AWS Cloud Practitioner vs Azure AZ-900: Which Cloud Cert Should You Get First? (2026)

Choosing your first cloud certification? Two options dominate the entry-level tier: the AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) and the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900). Both are affordable, both are beginner-friendly, and both will get you into the cloud computing field. The AWS exam is aimed at people new to the cloud with up to six months of AWS exposure, while the Azure exam is positioned by Microsoft as a common starting point on the path to an Azure career.

But they're not interchangeable. The right choice depends on your career goals, your employer's cloud stack, and how you learn best. Let's break down the differences so you can make an informed decision — and start studying today with our free practice test tool.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02)	Azure AZ-900
Vendor	Amazon Web Services	Microsoft Azure
Level	Foundational	Fundamentals
Exam Cost	$100 USD	Varies by region (Microsoft does not publish a fixed price)
Questions	65 total (50 scored)	Not published by Microsoft
Duration	90 minutes	45 minutes (~65 min seat time)
Passing Score	700/1000	700/1000
Format	Multiple choice, multiple response	Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, case studies
Prerequisite	None	None
Renewal	Every 3 years	No expiration (but updates)
Market Share	~28% (largest)[Synergy Q1 2026]	~21% (second largest)[Synergy Q1 2026]
Best For	Startups, DevOps, general cloud	Enterprise, Microsoft shops, hybrid cloud

AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02): Deep Dive

What It Covers

According to the official CLF-C02 exam guide, the exam has 65 questions total, but only 50 of them are scored — the other 15 are unscored questions AWS uses to trial future content, and they are not identified on the exam. Your result is reported as a scaled score from 100 to 1,000, and you need 700 to pass. AWS uses a compensatory model, so you do not have to pass each section individually; you only need to clear the overall bar. The CLF-C02 tests your understanding of AWS cloud concepts across four domains:

Domain	Weight	Key Topics
Cloud Concepts	24%	Benefits of cloud, deployment models, AWS global infrastructure
Security & Compliance	30%	Shared responsibility model, IAM, compliance programs
Cloud Technology & Services	34%	Compute (EC2, Lambda), Storage (S3), Database (RDS, DynamoDB), networking
Billing, Pricing & Support	12%	Pricing models, Cost Explorer, support plans

Who Should Take It

• You work at a startup or tech company that runs on AWS
• You're interested in DevOps, serverless, or container technologies
• You want the broadest market appeal — AWS has the most job listings
• You plan to pursue AWS Solutions Architect or AWS Developer next

Azure AZ-900: Deep Dive

What It Covers

Microsoft refreshes the AZ-900 objectives periodically. The official AZ-900 study guide (skills measured as of July 20, 2026) splits the exam into three weighted areas. Note that this version folds identity, access, and security into the architecture domain rather than giving it a separate section — always confirm the live weightings on Microsoft Learn before your exam date, since the English version updates first.

Domain	Weight	Key Topics
Describe cloud concepts	25-30%	Cloud models, shared responsibility, service types (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), serverless
Describe Azure architecture and services	35-40%	Regions, availability zones, resource groups, compute, networking, storage, Microsoft Entra ID
Describe Azure management and governance	30-35%	Cost management, Azure Policy, resource locks, Azure Monitor, ARM templates

Who Should Take It

• Your employer uses Microsoft 365, Active Directory, or SharePoint
• You work in an enterprise or government environment
• You're interested in hybrid cloud (on-prem + cloud)
• You plan to pursue AZ-104 (Administrator) or AZ-204 (Developer) next

Exam Logistics: What Test Day Looks Like

The two exams feel different on test day, and knowing the format ahead of time removes a lot of stress. The AWS Cloud Practitioner gives you 90 minutes for its 65 questions, all of which are either multiple choice (one correct answer, three distractors) or multiple response (two or more correct answers from five or more options), per the AWS exam guide. There is no penalty for guessing, so never leave a question blank — an unanswered item is scored as incorrect.

The AZ-900 is shorter and more varied. Microsoft allots 45 minutes of actual testing time (your total appointment, or "seat time," runs longer to cover the agreement and surveys), and the exam mixes multiple choice with drag-and-drop ordering, build-list, and other interactive question types. Like AWS, Microsoft requires a score of 700 or greater to pass, though Microsoft uses scaled scoring and does not publish a fixed question count, so candidates typically see somewhere in the 40-60 range.

Cost, Prerequisites, and Renewal

• Neither exam has prerequisites. You can register for either one as your very first certification — no prior cert or degree is required.
• Pricing is close. The CLF-C02 lists at USD 100; the AZ-900 lists around USD 99, though Microsoft notes the price varies by the country or region where the exam is proctored.
• Renewal differs significantly. AWS certifications, including Cloud Practitioner, are valid for three years. By contrast, Microsoft Fundamentals certifications such as Azure Fundamentals do not expire, so once you pass AZ-900 the credential stays on your transcript permanently.

