As organizations continue moving toward cloud infrastructure, demand has increased for professionals who understand how cloud systems work. Cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure dominate the market, offering a range of services from virtual machines to serverless computing. However, for beginners, jumping into cloud computing without structure can be overwhelming. This is where foundational certifications like AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals become essential.
These two certifications are not deeply technical but provide a broad understanding of cloud concepts, services, and business benefits. They help bridge the knowledge gap for those entering cloud-related roles, whether technical, sales, support, or management. They also serve as stepping stones to more advanced cloud certifications later in a professional’s career.
In this section, we’ll cover what AWS Cloud Practitioner and Azure Fundamentals are, their purpose, who they’re for, and the high-level content they focus on.
What is the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification?
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is an entry-level certification for those who want a general overview of Amazon Web Services. It validates foundational knowledge of the AWS cloud, including core services, pricing models, account management, and security practices. It’s ideal for those in non-technical roles, like project managers or business analysts, who need to understand cloud technologies without getting into coding or architecture design.
This certification covers:
- Basic AWS global infrastructure
- Key services like EC2, S3, and RDS
- Billing and pricing mechanisms
- Shared responsibility model
- Support plans and service level agreements
- Common use cases
It is also frequently recommended for individuals pursuing more technical AWS certifications. Gaining this credential provides a strong overview of AWS operations, even for those not directly building or maintaining systems.
What is the Azure Fundamentals Certification?
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, also known as AZ-900, is Microsoft’s foundational certification for cloud beginners. It provides essential knowledge about Azure services and cloud computing concepts. Like the AWS version, it targets people in technical and non-technical roles and is often used by IT professionals, students, or sales teams who want to understand Microsoft’s cloud solutions.
This certification explores:
- Principles of cloud computing
- IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models
- Core Azure services like Virtual Machines, Blob Storage, and Azure SQL
- Azure pricing, cost management, and SLAs
- Identity, governance, and privacy features
- Compliance tools and trust resources
AZ-900 is not required for higher-level Azure certifications, but it is often recommended. It provides a complete entry point for understanding the Azure ecosystem and how Microsoft approaches cloud computing.
Who Should Consider These Certifications?
Both certifications are designed for those new to cloud computing. You do not need prior cloud or technical experience to take these exams. They are useful for:
- Business professionals working on cloud-related projects
- Sales and account managers supporting cloud-based solutions
- Students or job seekers entering IT careers
- Developers or engineers switching to cloud environments
- Decision-makers evaluating cloud migration strategies
Whether you’re planning to become a cloud architect or simply need to understand cloud terminology, these certifications offer valuable knowledge that applies across industries.
Key Differences Between AWS Cloud Practitioner and Azure Fundamentals
Although the purpose of both certifications is similar, there are important differences in what they emphasize:
Cloud Platform Focus:
AWS Cloud Practitioner is tightly focused on AWS services, while Azure Fundamentals focuses on Microsoft Azure’s platform.
Cloud Integration:
Azure Fundamentals often connects to Microsoft’s broader ecosystem, including Office 365, Dynamics, and Active Directory. AWS certification is more standalone and cloud-native.
Service Positioning:
AWS certification spends more time introducing core services and their use cases. Azure Fundamentals includes more governance and compliance topics, reflecting its enterprise focus.
User Background:
Azure Fundamentals leans slightly more toward users with a Microsoft background. AWS Cloud Practitioner is platform-agnostic and appeals to a more diverse range of backgrounds.
Question Types:
Both exams are scenario-based and multiple-choice, but Azure’s questions sometimes include more structured case studies. AWS tends to use direct comparisons or definitions.
Which Certification Is Easier?
For most learners, the difficulty level is relatively equal. These certifications are designed to be accessible for beginners, so they avoid complex configurations or technical simulations. The real challenge lies in understanding how the cloud works and how different services fit together.
The actual difficulty may vary depending on your prior exposure. Someone working in a Microsoft environment might find Azure easier to relate to, while someone working in startups or using AWS services casually might be more comfortable with the AWS Cloud Practitioner.
