By Quick answer: Which IT certifications are free in 2027?
- Security — ISC2 CC.
- Computer science — Harvard CS50.
- Coding — freeCodeCamp.
- Microsoft skills — Microsoft Learn.
Key takeaways
- Free training covers almost all IT basics; exams are where costs appear.
- Pick one track (support, cloud, security or code) and finish it.
- Show a project or lab alongside every free certificate.
IT is one of the most generous fields for free learning. Harvard, Microsoft, Google, ISC2 and freeCodeCamp all publish real training at no cost, and several include free certificates. These six cover IT support, security, cloud and coding.
Six free IT options
Each is free to learn; ISC2 CC's exam depends on current promotions and Google IT Support needs financial aid. Checked 3 November 2026.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)ISC2 | See ISC2 page1 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 2 | CS50: Introduction to Computer ScienceHarvard University | Free2 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 3 | freeCodeCamp CertificationsfreeCodeCamp | Free3 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 4 | Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud TrainingMicrosoft | Free4 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 5 | Google IT Support Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan5 | 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 6 | Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL)Kaggle (Google) | Free6 | 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.)
- ISC2 CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) Practice TestPractise for ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) before you pay.Start free test →
- Computer Science Fundamentals TestPractise for CS50: Introduction to Computer Science before you pay.Start free test →
- Front-End Development CertificationPractise for freeCodeCamp Certifications before you pay.Start free test →
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training before you pay.Start free test →
Each free option, and the IT skill it builds
- ISC2ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)A free security credentialSee ISC2 page
- Harvard UniversityCS50: Introduction to Computer ScienceComputer science foundationsFree
- freeCodeCampfreeCodeCamp CertificationsWeb and coding certificationsFree
ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)
- Cost
- See ISC2 page1
- Entry
- No work experience required
An entry security credential from ISC2 with no experience requirement. ISC2 has offered free training and exams through promotions. 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 fora free security credential
CS50: Introduction to Computer Science
- Cost
- Free2
Harvard's famous introduction to computer science: C, Python, SQL and web. Free certificate from CS50. 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 forcomputer science foundations
freeCodeCamp Certifications
- Cost
- Free3
Free certifications in web design, JavaScript, Python and more, each 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 forweb and coding certifications
Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training
- Cost
- Free4
Free training for every Microsoft certification, from Azure to Microsoft 365, with sandboxes. 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 forMicrosoft and Azure skills
Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan5
- Time
- 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week
A beginner IT support programme; Coursera's financial aid can make it free. 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 with financial aid
Kaggle Learn Micro-Courses (ML, Python, SQL)
- Cost
- Free6
- Time
- Short micro-courses, a few hours each
Free micro-courses in Python, SQL and machine learning, with free 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 fordata and Python
Pick one free track
| Track | Free path |
|---|---|
| IT support | Google IT Support (aid) → CS50 |
| Security | ISC2 CC → CS50 → home lab |
| Cloud | Microsoft Learn AZ-900 path |
| Coding | CS50 → freeCodeCamp |
Table: Free IT tracks for 2027
How we ranked these picks
We listed only training free on the issuer's site as of 3 November 2026, prioritising free certificates. Six options, not padded to seven.
Frequently asked questions
Which IT certification is free?
ISC2 CC has often been free through promotions; CS50, freeCodeCamp and Kaggle give free certificates. Microsoft Learn training is free, but exams are paid.
Can I get an IT job with free certifications?
Yes, for some entry roles, if you add projects. Many employers also ask for CompTIA A+ or a cloud exam.
Is Google IT Support free?
It's on Coursera with a subscription. Financial aid can cover it, and many courses can be audited free.
What's the best free IT certification for beginners?
Harvard CS50 for computing foundations, or ISC2 CC if you want security.
Is there a free IT practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free IT, cloud and security tests with instant results and a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- ISC2 — ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC), 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)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Learn Free AI & Cloud Training, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google IT Support Professional Certificate, 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 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 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 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 2027The best certification providers and platforms of 2027: who to learn from, and who to get certified byThe best certification providers of 2027: Google, Microsoft, AWS, CompTIA, PMI, ISC2, Salesforce, Harvard CS50, freeCodeCamp and Kaggle, compared.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Free data science certifications in 2027: five ways to learn data science without paying5 free data science certifications and courses for 2027: Kaggle Learn, Harvard CS50, CS50 AI, freeCodeCamp's Python data analysis and IBM Data Science (audit).
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Free data analytics certifications in 2027: five ways to learn analytics without paying5 free data analytics certifications for 2027: Kaggle SQL and visualisation, freeCodeCamp data analysis, Google Analytics, CS50 and Microsoft Learn.
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Prove the skill before you pay for the exam.
Start with the free ISC2 CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) Practice Test. 1,200+ free, test-based certifications graded on our server. Pass and get a founder-signed certificate with a credential ID employers can verify.