By Quick answer: Which certification is best to break into tech?
- IT — Google IT Support.
- Data — Google Data Analytics.
- Cloud — AWS.
- Non-coding tech — Salesforce, UX.
Key takeaways
- Not every tech job needs coding.
- Pick a route that uses your past experience.
- Ship one project in your chosen route.
Tech has many doors, and not all of them need coding. These eight certifications are proven routes in for people coming from outside the industry.
Eight routes into tech
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 IT Support Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan1 | 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 2 | Google Data Analytics Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan2 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 3 | Google UX Design Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan3 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 4 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1004 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 5 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store5 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 6 | Salesforce Certified AdministratorSalesforce | Exam fee on Trailhead6 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 7 | freeCodeCamp CertificationsfreeCodeCamp | Free7 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 8 | Google AI EssentialsGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan8 | 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.)
- IT Support and Troubleshooting CertificationPractise for Google IT Support Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- Statistics for Data Analysts CertificationPractise for Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- UX Design CertificationPractise for Google UX Design Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Cloud Practitioner Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and the route into tech it opens
- CourseraGoogle IT Support Professional CertificateIT support$49/mo Coursera plan
- CourseraGoogle Data Analytics Professional CertificateData$49/mo Coursera plan
- CourseraGoogle UX Design Professional CertificateUX$49/mo Coursera plan
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan1
- Time
- 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week
IT support basics, three to six months. Google's professional certificate covers troubleshooting, networking, operating systems, system administration and security for complete beginners. It takes three to six months at about ten hours a week, with financial aid on Coursera.
Best forIT support
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan2
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Analyst toolkit, about six months. Google's professional certificate teaches spreadsheets, SQL, Tableau and R through case studies and ends with a portfolio capstone. It's designed for beginners, takes about six months at ten hours a week and offers financial aid on Coursera.
Best fordata
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan3
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
UX with portfolio projects. Google's professional certificate covers UX research, wireframing, prototyping and testing in Figma, ending with three portfolio projects. It takes about six months at ten hours a week, with financial aid available.
Best forUX
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1004
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
$100 first cloud exam. 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
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store5
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Entry security credential. 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 forsecurity
Salesforce Certified Administrator
- Cost
- Exam fee on Trailhead6
Salesforce admin; no coding needed. 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
freeCodeCamp Certifications
- Cost
- Free7
Free coding certifications. 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 forcoding, free
Google AI Essentials
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan8
- Time
- Under 10 hours (per course page)
Practical AI. 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 forAI literacy
Coding or not?
| Route | Coding needed? |
|---|---|
| IT support | Little |
| Data analyst | SQL, light |
| UX | No |
| Salesforce admin | No |
| Developer | Yes |
Table: Tech routes and coding
How we ranked these picks
We chose certifications that are proven entry routes into tech. Fees from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What's the easiest way into tech?
IT support, data or Salesforce admin.
Do I need to code to work in tech?
No; many roles don't.
How long does it take?
Often six to twelve months part-time.
Do I need a degree?
Not for many entry tech roles.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers 1,200+ free certification tests.
Sources
- Google — Google IT Support Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google UX Design Professional Certificate, 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)
- Salesforce — Salesforce Certified Administrator, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- freeCodeCamp — freeCodeCamp Certifications, 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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