CPTS vs PenTest+
| CPTS Hack The Box | PenTest+ CompTIA | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Offensive · Intermediate | Offensive · Intermediate |
| Price | $210 Exam voucher; you also need to finish the HTB Academy path (subscription). | $425 Exam voucher only. |
| Study hours | 250–450 h | 80–150 h |
| Real difficulty | ●●●●○ | ●●○○○ |
| Exam | Hands-on Length: 240 h | Multiple choice Length: 2.8 h |
| Validity | Does not expire | 3 years (continuing education) |
| Job ads in United States | – | – |
| Avg. salary | – | – |
| Index | – | – |
| Summary | A 10-day exam with a professional report. Very demanding and increasingly recognised as an OSCP alternative. | Penetration testing in multiple-choice format with simulations. Good for HR filters and US public-sector requirements; the community values hands-on exams more. |
Highlighted: the best in that row.