Best Certified Ethical Hacker Courses in 2025

In today's digital landscape, organizations face an ever-growing number of cyber threats. As these threats evolve in sophistication, the demand for skilled professionals who can identify and address security vulnerabilities continues to rise. This is where ethical hackers come in – cybersecurity experts who use their knowledge to protect systems rather than exploit them.

Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or white-hat hacking, involves legally breaking into computers and devices to test an organization's defenses. Unlike malicious hackers, ethical hackers have permission to probe networks, applications, and systems to uncover potential security gaps before they can be exploited.

This comprehensive guide examines the best certified ethical hacker courses available in 2025, helping you make an informed decision about which certification path aligns with your career goals, learning style, and budget.

Quick Course Overview

Course	Best For	Price	Key Highlight
CEH v13	Entry-level professionals	$1,199	Most widely recognized certification
PEN-200 (OSCP)	Aspiring penetration testers	$1,749	Hands-on, practical certification
SANS SEC560	Security professionals	$8,780	Comprehensive instructor-led training
CompTIA PenTest+	IT professionals transitioning to cybersecurity	$404-$1,111	Vendor-neutral certification
eCPPT	Hands-on learners	$599	Practical labs and real-world scenarios
Udemy Courses	Budget-conscious beginners	$14.99-$149.99	Affordable self-paced learning

Understanding Ethical Hacking and Certifications

What is Ethical Hacking?

Ethical hacking encompasses a wide range of activities designed to identify and address security vulnerabilities. These activities include:

• Vulnerability assessment: Identifying and cataloging security weaknesses in systems
• Penetration testing: Actively exploiting vulnerabilities to determine their potential impact
• Security auditing: Systematically evaluating an organization's security posture
• Social engineering testing: Assessing human vulnerabilities through deception techniques
• Physical security assessment: Evaluating the physical aspects of information security

Unlike malicious hackers who exploit vulnerabilities for personal gain or destruction, ethical hackers operate with explicit permission and work to strengthen security postures.

Importance of Ethical Hacking Certifications

Certifications play a crucial role in the field of ethical hacking for several reasons:

• Industry validation: Certifications demonstrate your knowledge and skills have been verified by recognized authorities
• Structured learning path: Certification programs provide a comprehensive curriculum that ensures you cover all essential areas
• Practical experience: Many certifications include hands-on labs and practical exams that build real-world skills
• Career advancement: Certifications can help you qualify for jobs and command higher salaries
• Legal protection: When conducting security assessments, certifications help establish your professional credentials and intentions

Employers increasingly require or prefer candidates with recognized certifications, making them a valuable investment for aspiring cybersecurity professionals.

1. EC-Council's Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• Best for: Entry-level security professionals looking for a recognized credential
• Visit website: Link
• Price: $1,199 (exam only)

The CEH v13 is one of the most widely recognized ethical hacking certifications, covering a broad range of topics from footprinting and reconnaissance to cryptography and cloud computing security. Developed by the creators of the original CEH, this updated version delivers a power-packed, updated curriculum across 20 learning modules. Covering more than 550 attack techniques and utilizing over 4,000 hacking and security tools, CEH v13 is designed to equip cybersecurity professionals with the practical, real-world skills needed to identify vulnerabilities and counter advanced cyber threats.

Key Features

• Comprehensive curriculum: Covers 20 security domains
• Multiple formats: Available in instructor-led, live online, and self-paced formats
• Lab access: Access to EC-Council's iLabs platform with over 100 hacking tools
• Framework alignment: Aligned with NICE 2.0 framework and DoD Directive 8570
• Study materials: Includes videos, labs, and practice tests
• AI-Powered Enhancements: Incorporates AI to boost threat detection and decision-making
• Extensive practical experience: Features 221 hands-on labs and real-world challenges
• Global recognition: Widely respected by government bodies and private organizations

2. Offensive Security's Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PEN-200)

• Best for: Aspiring penetration testers seeking hands-on, practical skills
• Visit website: Link
• Price: Starting at $1,749

The PEN-200 course prepares you for the OSCP certification, widely regarded as one of the most challenging and respected ethical hacking credentials. This industry-leading course introduces penetration testing methodology, tools, and techniques in a hands-on, self-paced environment. Learners who complete the course and pass the exam after November 1, 2024 will earn the OffSec Certified Professional (OSCP & OSCP+) penetration testing certification, which requires holders to successfully attack and penetrate various live machines in a safe lab environment.

Key Features

• Hands-on labs: Extensive labs with real-world scenarios
• Methodology focus: Learn methodology rather than just tools
• Exploit development: Learn to write basic exploits and modify existing ones
• Problem-solving: Develop skills through the "try harder" philosophy
• Lab access: Lifetime lab access option available
• Comprehensive curriculum: Covers essential penetration testing topics
• Practical certification: One of the few certifications requiring evidence of practical pen testing skills
• Lifetime certification: OSCP certification is valid for life (OSCP+ expires after 3 years)

3. SANS SEC560: Network Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking

• Best for: Security professionals seeking comprehensive, instructor-led training
• Visit website: Link
• Price: $8,780

The SEC560 course prepares students for the GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) certification and provides extensive hands-on training in penetration testing methodologies. This flagship SANS course equips you to assess and mitigate business risks across complex, modern enterprises, including on-prem systems, Azure, and Entra ID. The course focuses on the combined business risk of the entire enterprise rather than individual components.

