By Quick answer: AZ-900 or AWS Cloud Practitioner: which should I choose in 2027?
- Choose AZ-900 — your target employers use Microsoft.
- Choose AWS Cloud Practitioner — your target employers use AWS.
- Verdict — Choose by cloud; AWS is the common default.
- Before you pay — take a free practice test.
Key takeaways
- Choose AZ-900 if your target employers use Microsoft.
- Choose AWS Cloud Practitioner if your target employers use AWS.
- Check job posts in your target market before deciding.
AZ-900 and AWS Cloud Practitioner 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 | Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Microsoft | Exam priced by country1 | 45 minutes | Free test |
| 2 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1002 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 3 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country3 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 4 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1504 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | 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.)
- AZ-900 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Cloud Practitioner Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner before you pay.Start free test →
- Azure Administrator AZ-104 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
Each option, and who should choose it
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Microsoft startExam priced by country
- AWSAWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAWS start$100
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Azure nextExam priced by country
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country1
- Format
- 45 minutes
45 minutes; doesn't expire. 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 forMicrosoft start
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1002
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
$100; 90 minutes. 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 Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country3
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Azure admin. 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 next
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1504
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
$150. 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 next
AZ-900 vs AWS Cloud Practitioner side by side
| AZ-900 | AWS Cloud Practitioner | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Priced by country | $100 |
| Length | 45 minutes | 90 minutes, 65 questions |
| Expiry | Doesn't expire | Three years |
| Next step | AZ-104 | Solutions Architect – Associate |
Table: AZ-900 vs AWS Cloud Practitioner
How to choose
- Choose AZ-900 — your target employers use Microsoft.
- Choose AWS Cloud Practitioner — your target employers use AWS.
- 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 is easier?
Both are foundational; AZ-900 is shorter.
Which helps jobs more?
Neither alone; follow with an associate exam.
Can I do both?
Yes.
Which expires?
AWS CCP after three years.
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
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, 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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