By Quick answer: Which certification providers are best in 2027?
- Career programmes — Google on Coursera.
- Free training — Microsoft Learn, Salesforce Trailhead.
- Industry exams — AWS, CompTIA, PMI, ISC2.
- Free certificates — CS50, freeCodeCamp, Kaggle.
Key takeaways
- Issuer credibility matters more than platform design.
- Learn free where possible; pay for the proctored exam employers check.
- Use free practice tests to decide when you're ready to pay.
There are two kinds of certification provider: the ones employers trust to issue credentials (AWS, Microsoft, CompTIA, PMI) and the platforms where you learn (Coursera, Microsoft Learn, freeCodeCamp). The best path usually uses both. This guide picks ten providers and names the flagship certification from each.
Ten providers, one flagship certification each
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 | Google Career Certificates (all tracks)Grow with Google | $49/mo Coursera plan1 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 2 | Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud TrainingMicrosoft | Free2 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 3 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1003 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 4 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store4 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 5 | PMP – Project Management ProfessionalPMI | $425 PMI members / $675 non-members5 | 240 minutes, 180 questions | Free test |
| 6 | ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)ISC2 | See ISC2 page6 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 7 | Salesforce Certified AdministratorSalesforce | Exam fee on Trailhead7 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 8 | CS50: Introduction to Computer ScienceHarvard University | Free8 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 9 | freeCodeCamp CertificationsfreeCodeCamp | Free9 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 10 | Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL)Kaggle (Google) | Free10 | Short micro-courses, a few hours each | 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.)
- Career Planning TestPractise for Google Career Certificates (all tracks) before you pay.Start free test →
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Cloud Practitioner Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
Each provider, and its flagship certification
- Grow with GoogleGoogle Career Certificates (all tracks)Beginner career programmes$49/mo Coursera plan
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Learn Free AI & Cloud TrainingFree training, role-based examsFree
- AWSAWS Certified Cloud PractitionerCloud credentials$100
Google Career Certificates (all tracks)
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan1
Google's Career Certificates in data, IT, PM, UX, cybersecurity and marketing, on Coursera with financial aid available. Google's Career Certificates span data analytics, IT support, project management, UX, cybersecurity and digital marketing, all designed for beginners on Coursera with financial aid available.
Best forbeginner career programmes
Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training
- Cost
- Free2
Microsoft Learn's training is free for every Microsoft certification, from Azure to Power BI. Microsoft Learn's free learning paths and sandboxes cover every Microsoft certification, from Azure and AI to Power BI. The training is free; only the certification exams are paid, and they're priced by country.
Best forfree training, role-based exams
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1003
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
AWS issues the most requested cloud credentials. Its entry exam is $100. 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 forcloud credentials
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store4
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
CompTIA's vendor-neutral exams (A+, Network+, Security+) are common in IT hiring. CompTIA's vendor-neutral security exam covers threats, architecture, operations and governance, and the new version adds AI-related risk. It's listed in ANAB's ISO/IEC 17024 directory; voucher prices vary by country.
Best forvendor-neutral IT
PMP – Project Management Professional
- Cost
- $425 PMI members / $675 non-members5
- Format
- 240 minutes, 180 questions
- Entry
- 3–5 years leading projects (by education) plus 35 hours of training
PMI issues the PMP, the most recognised project management credential. PMI's Project Management Professional is a 240-minute, 180-question exam covering predictive, agile and hybrid approaches. It needs 3–5 years leading projects plus 35 hours of training and costs $425 for PMI members or $675.
Best forproject management
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
- Cost
- See ISC2 page6
- Entry
- No work experience required
ISC2 issues CISSP; its entry credential CC needs no experience. ISC2's entry credential covers security principles, access control, networks and operations, with no work experience required. It's ANAB-accredited, and ISC2 has run promotions offering free training and exams.
Best forsecurity
Salesforce Certified Administrator
- Cost
- Exam fee on Trailhead7
Salesforce's Trailhead training is free; certification exams are paid. Salesforce's Certified Administrator proves you can configure, secure and maintain a Salesforce org. Training is free on Trailhead and the exam fee is listed there, making it a common route into CRM and RevOps careers.
