GPEN vs PenTest+
| GPEN GIAC (SANS) | PenTest+ CompTIA | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Offensive · Intermediate | Offensive · Intermediate |
| Price | $979 Exam attempt only; the SANS SEC560 course costs over USD 8,000. | $425 Exam voucher only. |
| Study hours | 80–120 h | 80–150 h |
| Real difficulty | ●●●○○ | ●●○○○ |
| Exam | Multiple choice Length: 3 h | Multiple choice Length: 2.8 h |
| Validity | 4 years (credits + fee) | 3 years (continuing education) |
| Job ads in United States | – | – |
| Avg. salary | – | – |
| Index | – | – |
| Summary | Well respected in large companies and the public sector, usually paid by the employer together with the SANS course. Open-book exam with lab questions. | 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.