Compare Foundational AWS and Azure Certification Routes

A foundational cloud certification can give you a structured way to learn cloud concepts, but AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals are not the same exam with different branding. Each reflects its provider's platform, terminology and service model.

Compare the current level and purpose

AWS identifies AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner as a foundational certification. The current exam guide is CLF-C02 and is designed to validate high-level understanding of AWS Cloud independent of a specific job role. AWS currently lists a 90-minute examination with 65 multiple-choice or multiple-response questions.

Microsoft identifies Azure Fundamentals as a beginner certification. The current AZ-900 route covers cloud concepts, Azure architecture and services, and Azure management and governance. Microsoft lists a 45-minute assessment, and the certification page was last updated on 20 July 2026.

Compare what you will study

The AWS CLF-C02 guide is organised around Cloud Concepts; Security and Compliance; Cloud Technology and Services; and Billing, Pricing and Support. It expects broad awareness of AWS services and concepts such as shared responsibility, identity, global infrastructure, compute, storage, databases, networking and cost management.

AZ-900 starts with general cloud concepts, then moves into Azure architecture and services such as compute, networking and storage, followed by management and governance. The provider-specific names differ, but both routes benefit from understanding why organisations use cloud services, how responsibility is shared, how identity and security are approached, and how consumption affects cost.

Choose based on context, not popularity

If your workplace or target role already uses AWS, Cloud Practitioner may give you more immediately recognisable vocabulary. If your environment is centred on Microsoft technologies, Azure Fundamentals may connect more naturally with the services and governance model you will encounter. If you are undecided, compare real job descriptions and the cloud platforms used in the organisations you are targeting.

You do not need to collect both certificates immediately. One well-understood foundation plus practical cloud evidence can be more useful than two certificates with little applied understanding. A second provider can be added later when it serves a clear purpose.

Build a vendor-neutral practice comparison

Create a fictional small organisation that needs a public web application, secure identity, file storage, monitoring and a monthly cost view. For each provider, identify the service categories you would investigate rather than trying to design a production architecture from a fundamentals syllabus.

Compare regions and availability concepts, identity and access, compute, storage, networking, security responsibility, monitoring and cost management. Record where the concepts are common and where provider terminology differs. This exercise helps you separate transferable cloud understanding from memorised service names.

Understand the RDE relationship

RDE provides certification-preparation routes for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and Microsoft Azure Fundamentals. RDE does not currently include an AWS or Microsoft exam voucher with these preparation routes. Candidates book the external examinations separately using the providers' authorised processes. AWS and Microsoft, not RDE, issue the respective certifications after successful assessment.

Prepare in four stages

Stage 1: cloud concepts. Make sure you can explain service models, shared responsibility, elasticity, availability and consumption-based thinking without vendor-specific language.

Stage 2: provider map. Learn the service categories and governance concepts named in the current official exam guide for your chosen provider.

Stage 3: scenario practice. Use the fictional organisation above to connect concepts with realistic choices and responsibilities.

Stage 4: current objectives. Recheck the official exam guide close to your booking date and use only current provider material for final revision.

Sources and scope

Author: Jefferson Otonbara Imgbi. AWS and Microsoft information checked on 8 October 2026. Provider certification names, objectives, exam delivery and availability can change.

• AWS: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
• AWS Certification exam guides
• Microsoft Learn: Azure Fundamentals
• Microsoft Learn: AZ-900 study guide

RDE provides preparation for these routes; AWS and Microsoft remain the external certification issuers.

Cover image: original RDE illustrative graphic created specifically for this resource.