CompTIA certification exam fees run $300 to $900. Training courses can easily add another $500 to $2,000 on top. The good news: there is an enormous amount of free, high-quality training material available for every CompTIA security certification. This guide covers the best free resources organized by cert so you can build a complete study plan without spending a dollar until you are ready to sit the exam.
Best All-Purpose Free Security Training Platforms
Professor Messer (professormesser.com)
The gold standard of free CompTIA training. Professor Messer's free video courses for Security+ SY0-701 cover every exam objective in organized, digestible videos. His course notes PDF is also free.
Visit professormesser.com →TryHackMe
Browser-based cybersecurity labs with guided learning paths. The free tier provides access to dozens of rooms covering networking, Linux, web security, and offensive techniques. SOC Level 1 path is excellent for CySA+ prep.
Visit tryhackme.com →NetworkChuck (YouTube)
Engaging, beginner-friendly YouTube channel covering Security+, networking fundamentals, Linux, and ethical hacking. Great for building foundational concepts with real-world context before diving into exam-specific material.
Watch on YouTube →ITProTV (Free Tier)
ITProTV offers free video courses for many CompTIA security certifications, including Security+ and CySA+. The free tier includes course videos; labs require a paid subscription but videos alone are strong prep.
Visit itpro.tv →HackTheBox Academy (Free Tier)
HTB Academy provides structured cybersecurity learning with interactive modules. The free tier covers fundamentals including web application security, network enumeration, and Linux essentials, all directly relevant to PenTest+ and CySA+.
Visit HTB Academy →CertLabz Free Practice Tests
Free practice tests with instant feedback for Security+, CySA+, PenTest+, and more. Use these to benchmark your readiness and identify which domains need more study time before exam day.
View Free Practice Tests →Free Training by CompTIA Security Certification
SY0-701 Free Training Resources
- Professor Messer SY0-701 Course — Free video course covering all 5 domains. The most comprehensive free Security+ resource available.
- CompTIA Security+ Official Objectives PDF — Download the free objectives PDF and use it as your study checklist.
- Professor Messer Practice Exams — Three practice exams are paid (~$30) but extremely realistic. Worth the investment after free video prep.
- Reddit r/CompTIA — Community pass reports, study advice, and shared resources from candidates who recently passed.
- CertLabz Free Security+ Practice Test — Take the free quiz with instant explanations.
CS0-003 Free Training Resources
- TryHackMe SOC Level 1 Path — Covers SIEM tools, log analysis, threat intelligence, and IR, all core CySA+ topics. Free tier available.
- ITProTV CySA+ Course (free videos) — Structured video course aligned to CS0-003 objectives.
- MITRE ATT&CK Framework — Free reference that underpins much of the CySA+ threat intelligence content.
- NIST SP 800-61 (Incident Response Guide) — Free federal publication covering the IR lifecycle that CySA+ tests extensively.
- CertLabz Free CySA+ Practice Test — Free quiz with explanations.
PT0-003 Free Training Resources
- TCM Security — Practical Ethical Hacking — Heath Adams (The Cyber Mentor) offers a free introductory ethical hacking course that covers core pen-testing concepts relevant to PenTest+.
- TryHackMe — Jr. Penetration Tester Path — Free-tier rooms cover enumeration, exploitation basics, and web hacking.
- Metasploit Unleashed — Free course from Offensive Security covering Metasploit Framework fundamentals.
- CertLabz Free PenTest+ Practice Test — Free quiz with instant explanations.
XK0-005 Free Training Resources
- The Linux Command Line (Free Online) — linuxcommand.org, a free, comprehensive Linux command reference by William Shotts.
- Linux Journey (linuxjourney.com) — Interactive, browser-based Linux curriculum from beginner to advanced. Free and gamified.
- NetworkChuck Linux Series (YouTube) — Beginner-friendly video walkthroughs with hands-on server setups.
- CertLabz Free Linux+ Practice Test — Free quiz with command-focused questions.
CompTIA Security Career Pathway
Entry Level
Build foundational knowledge
Intermediate
Specialize and deepen skills
Advanced
Leadership and expert-level
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Free Training
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Download the official exam objectives first.Every free training resource should be evaluated against the official objectives PDF. If a video does not cover a domain topic listed in the objectives, find a supplemental resource.
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Don't just watch, do.Passive video consumption does not build the skills PBQs test. Set up a Linux VM, configure a lab firewall, or use a free cloud sandbox to practice every concept hands-on.
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Use practice tests as diagnostic tools.Take a practice test early in your study journey to identify your weakest domains, then spend proportionally more time on those areas.
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Join the community.Reddit's r/CompTIA and r/cybersecurity communities share recent exam experiences, pass tips, and free resource recommendations. Study groups accelerate learning significantly.
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Set a target exam date.Candidates without a deadline often study indefinitely. Schedule your exam 8 to 12 weeks out and work backward to create a structured study plan.
Benchmark Your Readiness for Free
Take free practice tests for every CompTIA security certification. Instant feedback and domain-by-domain analysis included.
View All Free Practice TestsFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many candidates pass Security+ using only Professor Messer's free videos, the official objectives PDF, and free practice questions. The key is disciplined use of free resources, not just collecting them. Watch every Professor Messer video, take notes, do practice questions, and get hands-on with a lab environment.
Paid training (CertMaster, official study guides, premium practice exams) typically offers more structured learning paths, larger question banks, virtual labs, and official content alignment. Free resources are often just as effective for candidates who are self-directed but require more curation. The biggest advantage of paid resources is time efficiency: they are more organized and purpose-built for the exam.
Most candidates need 8 to 12 weeks of focused study (1 to 2 hours per day) for Security+ SY0-701. Candidates with existing IT experience (especially networking or system administration) can often prepare in 4 to 6 weeks. Using free resources does not significantly change the time investment. Discipline and hands-on practice matter more than the training format.