Best Cloud Certifications: AWS vs. Azure vs. Google Cloud
Unlike most certification decisions on this site, none of these three has a clear "easier" or "harder" edge — all three are foundational, no-prerequisite, single-exam certifications built for the same audience. The deciding factor is almost entirely which cloud provider actually shows up in job postings you're targeting.
| AWS Cloud Practitioner | Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) | Google Cloud Digital Leader | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | None | None | None |
| Typical timeline | 2–6 weeks part-time | A few weeks part-time | 2–4 weeks part-time |
| Cost | Commonly cited around $100 | Commonly cited around $99 | Commonly cited around $99 |
| Best fit if | You're targeting companies already on AWS, currently the largest market-share cloud provider | You're in a Microsoft-heavy environment, or your target employer runs on Microsoft 365 / Azure infrastructure | Your target employer uses Google Workspace or Google Cloud, or you're aiming at data/ML-adjacent roles where GCP has a stronger foothold |
How to actually decide
If you don't have a specific employer or job posting in mind yet, AWS Cloud Practitioner is the safest default — AWS holds the largest cloud market share, so it shows up in the widest range of job postings. Search for "cloud" roles in your target city or field first; whichever provider appears most often in those listings should decide this for you, not a general ranking.
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This page covers the general case. The Pathway Finder takes your background, your target lane, and what you can actually spend, then gives you the full sequence — which certifications, in what order, a real cost range, a timeline, and a straight answer on whether a bootcamp is worth it at your budget.
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