By Quick answer: Which cloud computing certification is best in 2027?
- Most requested — AWS Solutions Architect – Associate ($150).
- Azure shops — AZ-104, free to renew yearly.
- Platform engineering — CKA and Terraform.
- First step — AWS Cloud Practitioner ($100) or AZ-900.
Key takeaways
- Pick the cloud your target employers run; AWS is the safest default.
- Associate-level exams carry far more hiring weight than fundamentals.
- Pair a cloud certification with Kubernetes or Terraform for platform roles.
Cloud skills sit inside the fastest-growing skill group the World Economic Forum tracks, alongside AI and cybersecurity.1 The certifications that matter in hiring are the associate-level ones from the three big providers, plus the hands-on Kubernetes and Terraform exams that platform teams test for. This ranking puts the most requested first and marks the right first step for beginners.
Ten cloud certifications 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 | $1503 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 2 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country4 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 3 | Google Cloud Associate Cloud EngineerGoogle Cloud | $1255 | 2 hours, multiple choice | Free test |
| 4 | Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)Linux Foundation / CNCF | $4456 | 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam | Free test |
| 5 | HashiCorp Certified: Terraform AssociateHashiCorp | Check the official page7 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 6 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1008 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 7 | Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Microsoft | Exam priced by country9 | 45 minutes | Free test |
| 8 | AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $15010 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 9 | Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning EngineerGoogle Cloud | $20011 | 2 hours, multiple choice | Free test |
| 10 | AWS Certified AI PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $10012 | 90 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.)
- 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 →
- Kubernetes CKA & CKAD Practice ExamPractise for Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and the cloud career it builds
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateThe most requested cloud credential$150
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft-centric companiesExam priced by country
- Google CloudGoogle Cloud Associate Cloud EngineerGoogle Cloud teams$125
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1503
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
The cloud certification most often named in job posts. It tests designing secure, resilient and cost-aware systems on AWS: 130 minutes, 65 questions, $150. Skillsoft's 2025 survey put average US pay for holders at $155,597.2
Best forthe most requested cloud credential
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country4
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Proves you can run Azure identity, storage, compute and networking. Priced by country, with free training on Microsoft Learn and free online renewal every 12 months.
Best forMicrosoft-centric companies
Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
- Cost
- $1255
- Format
- 2 hours, multiple choice
Google Cloud's hands-on associate exam: deploying, monitoring and managing projects on Google Cloud. Two hours, $125. 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 teams
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- Cost
- $4456
- Format
- 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam
A two-hour, performance-based exam run in a live cluster. $445 includes one free retake. Kubernetes skills are expected in most platform and DevOps roles. The Linux Foundation's Certified Kubernetes Administrator is a two-hour, performance-based exam taken in a live cluster. It costs $445 including one free retake and is respected because it tests real hands-on skill.
Best forcontainers and platform roles
HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
- Cost
- Check the official page7
Proves infrastructure-as-code skills with Terraform, which works across AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. Check HashiCorp's page for the current fee. HashiCorp's associate exam proves infrastructure-as-code skills with Terraform, which works across AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. It suits DevOps and cloud engineers; check HashiCorp's page for the current fee.
Best forinfrastructure as code
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1008
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
The entry exam: cloud concepts, AWS services, security and billing. 90 minutes, 65 questions, $100. A good first step, not a hiring credential on its own.
Best forfirst AWS exam
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country9
- Format
- 45 minutes
Azure's fundamentals exam, 45 minutes, with free training on Microsoft Learn. Take it if your next job is in a Microsoft environment. 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 forfirst Azure exam
AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate
- Cost
- $15010
For engineers building and running ML systems on AWS: data preparation, training, deployment and monitoring. AWS's associate exam proves you can prepare data, train, deploy and monitor machine learning models on AWS. It costs $150 and expects hands-on ML and AWS experience, making it a strong credential for ML engineers.
