AWS Cloud Practitioner vs Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

Updated: 2025-04-10 Methodology

AWS Cloud Practitioner and AZ-900 are the two gateway certifications into cloud computing — low cost, high pass rates, and a signal to employers that you understand the fundamentals. But which one should you take first, and does it actually matter? We compare the data so you can make the right call.

$85K
AWS Cloud Practitioner
$80K
Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature AWS Cloud PractitionerAzure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
Provider Amazon Web ServicesMicrosoft
Level FoundationalFoundational
Exam Cost $100$165
Avg Salary $85,000$80,000
Pass Rate 90%88%
Study Hours 40h30h
Difficulty 3/102/10
Job Listings 22.0K15.0K

Our Verdict

At the foundational level, the honest answer is: both certifications are relatively easy to obtain and neither one alone will land you a job. That said, AWS Cloud Practitioner has a measurable edge — 22K job listings vs 15K for AZ-900 and a $5K higher average salary ($85K vs $80K). The real value of these certs is as a stepping stone: CLF-C02 feeds naturally into the AWS SAA-C03 track ($130K avg salary), while AZ-900 leads to AZ-104 ($125K avg). If you're brand new to cloud and want the fastest win, AZ-900 requires only 30 hours of study and Microsoft regularly offers free exam vouchers at virtual training events — making it literally free. If you want to maximize long-term job market access, start with AWS Cloud Practitioner. Best move? Get both in under 70 total study hours and show multicloud awareness from day one.

Choose AWS Cloud Practitioner if you...

  • Want higher earning potential ($85K vs $80K avg)
  • Prefer a more accessible exam (90% pass rate)
  • Want a lower exam cost ($100 vs $165)
  • Want broader job market demand (22.0K listings)

Choose Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) if you...

  • Prefer a less challenging exam path (2/10 difficulty)
  • Have limited study time (~30h vs ~40h)
  • Focus on Microsoft ecosystem and foundational-level roles

Deep Dive Into Each Certification

AWS Cloud Practitioner

Amazon Web Services · Foundational · $85K avg

Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

Microsoft · Foundational · $80K avg

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get both CLF-C02 and AZ-900?
If budget allows, yes. Combined study time is roughly 70 hours and total exam cost is $265 — a modest investment that demonstrates multicloud awareness on your resume. This is especially valuable if you're entering the job market without a clear target employer, since roughly 60% of organizations use more than one cloud provider. Getting both also helps you make a more informed decision about which associate-level cert (SAA-C03 or AZ-104) to pursue next.
Which is easier — AWS Cloud Practitioner or AZ-900?
AZ-900 is slightly easier by most measures: 30 hours of study vs 40, fewer service-specific questions, and a straightforward multiple-choice format. Both have pass rates above 85%. AWS Cloud Practitioner covers more ground across billing, architecture best practices, and a broader service catalog, which adds roughly 10 extra study hours. Neither exam requires hands-on lab experience to pass.
Can I get a free AZ-900 exam voucher?
Yes. Microsoft regularly offers free AZ-900 exam vouchers to attendees of their virtual training days (Microsoft Virtual Training Days: Azure Fundamentals). These events run multiple times per month, take about 4 hours across two sessions, and include a free voucher upon completion. Check the Microsoft Events page for upcoming dates. This makes AZ-900 one of the only major IT certifications you can obtain at zero cost.
Is AWS Cloud Practitioner enough to get a cloud job?
On its own, rarely. CLF-C02 validates foundational knowledge, not job-ready skills. Most cloud engineering and admin roles require associate-level certifications (SAA-C03, AZ-104) at minimum. However, CLF-C02 can help non-technical professionals (project managers, sales engineers, recruiters) demonstrate cloud literacy, and it gives career-changers a credible starting point. For engineering roles, plan to follow up with an associate-level cert within 3-6 months.

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Data Sources

  • Salary data — Aggregated from job postings and salary surveys (US median)
  • Job listings — Active postings across major job boards
  • Pass rates — Community-reported estimates