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Key Takeaways
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) creates the only official AWS certifications. However, several online educational providers offer courses to help you prepare for specific AWS certifications.
- AWS itself offers some of the most comprehensive and affordable courses for AWS certification prep.
- AWS certification courses range from free for introductory programs to thousands of dollars for bootcamp-style programs designed to take you from beginner to expert.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has quickly become one of the most popular cloud services for handling tasks like database storage, mobile app development and networking. Because many businesses now rely on AWS cloud services to handle their data, companies often seek out IT professionals who are well-versed in AWS.
Earning an AWS certification can boost your credibility and showcase your expertise in the fast-growing cloud computing industry. AWS offers several certifications for data engineers, developers and solutions architects, any of which you can prepare to earn with the right certification course.
We’ve rounded up some of the best AWS certification courses based on writer research, including a mix of programs to fit different experience levels, budgets, and learning styles.
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Should You Pursue an Online AWS Certification?
Pro Tip
Consider whether an online AWS certification course follows a format that fits the way you learn best. Asynchronous learning provides flexibility for people with busy schedules, but synchronous online courses may provide more interaction and collaboration to help you learn new concepts.
Before we dive into certification options, let’s answer the fundamental questions for those new to cloud computing: What is AWS, and how can getting an AWS certification benefit you?
AWS is a cloud computing platform that provides the building blocks necessary for app and software creation. AWS certification can help developers, machine learning specialists, cloud architects and other professionals stand out when applying for jobs or being considered for advancements.
AWS also provides certified professionals with digital badges to display on their websites or LinkedIn profiles, opportunities to collaborate with developers to improve AWS exams and access to networking events.
Similar to other tech skills, learning the ins and outs of AWS to become certified is completely achievable online. In fact, AWS itself offers comprehensive online training for beginners to advanced AWS users.
Still, learning online isn’t a viable option for everyone. Before starting an online AWS certification program, consider the following points:
- What is your schedule like? AWS certification courses are available in different online formats to suit varying schedule needs. Synchronous courses feature live lessons with an instructor, while asynchronous options follow a set timeline but allow you to access lessons at any time of day or night as long as you keep up with the class schedule. Self-paced courses have no deadlines. If you need flexibility, asynchronous lessons or a self-paced format might work best for you.
- Will you learn well online? Learning AWS online can be challenging, especially if you typically understand concepts better with the more individualized and structured education face-to-face learning can provide. In contrast, online learning might be right for you if you’re a self-starter and have good time management skills.
- Do you have reliable equipment? You’ll need a reliable computer and internet connection to take part in AWS certification courses. Look for equipment specifications on the course information page before starting.
- Are there hidden costs? Some online AWS courses say they’re free, but they may only be free for a portion of the program and require a fee or subscription to unlock the rest. These fees are only sometimes fully transparent on websites, so you may need to contact support to get more details.
Degree Finder
Online AWS Certification Options
The only way to get an AWS certification is to take an official AWS exam through Amazon Web Services.
Keep this in mind when comparing AWS courses, as you may come across some that promise to lead to certification after completion. While the best AWS certification courses, like those listed below, can help you prepare for various AWS certifications, you’ll still need to take an AWS exam to become officially certified.
7 Online AWS Certification Course Options
- AWS
- Cantrill
- Clarusway
- Coursera
- ExamPro
- freeCodeCamp
- Udemy
AWS
Program Title: AWS Skill Builder
Cost: Free; paid version for $29/month or $449/year
Program Length: Self-paced
Program Overview: AWS provides some of the most comprehensive AWS certification training for beginners to advanced users through its Skill Builder platform. Students can access more than 600 on-demand courses with a free account, but a monthly or annual subscription adds access to hands-on labs, assessments, game-based simulations and advanced exam prep tools.
AWS Skill Builder also occasionally provides free live streams on Twitch with AWS experts, digging into specific topics for cloud computing professionals and learners, like generative AI, AWS architecture and certification exam tips.