Learning Commitment and Time Investment
Preparation time will depend on the individual’s learning pace and prior knowledge, but most people spend one to two weeks studying part-time to prepare.
- Reading official documentation and online tutorials
- Watching video lectures or attending bootcamps
- Taking practice exams to simulate the testing experience
- Reviewing whitepapers and FAQs from each provider
A consistent study routine is usually enough to pass the exam on the first attempt.
Both AWS Cloud Practitioner and Azure Fundamentals are excellent starting points for cloud careers. They are vendor-specific but share core principles that apply across platforms. Choosing one depends largely on your career goals, current work environment, and platform preference.
Understanding how each certification introduces you to its cloud ecosystem is essential. If you’re aiming for a career in AWS, start with the Cloud Practitioner. If your organization uses Microsoft services or you’re targeting enterprise IT roles, Azure Fundamentals is likely the better starting point.
Exam Format, Structure, and Core Domains
Both AWS Cloud Practitioner and Azure Fundamentals are designed to introduce cloud computing to beginners. Despite having similar goals, each exam is structured differently, reflecting the priorities and philosophies of Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, respectively. In this part, we’ll explore the detailed exam formats, domain weightings, question types, and how each provider measures foundational cloud knowledge.
AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam Structure
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) exam is the first step in the AWS certification path. It’s intended for those looking to validate their overall knowledge of the AWS platform without diving too deep into technical implementation.
Key elements of the exam structure:
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Number of questions: 65
- Passing score: 700 out of 1000
- Question types: Multiple choice and multiple response
- Delivery: Online proctored or at a test center
- Cost: USD 100
- Available languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Italian, Indonesian
The exam consists mostly of straightforward multiple-choice questions. A few scenarios are used, but deep troubleshooting or complex architecture scenarios are not expected.
AWS Exam Domain Breakdown
The AWS Cloud Practitioner exam includes four core content domains:
1. Cloud Concepts (24%)
This domain focuses on understanding what cloud computing is, the benefits of cloud adoption, and common cloud models (public, private, hybrid). It also covers the global AWS infrastructure and how it is designed for scalability, reliability, and cost-efficiency.
2. Security and Compliance (30%)
This is one of the most weighted domains in the exam. It includes concepts like the shared responsibility model, AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), basic security features, compliance programs, and data protection strategies.
3. Cloud Technology and Services (34%)
The largest domain, covering AWS core services. These include compute services like EC2, storage like S3, and databases like RDS. Candidates are expected to understand the purpose of these services, though not in great detail.
4. Billing and Pricing (12%)
This section covers AWS pricing models, cost management tools, AWS support plans, and the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculator. It’s essential for understanding how customers are charged and how they can estimate and manage their cloud costs.
Azure Fundamentals Exam Structure
The Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) exam is Microsoft’s equivalent entry-level certification. It provides a solid base for anyone starting their cloud learning journey, especially those working in organizations that use Microsoft technologies.
Key exam details:
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Number of questions: 40 to 60
- Passing score: 700 out of 1000
- Question types: Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, scenario-based, and case studies
- Delivery: Pearson VUE or Certiport
- Cost: USD 99
- Available languages: Over a dozen, including English, Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and more
The AZ-900 exam includes a variety of question formats, some of which simulate real-world decisions or configurations. Though still beginner-friendly, the question of diversity requires candidates to be familiar with Azure’s environment.
Azure Exam Domain Breakdown
The exam content is grouped into three main domains:
1. Describe Cloud Concepts (25-30%)
Covers the definition of cloud computing, cloud deployment models, and the benefits of using cloud services. It also explores IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models.
2. Describe Azure Architecture and Services (35-40%)
This domain introduces the core architectural components of Azure, including resource groups, regions, and availability zones. It also covers the most commonly used services like Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Storage, Azure SQL, and networking resources. Security tools like Azure Active Directory and identity access roles are also introduced.
