CEH vs OSCP: Which Ethical Hacking Certification is Better?

The CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) and OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) certifications are frequently at the top of the list for those considering a career in ethical hacking. However, the crucial query is: Which certification is superior, OSCP or CEH? This question has been a widespread concern for cybersecurity enthusiasts, whether the individual is new or a well-versed hacking professional.

To help you make an informed decision based on your career goals, this article will explore the key differences, benefits, exam formats, job opportunities, and skill requirements of the OSCP and CEH certifications. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which certification suits you best—whether you’re starting your cybersecurity journey from scratch or aiming to enhance your existing skills to the next level.

What is CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)?

The EC-Council offers the fundamental ethical hacking certification known as CEH. It focuses on imparting hacking methods, tools, and techniques from an offensive security perspective in a way that is morally and legally acceptable.

Key Highlights of CEH:

Covers more than 20 domains, including SQL injection, malware, sniffer, footprinting, etc.
Ideal for beginners in cybersecurity.
Provides both theoretical and practical knowledge.
Multiple choice exam (125 questions, 4 hours).

What is OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)?

Offensive Security’s advanced-level OSCP certification is well-known for its extremely useful, hands-on penetration testing instruction.

Key Highlights of OSCP:

Concentrates only on penetration testing in the real world.
Has to be solved in a controlled laboratory setting.
The 24-hour hacking challenge is the practical exam.
Linux and command-line skills are necessary.

CEH vs OSCP: Detailed Comparison

Feature	CEH	OSCP
Provider	EC-Council	Offensive Security
Level	Intermediate	Advanced
Focus Area	Hacking concepts & tools	Practical penetration testing
Exam Type	Multiple-choice	Practical (24-hour exam)
Eligibility	No strict prerequisites	Strong command-line & Linux skills recommended
Recognition	Widely recognized in corporate jobs	Highly respected in pentesting communities
Learning Mode	Online/Offline, Self-paced & instructor-led	Online lab & self-study
Cost	₹45,000 – ₹80,000	₹75,000 – ₹1,20,000

Which Ethical Hacking Certification Should You Choose?

Choose CEH If:

You’ve never done ethical hacking before, or you are an ethical hacking beginner.
To begin working in cybersecurity, you should have a recognized certificate.
Your goal is to work in corporate IT security.

Choose OSCP If:

You’ve worked in IT security or ethical hacking before.
Your goal is to become a penetration tester.
You feel at ease with code, Linux, and practical issues.

FAQs

About CEH vs OSCP

1: Is OSCP harder than CEH?

Yes, because of its 24-hour exam style and practical, hands-on approach, OSCP is regarded as much more difficult.

2: Can a beginner take OSCP directly?

Though not recommended, it is feasible. Before enrolling in OSCP, beginners might think about beginning with CEH or other foundational courses.

3: Which certification is better for jobs in India?

While OSCP is highly regarded by cybersecurity companies and for penetration testing positions, CEH is more well-known in corporate work contexts.

4: Is CEH enough to get a job?

Yes, for entry-level positions like security analyst, SOC analyst, or junior ethical hacker, CEH is frequently adequate.

5: How long does it take to prepare for CEH and OSCP?

CEH: 1 to 3 months
OSCP: 3 to 6 months or more (depending on prior experience)

6: What are the alternatives to CEH and OSCP?

Alternatives to CEH: CompTIA Security+, ECSA
Alternatives to OSCP: PNPT, CRTP, eJPT

Final Thoughts

The debate between CEH and OSCP cannot be resolved in a one-size-fits-all manner.

CEH: If cybersecurity is new to you, CEH is a fantastic place to start.
OSCP: If you’re prepared for in-depth, practical penetration testing, OSCP is a superior option.

For a comprehensive set of ethical hacking skills, begin with CEH if at all possible, then go to OSCP.

Consider OSCP as your mastery-level certification and CEH as your gateway when comparing CEH vs OSCP. Each has a role to play in a career in cybersecurity. Where you are in your journey and where you wish to go will determine the best option.

In this regard, to join any of the courses — CEH or OSCP, you can join Craw Security, the Best Cybersecurity Training Institute in India, which is the official training partner of the parent organizations of both the respective courses, such as EC-Council and OffSec, to deliver their training courses at very cost-friendly price ranges. To know more about the same, or any other kind of issue, you can give us a call at our 24X7 hotline mobile number, +91-9513805401, and have a chat with our superb educational counselors.

CEH vs OSCP: Which Ethical Hacking Certification is Better? [2026]

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