Cisco DevNet vs. JNCIA-DevOps: Which is Harder?

DevOps and network automation have matured to the point that big names in the industry certify related skills. Cisco and Juniper are among the biggest names in the world of network certifications. Juniper’s JNCIA-DevOps first launched in 2018 and was most recently updated with the JN0-224 exam in February 2025. Cisco introduced its DevNet Associate certification in 2020, with a version 1.1 blueprint update released in January 2024.
Of course, whenever competing vendors put out comparable certs, it's common to ask, "Which one is harder?" Topically, it seems like Cisco's DevNet Associate exam may be, but here we'll look closer to help you contextualize that opinion. We've got you covered with tons of DevOps certification training, whichever path you choose.
Cisco DevNet: The Basics
The Cisco DevNet 200-901 DEVASC exam first went live on February 24, 2020, and later got a blueprint update in January of 2024. Passing the exam earns you a Cisco Certified DevNet Associate certification. Beyond the associate level, the DevNet series of certifications has professional and specialist offerings, but as of right now, no expert-level (comparable to the CCIE) certification is available.
We'll focus on the DevNet Associate to keep things apples to apples because the JNCIA-DevOps is also an "associate" level cert. DevNet Associate certifies an IT pro's knowledge of software development and design for using Cisco platforms, APIs, and infrastructure automation. This cert is a good option if you want a career that mixes software development and network infrastructure.
Here is a quick rundown of the basics of the DevNet Associate Exam:
Prerequisites: There are no official prerequisites to sit for the 200-901 DEVASC exam.
Recommended experience: Cisco recommends a year or more of software development experience, specifically calling out Python programming.
Exam topics: Software Development and Design, Understanding and Using APIs, Cisco Platforms and Development, Application Deployment and Security, Infrastructure and Automation, and Network Fundamentals. The 2024 update introduced new topics like RESTCONF, NETCONF, YANG models, and Terraform, and updated tools — for example, Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) now replaces VIRL, and Secure Endpoint replaces AMP. (You can download a full PDF list of topics and subtopics here.)
Exam cost: $300
Exam duration: 120 minutes
Recertification period: 3 years
Upcoming change: In February 2026, the certification will be renamed to "Automating Networks Using Cisco Platforms (200-901 CCNAAUTO)" with no changes to the exam content.
JNCIA-DevOps: The Basics
The updated JNCIA-DevOps (JN0-224) exam launched in 2025 and validates foundational knowledge in network automation using Junos OS and key DevOps tools. Beyond the associate level, Juniper offers a specialist tier with the JNCIS-DevOps, but no professional or expert level (currently). The JNCIA-DevOps is similar to the DevNet cert in terms of topics and target audience. As a result, IT pros interested in the intersection of networking and programming as it relates to Juniper products may be interested.
Prerequisites: There are no formal prerequisites for the JN0-220.
Recommended experience: Juniper recommends an Introduction to Junos Platform Automation and DevOps (IJAUT) course. Given what that course covers, familiarity with Junos OS, REST APIs, Ansible, Python/PyEZ, NETCONF, and data formats like YAML, JSON, and XML is useful.
Exam topics: Junos Automation Stack and DevOps Concepts, XML/NETCONF, Data Serialization, Ansible, Python or PyEZ, and REST API are the high-level exam objective categories. The 2025 exam revision maintained the focus on these high-demand areas. You can view the complete list here.
Exam cost: $200
Exam duration: 90 minutes
Recertification period: 3 years
Cisco DevNet vs. JNCIA-DevOps: Difficulty
Thus far, we have two similar certs from rival vendors. Ideally, to determine difficulty, we'd like to look at pass rates. Unfortunately, there isn't enough information available to take that data-driven approach. Without pass/fail rates, quantifying difficulty becomes more subjective, but there's still plenty we can look at. For example, feedback from those who have taken the exams can be a great reference point.
JNCIA-DevOps has been around long enough to generate a few conversations around the Internet. Similarly, despite being relatively new, there is plenty of chatter about DevNet around the web. This is great because it gives us an easy way to get different viewpoints.
Digging into forum posts, blogger feedback, and Reddit threads, we can see a bit of a trend forming in test-taker opinions. JNCIA-DevOps test-takers seem to have been surprised by an emphasis on Ansible and the ease of the exam. On the other hand, those who have sat for the DevNet Associate exam seem to agree it is "tough but fair generally." DevNet isn't easy, but the exam blueprint is a fair guide to what to expect.
Cisco DevNet vs. JNCIA-DevOps: Which One is Harder?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer here. If you're familiar with Cisco, DevNet may be easier to adapt. If you're a Juniper expert, the JNCIA may be a breeze. That said, we have enough information to compare difficulty and formulate an opinion if we assume all else is equal. And we've done just that.
In short, Cisco DevNet 200-901 seems harder than JNCIA-DevOps JN0-220. While the exam topics are similar, test takers' sentiments lead us to this opinion. DevNet is building a reputation as a tough but fair cert. JNCIA-DevOps isn't a guaranteed pass but seems less challenging than the DevNet 200-901 exam, all else being equal.
Cisco DevNet vs.JNCIA-DevOps: Picking the Right Cert for You
Of course, we'd never recommend you pick a cert based only on exam difficulty. Just because JNCIA-DevOps is easier doesn't mean it's the better option. Similarly, just because DevNet is more challenging doesn't mean employers will value it more. When evaluating what cert to study and test for, you should consider the following:
How it Fits into Your Career Goals
Both certifications are valuable for roles in network automation and DevOps. Choose based on the technology stack you plan to work with — Cisco dominates the enterprise networking space, while Juniper has a strong presence in service providers and data centers.
Your Current Experience Level
Both certifications are associate-level, but DevNet Associate typically demands stronger programming skills and a broader knowledge base. JNCIA-DevOps focuses more specifically on automation tools and Juniper platforms.
Cost & Difficulty
DevNet Associate costs $300 and may require more study time due to its wider scope. JNCIA-DevOps costs $200 and has a narrower focus, which may make it a faster path for some candidates.
Projected Value
As of 2025, the average salary for JNCIA-certified professionals is around $88,000/year, and for CCNA-certified professionals, about $82,000/year. While these numbers are not exact matches for DevNet or JNCIA-DevOps, they suggest that both paths can offer strong career returns.
Once you consider all those variables, you can make the right choice for your situation. In many cases, it may boil down to which side you prefer in the Juniper vs. Cisco debate, and that's fine. If you'd prefer to build a career around one of the two vendors, they're both viable choices today.
Final Thoughts
Cisco's DevNet Associate vs. Juniper's JNCIA-DevOps will likely become the automated version of CCNA vs JNCIA-JUNOS. From the perspective of exam difficulty, we hope we gave you some good food for thought when comparing the two.
If you want a broader certification with deep coverage of APIs, automation frameworks, and Cisco platforms, DevNet Associate is an excellent choice. If you’re looking for a streamlined certification focused on Juniper’s automation technologies and DevOps tools, JNCIA-DevOps is a strong option.
Both vendors have a strong presence in the enterprise networking market. While Cisco may seem ubiquitous, Juniper certainly has a respectable market share. Whatever route you take, decide what best aligns with your long-term career goals.
delivered to your inbox.
By submitting this form you agree to receive marketing emails from CBT Nuggets and that you have read, understood and are able to consent to our privacy policy.