service delivery, helpdesk managers, an… | IT professionals, business users, and students new to Microsoft 365 cloud servic… | Linux beginners and IT professionals entering Red Hat enterprise environments.… | Beginners entering Linux administration and open-source IT roles across any Linu… |
| Expiry | Typically 3 years — renewal at comptia.org | Check axelos.com | Check microsoft.com | Check redhat.com | Check lpi.org |
| Full Guide | View guide → | View guide → | View guide → | View guide → | View guide → |
Which Should You Choose?
The right certification depends on your current role, target employer, geography, and the specific skills gap you're trying to close. Here's a practical breakdown:
✅ Choose CompTIA A+ if…
You're targeting roles at organisations that specifically require CompTIA credentials, or you're already working within the CompTIA ecosystem. The CompTIA A+ carries the strongest recognition among CompTIA customers and partners, and its salary premium of $55K–$75K is well-documented in the job market.
Full Guide →Consider ITIL 4 Foundation if…
You're targeting organisations in the Axelos/PeopleCert ecosystem, or the ITIL 4 Foundation is more commonly required in your target industry or geography. Salary data: $80K–$110K. Global standard for IT service management. Required for ITSM roles. Pairs excellently with PMP for h…
Full Guide →Consider Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900) if…
You're targeting organisations in the Microsoft ecosystem, or the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900) is more commonly required in your target industry or geography. Salary data: $65K–$85K. Foundational certification covering Microsoft 365 cloud services, productivity tools, and SaaS conce…
Full Guide →Detailed Analysis — CompTIA A+
Strengths
- ✓Issued by CompTIA — one of the most trusted credential authorities in IT Fundamentals
- ✓Salary premium of $55K–$75K documented across multiple independent sources
- ✓Exam fee of $246 — strong ROI relative to salary gain
- ✓Global recognition at enterprise employers, government agencies, and consulting firms
- ✓Covers 6 core domains including: Hardware components, Networking basics, Operating systems
Considerations
- ◆Pass rate is approximately 80% — structured preparation is essential, not optional
- ◆Entry-level — pairs best with parallel practical experience
- ◆Renewal required — check current requirements at comptia.org
Made your decision? Start your preparation today.
CompTIA A+ Full Guide → Study Roadmap → Salary Data →