The Differences: LFCS vs RHCSA

Choosing the right Linux certification can feel overwhelming—especially when comparing two heavyweights like the LFCS (Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator) and RHCSA (Red Hat Certified System Administrator).

Both are highly respected, hands-on certifications designed to validate your real-world Linux administration skills. But which one is better for your career path?

In this guide, we break down LFCS vs RHCSA—from cost and difficulty to industry relevance, learning style, and long-term value.

Quick Overview: LFCS vs RHCSA

Feature	LFCS	RHCSA
Provider	Linux Foundation	Red Hat (IBM)
Cost	$395 (includes 1 free retake)	~$400–$500 (varies by location)
Exam Format	Performance-based, live CLI	Hands-on, practical CLI
Distribution	Ubuntu, CentOS, openSUSE (choice)	Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Exam Duration	2 hours	2.5 hours
Renewal Cycle	Every 3 years	Every 3 years
Best For	General Linux careers, cloud, DevOps	Enterprise sysadmins using RHEL

What is LFCS?

The LFCS certification focuses on real-world Linux system administration in a vendor-neutral environment. You choose your preferred distro and complete tasks in a live, proctored exam.

Topics Covered:

User and group management
Storage and partitioning
Networking, DNS, firewalls
Processes, system services
File permissions and scripting

✅ Best for: Cloud engineers, DevOps professionals, and general-purpose Linux system administrators.

📘 Suggested Book: How Linux Works, 3rd Edition by Brian Ward

📘 Bonus: The Linux Command Line by William Shotts

What is RHCSA?

The Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) is tailored specifically for managing Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It’s often considered the gold standard for enterprise-level system administration.

Topics Covered:

Boot process and runlevels
LVM and partitioning
SELinux, firewalld, and security
RHEL-specific tools and systemd
User, service, and software management

✅ Best for: Professionals working in corporate or government environments using RHEL or downstream distros (e.g., CentOS, Rocky Linux).

🧰 Tools: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 Essentials (Paperback)

Key Differences Explained

1. Vendor Lock-In vs Flexibility

LFCS offers more flexibility with multiple distributions to choose from (Ubuntu, CentOS, openSUSE).
RHCSA focuses only on RHEL—great if you’re committed to the Red Hat ecosystem.

2. Recognition in Different Job Markets

LFCS is growing in popularity, especially in cloud-native and DevOps roles.
RHCSA is a must-have in Red Hat environments, commonly requested by enterprise employers.

3. Learning Resources & Ecosystem

LFCS has great open-source and community-driven resources.
RHCSA has extensive Red Hat training, but some resources are behind paywalls.

4. Practice Environments

LFCS allows use of free distros like Ubuntu or CentOS for practice.
RHCSA prep often requires RHEL or a downstream alternative.

✅ Tip: Use Red Hat Developer Subscription to get RHEL for free.

Exam Experience: What to Expect

Feature	LFCS	RHCSA
Proctoring	Online proctored (PSI)	In-person or remote
Environment	Command-line access, no GUI	Command-line only
Documentation Allowed	No external access	Man pages only
Retakes	1 free retake included	Paid retake

Career Paths & Salaries

Role	With LFCS	With RHCSA
Linux System Administrator	$70,000–$90,000	$75,000–$95,000
DevOps / Cloud Engineer	$90,000–$130,000	$85,000–$120,000
Government / Enterprise Admin	Less common	Highly requested

(Source: Payscale, Glassdoor 2025 data)

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

If You Are…	Go With…
Pursuing a cloud/DevOps/Linux generalist role	LFCS
Targeting enterprise or government sysadmin	RHCSA
Looking for flexibility in distros	LFCS
Working in a Red Hat shop	RHCSA