The "Dion vs Messer" decision is the most asked question in CompTIA prep communities. Both instructors have legitimate followings, both produce passes, and both have specific weaknesses the other compensates for. This page is written for the candidate who has already decided to use one (or both) and needs a clear decision framework based on learning style, budget, timeline, and target certification. We'll cover Security+, A+, Network+, and CySA+ specifically since those are the four certs where both instructors overlap.
Neither is universally better—they suit different candidate profiles. Dion sells the complete course and practice-exam pack separately on Udemy; direct bundles can include labs and different support terms. Check the exact listing. Compare the current price and included materials for each option before you buy. Most first-time passers use both: Messer for objective deep-dives, Dion for practice exams and PBQ format.
Format and Teaching Style Differences
Messer's format is objective-by-objective: he releases one short (5-15 min) video per CompTIA exam objective on YouTube. The strength is precision—you can find any objective in 30 seconds. The weakness is fragmentation; concepts that span objectives can feel disconnected. Dion's format is narrative chunks: he groups related objectives into 30-60 min lectures with real-world scenarios threading them together. The strength is retention; the weakness is harder to spot-check a specific objective without scrubbing through video.
Practice Exams Head-to-Head
Dion sells the complete course and practice-exam pack separately on Udemy; direct bundles can include labs and different support terms. Check the exact listing. Dion sells the complete course and practice-exam pack separately on Udemy; direct bundles can include labs and different support terms. Check the exact listing. Professor Messer offers practice-exam materials with performance-based questions; check the sample for your exam version. Written PBQ practice and hands-on labs serve different purposes. Dion's practice exam quality is widely considered superior, especially for PBQ prep. Compare the current price and included materials for each option before you buy.
Decision Framework: Which Instructor for You
Pick Messer if: (1) you have a free access budget, (2) you prefer self-paced objective-by-objective study, (3) you already have IT experience and want a free refresher, or (4) you want unlimited rewatches without Udemy account issues. Pick Dion if: (1) you want everything in one bundle for the current listed price (2) you need PBQ prep included, (3) you struggle with self-direction and want a "follow the playlist" experience, or (4) you specifically want narrative-style teaching with real-world examples. Pick both if: budget allows—use Messer for deep objective study, Dion for practice exams. This is the most common winning combination.
Pro Tips
Buy Dion only during Udemy sales (the current listed price). Never at the the current listed price list price—sales happen every 2-3 weeks.
Watch Messer first if Dion's lecture pace feels too slow—Messer is denser per minute.
Use Dion's practice exams even if you primarily study with Messer; they're the best on the market.
For A+, Messer's depth on hardware is unmatched. For Security+, Dion's scenario framing wins.
For CySA+ and PenTest+, Dion is the clear choice—Messer's coverage of those certs is limited.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Picking one instructor purely because they're cheaper or more popular—learning-style fit matters more.
Watching all of both. You'll burn out. Pick one as primary, use the other for weak spots only.
Check Professor Messer’s practice-exam sample for written PBQ coverage, and add hands-on tasks to practise applying the concepts.
Buying Dion at full price. Wait 1-3 weeks for the Udemy sale; it always comes.
Ignoring Dion's downloadable notes—they're among the best free study artifacts in his course.
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