By Quick answer: AI-900 or AWS AI Practitioner: which should I choose in 2027?
- Choose AI-900 — your employer runs Microsoft.
- Choose AWS AI Practitioner — your employer runs AWS.
- Verdict — Choose by your cloud; both are foundational.
- Before you pay — take a free practice test.
Key takeaways
- Choose AI-900 if your employer runs Microsoft.
- Choose AWS AI Practitioner if your employer runs AWS.
- Check job posts in your target market before deciding.
AI-900 and AWS AI 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 AI Fundamentals (AI-900)Microsoft | Exam priced by country1 | Microsoft fundamentals exam | Free test |
| 2 | AWS Certified AI PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1002 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 3 | Google Cloud Generative AI LeaderGoogle Cloud | $993 | 90 minutes, multiple choice | Free test |
| 4 | Google AI EssentialsGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan4 | Under 10 hours (per course page) | 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.)
- AI-900 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS AI Practitioner Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified AI Practitioner before you pay.Start free test →
- Google Generative AI Leader Practice ExamPractise for Google Cloud Generative AI Leader before you pay.Start free test →
- AI Literacy CertificationPractise for Google AI Essentials before you pay.Start free test →
Each option, and who should choose it
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)Microsoft shopsExam priced by country
- AWSAWS Certified AI PractitionerAWS shops$100
- Google CloudGoogle Cloud Generative AI LeaderLeaders$99
Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country1
- Format
- Microsoft fundamentals exam
Priced by country; free training. Microsoft's AI fundamentals exam covers machine learning, computer vision, language and generative AI workloads on Azure. Training is free on Microsoft Learn, the exam is priced by country and fundamentals certifications don't expire.
Best forMicrosoft shops
AWS Certified AI Practitioner
- Cost
- $1002
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
$100; 90 minutes. AWS's foundational exam covers AI, machine learning and generative AI concepts and how AWS services support them. It's 90 minutes with 65 questions and costs $100, so it suits cloud, tech and business staff who need AI literacy.
Best forAWS shops
Google Cloud Generative AI Leader
- Cost
- $993
- Format
- 90 minutes, multiple choice
$99; strategy. Google Cloud's foundational exam tests generative AI strategy for non-technical leaders: use cases, risks and adoption. It's 90 minutes of multiple choice and costs $99, one of the cheapest proctored AI credentials available.
Best forleaders
Google AI Essentials
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan4
- Time
- Under 10 hours (per course page)
Practical AI course. Google's short course teaches practical generative AI for everyday work: drafting, research, analysis and using AI responsibly. It needs no technical background and takes under ten hours, so it suits almost any professional who wants to use AI tools with more confidence.
Best fortool-neutral
AI-900 vs AWS AI Practitioner side by side
| AI-900 | AWS AI Practitioner | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Priced by country | $100 |
| Training | Free (Microsoft Learn) | Free (Skill Builder) |
| Expiry | Doesn't expire | Three years |
| Best for | Microsoft environments | AWS environments |
Table: AI-900 vs AWS AI Practitioner
How to choose
- Choose AI-900 — your employer runs Microsoft.
- Choose AWS AI Practitioner — your employer runs 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.
Which covers GenAI?
Both include generative AI concepts.
Which is cheaper?
Depends on your country's AI-900 price vs $100.
What next?
AI-102 or AWS ML Engineer.
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 AI Fundamentals (AI-900), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified AI Practitioner, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google Cloud — Google Cloud Generative AI Leader, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google AI Essentials, 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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