By Quick answer: AWS or Azure: which should I choose in 2027?
- Choose AWS — your target employers use AWS or you're unsure.
- Choose Azure — your target employers run Microsoft.
- Verdict — AWS is the safest default; Azure in Microsoft shops; Google Cloud ACE ($125) for Google Cloud teams.
- Before you pay — take a free practice test.
Key takeaways
- Choose AWS if your target employers use AWS or you're unsure.
- Choose Azure if your target employers run Microsoft.
- Check job posts in your target market before deciding.
AWS and Azure are often compared, but they suit different people. Here's a side-by-side comparison and a clear way to choose.
The options at a glance
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1501 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 2 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country2 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 3 | Google Cloud Associate Cloud EngineerGoogle Cloud | $1253 | 2 hours, multiple choice | Free test |
| 4 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1004 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 5 | Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Microsoft | Exam priced by country5 | 45 minutes | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
- Azure Administrator AZ-104 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) before you pay.Start free test →
- Google Associate Cloud Engineer Practice ExamPractise for Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Cloud Practitioner Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner before you pay.Start free test →
Each option, and who should choose it
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAWS associate$150
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Azure associateExam priced by country
- Google CloudGoogle Cloud Associate Cloud EngineerGoogle Cloud associate$125
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1501
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
$150; most requested. AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best forAWS associate
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country2
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Priced by country; yearly free renewal. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can manage Azure identity, storage, compute and networking. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, and renews free online every 12 months, which keeps long-term cost low.
Best forAzure associate
Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
- Cost
- $1253
- Format
- 2 hours, multiple choice
$125; two hours. Google Cloud's associate exam tests deploying, monitoring and managing projects on Google Cloud. It's two hours, costs $125 and rewards hands-on practice with the console and command line.
Best forGoogle Cloud associate
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1004
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
$100 fundamentals. AWS's entry exam covers cloud concepts, core services, security and billing. It's 90 minutes with 65 questions and costs $100, so it's the usual first cloud exam for beginners and non-technical staff.
Best forAWS start
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country5
- Format
- 45 minutes
45-minute fundamentals. Microsoft's Azure fundamentals exam covers cloud concepts, core Azure services, pricing and governance in 45 minutes. Training is free on Microsoft Learn, the exam is priced by country and it doesn't expire.
Best forAzure start
AWS vs Azure side by side
| AWS | Azure | |
|---|---|---|
| Associate exam | Solutions Architect ($150) | AZ-104 (priced by country) |
| Fundamentals | Cloud Practitioner ($100) | AZ-900 |
| Strongest in | Start-ups, digital firms | Microsoft enterprises |
| Renewal | Every 3 years | Yearly, free online |
Table: AWS vs Azure
How to choose
- Choose AWS — your target employers use AWS or you're unsure.
- Choose Azure — your target employers run Microsoft.
- Still unsure — search job posts in your city for each name.
How we ranked these picks
We compared both options on cost, format, prerequisites and fit using official pages, checked 3 November 2026. Science of Apps has no commercial relationship with either issuer.
Frequently asked questions
Which cloud has most jobs?
AWS appears in more posts overall.
Is Azure easier?
Difficulty is similar at associate level.
Should I learn two clouds?
Start with one; add a second later.
Which is cheapest?
AWS CCP is $100; Azure varies by country; GC ACE is $125.
Is there a free practice test for both?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free practice tests for both, instantly graded with a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google Cloud — Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
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