By Quick answer: How much do online certifications cost in 2027?
- Free — Skillshop, HubSpot, Kaggle.
- Under $150 — AWS, Google Cloud exams.
- PMI — $225–$675.
- Subscriptions — Coursera $49/month.
Key takeaways
- Many valuable certifications are free or under $150.
- Member discounts can cut PMI and ISACA fees.
- Training is often free even when exams aren't.
Certification costs vary hugely. Here are verified prices for popular ones, checked 3 November 2026.
Certifications that answer this
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 Ads & Google Analytics Certifications (Skillshop)Google Skillshop | Free1 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 2 | HubSpot Inbound Marketing CertificationHubSpot Academy | Free2 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 3 | Google Cloud Generative AI LeaderGoogle Cloud | $993 | 90 minutes, multiple choice | Free test |
| 4 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1004 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 5 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1505 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 6 | CAPM – Certified Associate in Project ManagementPMI | $225 PMI members / $300 non-members6 | 180 minutes, 150 questions | Free test |
| 7 | PMP – Project Management ProfessionalPMI | $425 PMI members / $675 non-members7 | 240 minutes, 180 questions | Free test |
| 8 | CISM – Certified Information Security ManagerISACA | US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members8 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 9 | Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)Linux Foundation / CNCF | $4459 | 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam | 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.)
- Google Ads and Paid Search Fundamentals CertificationPractise for Google Ads & Google Analytics Certifications (Skillshop) before you pay.Start free test →
- HubSpot Inbound Marketing Practice TestPractise for HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification before you pay.Start free test →
- Google Generative AI Leader Practice ExamPractise for Google Cloud Generative AI Leader 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 why it's here
- Google SkillshopGoogle Ads & Google Analytics Certifications (Skillshop)FreeFree
- HubSpot AcademyHubSpot Inbound Marketing CertificationFreeFree
- Google CloudGoogle Cloud Generative AI Leader$99$99
Google Ads & Google Analytics Certifications (Skillshop)
- Cost
- Free1
Free. Google's Ads and Analytics certifications on Skillshop are free and recognised across agencies and in-house marketing teams. Each takes hours rather than weeks; check Skillshop for current renewal rules.
Best forfree
HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification
- Cost
- Free2
Free. HubSpot Academy's free Inbound Marketing certification teaches attracting, engaging and delighting customers. It takes a few hours and is respected in B2B and inbound marketing roles.
Best forfree
Google Cloud Generative AI Leader
- Cost
- $993
- Format
- 90 minutes, multiple choice
$99. Google Cloud's foundational exam tests generative AI strategy for non-technical leaders: use cases, risks and adoption. It's 90 minutes of multiple choice and costs $99, one of the cheapest proctored AI credentials available.
Best for$99
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1004
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
$100. 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 for$100
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1505
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
$150. AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best for$150
CAPM – Certified Associate in Project Management
- Cost
- $225 PMI members / $300 non-members6
- Format
- 180 minutes, 150 questions
- Entry
- Secondary diploma plus 23 hours of project management education
$225 members / $300. PMI's entry credential is a 180-minute, 150-question exam for people early in project roles. It needs a secondary diploma plus 23 hours of project management education and costs $225 for PMI members or $300.
Best for$225 / $300
PMP – Project Management Professional
- Cost
- $425 PMI members / $675 non-members7
- Format
- 240 minutes, 180 questions
- Entry
- 3–5 years leading projects (by education) plus 35 hours of training
$425 members / $675. PMI's Project Management Professional is a 240-minute, 180-question exam covering predictive, agile and hybrid approaches. It needs 3–5 years leading projects plus 35 hours of training and costs $425 for PMI members or $675.
Best for$425 / $675
CISM – Certified Information Security Manager
- Cost
- US$575 ISACA members / US$760 non-members8
US$575 members / US$760. ISACA's credential for security managers covers governance, risk, programme management and incident management. It costs US$575 for ISACA members and US$760 for non-members and requires management experience.
Best forUS$575 / US$760
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- Cost
- $4459
- Format
- 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam
$445 with one retake. 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 for$445
Price bands
| Band | Examples |
|---|---|
| Free | Google Skillshop, HubSpot, Kaggle, CS50 |
| Up to $150 | GenAI Leader $99, AWS CCP $100, AWS SAA $150 |
| $200–$500 | Databricks $200, CAPM $225–$300, PMP $425 (member), CKA $445 |
| $500+ | PMP $675 (non-member), CISM/CISA US$575–$760 |
| Subscription | Coursera $49/month listed |
Table: Certification price bands, checked November 2026
How we ranked these picks
Answers draw on official certification pages checked 3 November 2026 and the sources listed.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest credible certification?
Free ones like Google Skillshop, or AWS CCP at $100.
Are Microsoft exams cheap?
Microsoft prices by country.
Do PMI members save?
Yes: $250 on PMP.
Is training free?
Often; Microsoft Learn and AWS Skill Builder are.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers 1,200+ free tests.
Sources
- Google Skillshop — Google Ads & Google Analytics Certifications (Skillshop), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- HubSpot Academy — HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google Cloud — Google Cloud Generative AI Leader, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — CAPM – Certified Associate in Project Management, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — PMP – Project Management Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISACA — CISM – Certified Information Security Manager, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Linux Foundation — Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), 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
- Certification FAQ 2027: 50 Questions Answered — related guide
- Best AI Certifications of 2027: 10 Ranked by Career Impact — related guide
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027How Long Does It Take to Get Certified Online? — answered for 2027How long it takes to get certified online in 2027: hours for short courses, weeks for fundamentals, months for associate exams, years for the CFA.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best cloud computing certifications of 2027: ten across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud and KubernetesThe 10 best cloud certifications of 2027: AWS Solutions Architect, Azure AZ-104, Google Cloud ACE, CKA, Terraform and more, with verified exam fees.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027The best certification websites of 2027: ten platforms compared on cost, credibility and what you actually getThe 10 best certification websites of 2027 compared: Coursera, Microsoft Learn, AWS, Google Skillshop, HubSpot, Trailhead, PMI and more, with costs and links.
- Career guides by Science of Apps for 2027Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) review for 2027: is it worth it, who it's for and the best alternativesCertified Kubernetes Administrator review for 2027: $445, two-hour hands-on exam, who it suits and companion certifications.
- 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 best Coursera certificates in 2027: which Google, IBM, Meta, DeepLearning.AI and Wharton programmes are worth itWhich Coursera certificates are worth it in 2027: Google, IBM, Meta, DeepLearning.AI and Wharton programmes compared, with the $49/month price and aid.
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