3. Describe Azure Management and Governance (30-35%)
Focuses on managing Azure subscriptions, cost control, support plans, monitoring tools like Azure Monitor, governance tools like Azure Policy, and compliance resources like Trust Center.
Key Differences in Domain Focus
While both exams share common topics—cloud models, core services, pricing, security—they approach them from different angles. The AWS exam is slightly more focused on practical cost management and platform-specific services, while Azure Fundamentals leans more into governance and compliance, a reflection of its strong enterprise market.
Azure also introduces concepts like resource locking, role-based access control, and cost management in more detail than AWS at the same level. In contrast, AWS expects candidates to understand the overall architecture of services like EC2 and S3 with some emphasis on how these services are deployed and scaled.
Which Exam Covers More Technical Ground?
The Azure exam includes a broader introduction to cloud resource management, with concepts like the Azure Resource Manager and Azure Portal being key tools. Candidates may need to interpret visual diagrams or configuration scenarios during the exam.
The AWS Cloud Practitioner exam focuses on understanding rather than doing. You won’t be asked to interpret diagrams or perform hypothetical configurations. It’s more conceptual and business-oriented, with less emphasis on the user interface or deployment process.
Exam Question Styles Compared
Azure Fundamentals uses diverse question formats to evaluate understanding. You might be asked to complete a table, sequence operations, or match terms to definitions. The format tests not just recall, but comprehension.
AWS Cloud Practitioner questions are more uniform. Most questions are structured and resemble standard quiz formats, with occasional situational context to assess judgment. It focuses more on identifying definitions and matching services to scenarios.
Preparing for the Exam
Preparation for both exams includes similar strategies:
- Reviewing the official exam guide and objectives
- Taking digital courses and reading the documentation
- Practicing with mock exams
- Studying whitepapers and service descriptions
For Azure, getting familiar with the Azure Portal is useful even for non-technical candidates. For AWS, understanding service use cases and pricing models is key.
Both the AWS and Azure foundational certifications offer accessible pathways into cloud computing. The exam structures reflect each provider’s approach—AWS emphasizes service awareness and cost efficiency, while Azure prioritizes architecture and management within enterprise systems.
Preparation Strategies and Study Resources
Both AWS Cloud Practitioner and Azure Fundamentals are designed to test foundational knowledge of cloud computing within their respective ecosystems. While they are entry-level certifications, thorough preparation is still essential to pass these exams and gain real-world value from them. In this part, we’ll explore various study resources, learning paths, and training formats that can help candidates succeed, regardless of their technical background.
AWS Cloud Practitioner: Study Resources and Learning Approach
Amazon Web Services provides a wide array of official resources, digital courses, whitepapers, and hands-on labs to prepare candidates for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam. Here are the most effective tools and strategies:
AWS Digital Training Courses
AWS offers its digital course titled “AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials.” This course is self-paced and free, providing learners with a structured breakdown of the exam topics. It includes modules on cloud concepts, AWS core services, billing and pricing models, and security best practices.
This course is ideal for beginners and does not require any prior experience. It provides video-based instruction, knowledge checks, and summaries for each lesson.
AWS Whitepapers and Documentation
Whitepapers such as “Overview of Amazon Web Services” and “How AWS Pricing Works” offer deep dives into the platform’s capabilities. These are useful for grasping business-focused concepts like total cost of ownership, pricing calculators, and service usage cases.
Reading whitepapers helps in understanding how organizations use AWS to optimize infrastructure and reduce costs, which is directly tested in the exam.
AWS Skill Builder and Learning Paths
AWS Skill Builder is an online platform with a curated learning path specifically designed for the Cloud Practitioner exam. It features hands-on labs, practice questions, and scenario-based content to enhance comprehension.
The learning path helps guide users through the course modules in a logical sequence, building foundational knowledge progressively.
Practice Exams
Mock exams are critical for assessing readiness. Several platforms offer practice questions in a format similar to the real test. These practice exams focus on all domains, such as cloud concepts, AWS billing, and service deployment.
They help identify knowledge gaps, improve question interpretation skills, and allow learners to manage time during the exam.
