COAmazon Web Services · on Coursera
AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials
Beginner 12 hours English Course CertificateFREE
Our recommendation
AWS's own free foundational course introducing cloud concepts and core AWS services. It is clear and beginner-friendly, and a good way to build cloud literacy or start preparing for the Cloud Practitioner exam. The course is free to audit; the certification comes from the separate $100 exam.
Skills you'll gain
Cloud conceptsAWSCore AWS servicesCloud securityPricingCloud fundamentals
Is this course right for you?
A good fit if you…
You are new to cloud
You want a free official intro
You are exploring AWS
Consider something else if you…
You want deep hands-on engineering
You want a full exam-prep course with practice tests
You already know AWS
About this course
AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials is Amazon's ~12-hour introduction to the AWS cloud on Coursera. You can audit it free; the certificate runs on Coursera's ~$49/month plan.
What you'll learn
Understand core AWS services for compute, storage and databases
Explain cloud concepts, regions and availability zones
Grasp AWS security and the shared-responsibility model
Understand AWS pricing and cost management basics
Recognise the Well-Architected Framework pillars
Speak the vocabulary the CLF-C02 exam expects
This course includes
12h
On-demand video
Yes
Certificate
English
Language
What it costs
Free to audit on Coursera; a certificate needs a subscription. Note the actual AWS Cloud Practitioner certification comes from passing the separate AWS exam, which costs $100.
Comparison · LBS
Compare alternatives for AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials
Same topic, different options. We surface the trade-offs others hide so you can pick the course that actually fits your time, budget, and goals.
COCoursera4.8(34,000)
AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials
- Price
- FreeAudit free · Cert $49/mo
- Duration
- 12 hrs
- Level
- Beginner
- Certificate
- Course Certificate
MLMicrosoft Learn4.8(4,100)
Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) Learning Path
- Price
- FreeCompletely free, official Microsoft content
- Duration
- 10 hrs
- Level
- Beginner
- Certificate
UDUdemy4.8(48,000)
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) with Practice Tests
- Price
- PaidOne-time purchase, sales ~$15
- Duration
- 19 hrs
- Level
- Intermediate
- Certificate
- Course Certificate
UDUdemy4.8(28,000)
CKAD: Certified Kubernetes Application Developer
- Price
- PaidOne-time purchase, sales ~$15
- Duration
- 14 hrs
- Level
- Intermediate
- Certificate
- Course Certificate
Prices & availability can change — confirm on the provider's site. We're not affiliated with any single provider.
Is the certificate recognised?
This is an AWS-authored introduction. The AWS Cloud Practitioner certification itself comes from the separate $100 exam — this course builds the foundation.
Last updated
Instructor
AW
Amazon Web Services
Coursera instructor
Created and taught by Amazon Web Services, so the framing matches AWS's own definitions and the knowledge it expects for the Cloud Practitioner certification.
About this provider
CO
Coursera
University-backed online learning platform. 142M learners, 7,000+ courses from 325+ institutions.
Frequently asked questions
No. This is a free foundational course; the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification comes from the separate $100 exam.
Yes to audit on Coursera. A Coursera certificate needs a subscription, but the material is free.
This is AWS's own concise introduction; the popular Udemy courses are fuller exam prep with practice tests. Either can prepare you for the $100 exam.
Yes as a free, official first step into AWS and cloud concepts.
About 12 hours over a couple of weeks.