The CompTIA A+ is a well known entry level IT certification usually for entry level IT jobs,
a quick Indeed search shows that there are over 300 jobs just for my area alone.
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate however, differs.
In a quick Indeed search for jobs with the Google IT Support Professional Certificate shows only 17 jobs.
I don't know about you, but to me that isn't a whole lot.
Although what it lacks in jobs it does give you a decent fundamental knowledge of IT.
I myself am in the process of obtaining the Google IT Support Professional Certificate with only 2 courses left, so
far from being basically a beginner I can now confidently be able to understand basic PowerShell and Linux commands
with additional knowledge of binary/subnetting, software/operating systems, and general security/infrastructure concepts.
The labs in my opinion from Qwiklabs are pretty useful for the Google IT Support Professional Certificate (unless
there is an issue with your account, I learned that the hard way by resetting my account.)
The staff from Qwiklabs also reply to your emails very quickly for resetting the labs as well, in my experience.
From my own private investigation on Reddit the general consensus is that the CompTIA A+ beats the Google IT Support
Professional Certificate in 2 ways.
JOBS, AND RECOGNITION.
The CompTIA A+ will most likely always be more recognized than the Google IT Support Professional Certificate mainly
due to the fact that the CompTIA A+ has been around over almost 30 years launching in 1993 compared to the Google IT
Support Professional Certificate only being around for only 5 years launching in 2017.
The other obvious reason is due to the jobs the CompTIA A+ brings, the A+ is basically the gold standard for someone
seeking an entry level IT support job (with/without a degree, or experience.) Several people on multiple social
media platforms (LinkedIN, YouTube, Reddit, etc.) have expressed their progression in their career goals from the
CompTIA A+.
Just look at this post right here:
CompTIA A+ Job Post
On the other hand, while there are a LOT of cons to the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, there are a lot of pros as well.
The Google IT Support
Professional Certificate is
useful in 3 ways: KNOWLEDGE,
PRICE, AND THE NAME GOOGLE.
From my own experience the Google
IT Support Professional
Certificate is the real deal for
IT knowledge for a beginner, the
labs are very in-depth and really
test your knowledge (also worth adding that you need to at least get 80% to pass a lab I believe.)
The name Google also never looks bad on a resume, especially since it's a FAANG company.
The price is also very good
compared to the CompTIA A+ from a
Google search, the price is $438
for the CompTIA A+ compared to
the Google IT Support
Professional Certificate being
around half the price at $234 for
6 months (you could also get the
Google IT Support Professional
Certificate free with financial
aid.)
One argument for the price
comparison once again would be
that not only CompTIA A+ is
double the price, it's double the
value (although I have gotten
interviews with the
Google IT Support Professional
Certificate I am yet to see
offers.)
Overall, I would say that they both hold their own value but the CompTIA A+ is a much better value all-around.
The personal advice I have would
be that if you are seeking an
entry level job in IT the best
barrier to entry would be to
pursue the Google IT Support
Professional Certificate in
preparation for the CompTIA A+
certification so you can obtain
both which shows determination,
dedication, and education.
One neat fact is that if you
choose to obtain both the CompTIA
A+ and Google IT Support
Professional Certificate you can
earn a dual LinkedIN badge which
looks great to employers.
Read more about the Google IT
Support Professional Certificate
and the CompTIA A+ here: Grow With Google/CompTIA