Validates practical skills in IT support, including troubleshooting, networking, operating systems, system administration and security.
A good Google IT Support course covers troubleshooting, networking, operating systems, system administration and security, and gives you labs to practise. We compared the ways to take the program on cost, catalog and what you can study alongside it.
Most people should take the program on Coursera at $49 a month. Choose the Google Career Certificates subscription for several Google certificates, Coursera Plus for many programs and Professor Messer's free A+ course as your next step.
| Course | Best for | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Google IT Support Professional Certificate | One certificate | Video | $49/month |
 Google Career Certificates subscription | Several Google certs | Video | $49/month |
| Coursera Plus | Wide Coursera catalog | Video | $59/month |
 CompTIA A+ 220-1201 Training Course | Free A+ next step | Video | Free |
The full Google program on Coursera: five courses and an optional sixth on job searching with AI, about 122 hours in total. It uses videos, browser labs and graded quizzes, and Coursera suggests 3 months at 10 hours a week.
Great fit if you want the Google certificate with Coursera's free trial or financial aid
Poor fit if you plan to take several Google certificates; choose the Career Certificates subscription
Google's own platform, with this program and every other Google Career Certificate for one monthly price. It covers the same IT Support program as Coursera, so you can start another Google certificate without paying again.
Great fit if you want more than one Google certificate
Poor fit if you need Coursera's financial aid; choose the Coursera program
One subscription to most of the Coursera catalog, including this program and programs from Google, IBM and universities. It costs more per month than the Google options but covers many more programs.
Great fit if you will take several Coursera programs in a year
Poor fit if you only want this certificate; choose the Coursera program
A free video course for CompTIA A+ Core 1 of about 10 hours, with a matching Core 2 course on the same site. Google and CompTIA offer a dual credential for completing this certificate and passing both A+ exams.
Great fit if you plan to take CompTIA A+ next
Poor fit if you are not planning to take A+; stay with the Google program
For most people, the Google IT Support Professional Certificate on Coursera at $49 a month. Choose Google's own subscription if you want other Google certificates too.
Coursera and Google's platform both offer a 7-day free trial, and Coursera offers financial aid for the program. Otherwise it costs $49 a month.
The five courses plus the optional job-search course add up to 122 hours. Coursera suggests 3 months at 10 hours a week.
Yes. Completing the program prepares you for the A+ exams, and passing both with the certificate earns a Google and CompTIA dual credential. A+ is a separate exam.