Hands-On Practice with AWS Free Tier
AWS offers a Free Tier for 12 months, which gives candidates an opportunity to work with real cloud services. Setting up EC2 instances, launching S3 buckets, and navigating IAM roles provide valuable experience and contextual understanding.
While hands-on practice is not mandatory for the exam, it is highly recommended for deeper understanding and long-term retention.
Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900): Study Resources and Learning Approach
Microsoft offers a comprehensive suite of training materials and preparation tools for candidates preparing for the AZ-900 exam. These resources cater to technical and non-technical audiences and emphasize cloud architecture, governance, and pricing.
Microsoft Learn Platform
Microsoft Learn is the primary resource hub for Azure certification exams. The learning path for AZ-900 includes interactive modules with short lessons, knowledge checks, and hands-on labs using the Azure sandbox environment.
Key learning paths include:
- Describe Cloud Concepts
- Describe Azure Architecture and Services
- Describe Azure Management and Governance
Each module is designed to take less than an hour, making the learning process more manageable.
Azure Sandbox for Practice
Microsoft’s Azure sandbox environment allows learners to interact with the actual Azure Portal without needing a paid subscription. This provides safe, real-world exposure to creating resources, managing identities, and configuring settings.
Using the sandbox helps candidates understand portal navigation and visualize concepts like regions, resource groups, and compliance settings.
Official Practice Tests and Exam Readiness
Practice exams for AZ-900 replicate the actual test structure, which includes drag-and-drop questions, matching concepts, and case-based scenarios. These practice tests are especially important due to the variety of question formats on the real exam.
Reviewing practice exams helps reinforce the key concepts while improving familiarity with Microsoft’s exam interface.
Microsoft Instructor-Led Training
For learners who prefer guided instruction, Microsoft offers instructor-led virtual classes. These sessions are taught by certified trainers and cover the same content as self-paced modules, with added support for Q&A and discussions.
This format is ideal for enterprise learners or those who benefit from structured classroom environments.
Additional Resources
Microsoft also provides access to cloud adoption frameworks, pricing calculators, and whitepapers that go beyond exam prep. These tools help learners understand how Azure services align with business goals, which is often emphasized in the AZ-900 exam.
Comparing Study Approaches: AWS vs Azure
Although both providers offer quality training materials, their preparation environments differ slightly:
- AWS focuses more on service definitions and business value, with fewer interface-specific questions. Therefore, much of the prep revolves around understanding services, pricing, and architecture concepts.
- Azure includes more interaction with the portal, emphasizing resource creation, policy setup, and governance. This makes practice in the Azure environment more essential to fully prepare.
Both exams benefit from combining video lessons, interactive labs, and practice questions. However, Azure learners should place more emphasis on understanding service roles, permissions, and management tools, while AWS learners must master the shared responsibility model, pricing calculators, and core service use cases.
Study Timeline and Planning
For most candidates with basic technical knowledge or IT experience, preparing for either certification usually takes between 2 to 4 weeks with consistent study. Those without any background in cloud or IT may need 6 to 8 weeks to comfortably cover all topics and take practice exams.
An example weekly plan:
Week 1:
- Introduce cloud computing concepts
- Study the shared responsibility model and basic architectures.
- Explore key AWS or Azure services.
Week 2:
- Deep dive into billing, pricing models, and support plans
- Start hands-on labs (AWS Free Tier or Azure Sandbox)
- Take end-of-week quiz
Week 3:
- Study security, governance, and compliance modules
- Take full-length practice exams and review answers.
- Focus on weak areas
Week 4:
- Final review of exam domains
- Second full practice exam
- Schedule and take the official certification exam
Whether you choose AWS Cloud Practitioner or Azure Fundamentals, your success depends on how well you understand the exam objectives and use the available learning tools. Both platforms have evolved to provide robust training ecosystems that are well-suited for beginners.
