Professor Messer and Jason Dion are the two names that dominate every CompTIA study recommendation thread. They are not direct competitors — they're complements — but most candidates can only afford the time (or money) for one. This page compares them head-to-head on the dimensions that actually affect whether you pass on the first try: concept depth, practice exam realism, PBQ exposure, and total cost.
By the end you'll know which to pick if you can only choose one, and the lean way to use both if you want the strongest possible prep.
Start with Messer’s free videos if you need concept teaching on a limited budget. If you need more practice, compare the exam version, sample questions, explanations, and current price of each paid product. Messer’s SY0-701 practice exams include written multiple-choice questions and PBQs. Neither provider replaces hands-on practice, and this review does not establish a pass-rate or realism advantage.
What Each Is Known For
Professor Messer (James Messer) is a 20-year IT veteran who built his audience on completely free YouTube video courses covering CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+. His teaching style is calm, structured, and objective-mapped. His paid products are course notes (the current listed price) and three practice exams (the current listed price).
Jason Dion is a former DoD instructor whose business is built around Udemy. He sells video courses at prices that vary by product and promotion and — more importantly — practice exam packs. Review the selected pack’s samples for question formats and answer explanations; practice scores do not map directly to the real exam.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Dimension | Professor Messer | Jason Dion |
|---|---|---|
| Video course | Free, full coverage | Paid; check exam version and current price |
| Teaching style | Calm, objective-by-objective | Energetic, scenario-driven |
| Practice exams | Written multiple-choice and performance-based questions; check edition | Check current pack, exam count, and sample formats |
| PBQ coverage | Written PBQs; add hands-on practice | Check the selected product |
| Answer explanations | Review the sample explanations | Review the sample explanations |
| Updates | Match the product to your exam version | Match the product to your exam version |
| Best for | Free concept study plus optional paid materials | Additional paid courses or practice |
Using both can add a different explanation or question set. Choose a second resource when it addresses a gap in your current study plan.
Which to Pick If You Can Only Pick One
Pick Messer alone if: you're on a strict $0 budget, you're early in your study (haven't opened a book yet), or you learn best from sequential video. You'll need to source free practice questions elsewhere and add hands-on practice alongside written questions.
Pick Dion alone if: you already know the material from a book, bootcamp, or job experience, and you specifically need exam-day realism. Allow time to review missed topics and complete hands-on tasks; the time needed depends on your starting knowledge.
Use both (recommended): watch Messer's free videos for primary learning, then run Dion's practice exam pack as your final 2 weeks of readiness work. Check the current price before buying and use your remaining knowledge gaps to set the study schedule.
Common Mistakes With Each
With Messer: watching every video twice instead of using the second pass for active practice. Treating his 270-question practice set as enough.
With Dion: jumping straight to practice exams without learning the material first. Memorizing his specific questions instead of the underlying concepts (his questions are realistic but the real exam draws from a much larger pool).
Pro Tips
Compare the current checkout price and included exam version before buying Dion’s practice exams. Promotions can vary.
Use Messer at 1.25x for the first watch — saves 3+ hours across the course.
After every Dion practice exam, review every wrong answer with the matching Messer video.
Don't take a Dion exam more than twice — past the second attempt you're memorizing questions, not learning.
Use fresh practice questions to identify weak topics. Schedule your exam when you can explain the objectives and complete practical tasks within the time limit; no practice percentage guarantees a pass.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing one and dismissing the other based on price alone.
Buying Dion's practice exams before finishing Messer's video coverage.
Re-taking the same Dion exam 4+ times and confusing memorization with mastery.
Treating written practice as a substitute for hands-on tasks.
Treating either source as a substitute for active recall (flashcards, quizzes).
Combine video lessons and fresh practice when each serves a specific need. Review missed answers, return to the relevant objectives, and add hands-on tasks. A low-cost study plan can be useful, but this review does not establish a pass-rate advantage, fixed preparation time, or best value for every learner.
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