PMI-ACP vs CSM: Complete Comparison [2025]

The year 2025 is going to be a ladder to success for professionals appearing willing to learn and get certified in Agile methodology. The framework has been booming among corporate professionals and developing a strong root in the current business landscape. 

As per a recent report released by the Annual State of Agile Report, it has been declared that 84% of organizations have already implemented Agile practices. 

No wonder there is such a hike of professionals in my Agile class. 

Certifications such as PMI and ACP are widely in demand across multiple agile organizations, but which is better, ACP or CSM?

Today we are going to talk about the two most popular certifications in Agile, known as PMI-ACP, Agile Certified Practitioner, and CSM Certified Scrum Master. These certifications empower you to foster adaptability, collaborate, manage projects, and deliver quality projects faster. 

Let’s dive in! 
 

Before diving into the depth of these certifications, let us understand how PMI-ACP and CSM certifications can serve as proof of your ability to implement Agile practices and principles effectively.

Overview of PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner)

PMI-ACP certification is one of the most sought-after skills, and it is offered by the Project Management Institute, headquartered in the US. This framework is designed to offer professionals a complete understanding of different Agile. A PMI-ACP certification will suit you best if you are already working in a dynamic work environment and if you are in need of deeper knowledge of Agile methodologies.  

• Multi-Framework Approach: This approach takes care of a wide range of agile practices such as Kanban, Lean, Extreme Programming (XP), Scrum, and Test-Driven Development.
• Global Recognition: This method is recognized in almost all geographies and industries, ultimately making it a multipurpose and versatile credential for you as a project manager or an agile practitioner.
• Breadth of Knowledge: This method will increase your knowledge and ability to adapt to different organizational needs with the help of Agile tools and techniques. 

Example in Practice: TechSteve is a software development company, and they are working on a software project. They often make use of Kanban and Scrum practices while developing a project. These methodologies offer them flexibility, enhanced project delivery, and an optimized workflow to manage their operational tasks. 

Overview of CSM (Certified ScrumMaster) 

The Certified Scrum Master Certification will equip you with techniques and tools to collaboratively work with high-value-delivering teams. This certification is awarded by the Scrum Alliance, headquartered in the US, for you to effectively facilitate scrum processes and enable teams to work as per the Scrum Methodologies.  

• Scrum-Centric Approach: This approach will help you ace the Scrum Methodologies, and it will suit you the best if you are willing to act as a servant leader, leading individuals or teams committed to Scrum adoption.
• Training Roles: This certification will prepare you for the position of a Scrum Master by teaching you how to work with teams and make them embrace the Agile philosophy.
• Community Support: You will have access to the internal network of the Scrum Alliance community which will help with lifelong education.

Example in Practice: Futurescape Marketing Agency seeks to monitor their marketing strategies in order to provide good services and is embracing Scrum strategies in managing their marketing strategies. As a CSM, your responsibility will include encouraging teamwork, providing motivational elements to the teams by organizing sprints and daily stand ups in order to achieve the desired impact.

Both PMI-ACP and CSM hold great value and address critical requirements from the world of Agile project management. Whereas PMI-ACP offers you a broader perspective by combining a mix of multiple frameworks for project success, a CSM will offer you a comprehensive understanding of the Scrum Methodology to handle teams and facilitate the Agile framework. 

The choice to opt for either of them totally depends on you, your career aspirations, and your goals.
 

Now that you have two choices to choose between PMI-ACP and CSM, you must be wondering, which is better, PMP or CSM? 

Make sure you analyze the core of both the skills and how they can enhance your resume for taking up other project management positions before proceeding with any kind of decision.

You should remember that both of these certifications are in great demand when it comes to the Agile space, but their applicability, level of expertise, and the scope across hundreds of projects and industries are different.
 

Core Focus Areas

PMI-ACP (Agile Certified Practitioner):

• Broad Agile Knowledge: This certification teaches you a lot of Agile methodologies such as Lean, Extreme Programming, Test Driven Development, Scrum, and Kanban. 
• Versatile Approach: This will enable professionals to apply different Agile frameworks with flexibility as per the need of the project or organization.
• Holistic Agile Understanding: This certification will help you train technical and behaviour agile principles such as stakeholder engagement, continuous delivery, and team collaboration as well.

