By Quick answer: Are there free cloud computing certifications in 2027?
- Azure — Microsoft Learn is free end to end; only the exam costs.
- AWS — free Cloud Practitioner training, then a $100 exam.
- Google Cloud — free learning paths toward the $125 ACE exam.
- Foundations — freeCodeCamp for Linux, scripting and web basics.
Key takeaways
- In cloud, learning is free and proof costs money; budget for one exam.
- Free-tier accounts let you practise on real cloud services; set billing alerts first.
- A free practice test tells you when you're ready to book.
Nobody should pay to learn cloud basics in 2027. All three big providers publish free training, and the free tiers let you practise on real services. What costs money is the proctored exam that employers check. These five options get you to that point without spending anything.
Five free cloud options
The training is free in every case; the proctored exams cost money. Checked 3 November 2026.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud TrainingMicrosoft | Free1 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 2 | Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Microsoft | Exam priced by country2 | 45 minutes | Free test |
| 3 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1003 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 4 | Google Cloud Associate Cloud EngineerGoogle Cloud | $1254 | 2 hours, multiple choice | Free test |
| 5 | freeCodeCamp CertificationsfreeCodeCamp | Free5 | 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.)
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training before you pay.Start free test →
- AZ-900 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Cloud Practitioner Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner before you pay.Start free test →
- Google Associate Cloud Engineer Practice ExamPractise for Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer before you pay.Start free test →
Each free option, and what it leads to
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Learn Free AI & Cloud TrainingFree Azure and AI trainingFree
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Free training, low-cost examExam priced by country
- AWSAWS Certified Cloud PractitionerFree AWS training, $100 exam$100
Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training
- Cost
- Free1
Microsoft Learn's Azure and AI paths are free, with hands-on sandboxes. They cover everything from AZ-900 to AZ-104 and AI-102. 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 Azure and AI training
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country2
- Format
- 45 minutes
The training is free on Microsoft Learn; Microsoft also runs Virtual Training Days that have offered exam discounts. The exam is 45 minutes. 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 forfree training, low-cost exam
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1003
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
AWS Skill Builder offers free Cloud Practitioner training. The exam is $100, 90 minutes and 65 questions. 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 forfree AWS training, $100 exam
Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
- Cost
- $1254
- Format
- 2 hours, multiple choice
Google Cloud publishes free learning paths for the Associate Cloud Engineer exam ($125, two hours). 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 forfree Google Cloud paths
freeCodeCamp Certifications
- Cost
- Free5
Cloud engineers need Linux, scripting and web basics. freeCodeCamp teaches them free, with certifications for each track. 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 coding foundations
Stay safe on free tiers
- Set a billing alert — before launching anything.
- Delete resources — after every lab.
- Use sandboxes — Microsoft Learn's sandboxes cost nothing and expire by themselves.
How we ranked these picks
We listed only training that is free on the provider's site as of 3 November 2026 and state exam fees plainly. Five options, not padded to seven.
Frequently asked questions
Is any cloud certification completely free?
The training is free, but proctored exams usually cost money. Providers sometimes run promotions or discounts tied to training events; check the official pages.
Can I learn AWS for free?
Yes. AWS Skill Builder's Cloud Practitioner training is free, and the AWS free tier lets you practise. The certification exam is $100.
Is Microsoft Learn really free?
Yes. All Microsoft Learn training, including sandboxes, is free. Only the certification exams are paid.
Which free cloud training is best for beginners?
Microsoft Learn's AZ-900 path or AWS's Cloud Practitioner training. Both assume no prior cloud experience.
Is there a free cloud practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free cloud practice tests for AWS, Azure and Google Cloud, with instant results and a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- Microsoft — Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google Cloud — Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- freeCodeCamp — freeCodeCamp Certifications, 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
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Start with the free Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification. 1,200+ free, test-based certifications graded on our server. Pass and get a founder-signed certificate with a credential ID employers can verify.