How to get it free600+ free courses; certification exams are paid.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Guide · Last updated 2026-10-15 · 13 courses
The best free cloud certificates in 2026
Every major cloud provider gives away a surprising amount of training. AWS Skill Builder has hundreds of free digital courses with completion certificates, Microsoft Learn awards badges for every path, Google Cloud Skills Boost has free skill badges, and Oracle has periodically offered its OCI Foundations exam free.
| Course | Provider | Credential | Time | How to get it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Skill Builder free digital courses | AWS | Free certificate | varies | 600+ free courses; certification exams are paid. |
| AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials | AWS | Free certificate | 6 h | Free on Skill Builder. |
| AWS Educate | AWS | Free badge | varies | Free for learners 13+; badges via Credly. |
| AWS Cloud Quest: Cloud Practitioner | AWS | Free badge | 12 h | Free role-play game on Skill Builder; badge on completion. |
| Google Cloud Skills Boost - free labs & badges | Free badge | varies | Free no-cost learning paths award shareable badges; some labs need credits. | |
| Google Cloud Computing Foundations | Free badge | 20 h | No-cost learning paths with labs; badges on completion. | |
| Cloud Computing Fundamentals | IBM SkillsBuild | Free badge | 8 h | Free; badge on completion. |
| Introduction to Kubernetes (LFS158) | Linux Foundation | Free certificate | 20 h | Free course. |
| Microsoft Learn training paths | Microsoft | Free badge | varies | All modules free; badges earned on completion. Exams are paid unless via Challenge vouchers. |
| Microsoft Applied Skills | Microsoft | Free certificate | 2-4 h assessment | Applied Skills lab assessments are free. |
| Oracle University free learning | Oracle | Free certificate | varies | OCI/AI Foundations training and exams often free. |
| Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) learning path | Microsoft | Free training | 10 h | Training free; watch for Virtual Training Days exam vouchers. |
| Microsoft Virtual Training Days | Microsoft | Free training | 1-2 days | Free live events; some include certification exam discounts. |
Course details
How to get it freeFree on Skill Builder.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
AWS
AWS Educate
How to get it freeFree for learners 13+; badges via Credly.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeFree role-play game on Skill Builder; badge on completion.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeFree no-cost learning paths award shareable badges; some labs need credits.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeNo-cost learning paths with labs; badges on completion.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
IBM SkillsBuild
Cloud Computing Fundamentals
How to get it freeFree; badge on completion.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Linux Foundation
Introduction to Kubernetes (LFS158)
How to get it freeFree course.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Microsoft
Microsoft Learn training paths
How to get it freeAll modules free; badges earned on completion. Exams are paid unless via Challenge vouchers.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Microsoft
Microsoft Applied Skills
How to get it freeApplied Skills lab assessments are free.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeOCI/AI Foundations training and exams often free.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
How to get it freeTraining free; watch for Virtual Training Days exam vouchers.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
Microsoft
Microsoft Virtual Training Days
How to get it freeFree live events; some include certification exam discounts.
Checked 2026-10-15Go to course
FAQ
Are there really free cloud certificates in 2026?
Yes. Every course tagged “Free certificate” or “Free badge” below lets you earn the credential at no cost as of 2026-10-15. Courses where only the training is free are labeled separately.
Which free cloud certificate should I start with?
Start with a short course from a well-known provider in the table, finish it, and add the credential to LinkedIn before moving on to longer paths.
Do employers value free certificates?
They do not replace degrees or proctored exams, but credentials from recognized providers demonstrate initiative and verified skills, and many can be verified online.
How do you check these courses?
Each course is read on the provider's own site, the cost of the credential is checked, and every link is tested regularly. Each listing shows its last check date.
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