By Quick answer: Is Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) worth it in 2027?
- Verdict — Worth it for cloud roles in Microsoft environments.
- Cost — Priced by country
- Time — Two to three months part-time
- Best for — administrators in Microsoft-based companies
Key takeaways
- Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) is worth it for administrators in Microsoft-based companies.
- It's less useful for teams on AWS or Google Cloud.
- Compare the alternatives below before you pay.
This is an honest review of Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104): what it covers, what it costs, who it helps and who should pick something else. We list the best alternatives so you can compare before you commit.
Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) and its alternatives
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 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country1 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 2 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1502 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 3 | Google Cloud Associate Cloud EngineerGoogle Cloud | $1253 | 2 hours, multiple choice | Free test |
| 4 | Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Microsoft | Exam priced by country4 | 45 minutes | Free test |
| 5 | HashiCorp Certified: Terraform AssociateHashiCorp | Check the official page5 | Check issuer | 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.)
- Azure Administrator AZ-104 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
- Google Associate Cloud Engineer Practice ExamPractise for Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer before you pay.Start free test →
- AZ-900 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) before you pay.Start free test →
Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104), then the alternatives worth comparing
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)The credential reviewedExam priced by country
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAWS alternative$150
- Google CloudGoogle Cloud Associate Cloud EngineerGoogle Cloud alternative$125
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country1
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Azure identity, storage, compute and networking; 100 minutes, priced by country, free yearly renewal. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can manage Azure identity, storage, compute and networking. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, and renews free online every 12 months, which keeps long-term cost low.
Best forthe credential reviewed
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1502
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
AWS SAA, $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 forAWS alternative
Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
- Cost
- $1253
- Format
- 2 hours, multiple choice
ACE, $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 alternative
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country4
- Format
- 45 minutes
AZ-900. 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 foreasier start
HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
- Cost
- Check the official page5
Terraform. 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 foradd-on
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Proctored | Azure-specific |
| Strong enterprise demand | Needs labs |
| Free yearly renewal | Broad scope |
Table: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) pros and cons
Our verdict
Worth it for cloud roles in Microsoft environments. It's a strong choice for administrators in Microsoft-based companies. If you're teams on AWS or Google Cloud, look at the alternatives above first.
How we ranked these picks
We reviewed Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) on cost, time, assessment, employer recognition and fit, using the official page checked 3 November 2026. Science of Apps has no commercial relationship with the issuer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) worth it?
Worth it for cloud roles in Microsoft environments. It suits administrators in Microsoft-based companies.
How much does Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) cost?
Priced by country.
How long does Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) take?
Two to three months part-time.
AZ-104 or AWS SAA?
Choose by your employer's cloud.
Is there a free practice test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free practice tests for this topic, instantly graded with a verifiable certificate.
Sources
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google Cloud — Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- HashiCorp — HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate, 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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