AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) vs Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) and Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) are the entry-level certifications for the two biggest cloud platforms. Both are non-technical, beginner-friendly and cover cloud concepts, core services, security and pricing — and both are earned by passing a separate vendor exam that these courses prepare you for. The real question isn’t which is better, it’s which cloud you want to work in.
Side-by-side comparison
Price, certificate, length, rating and more — straight from each course, compared field by field.
Figures are pulled from each course listing and can change — always confirm price, certificate cost and availability on the provider’s own site before enrolling. We’re not affiliated with either provider, and blank fields mean the data isn’t published, not zero. Last reviewed August 2026.
Which should you choose?
There’s no single winner — it depends on where you’re starting and where you’re headed. If you are…
You want to work with the market-leading cloud → AWS Cloud Practitioner
You work in a Microsoft or enterprise environment → Azure Fundamentals
You want the cloud with the most job postings → AWS Cloud Practitioner
Your company already uses Azure or Microsoft 365 → Azure Fundamentals
You’re not sure which cloud to pick → AWS Cloud Practitioner
You want the shortest fundamentals cert → Azure Fundamentals
AWS Cloud Practitioner is the safer default given AWS’s market lead and job volume, while Azure Fundamentals is the better fit if you work in — or are targeting — Microsoft and enterprise environments. Pick by the cloud your target employers actually use.
Best for: Both are beginner-friendly, non-technical fundamentals certifications for the two biggest cloud platforms, and both prepare you for a separate certification exam. AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) covers core AWS services, security and pricing; Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) covers the same ground on Microsoft Azure. Neither requires coding — they’re the recognised first step into cloud.
Career outcomes: Both are entry points rather than jobs on their own, and they’re the standard first certification for cloud, support and junior DevOps roles. AWS has the largest market share and the most job postings; Azure is dominant in Microsoft-heavy enterprises. Whichever you pick, to actually hold the certificate you sit a separate vendor exam (AWS CLF-C02 around $100, Azure AZ-900 around $99) that these courses prepare you for — and most people follow up with an associate-level certification.
Frequently asked questions
Pick the cloud your target employers use. AWS has the most jobs and market share overall; Azure is strong in Microsoft-heavy enterprises. If you have no preference, AWS is the safer default.
The course is exam preparation; the certification itself is a separate paid vendor exam — AWS CLF-C02 or Microsoft AZ-900 — that you sit with the provider.
No — both are non-technical fundamentals aimed at complete beginners, including non-IT roles.
AWS CLF-C02 is around $100 and Azure AZ-900 around $99, paid separately from the course.
AWS leads on market share and job volume; Azure is close behind and dominant in enterprise and Microsoft environments.
An associate-level certification — for example AWS Solutions Architect Associate or Azure Administrator (AZ-104).