A Study Strategy That Works for Both

Whichever exam you pick, the same study loop produces results. These are foundational, knowledge-based exams — they reward broad familiarity over deep hands-on skill, so structure your prep around recognition and recall.

• Start with the official objectives. Print the exam guide and turn every task statement into a checklist. For AWS, weight your time toward the two heaviest domains — Cloud Technology and Services (34%) and Security and Compliance (30%) — since together they account for nearly two-thirds of scored content. For Azure, the architecture-and-services domain is the largest at 35-40%.
• Use the free first-party training. Microsoft Learn hosts the entire AZ-900 learning path at no cost, and AWS Skill Builder offers a free digital course for Cloud Practitioner. These map directly to the exam objectives.
• Get a little hands-on time. Spin up a free-tier account (AWS Free Tier or an Azure free account) and click through the console. Launching one virtual machine, creating a storage bucket or blob, and opening the billing dashboard will cement concepts that are hard to memorize from slides alone.
• Drill with practice questions. Once you have covered the material, switch to practice tests. They expose the multiple-response and drag-and-drop formats, surface your weak domains, and build the time-management instincts you need. Upload your practice files to our free VCE player to rehearse under exam-like conditions.
• Review the change log before booking. Microsoft publishes a change log inside the AZ-900 study guide whenever objectives shift; AWS revises its exam code (the "C02" suffix) when content changes materially. Always study the current version, not an older syllabus.

Most candidates pass either exam with two to four weeks of part-time study. If you already work around cloud infrastructure, you may need less; if cloud is brand new to you, give yourself the full four weeks and lean heavily on hands-on practice and repeated question drills.

Job Market Comparison (2026)

Metric	AWS CCP	AZ-900
LinkedIn Job Listings	~45,000	~38,000
Average Salary Boost	+$5,000-$10,000	+$5,000-$8,000
Industry Adoption	Tech/startups/SaaS	Enterprise/finance/government
Pathway Certs	Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer	AZ-104, AZ-204, AZ-305

Key insight: AWS leads in total job count, but Azure dominates in enterprise and regulated industries. If you're targeting Fortune 500 companies or government contracts, AZ-900 may give you a better edge. For startups and tech companies, AWS is the clear winner.

Study Resources (All Free)

Resource	AWS CCP	AZ-900
Official Training	AWS Skill Builder (free tier)	Microsoft Learn (100% free)
Practice Tests	Upload VCE on CertQuiz	Upload VCE on CertQuiz
Free Tier Access	AWS Free Tier (12 months)	Azure Free Account ($200 credits)
Community	r/AWSCertifications	r/AzureCertification

Pro tip: Microsoft occasionally offers free AZ-900 exam vouchers at their virtual training days. Check the Microsoft Events page regularly — this can save you $99.

Which Should You Take First?

Take AWS Cloud Practitioner if:

• You don't know which cloud to specialize in (AWS has the broadest market)
• Your company uses AWS or you're targeting startup/SaaS roles
• You want the highest number of follow-up certification options

Take Azure AZ-900 if:

• Your company runs Microsoft 365 or Active Directory
• You're in enterprise IT, finance, healthcare, or government
• You plan to specialize in hybrid cloud or identity management

Take Both if:

• You want to be a multi-cloud professional (increasingly common in 2026)
• You're early in your career and exploring options
• You have time — each takes only 2-4 weeks of part-time study

FAQ

Can I take AZ-900 and AWS CCP back to back?

Yes, and many people do. The cloud concepts (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, shared responsibility model) overlap significantly. Study for one first, then pivot to the other — you'll find the second exam much easier because the fundamentals are the same.

Which certification pays more?

At the foundational level, there's no significant salary difference. The pay gap appears at associate and professional levels. AWS Solutions Architect Professional and Azure Solutions Architect Expert both command $130K-$180K+ salaries.

Do these certifications expire?

They are handled differently. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is valid for three years, after which you recertify. The AZ-900 credential does not expire at all — Microsoft confirms that Fundamentals certifications carry no renewal requirement, although the company does periodically update the exam objectives for new test-takers. So while AWS resets every three years, your Azure Fundamentals badge is permanent once earned.

Start Practicing Today

Whichever exam you choose, practice tests are the single best way to prepare. Upload your practice exam files to our free VCE player — no signup, no fees, 100% private. Or try our built-in Security+ quiz to see how CertQuiz works.

Good luck with your certification journey. You've got this.

CertQuiz is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon Web Services or Microsoft. "AWS" and "Azure" are trademarks of their respective owners. Exam details such as question counts, scoring, pricing, and objectives change over time — always confirm the current specifics on the official AWS and Microsoft certification pages before you register.

Need help with CompTIA first? Read our complete Security+ SY0-701 study guide.