Google IT Support Professional Certificate vs CompTIA A+ vs ITIL 4 Foundation
| Factor | ✅ Google IT Support Professional Certificate | CompTIA A+ | ITIL 4 Foundation | Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900) | RHCSA - Red Hat Certified System Administrator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | CompTIA | Axelos/PeopleCert | Microsoft | Red Hat | |
| Level | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner |
| Exam Cost | $49/mo | $246 | $385 | $99 | $450 |
| Pass Rate | N/A | 80% | 72% | 82% | 65% |
| Avg Salary | $55K–$75K | $55K–$75K | $80K–$110K | $65K–$85K | $80K–$110K |
| Difficulty |
Moderate
★★★☆☆
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Easier
★★☆☆☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
Easier
★★☆☆☆
|
Moderate
★★★☆☆
|
| Best For | Complete beginners and career changers seeking entry-level IT support, helpdesk, or system admin rol… | 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.… |
| Expiry | Typically 3 years — renewal at coursera.org/google | Check comptia.org | Check axelos.com | Check microsoft.com | Check redhat.com |
| 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 Google IT Support Professional Certificate if…
You're targeting roles at organisations that specifically require Google credentials, or you're already working within the Google ecosystem. The Google IT Support Professional Certificate carries the strongest recognition among Google customers and partners, and its salary premium of $55K–$75K is well-documented in the job market.
Full Guide →Consider CompTIA A+ if…
You're targeting organisations in the CompTIA ecosystem, or the CompTIA A+ is more commonly required in your target industry or geography. Salary data: $55K–$75K. The universal IT entry-level cert. No experience required. Covers hardware, OS, networking, and trou…
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 →Detailed Analysis — Google IT Support Professional Certificate
Strengths
- ✓Issued by Google — one of the most trusted credential authorities in IT Fundamentals
- ✓Salary premium of $55K–$75K documented across multiple independent sources
- ✓Exam fee of $49/mo — strong ROI relative to salary gain
- ✓Global recognition at enterprise employers, government agencies, and consulting firms
- ✓Covers 6 core domains including: Technical support fundamentals, Networking essentials, Operating systems (Linux & Windows)
Considerations
- ◆Pass rate is approximately N/A — structured preparation is essential, not optional
- ◆Entry-level — pairs best with parallel practical experience
- ◆Renewal required — check current requirements at coursera.org/google
Made your decision? Start your preparation today.
Google IT Support Professional Certificate Full Guide → Study Roadmap → Salary Data →