Career Impact, Salary Prospects, and Certification Pathways
As cloud computing continues to shape the technology landscape, foundational certifications like AWS Cloud Practitioner and Azure Fundamentals serve as critical stepping stones. While these certifications are not highly technical, they lay the groundwork for more advanced roles and certifications that lead to rewarding career paths in cloud technology.
Career Opportunities After AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification
The AWS Cloud Practitioner certification is ideal for individuals pursuing careers in cloud-focused roles that don’t necessarily require deep technical expertise. This includes positions in sales, business analysis, project management, support, or marketing, especially within organizations that offer or implement AWS-based services.
Typical entry-level roles include:
- Cloud Support Associate
- Cloud Project Coordinator
- Technical Account Manager (TAM) Assistant
- AWS Sales Engineer (Entry-Level)
- Business Analyst (Cloud-Focused)
- Cloud Evangelist (Junior)
- Solutions Architect (Junior/Assistant)
Professionals with this certification often continue to more advanced technical certifications such as:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
The AWS Cloud Practitioner is also a valuable credential for people in non-technical roles such as finance, legal, procurement, or compliance teams, where understanding cloud pricing, shared responsibility, and service architecture is essential for decision-making.
Career Opportunities After Azure Fundamentals Certification
Similar to AWS Cloud Practitioner, Azure Fundamentals opens doors for individuals aiming to enter cloud-centric roles within organizations that rely on Microsoft’s cloud platform. This certification is particularly useful in large enterprise environments, where Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and Azure integrations are common.
Entry-level job roles include:
- Azure Cloud Operations Support
- Microsoft 365 Administrator (Entry-Level)
- Cloud Services Analyst
- Junior Cloud Consultant
- Azure Customer Support Associate
- Cloud Sales Specialist (Microsoft ecosystem)
Many candidates use Azure Fundamentals as a launchpad for these Microsoft role-based certifications:
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)
- Microsoft Certified: Security Engineer Associate (SC-200)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)
Unlike AWS, Microsoft’s ecosystem touches a broader set of productivity tools, so having knowledge of Azure can be beneficial even for roles in modern workplace administration, Dynamics 365, and Power Platform environments.
Salary Expectations
While foundational certifications may not lead to high-paying roles immediately, they add credibility to your resume and often help with securing entry into the cloud domain. Here’s a general view of salary ranges influenced by these certifications.
AWS Cloud Practitioner:
- United States: $85,000 to $105,000 for entry-level roles
- India: ₹6 LPA to ₹12 LPA depending on region and industry
- Europe: €45,000 to €65,000 annually in entry-level or mid-support roles
Azure Fundamentals:
- United States: $78,000 to $98,000
- India: ₹5 LPA to ₹10 LPA
- Europe: €42,000 to €60,000
It’s important to note that these figures improve significantly when paired with experience or additional associate-level certifications. Employers view these foundational credentials as indicators of cloud literacy, which is highly sought after even in hybrid IT environments.
Industry Demand and Hiring Trends
The demand for cloud professionals continues to grow, and foundational knowledge is increasingly seen as a minimum requirement, even for non-developers. Companies undergoing digital transformation or moving to hybrid/multi-cloud strategies prefer employees who understand cloud basics.
AWS dominates the market in public cloud infrastructure, while Azure is prominent in enterprise-level adoption, particularly where Windows Server, Active Directory, and Microsoft 365 are already used. Your job prospects may depend on:
- Geographic location (Azure often dominates government and enterprise sectors, AWS leads in startups and tech-driven companies)
- Industry verticals (Finance, Healthcare, Government, and Education have strong Azure use; Tech, eCommerce, and Gaming often prefer AWS.
- Existing stack (A Microsoft-heavy environment will favor Azure knowledge)
Certification Pathways and Long-Term Learning
Here is how both certifications fit into broader learning paths:
AWS Certification Path:
- AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02)
- Associate-level Certifications:
- Solutions Architect
- Developer
- SysOps Administrator
- Solutions Architect
- Professional-level Certifications:
- Solutions Architect Professional
- DevOps Engineer
- Solutions Architect Professional
- Specialty Certifications:
- Advanced Networking
- Machine Learning
- Security
- Advanced Networking
Azure Certification Path:
- Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Role-based Certifications:
- Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Azure Developer (AZ-204)
- Azure Security Engineer (SC-200)
- Data Engineer (DP-203)
- Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Expert Certifications:
- Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)
- DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)
- Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)
Each certification path offers a clear route from beginner to expert, allowing candidates to specialize in areas such as security, machine learning, or system architecture.