Best forCRM careers, free training
CS50: Introduction to Computer Science
- Cost
- Free8
Harvard's CS50 courses are free with free certificates. Harvard's free introduction to computer science teaches C, Python, SQL and web development through demanding problem sets, with a free certificate. An optional paid verified certificate is available through edX.
Best forfree university-quality CS
freeCodeCamp Certifications
- Cost
- Free9
freeCodeCamp's certifications are free and earned by building projects. freeCodeCamp's free certifications in web design, JavaScript, Python, data analysis and more are earned by building projects that must pass automated tests. The projects make useful portfolio pieces.
Best forfree project-based coding
Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL)
- Cost
- Free10
- Time
- Short micro-courses, a few hours each
Kaggle's free micro-courses in Python, SQL and ML include certificates. Kaggle's free micro-courses cover Python, pandas, SQL, data visualisation and machine learning, each in a few hours with hands-on notebooks and a free certificate. They're ideal practice alongside a structured course.
Best forfree data and ML
Where Science of Apps fits
Science of Apps is one of the largest libraries of free certification tests online, with 1,200+ tests across tech, business and everyday skills. Our tests are free, instantly graded and come with a verifiable certificate. They are not accredited and don't replace the official exams above: use them to check what you know and decide when you're ready to pay.
How we ranked these picks
We chose providers by employer recognition of their credentials and the quality of their free learning. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best certification website?
It depends on your goal: Google on Coursera for beginner career programmes, Microsoft Learn for free training, AWS, CompTIA and PMI for industry exams.
Which certification platforms are free?
Microsoft Learn, Salesforce Trailhead, freeCodeCamp, Kaggle and Harvard CS50 offer free learning; several give free certificates.
Are Science of Apps certificates accredited?
No. They're free, test-based certificates that show you passed a graded test. Use them alongside official credentials.
Coursera or Microsoft Learn?
Coursera for structured career programmes; Microsoft Learn for free training toward Microsoft exams.
Where can I take free certification tests?
Science of Apps offers 1,200+ free certification tests, instantly graded with a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- Grow with Google — Google Career Certificates (all tracks), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — PMP – Project Management Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Salesforce — Salesforce Certified Administrator, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Harvard University — CS50: Introduction to Computer Science, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- freeCodeCamp — freeCodeCamp Certifications, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Kaggle (Google) — Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL), 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.
Where to go from here
- The best online certifications of 2027 — the full top 10 across every field
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Science of Apps free certification catalogue — 1,200+ free tests
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best certification websites of 2027: ten platforms compared on cost, credibility and what you actually getThe 10 best certification websites of 2027 compared: Coursera, Microsoft Learn, AWS, Google Skillshop, HubSpot, Trailhead, PMI and more, with costs and links.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Free IT certifications in 2027: six ways to start an IT career without paying6 free IT certifications and training paths for 2027: ISC2 CC, Harvard CS50, freeCodeCamp, Microsoft Learn, Google IT Support aid and Kaggle.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Free cybersecurity certifications in 2027: five ways to start in security without paying5 free ways into cybersecurity in 2027: ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity, Google Cybersecurity aid, Harvard CS50, Microsoft Learn and freeCodeCamp.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Free Python certifications in 2027: five ways to learn Python and prove it without paying5 free Python certifications for 2027: Harvard CS50 and CS50 AI, freeCodeCamp Python, Kaggle Learn Python and Microsoft Learn, with free certificates.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Free web development certifications in 2027: five ways to learn to code for the web without paying5 free web development certifications for 2027: freeCodeCamp, Harvard CS50, Microsoft Learn, Kaggle Python and Meta Front-End with financial aid.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Python certifications for beginners: six best for 2027, from first line of code to first projectThe 6 best Python certifications for beginners in 2027: Kaggle Python, Harvard CS50, freeCodeCamp, PCEP, IBM Data Science and Google Advanced Data Analytics.
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