PMP Vs PRINCE2 – Which One is Better for Project Professionals?

Every project management certification has its value across various industries, all around the globe. Professional certification courses propel employees as they help their expert development while adding credibility to their resume.

This consequently gives the motivation to invest in certifications like PMP and PRINCE2. So which one is better? PMP vs. PRINCE2? Let's find out the difference between PMP and PRINCE2.

Project management certifications are a step toward enhancing your professional skills and knowledge and opening doors for new job opportunities.

What is PMP and What is PRINCE2?

Here are the differences between PMP and PRINCE2 certifications:

PMP Certification:

Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI is an industry-acknowledged certificate for project managers. PMP proves that a particular employee is experienced in education, skill, and proficiency in essential leadership skills to direct any projects.

PMP (PMI certification) is again the most required certification directed by the Project Management Institute (PMI) USA Based.

PRINCE2 Certification:

PRINCE2 is the acronym for Project in Controlled Environment. This is a process-based project management method. PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner primarily focus on business validation, outlining the structure of an association for the project management team, and using a project-based approach.

Both certifications are highly in demand in the current market. Comparatively, we are going to discuss points by which you will be able to make the difference between PMP and PRINCE2 certifications.

PRINCE2 and PMP Demand Worldwide

While finalizing any certification, overall research about the difference between PMP and PRINCE2 is a must along with the worldwide demand for that certification.

This is because the current corporate market is not limited to one country and keeping that point in mind, understanding the worldwide recognition and preference of PRINCE2 and PMP is relevant.

From the above chart, you may get the idea of which certification is in more demand in which region around the world. So, if you are trying to make a career in a particular region mentioned above you must follow and do some research on the current market trends.

PMP Vs PRINCE2 - Which Certification Should You Choose?

At one point every professional from the corporate world has to go for some certifications that will enhance their resume value in the market. This can be a personal choice, market demand, or employer demand but certification plays a vital role in your professional experience.

Though experienced professionals have a good value in the market many times the certified candidate goes ahead in the competition and hence, certification is again one more key to success in the IT world.

With multiple certifications available in the market, it gets difficult for corporate professionals to decide on their suitable interests like PMP or PRINCE2 without being aware of the difference between PMP and PRINCE2.

Here, we are going to compare PMP Vs PRINCE2 or I would rather say discuss the benefits of two popular certifications - PMP and PRINCE2 in the market that are day by day raising the value of many employees in the market.

Yes, we are talking about PMP Training Program and PRINCE2 Training Program. You might have questions like, what PRINCE2 and PMP are. What is the difference between PMP and PRINCE2? Let's start there.

These two are the most important project management certifications trending in the market. Many of the aspirants are even planning for their PRINCE2 foundation certification.

But many get confused about whether to go for PRINCE2 or PMP.

So, in this article, we will try to help you to reach a conclusion about whether you should go for a PMP course or to be a PRINCE2 practitioner course.

So, let’s start with PMP Vs PRINCE2 analysis in the below points.

PRINCE2 Certified Salary vs PMP Certified Salary - Overview

Salary Projections of PMP and PRINCE2 certified professionals is the major thing that many industry professionals look for along with their successful careers is their wealthy bank balance.

From many popular surveys about the salaries of project managers, it has been seen that the salary of project managers is climbing day by day across many countries. In a country like America alone the average annual salary of a certified PMP® is $112,000 per year.

It is very obvious that the certified candidate earns more than the non-certified employee and hence whether you are a PRINCE2 professional or PMP professional, you will definitely going to get a higher salary as compared to other competitors in the market.

Now the salary graph also increases or decreases as per the certification preferences in the relevant regions.

PRINCE2 Vs PMP Exam Cost

The other factor that comes with the difference between PMP and PRINCE2 is the PMP cost and PRINCE2 certification cost or PRINCE2 practitioner exam cost.

Now, the PRINCE2 online exam cost may be different as per the exam level. For example, the PRINCE2 foundation exam cost may be different and other PRINCE2 levels of PRINCE2 online exam cost.

When we go for any certification we must research the certification cost as well. One must also consider the preparation cost that may require preparing for the online certification examination. There is a certification cost difference between PMP and PRINCE2.

The PMP exam cost for the PMI members comes with a discount as compared to the non-PMI members. The PMI members almost have to spend $405 and for non-PMI members, the cost would be $555.

The cost of the PRINCE2 certification varies by region. To give some examples, the PRINCE2 exam cost is $700 AUD for the Australian region, £300 for the UK region, and Rs. 25000 INR for the Indian region.

One must also enquire about the PRINCE2 course cost along with the training cost. The most important factor that one must look for is the authority for conducting the PRINCE2 or PMP course and giving out the certifications.

For example, if you are planning to do prince2 certifications and are about to finalize the institution for the same, then you must enquire about their certification authority.

In technical language, this is called project management accreditation.

In the case of prince2, you must check if the institution has prince2 accreditation.

After knowing the certification cost one may think that is prince2 worth it?

Of course, it is. You would be included in the list of premium PRINCE2 project management achieved professionals which is an important badge in the current market.

