AWS vs Azure: Which Cloud Certification Should You Get First in 2026?
Updated April 23, 2026 | 9 min read
This guide is for anyone stuck deciding between AWS and Azure certifications in 2026 — beginners, career switchers, and IT professionals alike.
The Short Answer
Choose AWS if you want the most job options and highest salary ceiling. Choose Azure if you already work in a Microsoft-heavy environment or your target employers are large enterprises and government agencies. Both are excellent. Neither is a wrong choice. The worst decision is paralysis — pick one, get certified, and start applying.
Market Share & Job Openings
Market share directly correlates with job openings. More companies using a platform means more hiring:
| Metric | AWS | Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Global Cloud Market Share (2026) | ~32% | ~23% |
| Job Postings Mentioning Cert (US) | ~18,000 | ~12,000 |
| Year-Over-Year Growth | +18% | +24% |
| Strongest Regions | US, UK, India, APAC | US, Europe, Government |
Azure is growing faster percentage-wise but from a smaller base. AWS still has 40% more job openings. However, Azure dominates government and regulated industries because of Microsoft's long-standing enterprise relationships.
Difficulty Comparison
| Factor | AWS CLF-C02 | Azure AZ-900 |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 65 | 40-60 |
| Time | 90 min | 65 min |
| Passing Score | 700/1000 | 700/1000 |
| Estimated Pass Rate | 65-70% | 70-75% |
| Services to Know | ~80+ | ~50+ |
| Exam Fee | $100 | $99 |
AZ-900 is objectively easier. Fewer services, shorter exam, and higher pass rate. However, CLF-C02's difficulty pays off — it forces you to learn a broader foundation that makes SAA-C03 much easier later.
Salary: AWS vs Azure
For a deeper dive into AWS-specific earnings, see our AWS certification salary guide. Not sure how hard each exam is? We break down AWS Cloud Practitioner difficulty and Azure Fundamentals difficulty with real pass rates.
In the US, AWS certifications command a slight premium:
| Level | AWS Median (US) | Azure Median (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational | $85k | $80k |
| Associate | $125k | $115k |
| Professional | $170k | $155k |
The gap narrows in Microsoft-centric industries. A Solutions Architect at a Fortune 500 company running Office 365 and Azure AD may earn more with Azure certs than with AWS certs in that specific environment.
Certification Path Comparison
| Step | AWS Path | Azure Path |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational | Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) | Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) |
| Associate 1 | Solutions Architect (SAA-C03) | Azure Administrator (AZ-104) |
| Associate 2 | Developer (DVA-C02) or SysOps (SOA-C02) | Azure Developer (AZ-204) |
| Professional | Solutions Architect Pro (SAP-C02) | Azure Solutions Architect (AZ-305) |
Who Should Choose AWS
- You want the most job opportunities globally
- You are targeting startups, SaaS companies, or tech giants
- You plan to work in APAC (India, Singapore, Australia)
- You want the highest salary ceiling
- You are interested in AI/ML (AWS dominates SageMaker and Bedrock roles)
Who Should Choose Azure
- You work in a Microsoft shop (Office 365, Active Directory, .NET)
- You are targeting government, healthcare, or finance
- You want the easiest entry-level exam (AZ-900)
- You are in Europe (Azure has stronger enterprise penetration)
- You want to leverage existing Microsoft certifications
Still unsure? Try both for free
Take a free practice test on each platform and see which feels more natural.
AWS CLF-C02 Mock Azure AZ-900 MockFrequently Asked Questions
Is AWS or Azure easier for beginners?
Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is generally considered slightly easier than AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) because Azure has fewer core services to memorize and more intuitive naming conventions.
Which cloud certification pays more?
In 2026, AWS-certified professionals earn 5-10% more on average globally. However, in enterprises that use Microsoft stacks heavily, Azure certs can be more valuable locally.
Should I get both AWS and Azure certifications?
Eventually, yes. Multi-cloud skills are in high demand. Start with one, reach Associate level, then add the other platform. Do not try to learn both simultaneously as a beginner.
Which certification is best for remote jobs?
AWS has more remote-first job postings globally. Azure remote roles are growing but tend to cluster around enterprise consulting.
Can I switch from Azure to AWS later?
Absolutely. Cloud concepts transfer between platforms. IAM, VPC/VNet, object storage, and serverless principles are nearly identical. Only the service names and console layouts differ.