Best forML on AWS
Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning Engineer
- Cost
- $20011
- Format
- 2 hours, multiple choice
Google Cloud's professional ML exam, aimed at engineers with production experience. $200. Google Cloud's professional exam tests production machine learning: framing problems, building pipelines and serving and monitoring models. It's two hours, costs $200 and is aimed at experienced ML engineers.
Best forsenior ML on Google Cloud
AWS Certified AI Practitioner
- Cost
- $10012
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
A $100 foundational exam on AI, ML and generative AI concepts on AWS, useful for cloud staff who need AI literacy. 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 forAI literacy on AWS
AWS, Azure or Google Cloud?
| If your target employers… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Are start-ups or digital-native companies | AWS Solutions Architect – Associate |
| Run Microsoft 365, Windows and Active Directory | Azure AZ-104 |
| Do data and ML heavily on Google | Google Cloud ACE |
| You don't know | AWS: it's the most common in job posts |
Table: Choosing your first cloud provider
A cloud path that leads to interviews
- Month 1 — AWS Cloud Practitioner or AZ-900 for vocabulary.
- Months 2–4 — the associate exam (SAA, AZ-104 or ACE), with labs every week.
- Month 5 — deploy a small app with Terraform and publish the repo.
- Month 6 — add CKA if you're aiming for platform or DevOps roles.
How we ranked these picks
We ranked cloud certifications by how often employers name them, how hands-on the exam is and how directly they map to cloud job titles. Fees and formats come from official provider pages, checked 3 November 2026; salary figures are survey averages, not guarantees.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cloud certification in 2027?
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is the most widely requested. Choose Azure AZ-104 if your target employers run Microsoft, or Google Cloud ACE for Google Cloud teams.
Which cloud certification should I do first?
AWS Cloud Practitioner ($100) or Azure AZ-900 teach the vocabulary. If you have some IT experience, go straight to an associate exam, which carries more weight.
Is AWS or Azure better for jobs?
AWS appears in more job posts overall; Azure is strong in enterprises that use Microsoft. Check job posts in your city for the tools named most.
How long does a cloud certification take?
Fundamentals take two to four weeks. Associate exams typically take two to three months of part-time study with hands-on labs.
Is there a free cloud practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free practice tests for AWS, Azure and Google Cloud exams, instantly graded with a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- World Economic Forum — The Future of Jobs Report 2025
- Skillsoft — Top-paying IT certifications
- 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)
- Linux Foundation — Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- HashiCorp — HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate, 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)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google Cloud — Google Cloud Professional Machine Learning Engineer, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified AI Practitioner, 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 Cloud Computing Certifications of 2027: Top 10 Ranked — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 cloud computing certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones cloud job posts nameThe top 5 cloud certifications to get hired in 2027: AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104, Google Cloud ACE, CKA and Terraform, matched to job titles.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Top 5 DevOps certifications to get hired in 2027: the ones job posts nameThe top 5 DevOps certifications to get hired in 2027: CKA, Terraform, AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104 and Google Cloud ACE.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best DevOps certifications of 2027: eight for cloud, containers, automation and deliveryThe 8 best DevOps certifications of 2027: CKA, Terraform, AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104, Google Cloud ACE, ITIL 4, PSM I and AWS Cloud Practitioner.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The highest-paying cloud computing certifications for 2027, from survey dataThe highest-paying cloud certifications for 2027: AWS Solutions Architect, Google Cloud ML Engineer, CKA, AZ-104 and more, with survey salaries and fees.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The top 10 certifications for software engineers in 2027: cloud, platform, security and AIThe top 10 certifications for software engineers in 2027: AWS Solutions Architect, CKA, Terraform, AZ-104, Google Cloud ACE, AI-102, AWS ML Engineer and more.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The cloud certification roadmap for 2027: from first cloud exam to platform engineerA cloud certification roadmap for 2027: Cloud Practitioner or AZ-900, then AWS SAA, AZ-104 or Google ACE, then CKA and Terraform, then ML on cloud.
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Prove the skill before you pay for the exam.
Start with the free AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice Exam. 1,200+ free, test-based certifications graded on our server. Pass and get a founder-signed certificate with a credential ID employers can verify.