So, if you are planning to go for PMP or PRINCE2 training go for it without a second thought.

Many also get confused about the preparation time of both certifications required. Some of the routine questions are how many hours of study are required for prince2 and PMP.

But once you sign up for the accredited project management training, it is not that tough to crack these certification exams.

Can Someone do Both PMP and PRINCE2 Certifications?

There are many such professionals with a keen interest in both the certification PMP and PRINCE2. In such a case, they would like to do both certifications but then they have doubts about whether they should do it or not or whether will it affect their management skills adversely.

So below we have discussed all these points in detail.

First of all the answer to the question “Can anyone do both PRINCE2 and PMP?” is “YES”.

If someone is interested in doing both certifications they can definitely go for it. These are some of the best project management certifications. Many laymen people who don’t know much about these two certifications think that these are two different practice certifications but these both are related to project management only.

The primary difference between PMP and PRINCE2 is that PMP is associated with the knowledge and talents necessary to manage any project successfully in the decided time and budget.

Whereas, Prince2 principally focuses on the process and frameworks used to carry out specific projects.

Above all, these courses are implemented in a controlled environment as per the name of the certification. Hence, it is advisable that anyone can grab both these certifications keeping in view the difference between PMP and PRINCE2.

This will improve their professional excellence to manage any project using both the skills learned from the certification course.

But, it also has some drawbacks as; both the courses have different terminologies and communication languages which may create confusion when using both practices in a project.

To give an example, terminology like ‘project charter’ in PMP is known as ‘project brief’ in PRINCE2. So, such terminology differences may create confusion. So, the one with dual certifications must be careful while using such terminologies in the project.

PMP or PRINCE2 - Why do you need Project Management Certification?

Project Managers with an industry-perceived certification have the edge over non-certified PM experts. Getting certified gives industry acknowledgment and picking the correct project management certification will assist you to gain recognition globally in any industry and sector.

What are the Top Project Management Courses?

The most well-known project management certification you may as of now be thinking about is PMP (Project Management Professional) and PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments). To realize which one's going to suit your requirements, let us see each in more detail.

PMP or PRINCE2 – Which is Right for Your Career?

To make this decision, let’s know about the difference between PMP and PRINCE2 certifications individually.

What is PRINCE2?

PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is an organized project management accreditation and expert certification program. PRINCE2 concentrates on dividing projects into reasonable and controllable stages.

PRINCE2 Project Management is a process-based methodology for every project irrespective of size and nature. Getting PRINCE2 certified opens doors for greater job opportunities.

There are different PRINCE2 levels:

- PRINCE2 Foundation certification

- PRINCE2 Practitioner certification

PRINCE 2 Foundation - PRINCE2 Foundation is an entry-level certification and focuses on basic principles, themes, and procedures of project management.

PRINCE2 Practitioner- PRINCE2 Practitioner certification provides a deeper insight into the PRINCE2 methods and procedures and also familiarizes the aspirants with core principles and key areas.

What is PMP?

PMP is a well-known project management certification course for project managers. It teaches professional skills, and the knowledge required to lead, and direct projects. Project Management Professional certification was developed in 1984 by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

It is recognized worldwide. PMI obtained ISO/ICE 17024 in the year 2007 for PMP which gives it credibility in more than 85 countries.

Who Qualifies for the PMP and PRINCE2 Exam?

PRINCE2 Qualifications:

To take up the prince2 project management course the candidates must fulfill certain requirements:

PRINCE2 foundation- There are no predefined qualifications or requirements that have to be fulfilled by the aspirants to take up the PRINCE2 foundation course.

PRINCE2 practitioner certification- The PRINCE2 prerequisites that every prince2 practitioner is expected to fulfill is, that they must be certified in at least one of the following courses:

- PRINCE2 Foundation course

- PMP Course

- CAPM Certification

- IPMA Level A

- IPMA Level B

- IPMA Level C

- IPMA Level D

PMP Qualification:

PMP has numerous requirements that a candidate is expected to fulfill to take up the PMP exam.

- Secondary degree (diploma, associate degree, or any global equivalent)

- The aspirant should have at least 5 years of experience in project management.

- The aspirant should have 35 hours of education in project management.

- 7500 hours of experience is needed as a leader or director of any project.

Or

- The aspirant should hold a 4-year degree

- Project management experience for 4 years.

- The aspirant should have 35 hours of education in project management.

- 4500 hours of experience is needed as a leader or director of any project.

PMP and PRINCE2 Exam Details Overview

PRINCE2 Exam Details:

PRINCE2 Foundation Exam:

- PRINCE2 Foundation exam is an online exam

- It consists of 60 multiple choice questions, each question carrying one mark.

- The candidates will have 60 mins time to complete the exam.

- The candidate should answer a minimum of 33 questions to pass the exam.

PRINCE2 Practitioner Exam:

- The online exam consists of 68 multiple-choice questions, each question carrying one mark.

- The candidates will have 150 mins time to complete the exam.

- The candidate should answer a minimum of 38 questions to pass the exam.

