By Quick answer: data analyst certifications or data scientist certifications: which should I choose in 2027?
- Choose data analyst certifications — you like answering business questions with SQL and dashboards.
- Choose data scientist certifications — you like building models with Python.
- Verdict — Many start as analysts and move to data science.
- Before you pay — take a free practice test.
Key takeaways
- Choose data analyst certifications if you like answering business questions with SQL and dashboards.
- Choose data scientist certifications if you like building models with Python.
- Check job posts in your target market before deciding.
data analyst certifications and data scientist certifications 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 | Google Data Analytics Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan1 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 2 | Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)Microsoft | Exam priced by country2 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 3 | IBM Data Science Professional CertificateIBM / Coursera | Coursera plan3 | 4 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 4 | Machine Learning SpecializationDeepLearning.AI & Stanford / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan4 | 2 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 5 | Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)Microsoft | Exam priced by country5 | Self-paced | 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.)
- Statistics for Data Analysts CertificationPractise for Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- PL-300 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300) before you pay.Start free test →
- Data Science Certification TestPractise for IBM Data Science Professional Certificate before you pay.Start free test →
- Machine Learning Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Machine Learning Specialization before you pay.Start free test →
Each option, and who should choose it
- CourseraGoogle Data Analytics Professional CertificateAnalyst start$49/mo Coursera plan
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)Analyst proofExam priced by country
- CourseraIBM Data Science Professional CertificateScientist startCoursera plan
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan1
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
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 foranalyst start
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country2
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Proctored Power BI. Microsoft's Power BI Data Analyst exam proves you can prepare, model and visualise data and share reports securely. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, with free Microsoft Learn training and free online renewal every 12 months.
Best foranalyst proof
IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
- Cost
- Coursera plan3
- Time
- 4 months at 10 hours a week
About four months. IBM's professional certificate covers Python, SQL, data visualisation and machine learning basics with hands-on labs and a capstone. It takes about four months at ten hours a week, and financial aid is available on Coursera.
Best forscientist start
Machine Learning Specialization
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan4
- Time
- 2 months at 10 hours a week
About two months. Andrew Ng's specialization with Stanford teaches supervised and unsupervised learning, model evaluation and practical machine learning in Python. It takes about two months at ten hours a week and is widely regarded as the clearest structured start in ML.
Best forML foundation
Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country5
Azure ML. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can train and deploy machine learning models with Azure Machine Learning. It's priced by country, needs Python and ML basics and renews free online each year.
Best forscientist proof
data analyst certifications vs data scientist certifications side by side
| data analyst certifications | data scientist certifications | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Reporting and insight | Models and prediction |
| Core skills | SQL, BI, spreadsheets | Python, statistics, ML |
| Start with | Google Data Analytics | IBM Data Science |
| Prove with | PL-300 | DP-100 or AWS MLE |
Table: data analyst certifications vs data scientist certifications
How to choose
- Choose data analyst certifications — you like answering business questions with SQL and dashboards.
- Choose data scientist certifications — you like building models with Python.
- 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 to enter?
Data analyst.
Can analysts become scientists?
Yes; it's a common path.
Do scientists need Python?
Yes.
Which pays more?
Depends on market; we don't cite unverified salary claims.
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
- Google — Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- IBM — IBM Data Science Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- DeepLearning.AI & Stanford — Machine Learning Specialization, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100), 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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