Cantrill
Program Title: AWS Associate and Professional Bundle
Cost: $200
Program Length: Self-paced with lifetime access
Program Overview: Cantrill is a cloud and technical training platform built by solutions architect Adrian Cantrill. The AWS Associate and Professional course bundle includes the following Cantrill courses, ideal for learners interested in multiple AWS certifications:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
The self-paced course includes recorded video lessons, each 20 minutes or less, covering topics like data analytics, advanced AWS deployment and management, advanced storage configuration and AWS disaster recovery. Quizzes are available after each lesson for students to test their knowledge.
Cantrill’s bundle includes lifetime access, so learners can work through and revisit the content indefinitely.
Clarusway
Program Title: AWS and DevOps Course
Cost: $13,800
Program Length: 37 weeks
Program Overview: Clarusway‘s AWS and DevOps course is formatted bootcamp-style, making it ideal for learners who want structure and guidance to learn the AWS skills needed to pass the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional certification.
Students learn on a part-time schedule with a mix of live classes, recorded videos and lab sessions. Live classes occur five times per week for three hours each.
Students don’t need a tech background to enroll, and the cost includes access to mentorship, career development services, upskilling resources and hands-on projects throughout the program. Covered topics and skills include computer networking basics, AWS security, Amazon ElastiCache, Kubernetes and Jenkins.
This course offers a few payment options, including a $5,850 discount when paying upfront and an installment plan through Clarusway with zero interest.
Coursera
Program Title: Exam Prep: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Cost: $49/month
Program Length: Self-paced with an estimated four-week timeframe
Program Overview: The Exam Prep: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate course hosted on Coursera includes video lessons from AWS instructors. The program is broken into six modules covering cloud technical essentials, architecting solutions and exam preparation.
Although no background knowledge is required to enroll, Coursera suggests students have some solutions architect experience to get the most out of the program. The course content features about eight hours of video instruction and readings and is available for as long as the student’s Coursera membership remains active.
ExamPro
Program Title: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Foundational Course
Cost: $60
Program Length: Self-paced with one year of access
Program Overview: Learners pursuing the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner credential may feel more prepared for the exam after completing this course from ExamPro. It includes nearly 14 hours of videos with 293 lectures exploring cloud architecture, networking, databases, EC2 pricing models, governance and more.
Students also access learning tools like flashcards, video quizlets and practice exams to supplement their learning. Although designed to be completed in one or two weeks, the course content is available for users to work through for up to one year after purchase.
After finishing the course, learners get a certificate of completion to share with their employer or display online.
freeCodeCamp
Program Title: AWS Cloud Complete Bootcamp
Cost: Free
Program Length: Self-paced with 107 hours of video content
Program Overview: freeCodeCamp offers a 107-hour AWS Cloud Complete Bootcamp course on its YouTube channel for free. The program was originally a live class taught over 12 weeks, but learners can now access the recording and work through the content at their own pace.
Students should have at least a beginner’s understanding of cloud computing, as the content builds upon basic skills in AWS architecture, container deployment, CI/CD tools and API development. By the end of the course, learners should feel prepared to design a complete cloud computing project using AWS.
Udemy
Program Title: Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02
Cost: $150
Program Length: Self-paced with 15 hours of video content
Program Overview: Udemy is an online educational marketplace that sells digital courses. AWS-certified professional Stephane Maarek created the Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 course to prepare learners for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner credential. The program includes videos, quizzes, hands-on projects, downloadable PDFs and practice exams.
As one of the most popular AWS certification courses on Udemy, this course is regularly updated to align with the most recent certification exams. Students don’t need previous AWS cloud experience and can move through the content at their own pace with lifetime access to the program.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online AWS Certification
Can AWS certification be done online?
Yes—many AWS certification courses are available online with no time limits for completion, so you can spend as much time as you need on each concept. Some programs also offer live instruction, allowing you to learn online while getting real-time feedback from an instructor.
How much does AWS certification cost online?
Some AWS certification courses are free, but some providers, like AWS and Coursera, charge a monthly subscription for access to their courses. Subscription-based courses typically cost between $20 and $50 per month. Other AWS preparation programs charge a flat fee ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands.
Can I learn AWS in two weeks?
Although you may be able to pass an AWS exam after studying for two weeks, you may still need more time to develop a thorough grasp of AWS skills, especially if you don’t have prior technical experience. If you have lifetime access to your AWS course, consider repeating lectures and assignments until you feel comfortable with the material.
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