PMP Exam Details:

PMP Project Management Professional:

- The PMP certificate is obtained by taking up a written exam. The exam pattern is:

- 200 MCQs will be given.

- 25 sample questions are asked out of 200 questions, it is not counted for the final assessment and only for research purposes.

- The time limit to complete the exam is 4 hours.

PMP vs PRINCE2 - Certification Validity 

PMP Validity:

PMP is valid for 3 years. To maintain a PMP credential you need to earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every 3 years.

PRINCE2 Validity:

In PRINCE 2 the certification is valid for 3-5 years and to maintain the prince2 accreditation, you must retake the exam every 5 years.

PMP vs PRINCE2 - Certification Cost

Both PMP and PRINCE2 are the best project management qualifications, which are globally recognized and perceived. These kinds of professional courses are offered in many countries by different accredited institutions So, so PRINCE2 costs and PMP costs vary from one institute to another.

PMP or PRINCE2 - Which One is Better?

The answer to this question depends on your experience and interest.

As discussed above, both PMP and PRINCE 2 are the best project management courses, all the required details about both certifications are briefed in this article.

The PRINCE2 course has a qualification approach - 'get qualified and then practice’. Whereas PMP needs a ton of experience and training pre-essentials, so the methodology there is 'practice and then get qualified.' 

PMP Certification - It is all-around perceived and accredited project management training and it is also known for its exam sturdiness with a near million (95 million+) affirmed experts. It is generally looked at as a project management certification for experienced aspirants.

PMP is aligned with the PMBOK guide that has developed over a period of time and offers the best practices from different industries. You can become familiar with great project management practices and your perspective will absolutely change by experiencing the PMP assessment process itself.

You have to gain 60 PDUs every 3 years to maintain the PMP certification.

PRINCE2 Certification - It is widely recognized all across the globe. However, it is used more in the UK and UK-based associations. It offers two degrees of certification, one is the PRINCE2 Foundation and the other is the PRINCE2 practitioner.

The PRINCE2 Foundation has a passing pace of 97% and the practitioner is 73%. The PRINCE2 credential is progressively helpful if you are working in UK-based associations.

PRINCE2 is more of project themes and frameworks than the procedures of execution. If you pass the PRINCE2 foundation it is a lifetime valid certification, the PRINCE2 practitioner requires you to take the test every 3 years or produce 60 CPD in order to maintain the PRINCE2 credential.

In this article, we have discussed the major pointers along with the difference between PMP and PRINCE2 certifications like,

- What are PMP and PRINCE2 are

- Which certification is in demand across the world

- Salary projection for both the certifications

- Online PRINCE2 exam cost and PMP exam cost

- Dual certification benefits and drawbacks

So, all these major points will help you to choose between PMP and PRINCE2. Despite discussing all these points, one must understand that finalizing the certification is their own interest and one must do detailed research for the same.

Personal interest inclination plays a major role when selecting the certification for project management. Take your best decision and step into the next successful phase of your career in the corporate world.

PMP certification is more focused on knowledge and skills which are important to effectively deal with a task and its conveyance whereas PRINCE2 Project Management certification is focused primarily on the procedures and the structure to effectively execute the project. Subsequently, for experienced project managers, PMP is better suited and for different experts like Project coordinators and Project facilitators, PRINCE 2 appears to be the best decision.

For details about PMP Training and PRINCE2 Training.

We offer Project Management Courses accredited by PMI, the Project Management Institute. We are a Registered Training Provider (REP) of PMI, the governing body for Project Management Certifications - PMP and PRINCE2. 

Sprintzeal will help you get the right certification based on your current career goals. Chat with Our Course Expert or reach us at Click Here and get information on how to get PMP or PRINCE2 certification.

In-demand and High Paying Project Management Certifications:

PMP® Certification

PRINCE2® Foundation

PRINCE2® Practitioner

PRINCE2® Foundation Practitioner

Conclusion

Choosing between PMP and PRINCE2 certifications depends on your career goals and location. PMP is a globally recognized, flexible approach favored in North America and various industries. PRINCE2, with its structured steps, is popular in Europe, especially in government jobs. Consider your industry's standards, preferred methodology, career aspirations, and desired work location to pick the right fit for you. Both certifications are valuable, so choose wisely and consider accredited training to boost your exam success. Subscribe to our newsletters for latest inisghts.

FAQs

Why do you need project management certification?

Project managers with industry-perceived certifications gain global recognition, while non-certified experts lack this advantage.

How long is a PMP certification valid for, and what do I need to maintain it?

PMP is valid for 3 years. To maintain a PMP credential, you need to earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years.

How long is a PRINCE2 certification valid for, and what do I need to maintain it?

In PRINCE 2, the certification is valid for 3-5 years, and to maintain the PRINCE 2 accreditation, you must retake the exam every 5 years.

PMP or PRINCE2: Which one is better?

The PRINCE2 course has a qualification approach: 'get qualified and then practice’. Whereas PMP needs a ton of experience and training pre-essentials, the methodology there is 'practice and then get qualified.