Best CCNA Courses (200-301) — Quick Picks (2026)
Best free (and genuinely #1): Jeremy’s IT Lab — the complete free CCNA 200-301 course on YouTube
Best paid structured course: Top-rated CCNA 200-301 courses on Udemy (Neil Anderson, David Bombal, Jason Dion)
Best guided training: Cisco CCNA 200-301 Training (Tutorialspoint)
Bottom line: The current CCNA exam is 200-301 (the old 200-125 retired in 2020 — avoid any course targeting it). Jeremy’s IT Lab is free and as good as anything paid; add a paid course or hands-on labs if you want more structure and practice exams.
Last updated: June 2026. Written by the Online Courseing team. See our review methodology.
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is the foundational networking certification, and as of 2020 it consolidated into a single exam: 200-301. That matters because a lot of older “CCNA” courses still target the retired 200-125 exam — studying those is a waste of time. Every option below targets the current 200-301 blueprint (routing, switching, IP connectivity, security fundamentals, automation).
Best CCNA Courses at a Glance
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| Resource | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy’s IT Lab | Free (YouTube) | The complete free course — start here |
| CCNA 200-301 courses on Udemy | Paid (Udemy) | Structured video + practice |
| Cisco CCNA 200-301 Training | Paid (Tutorialspoint) | Guided, exam-focused training |
| LinkedIn Learning CCNA Prep | Subscription | Polished video + LinkedIn cert |
| Cisco Networking Academy | Free/official | Official labs (Packet Tracer) |
The Best CCNA Courses, Reviewed
1. Jeremy’s IT Lab (Free, YouTube)
The single best CCNA resource, paid or free. Jeremy’s IT Lab is a complete, structured 200-301 course with free accompanying lab exercises and flashcards — the consensus #1 recommendation in the networking community. There is no good reason not to start here, and many people pass the exam using it alone.
Best for: everyone. Start free; only pay if you want extras.
2. Top-Rated CCNA 200-301 Courses on Udemy
If you prefer a paid, structured course with practice exams, Udemy’s CCNA 200-301 catalog is excellent — instructors like Neil Anderson, David Bombal, and Jason Dion are all highly regarded and keep their courses current. These go on sale regularly for under $20 and pair well with hands-on labs.
Best for: learners who want a guided paid course plus practice questions.
3. Cisco CCNA 200-301 Training (Tutorialspoint)
A focused, exam-oriented training course covering the full 200-301 blueprint. A solid affordable alternative if you want a single structured paid program outside Udemy.
4. LinkedIn Learning CCNA Prep
LinkedIn Learning has a polished CCNA 200-301 prep path — worth it if you have (or want) a subscription, and completion adds a certificate to your LinkedIn profile. Often free for a month via the trial.
5. Cisco Networking Academy (Free/Official)
Cisco’s own learning platform, including the free Packet Tracer network simulator that’s essential for hands-on practice. Use it alongside any course above to build the lab skills the exam expects.
What Is the CCNA Certification?
The CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) is an associate-level certification validating your ability to install, configure, and troubleshoot networks. Since 2020, Cisco consolidated the separate CCNA tracks into one exam — 200-301 — covering six domains: network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation/programmability. It’s Cisco-specific but widely respected as a benchmark of practical networking knowledge.
CCNA 200-301 Exam Details
- Exam code: 200-301 CCNA
- Length: ~120 minutes, roughly 100–120 questions (multiple choice, drag-and-drop, and lab simulations).
- Cost: $300 USD plus applicable taxes, booked through Pearson VUE.
- Passing score: Cisco uses a scaled score and doesn’t publish an exact passing mark — aim to consistently score well above 80% on quality practice exams.
- Prerequisites: None official, though ~a year of networking exposure helps.
- Validity: 3 years (recertify by exam, a higher Cisco cert, or continuing-education credits).
Is the CCNA Worth It? (Benefits & Salary)
For networking, infrastructure, and many cloud/security roles, yes. The CCNA is one of the most recognized entry-to-mid IT certifications and a strong resume signal for network administrator, network engineer, and NOC technician roles. US salaries for CCNA-associated roles commonly fall in the $60,000–$95,000+ range (network engineers trend higher), and it sets up advanced Cisco certs (CCNP) and pairs well with a cloud certification for DevOps/SecOps paths.
CCNA vs CompTIA Network+: Which Should You Get?
Both are entry-level networking certs, but they serve different goals. CompTIA Network+ is vendor-neutral and slightly easier — a good first step if you’re brand new to IT or want broad fundamentals. The CCNA is Cisco-specific, more rigorous, and more valued for networking-focused roles (it goes deeper on routing, switching, and configuration). If networking is your target career, go straight for the CCNA; if you want a gentler on-ramp or general IT foundation, start with Network+ and progress to CCNA.
A Realistic CCNA Study Plan
A 3–4 month plan that works for most people studying part-time:
- Month 1 — Fundamentals: Work through Jeremy’s IT Lab sections on network fundamentals and the OSI/TCP-IP models; set up Packet Tracer and complete every lab.
- Month 2 — Routing & switching: The core of the exam. Configure VLANs, trunking, inter-VLAN routing, static and OSPF routing, and ACLs hands-on — lab repetition matters more than re-watching videos.
- Month 3 — IP services, security & automation: DHCP, NAT, NTP, security fundamentals, and automation/programmability. Add a paid Udemy course or the official cert guide for weak areas.
- Month 4 — Practice & review: Drill full-length practice exams (Boson ExSim is the gold standard) until you consistently score above passing, and re-lab anything you miss. Book the exam when scores are stable.
How to Prepare for the CCNA 200-301
A proven path: (1) work through Jeremy’s IT Lab end to end, (2) get hands-on in Packet Tracer or Cisco’s free labs for every topic, (3) reinforce with a paid course or the official cert guide if you want more depth, and (4) drill with quality practice exams (Boson ExSim is the community gold standard) until you’re consistently scoring above passing. Plan on 2–4 months depending on your background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which CCNA exam is current in 2026?
The 200-301 CCNA. It replaced the older 200-125 (and the multiple-exam CCNA tracks) in February 2020. Avoid any course that targets 200-125 — it’s outdated.
What is the best free CCNA course?
Jeremy’s IT Lab on YouTube — a complete 200-301 course with free labs and flashcards, widely regarded as the best CCNA resource at any price.
Is the CCNA worth it in 2026?
Yes for networking, infrastructure, and many cloud/security roles — it remains one of the most respected entry-to-mid IT certifications and a strong resume signal.
How long does it take to pass the CCNA?
Typically 2–4 months of consistent study, longer if you’re new to networking. Hands-on lab practice is what separates people who pass from those who don’t.
Do I need hands-on labs to pass?
Effectively yes. The exam tests configuration and troubleshooting; Cisco’s free Packet Tracer (via Networking Academy) is the standard way to practice.
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