OSCP and CEH are the two most recognized offensive security certifications, but they test fundamentally different skill sets. OSCP is a grueling 24-hour hands-on exam requiring real exploitation, while CEH is a multiple-choice exam testing theoretical knowledge of hacking methodologies.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| OffSec OSCP | EC-Council CEH | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | OffSec | EC-Council |
| Exam Code | PEN-200 | CEH v13 |
| Level | Intermediate to Advanced | Intermediate |
| Cost | $1,749 (Learn One) / $2,749 (Learn Unlimited) | $1,199 (exam only) / $2,199+ (with training) |
| Duration | 23 hrs 45 min | 240 min |
| Questions | 3 standalone + 1 AD set | 125 |
| Passing Score | 70 points | 70% |
| Renewal | No expiration | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | None required; strong networking, Linux, and scripting skills essential | Two years of information security experience or official EC-Council training |
| Avg Salary Range | $95,000–$145,000 | $85,000–$125,000 |
Focus Areas
OffSec OSCP
Hands-on penetration testing, privilege escalation, Active Directory attacks, web application exploitation, buffer overflows, and client-side attacks
EC-Council CEH
Ethical hacking methodology, reconnaissance, scanning, enumeration, system hacking, malware threats, sniffing, social engineering, denial of service, session hijacking, web server and application hacking, and cloud security
Who Should Get Which?
Get OffSec OSCP if...
Serious penetration testers who want to prove hands-on hacking ability, red team professionals, or anyone who needs the most respected offensive security credential among technical peers
Get EC-Council CEH if...
Professionals who need an offensive security credential for compliance or HR requirements, government contractors where CEH is specifically mandated, or those who prefer a knowledge-based exam format
Recommended Order
Get CEH first if your employer requires it for compliance. Get OSCP first if you want to build real skills. In the security community, OSCP carries significantly more weight because it proves you can actually hack, not just answer questions about hacking.
Study Tips
OSCP requires months of lab practice — plan 3-6 months minimum. Master privilege escalation on both Linux and Windows, learn to chain exploits, and practice reporting. For CEH, focus on memorizing tools and methodologies. Platforms like Hack The Box and TryHackMe are essential prep for OSCP but overkill for CEH.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between OffSec OSCP and EC-Council CEH?
OSCP and CEH are the two most recognized offensive security certifications, but they test fundamentally different skill sets. OSCP is a grueling 24-hour hands-on exam requiring real exploitation, while CEH is a multiple-choice exam testing theoretical knowledge of hacking methodologies.
Should I get OffSec OSCP or EC-Council CEH first?
Get CEH first if your employer requires it for compliance. Get OSCP first if you want to build real skills. In the security community, OSCP carries significantly more weight because it proves you can actually hack, not just answer questions about hacking.
Who should get OffSec OSCP?
Serious penetration testers who want to prove hands-on hacking ability, red team professionals, or anyone who needs the most respected offensive security credential among technical peers
Who should get EC-Council CEH?
Professionals who need an offensive security credential for compliance or HR requirements, government contractors where CEH is specifically mandated, or those who prefer a knowledge-based exam format
Test Your Knowledge
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