AWS vs Azure Certifications: Which One Is Best for You?

Benefits of AWS Certifications

AWS certifications bring numerous advantages, from enhanced credibility to better career prospects.

Below are some more of the benefits of obtaining AWS certifications:

• Industry recognition and credibility. One of the foremost advantages of AWS certifications is their high industry recognition and credibility. AWS is the largest cloud service provider, holding a significant share of the global cloud market.
• Access to a wide range of AWS services and tools. AWS offers a vast range of cloud services, and their certifications enable professionals to deeply understand them.  
• Enhanced career opportunities and salary prospects. Cloud computing skills, especially with AWS, are in high demand across industries. Being the lead cloud provider, a certification with AWS will open doors to numerous roles, including leadership positions in cloud strategy and operations.
• Comprehensive learning resources and training programs. AWS provides extensive learning resources and training programs to help professionals prepare for their certification exams. AWS also offers free tiers and access to various services, allowing individuals to practice and build their skills on the platform.

Benefits of Azure Certifications

Obtaining Azure certifications also offers numerous advantages for professionals seeking to enhance their cloud expertise.

In an article titled The Latest Cloud Computing Statistics by AAG, the authors write, “Azure is seeing increased usage compared to previous years. Microsoft’s cloud platform gained a 2% market share in 2022 from 2021, with revenue up 24%.”

According to the AAG report, a 2022 study also indicated that organizations that are “light” or “moderate” cloud users are more likely to use Azure over AWS. The report states, “For light users, 66% used Azure, compared to 65% AWS.” 

In other words, with cloud computing's growing dominance and Microsoft’s already strong yet growing presence in the space, Azure certifications are a great way to provide a strategic edge in the job market.

Here are the benefits of earning Azure certifications:

• Industry recognition and credibility. Microsoft Azure is the second-largest cloud service provider globally, with a strong reputation in both public and private sectors.
• Integration with Microsoft ecosystem and enterprise applications. Azure certifications' standout advantage is their alignment with the broader Microsoft ecosystem. Microsoft Azure is tightly integrated with popular enterprise applications such as Office 365, Dynamics 365, and Power BI, making it a preferred choice for many organizations.
• Enhanced career opportunities and salary prospects. Azure certifications offer significant career advancement opportunities and potential salary increases. The demand for cloud professionals skilled in Azure is growing rapidly, especially as more businesses migrate to the cloud and require certified individuals to manage their cloud infrastructures.
• Comprehensive learning resources and training programs. Microsoft offers flexible training options, including self-paced learning and instructor-led courses, allowing you to tailor your study schedule to your needs. The availability of official Microsoft learning resources ensures you are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and practical skills directly applicable to real-world cloud environments.

Choosing the Right Certification Path

Deciding between AWS and Azure certifications is hard. Both platforms are leaders in cloud computing and offer several distinct benefits. Thus, there is no universal best option. Instead, you must decide which platform to master based on various factors, including: 

• Current job role 
• Career goals 
• Industry demands 
• Existing skills 
• Personal interests

These criteria are the easiest way to narrow down your decision. Here’s a more detailed guide:

Current job role

Your current job role plays a significant part in deciding whether AWS or Azure certifications will be more beneficial to your career. Choosing certifications in that domain is the logical next step if your work revolves around a specific cloud provider. 

For instance, if you're already working with AWS, pursuing AWS certifications will build on your current experience. 

Similarly, professionals in companies heavily invested in Microsoft technologies should consider Azure certifications to advance their expertise in that ecosystem.

Career goals

Your long-term career goals should influence your decision. Stephen Covey once said, “Begin with the end in mind.” If you’re aspiring to work across various industries or in companies with diverse cloud infrastructures, AWS may offer more flexibility due to its broad adoption across industries. 

On the other hand, if you aim to work in large enterprises that rely on Microsoft products or in industries like finance and healthcare, Azure certifications might be a better fit due to their integration with Microsoft's enterprise solutions.

Specific industry or company requirements

Sometimes, the industry you’re in (or want to work in) or the company you work for (or want to work for) should decide for you. On that note, you must know that different industries have different preferences for cloud providers.