Key Features

• Intensive training: Six-day intensive training with expert instructors
• NetWars CTF: Continuous capture-the-flag exercise
• Comprehensive coverage: Covers both technical and business aspects
• Extensive labs: Includes more than 30 in-depth labs
• Exam preparation: Includes practice tests and materials
• Enterprise focus: Covers modern enterprise environments including cloud services
• Hands-on experience: Real-world penetration testing scenarios
• Professional tools: Access to industry-standard penetration testing tools

What You Will Learn

• Properly plan and prepare for enterprise penetration tests
• Perform detailed reconnaissance and scanning
• Execute safe and effective password attacks
• Exploit target systems and measure business risk
• Use privilege escalation techniques
• Execute lateral movement and pivoting
• Attack Active Directory domains and forests
• Conduct Azure reconnaissance and attacks
• Develop high-quality penetration test reports

4. CompTIA PenTest+

• Best for: IT professionals transitioning to cybersecurity with some baseline knowledge
• Visit website: Link
• Price: $404-$1,111

CompTIA PenTest+ is a vendor-neutral certification that focuses on penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. Unlike other penetration testing exams that only cover a portion of stages, PenTest+ uses both performance-based and knowledge-based questions to ensure all stages are mastered. It's the only certification covering artificial intelligence (AI), hands-on inventory, scanning and analysis, attacks, lateral movement, as well as planning, scoping, and vulnerability management.

Key Features

• Performance-based: Questions that test practical skills
• Comprehensive coverage: Planning, scoping, and managing weaknesses
• Current techniques: Emphasis on latest techniques and best practices
• Certification path: Complementary to Security+ and CySA+
• DoD recognition: Recognized by the US Department of Defense
• Hands-on focus: Requires demonstration of key pen testing skills
• Cloud coverage: Includes cloud, web apps, APIs, and IoT environments
• Vendor neutral: Applicable across different platforms and tools

5. eCPPT Certification

• Best for: Hands-on learners who prefer practical labs over theoretical knowledge
• Visit website: Link
• Price: $599 for 3 months subscription. After 3 months, you'll be billed $350 for 9 more months of Premium. Your subscription renews annually at $749.

The eCPPT course prepares students for the eCPPT (Certified Professional Penetration Tester) certification, a practical, hands-on certification designed for professional Penetration Testers and Ethical Hackers. The certification validates that individuals have the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to fulfill the role of a modern Penetration Tester. The eCPPT certification is valid for three years from the date it is awarded (for certifications issued in 2024 or later).

Key Features

• Extensive labs: Environment with real-world scenarios
• Flexible platform: Video lessons and slides
• Progressive learning: Path from basics to advanced techniques
• Methodical approach: Focus on penetration testing methodology
• Report writing: Emphasis on professional report writing
• Hands-on certification: Practical exam testing real-world skills
• Comprehensive coverage: From initial access to post-exploitation
• Modern focus: Updated for 2024 with latest techniques

6. Udemy Ethical Hacking Courses

• Best for: Budget-conscious beginners looking for affordable introductions to ethical hacking
• Visit website: Link
• Price: $14.99-$149.99

Several highly-rated ethical hacking courses on Udemy provide cost-effective training options. These courses are designed for beginners and intermediate learners who want to understand ethical hacking concepts and techniques without the high cost of traditional certification programs.

Key Features

• On-demand content: Video content with lifetime access
• Practical demonstrations: Tools and techniques
• Regular updates: Keep content current
• Certification: Certificate of completion
• Money-back guarantee: 30-day guarantee
• Mobile access: Learn on any device
• Community support: Access to course community
• Flexible learning: Self-paced study

Career Opportunities and Benefits

Potential Job Roles

A certified ethical hacker can pursue various career paths, including:

Role	Description	Average Salary Range
Penetration Tester	Conduct authorized simulated attacks to identify vulnerabilities	$90,000-$130,000
Security Consultant	Provide expert advice on improving security posture	$85,000-$140,000
Security Analyst	Monitor and analyze security threats and incidents	$75,000-$110,000
Vulnerability Assessor	Identify and evaluate security weaknesses	$80,000-$120,000
Red Team Member	Simulate real-world attacks to test defenses	$100,000-$150,000
Security Engineer	Design and implement security solutions	$90,000-$140,000

Salary Expectations

Ethical hacking certifications can significantly impact your earning potential:

Position Level	Salary Range	Experience & Requirements
Entry-level	$70,000 - $90,000	Basic certifications and foundational knowledge
Mid-level	$90,000 - $120,000	3-5 years of experience with intermediate certifications
Senior	$150,000+	5+ years of experience and advanced certifications
Specialized	Premium	Financial services or healthcare industry focus

According to a 2024 industry survey, certified professionals earn 15-25% more than their non-certified counterparts with similar experience levels.

Conclusion

The field of ethical hacking offers abundant opportunities for cybersecurity professionals looking to specialize in offensive security. With the persistent skills gap and growing threat landscape, certified ethical hackers remain in high demand across industries.

Frequently Asked Questions