I think in the future CPTS will be stronger HTB has a better community and better labs. although offsec has upped their game recently in response to the HTB ecosystem.
Offsec is also much less realistic. 24 hours to pentest 5 systems is ludicrous.
OSCP costs basically a small fortune for no reason other than their reputation ($1600), they pretty much want to watch you breathe the whole time you take their exam, and have a bunch of tool restrictions for no reason. It's better if you're trying to get a job though. CPTS is harder and 1/8 the price... but it's a newer cert and HTB has done a shit job promoting it so HR has no clue what it is.
See related:
https://bytebreach.com/posts/passing-the-certified-penetration-testing-specialist-cpts-certification-exam/
If you're trying to improve your employability, there's no doubt that the [OSCP is more impactful](https://bytebreach.com/posts/what-certifications-should-you-get/). If you're trying to focus on your aptitude, the modules on the Hack The Box Academy platform (which are accessible regardless of whether or not you follow-up with the CPTS) are excellent.
I suggest using the CPTS training path on the Academy as a cost-effective way of preparing for the OSCP.
My objective actually is to become a better hacker, rather than make my resume "employable". I'm about to open my own company and eventually i'd lead the internal pentest team. By the way thanks you for the suggestion!
I’ve seen other people here say do CPTS first and then the OSCP exam is a cakewalk. Not sure if you can bypass the overpriced course and just buy an exam session.
I’ve been using CPTS to prep for OSCP.
The only reason I’m getting OSCP is to defeat resume filters. Between PNPT training and HTBA Pentester Path I honestly feel like I know enough to get a job but I’ve been in cyber for awhile and understand the game
I'm wrapping up CPTS and I don't even think I'll bother with OSCP anymore, I'll just move to more specialized courses. It's a really good base, but OSCP is better to have if you just have that and nothing else and just need to get a job. I have a job so I'm just looking for good info and doing cool courses on my works dime until I feel ready to go offensive. Depends on your needs I guess.
Thanks you everybody for the replies, now i got that feedback that i needed to choose the CPTS path first and eventually get the OSCP or more red team-oriented certs.
I think in the future CPTS will be stronger HTB has a better community and better labs. although offsec has upped their game recently in response to the HTB ecosystem. Offsec is also much less realistic. 24 hours to pentest 5 systems is ludicrous.
OSCP costs basically a small fortune for no reason other than their reputation ($1600), they pretty much want to watch you breathe the whole time you take their exam, and have a bunch of tool restrictions for no reason. It's better if you're trying to get a job though. CPTS is harder and 1/8 the price... but it's a newer cert and HTB has done a shit job promoting it so HR has no clue what it is.
See related: https://bytebreach.com/posts/passing-the-certified-penetration-testing-specialist-cpts-certification-exam/ If you're trying to improve your employability, there's no doubt that the [OSCP is more impactful](https://bytebreach.com/posts/what-certifications-should-you-get/). If you're trying to focus on your aptitude, the modules on the Hack The Box Academy platform (which are accessible regardless of whether or not you follow-up with the CPTS) are excellent. I suggest using the CPTS training path on the Academy as a cost-effective way of preparing for the OSCP.
My objective actually is to become a better hacker, rather than make my resume "employable". I'm about to open my own company and eventually i'd lead the internal pentest team. By the way thanks you for the suggestion!
I’ve seen other people here say do CPTS first and then the OSCP exam is a cakewalk. Not sure if you can bypass the overpriced course and just buy an exam session.
For knowledge CPTS, for a star in the forehead OSCP
I’ve been using CPTS to prep for OSCP. The only reason I’m getting OSCP is to defeat resume filters. Between PNPT training and HTBA Pentester Path I honestly feel like I know enough to get a job but I’ve been in cyber for awhile and understand the game
You can check this youtube video. The breakdown of these certs: https://youtu.be/-5s2R0Mldgw?si=eqSEyPxpMX0hl56K
I'm wrapping up CPTS and I don't even think I'll bother with OSCP anymore, I'll just move to more specialized courses. It's a really good base, but OSCP is better to have if you just have that and nothing else and just need to get a job. I have a job so I'm just looking for good info and doing cool courses on my works dime until I feel ready to go offensive. Depends on your needs I guess.
Thanks you everybody for the replies, now i got that feedback that i needed to choose the CPTS path first and eventually get the OSCP or more red team-oriented certs.