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Compare certifications
Pick up to 3 certifications and compare them side-by-side on cost, exam format, recertification, salary signal, quality, and domain coverage.
OffSec · professional
OSEDOffensive Security Exploit Developer
Offensive Security Exploit Developer
Official pageGIAC · expert
GXPNGIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester
GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester
Official pageComparing
OffSecOSED
GIACGXPN
› Cost
Exam fee
OSED$1,649
GXPN$979
Exam fee
$1,649
$979
Annual maintenance fee
OSED—
GXPN—
Annual maintenance fee
—
—
3-year cost of ownership
OSED$1,649
GXPN$979
3-year cost of ownership
$1,649
$979
› Exam mechanics
Pass mark
OSEDLab points-based (typically 60+/100 with report)
GXPN67% (scaled per attempt)
Pass mark
Lab points-based (typically 60+/100 with report)
67% (scaled per attempt)
Retake policy
OSED$249 fee · 0d wait
GXPN$999 fee · 30d wait
Retake policy
$249 fee · 0d wait
$999 fee · 30d wait
Study time
OSED300–600 hrs
GXPN200–400 hrs
Study time
300–600 hrs
200–400 hrs
Validity
OSED3 yrs
GXPN4 yrs
Validity
3 yrs
4 yrs
CPE / yr
OSED—
GXPN9 CPEs
CPE / yr
—
9 CPEs
Delivery
OSEDonline proctored
GXPNmixed
Delivery
online proctored
mixed
› Salary signal (US base)
Range
OSED$140K – $215K
GXPN$135K – $200K
Range
$140K – $215K
$135K – $200K
Median
OSED$170,000
GXPN$160,000
Median
$170,000
$160,000
Premium %
OSED—
GXPN—
Premium %
—
—
Role context
OSEDVulnerability researcher / exploit developer, US, 5+ years.
GXPNSenior pentester / exploit developer, US, 5+ years.
Role context
Vulnerability researcher / exploit developer, US, 5+ years.
Senior pentester / exploit developer, US, 5+ years.
› Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)
Schema quality
OSED8.5
GXPN8.5
Schema quality
8.5
8.5
Practice evidence
OSED9.5
GXPN7.5
Practice evidence
9.5
7.5
Maintenance
OSED6.0
GXPN6.5
Maintenance
6.0
6.5
Market recognition
OSED6.5
GXPN6.5
Market recognition
6.5
6.5
Average
OSED7.6
GXPN7.3
Average
7.6
7.3
› Recognition & lifecycle
Recognition
OSEDGlobal
GXPNGlobal
Recognition
Global
Global
ISO 17024 accredited
OSED—
GXPN—
ISO 17024 accredited
—
—
DoD 8140 baseline
OSED—
GXPN—
DoD 8140 baseline
—
—
Holders worldwide
OSED1,500
GXPN4,000
Holders worldwide
1,500
4,000
Current version
OSEDEXP-301 (2024) (2024-04)
GXPN2024 SEC660 refresh (2024-06)
Current version
EXP-301 (2024) (2024-04)
2024 SEC660 refresh (2024-06)
› Domain coverage
A21Malware Analysis & Reverse Engineering
OSED● core
GXPN● core
A21Malware Analysis & Reverse Engineering
● core
● core
A9Penetration Testing & Red Teaming
OSED● core
GXPN● core
A9Penetration Testing & Red Teaming
● core
● core
Browse the full catalog or open any one of these on its detail page for full study materials, peer comparisons, and lifecycle notes.