Due to its extensive service offerings and flexibility, AWS is widely adopted across sectors, including tech, retail, media, and startups. AWS certifications may be more valuable if you aim to work in these fast-paced environments.

On the other hand, industries such as finance, healthcare, and government often prefer Azure because of its strong focus on compliance, security, and seamless integration with Microsoft products like Office 365 and Dynamics 365. Azure certifications will likely offer better opportunities if your target industry has strong ties to the Microsoft ecosystem.

Some companies mandate certifications for specific job roles, particularly in cloud-centric positions. However, the best thing you can do is research your target companies and industries to identify which certification path aligns with their cloud provider of choice.

Existing skills and experience

Your prior experience and skill set should guide your choice. If you already have experience working with Azure, it may be easier and more efficient to deepen your expertise through Azure certifications. Build on your existing knowledge, as this will accelerate your learning curve and allow you to progress more quickly to advanced certifications and specialized areas like machine learning or security.

Personal interests

Do you have a preference for AWS or Azure? If you do, just follow your gut. It’s fair to say you’re not making a wrong choice if you take either of these certifications – given they are the two most prominent players in the game. 

Being excited about a certain technology would increase your interest in exploring and learning more about it. Just be sure the certifications you decide to pursue align with your career direction; otherwise, you’ll have a hard time looking for work. 

AWS vs Azure certifications decision table

Study Tips and Resources

Preparing for AWS and Azure certification exams requires a well-structured approach, leveraging a combination of official training materials, online courses, practice exams, and community support. 

Below, I outline practical study tips and the best resources to help you succeed in your certification journey.

Official training and certification resources from AWS and Azure

AWS and Azure offer official training resources specifically tailored to their certification tracks. 

These resources are an excellent starting point for your preparation as they cover the exact content you must know for the exams:

• AWS training and certification: AWS provides various training options, including free and paid offerings. You can access AWS Skill Builder, which includes digital training videos, learning paths, and hands-on labs. There are role-based learning paths for architects, developers, and DevOps engineers. AWS also offers AWS Certification Exam Readiness Workshops, which are instructor-led courses designed to help you prepare for specific certification exams.
• Microsoft Learn for Azure: Microsoft offers Microsoft Learn, an official learning platform for Azure certifications. It provides free, self-paced learning modules covering each certification's essential skills and services. In addition to these free courses, there are instructor-led training sessions and paid learning paths. The Microsoft Learn Learning Paths are structured to guide you through relevant topics based on the certification you are targeting.

Online courses and tutorials

Online courses and tutorials can and should supplement official resources. They typically offer more in-depth explanations, practical examples, and additional exercises.

DataCamp offers courses relevant to cloud certifications, such as data engineering and machine learning courses that align with cloud roles on both AWS and Azure. For those focusing on the cloud’s data services (like AWS Lambda or Azure Data Lake), DataCamp also provides the necessary foundation.

Practice exams and study guides

Practice exams are one of the most effective ways to assess your readiness for the certification exams. They help familiarize you with the exam format, identify areas for more study, and reduce test-day anxiety. 

Many platforms and providers offer high-quality practice exams:

• Whizlabs: Whizlabs offers affordable practice exams for both AWS and Azure certifications. Their practice tests include detailed explanations for each answer, allowing you to learn from your mistakes and deepen your understanding of the exam content.
• MeasureUp: Microsoft partners with MeasureUp to provide official practice exams for Azure certifications. These exams mirror the testing environment and include performance-based questions that prepare you for real exam scenarios.
• Official study guides: AWS and Microsoft provide official study guides for their certifications. These books cover the exam objectives in detail, include practice questions, and provide tips on approaching different types of questions. For AWS, look for guides like the "AWS Certified Solutions Architect Official Study Guide," for Azure, consider "Exam Ref AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator."

Community forums and study groups

Engaging with community forums and study groups can enhance your preparation by connecting you with others who are preparing for certifications. 