Multi-Cloud Perspective
With organizations adopting multi-cloud strategies, understanding both AWS and Azure fundamentals offers a significant advantage. While certifications alone do not make you an expert, holding both of these entry-level credentials demonstrates flexibility and adaptability to employers.
Many roles today require basic familiarity with both ecosystems, especially in consultant roles or DevOps environments. Individuals who are familiar with multi-cloud systems are in higher demand due to their ability to compare, assess, and integrate services across platforms.
Making the Right Choice
If you are just beginning and unsure of which provider to focus on, here are a few questions that can help you decide:
- Which cloud provider does your current or target employer use more?
- Are you already using Microsoft 365, SharePoint, or Dynamics products? If yes, Azure might be more intuitive.
- Are you aiming for a tech startup, DevOps role, or infrastructure-heavy environment? Then AWS may be a better fit.
- Are you pursuing a non-technical role in marketing, sales, or business analysis? Either certification will provide useful cloud literacy.
Both certifications can be obtained with minimal prior knowledge and are supported by strong communities and official learning resources.
The AWS Cloud Practitioner and Azure Fundamentals certifications are not just stepping stones for technical experts—they’re gateways for anyone entering the cloud industry. Whether you’re from a technical background or working in business operations, these credentials provide a solid foundation in understanding the cloud.
Their value lies not only in passing the exams but also in opening up pathways to further certifications, career shifts, and cross-functional expertise. In an increasingly cloud-driven world, foundational knowledge in AWS or Azure is no longer optional—it’s a strategic career move.
If you’re ready to make that move, start with one, learn it deeply, and consider expanding into the other to broaden your perspective. Mastery of both ecosystems will position you strongly for roles in architecture, engineering, operations, consulting, or even leadership.
Final thoughts
Choosing between AWS Cloud Practitioner and Azure Fundamentals depends on your current role, the technologies used in your organization, and your long-term career goals. Both certifications are designed for beginners and offer an introduction to their respective cloud platforms, making them accessible and valuable for those just starting their cloud journey.
The AWS Cloud Practitioner certification is ideal for individuals working in or targeting organizations that rely heavily on Amazon Web Services. It introduces core AWS concepts, service categories, and cloud economics, with a focus on practical understanding. It is especially beneficial for those aiming to work in cloud support, operations, sales, or anyone needing to understand AWS basics without getting into technical depth.
Azure Fundamentals, on the other hand, is well-suited for professionals in environments where Microsoft technologies are widely used. It provides foundational knowledge of Azure services, cloud principles, and governance. This certification is often chosen by those moving toward roles in Azure administration, Microsoft 365 integration, or general IT operations within Microsoft ecosystems.
In terms of difficulty, both certifications are manageable for most learners, even without prior cloud experience. The key difference lies in the ecosystem focus. AWS Cloud Practitioner is specific to AWS, while Azure Fundamentals is more aligned with Microsoft’s suite of enterprise tools and services.
From a career perspective, both certifications are valuable entry points. They may not lead directly to high-paying roles on their own, but they lay the groundwork for more advanced certifications that do. Whether you pursue roles in cloud architecture, development, DevOps, or security, starting with these foundational certs gives you a clear path forward.
If your goal is to become a multi-cloud professional or simply keep your options open, pursuing both certifications is a strong strategy. It demonstrates versatility and helps you understand the strengths and design philosophies of two of the largest cloud providers in the industry.
Ultimately, the best certification for you depends on your professional context, the platforms your organization uses, and your future ambitions in the cloud space. Either way, earning one or both of these foundational certifications is a smart investment in your skills and future in the tech industry.