CSM (Certified ScrumMaster):

• Specialized Scrum Expertise: You will focus on the Scrum Framework. CSM relies heavily on the Scrum, as it is one of the most popularly used Agile methodologies. 
• Role-Specific Training: Here you will get role-based training for the job role of a Scrum Master. You will be trained upon Scrum ceremonies such as daily standups, sprint planning, and retrospectives. 
• Deep Scrum Mastery: The CSM training will give you a comprehensive understanding and knowledge of specific roles, practices, and responsibilities to handle a Scrum team. This way, you will learn better how you can optimize a scrum team's performance to deliver the best quality project results.

Relevance to Different Project Management Roles

PMI-ACP:

• Ideal for Agile Practitioners: This certification will suit you best if you are already involved and working in the Agile framework, leading agile projects of diverse methodologies. 
• Versatile Career Pathways: This certification will offer you multiple career options and roles such as Agile coach, Scrum master, Agile project manager, and product owner in the organizations that are operating in Agile frameworks. 
• Broader Scope: You will be stepping into roles that especially require knowledge and understanding of Agile practices. PMI-ACP allows professionals to step into roles where they may be required to adapt Agile practices to specific team or organizational needs.

CSM:

• Ideal for Scrum Practitioners: This certification is specially designed for you if you're willing to focus on bagging a Scrum Master job role in a Scrum-adapted organization. 
• Scrum-Focused Career Pathways: Useful for Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and other such teams that are working with organizations that  follow the Scrum methodology.
• Narrower Focus: Recommended for professionals who wish to master scrum practices and work for scrum teams as a servant leader. 

Summary of Differences

If you must have read carefully, you might have noted that PMI-ACP gives you a great understanding of Agile tools and principles, whereas the CSM certification focuses more on the Scrum approach. 

It completely depends on you to choose either of these certifications on the grounds of whether you want to practice flexible agile practices comprehensively or wish to gain deep and scrum-focused skills and knowledge. 
 

PMI-ACP and CSM hold different values and both have different prerequisites that you need to fulfil before applying to either of these certifications.

This table will provide you specific information as per both the certifications, read carefully. 
 

Job Roles for PMI-ACP vs CSM Certified Professionals

Sources:

• Glassdoor
• PayScale

If you notice, PMI-ACP offers you a higher pay package and higher job roles as this certification focuses on covering a broader framework in Agile methodology. 
 

As you can see, PMI-ACP certification is widely recognized as it trains you over multiple Agile Methodologies and a CSM certification is regarded highly in Scrum Centric organizations.

Certification Renewal and Maintenance
 

Career Goals:

• PMI-ACP: If you wish to go for broader agile roles like product owner, agile project manager, product owner, this certification is for you. 
• If you want to work across multiple agile frameworks such as Kanban, Scrum, Lean. etc. 
• CSM: If you want scrum roles specifically such as Scrum team facilitator, scrum master.
• Best recommended for professionals who wish to specialize in scrum centric environments and organizations

Industry Requirements:

• PMI-ACP: Highly recognized in industries such as finance, healthcare, IT, as they use various agile frameworks. 
• Suited for large enterprises or cross-functional teams that require knowledge of different Agile practices.
• CSM: Preferred in the organizations that are scrum centric such as tech and software development companies. 
• Compatible with companies who apply scrum methodologies strictly 

Cost and Prerequisites:

• PMI-ACP: Needs 21 hours of contact training on project management experience and agile. 
• Costs approximately $435 for members and $495 non-members,  additional training fee may be applicable 
• CSM: No eligibility criteria. You only need  to attend a 2 day training for CSM from Scrum Alliance. 
• Fees range from $800 to $1,500 with the course and exam fees.

Summary:

• PMI-ACP: Opt for this certification if you wish to practice a broad range of agile practices, agile job roles and agile frameworks. 
• CSM: Best suited for scrum focused individuals, especially in industries such as tech and software.
• Choose based on your career goals, desired industry, and budget.
   

In the end, I really feel that it is complete based upon your specific career goals while choosing between PMI-ACP and CSM certifications. It also matters which industry you seek to work in and the amount you are willing to invest towards your learning and certification. PMI-ACP is ideal for practitioners who wish to delve into the diverse agile frameworks and want to work across many sectors, as it covers a lot of ground. Conversely, CSM would suit people looking to train in Scrum and undertake Scrum jobs in the IT and software developing world. If you are aware of your career trajectory and the requirements of the market, you will have a clearer idea of which certification will take you further in your career.