These communities can provide support, share resources, answer questions, and offer insights into the exam experience:

• AWS community: The AWS Training and Certification LinkedIn Group is a community where professionals share tips, resources, and experiences about AWS certifications. Platforms like Reddit (e.g., the r/aws subreddit) and AWS Developer Forums offer spaces where you can ask questions and collaborate with others.
• Microsoft Tech Community: The Microsoft Azure Tech Community is an excellent resource for professionals preparing for Azure certifications. Here, you can participate in discussions, ask questions, and get advice from peers and Azure experts. Similarly, Reddit (e.g., r/Azure) and Stack Overflow are popular destinations for those looking to connect with others in the Azure certification journey.
• Slack and Discord study groups: Many certification candidates join Slack or Discord channels dedicated to AWS and Azure certification preparation. These groups often organize study sessions, share resources, and discuss exam-related topics in real time, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Why A Role-Based Certification May Be Better

While mastering specific tools like AWS and Azure is invaluable, it's also important to consider the broader scope of your career. Role-based certifications, which focus on the skills and knowledge needed for specific job roles, can sometimes offer more comprehensive benefits than tool-specific certifications. 

Let's explore the value of both types of certifications.

The value of tool-based certifications

Tool-based certifications, such as those offered by AWS and Azure, validate your proficiency in using a particular cloud service or tool. They are particularly beneficial in fields where expertise in a specific tool is highly valued or required.

The value of role-based certifications

Role-based certifications assess your ability to perform specific job functions and solve real-world problems, often requiring knowledge of multiple tools and methodologies. They are designed to demonstrate not only your technical skills but also your ability to apply those skills in practical scenarios. 

Such certifications provide a more holistic view of your capabilities to potential employers.

An overview of DataCamp certifications

Data Scientist (Associate & Professional)

• What is it: Role-based certification focused on end-to-end data science skills.
• Skills tested: Exploratory analysis, data management, model development, statistical experimentation, data science programming, communication, using Python or R alongside SQL.
• Prerequisites: Advanced use of SQL, familiarity with relational databases, and comfort using Python or R for data science tasks.
• Who is it for: Individuals seeking to demonstrate their data science knowledge and skills, aiming for in-demand data science roles.
• Cost: Included in DataCamp's Premium Subscription.
• Exam format: Timed exams covering various aspects of data science, including practical exams where candidates analyze datasets and present conclusions
• Registration: Get started here

Data Analyst (Associate & Professional)

• What is it: Role-based certification focused on data analysis and data-driven decisions.
• Skills tested: Data management, exploratory analysis, analytics fundamentals, data communication, coding for production, and statistical experimentation.
• Prerequisites: Familiarity with relational databases and SQL, proficiency in Python or R for data tasks.
• Who is it for: Those aiming to prove their data analysis skills and qualify for in-demand data jobs.
• Cost: Included in DataCamp's Premium Subscription.
• Exam format: Timed online tasks covering a range of data analysis skills using Python or R and SQL.
• Registration: Get started here

Data Engineer (Associate)

• What is it: Role-based certification focused on data engineering, including building and maintaining data pipelines.
• Skills tested: Data management and exploratory analysis using SQL, programming for data engineering using Python, including practical tasks like data extraction, cleaning, and quality assessment.
• Prerequisites: Advanced SQL knowledge, familiarity with relational databases, and programming in Python for data engineering tasks.
• Who is it for: Those aiming to start their career in data engineering, providing proof of their skills to prospective employers.
• Cost: Included in DataCamp's Premium Subscription.
• Exam format: Two timed exams covering SQL and Python programming, plus a practical exam simulating real-world data engineering tasks.
• Registration: Get started here

Conclusion

In this blog post, we compared AWS and Azure certifications, examining their structure, benefits, and career opportunities. Both platforms offer valuable certifications that cater to different career paths, with AWS recognized for its widespread industry adoption and Azure for its strong enterprise integration. 

Ultimately, deciding which certification to take comes down to aligning your long-term aspirations and professional needs. With whichever path you pick, leverage official training, online courses, and practice exams to prepare effectively. 

Here are a few more resources that can help you on the way: 

• AWS Cloud Technology and Services
• AWS Security and Cost Management
• Azure Management and Governance 
• Azure Architecture and Services