10 Best Cloud Courses for Beginners of 2024

Today, technology is evolving at an incredible pace, creating a whole new world of opportunities in the tech industry. This is particularly true when it comes to Cloud computing, which basically the online delivery of various IT resources.

From servers and storage to databases and software, plenty of companies are now taking advantage of the ease and flexibility that Cloud computing has to offer. Wondering how to learn cloud computing for beginners?

The good news is that there are now plenty of great online courses available. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an IT professional that’s looking to branch into Cloud computing, we’ll point you in the direction of the best courses worth checking out.

Which Cloud Service Is Most in-Demand?

Before we get into the top courses, it’s important to note that there are a variety of different Cloud providers on the market. While some of the courses you’ll find below focus on Cloud technology in general, others are catered toward specific providers.

Currently, the three most in-demand Cloud platforms are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Many employers seek out applicants who are certified in the Cloud technology of their provider of choice.

Which Cloud Service Is Best for Beginners?

If you’re brand new and have limited prior tech knowledge, then we highly recommend starting out with a general course that isn’t provider-specific. Once your skills improve, then AWS is typically the easiest cloud service to learn for beginners.

Top Online Cloud Courses for Beginners

While it’s never too late to start learning about Cloud computing, don’t succumb to the temptation to jump right into an intermediate or advanced course! While it may seem like the fastest way to go, attempting to jump ahead will often slow you down in the long run because it’s going to be a lot harder for you to keep up.

Luckily, there are plenty of great beginner courses out there, especially on sites like Udemy. If you’re interested in getting a solid foundation in Cloud computing from the ground up, then our first five recommendations are all great choices.

1. Best for Total Beginners: Getting Started with Cloud Computing

If you want to learn about Cloud computing from scratch, then look no further than Getting Started with Cloud Computing - Level 1. This 3-hour Udemy course by Idan Gabrieli breaks down what Cloud computing is, why it’s useful, and the basics of how it works.

You’ll learn about the five key characteristics of Cloud computing and walk away with a solid understanding of why it’s quickly replacing traditional IT services. You’ll also learn about the three main types of service models, as well as various Cloud deployment models.

2. Best Intro to Cloud Terminology: Cloud Computing for Beginners

Idan Gabrieli, the creator of the course we recommended above, also has another great Udemy course called Cloud Computing for Beginners - Infrastructure as a Service. Whether you choose to take this course in addition to or instead of his first course, you’ll get a great overview of the basics of Cloud computing, visualization technologies, and Cloud-native apps.

This course is also a great way to start learning the language of the Cloud, with clear breakdowns of different terms like SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, etc. Complete with pricing models and market use cases, this one’s a solid choice for mastering fundamentals.

3. Best Crash Course: Introduction to the Cloud

Whether you’re a casual learner, manager, or new student, Rick Crisci’s Introduction to the Cloud offers a straightforward 90-minute intro to Cloud computing. Throughout a series of 10 short lectures, you’ll get an easily digestible breakdown of various Cloud types and offerings.

Learn the difference between PaaS, IaaS, and SaaS, as well as public, private, and hybrid Clouds. You’ll also explore the basics of databases, VMs, containers, and more.

4. Best Intro to the Cloud and Beyond: New Technologies Simplified

New Technologies Simplified is a 3.5-hour course by Dinesh Kumar that will introduce you not only to Cloud computing but also to other new technologies, from the blockchain to the Metaverse. The great thing about this course is that the instructor explains complex concepts in a way that’s easy for anyone to understand.

The course begins with an explanation of Cloud computing and then leads into an explanation of other new technologies that evolved as a result. If you’re looking for an introduction to the Internet of Things that you can actually follow, this is a great one to check out.

5. Best for IT Pros: Cloud Out Loud

If you already understand the basics of IT and software, then Cloud Out Loud may be the course for you. Created by instructor Michelle Sollicito, the thorough 16-hour course will walk you through everything you need to know about the three most popular Clouds – AWS, Azure, and GCP.

Complete with 178 downloadable resources, the course will help you take your knowledge of each Cloud from 101 to Architect level. While anyone is welcome to sign up, it’s well worth learning the basics first if you don’t have any previous IT or software knowledge.

The Best Cloud Certificate Exam Prep Courses for Beginners

While some students may no or limited tech experience, others may be IT professionals who are just new to the world of Cloud computing. The classes listed above are all great intro courses, but if you want to pursue Cloud computing as a career, you’ll eventually want to get certified.

There are now certification exams available from a number of different providers, each of which has its own separate demands. The following courses are designed to help you prepare for whichever certificate or certifications you decide to pursue.

6. CompTIA Cloud+ Basic

One of the most common questions among beginners is, “What cloud certification should I get first?” If you’ve yet to select a provider-specific certificate, then the CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ (CL0-002) is a great place to start.

The certification shows potential employers that you’ve got the skills needed to make informed decisions about Cloud technologies and how they relate to your business. Look no further for a great prep course than Udemy’s CompTIA Cloud Essentials+ (CL0-002) Complete Course, which includes 11 hours of on-demand video and a full-length practice test.

7. AWS Fundamentals Specialization

If you’re interested in working with AWS, you’ll discover that Amazon offers a wide range of certification exams. Two of the best exams for beginners are the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C01) and the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate exam (SAA-C03).

If you’re not quite sure where to start, then check out Coursea’s AWS Fundamentals Specialization, a series of four courses that give you a great foundation in AWS. You’ll learn all about the core services and security concepts of AWS, as well as migration strategies and the fundamentals of building serverless AWS applications.

8. Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure

No matter which of Google’s many certification exams you’d like to go on to complete, it’s important to start with a solid understanding of the basics. That’s why Google Cloud Training developed the Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure course.

You’ll get a great introduction to the key conceptions of Google Cloud, which can go a long way toward helping you get an idea of which type of specialization you may want to pursue. Best of all, the course can count towards a variety of different Coursera professional certificates or specialization programs.

9. Preparing for DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals Exam

Microsoft Azure is among the most notoriously tricky Cloud options to master, which is why it’s so important to cover all your bases. Many beginners start with the DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals exam before going on to earn more advanced specialty certifications.

Much like other major Cloud providers, Microsoft teamed up with Coursera to develop a DP-900 prep course. The course will fill you in on all the key points the exam covers and provide you with a great foundation for any other Microsoft certifications you decide to pursue.

10. Introduction to Cloud Computing

IBM is yet another tech giant that’s developed several great programs on Coursera. Their Introduction to Cloud Computing course offers a solid introduction to the Cloud, as well as popular related trends like DevOps, Microservices, HybridMulticloud, and more.

The course will also introduce you to popular Cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Alibaba Cloud, and IBM Cloud. If you decide to go on to pursue a Coursera specialization or certificate program, then you can also use the course as a credit.

Free Cloud Computing Courses for Beginners

If you’re not so concerned about earning a certificate, then you’ll be happy to discover that there are several online Cloud computing courses you can take for free. Coursera sometimes even offers users the opportunity to audit certain courses for free, though you won’t be able to earn a certificate of completion unless you upgrade.

Here are some of the best free Cloud courses to explore. Whether you’re brand new or hope to pass a certification exam, there’s something out there for everyone.

• Cloud Service Providers - Great Learning
• Google Cloud Computing Foundations - edX
• Intro to Cloud Computing - Udacity
• A Practical Introduction to Cloud Computing - Udemy
• AWS Educate - Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions About Cloud Computing Certifications

Given the large number of Cloud computing certifications available, it can be hard to know which one to pursue. Here are some common questions beginners often ask when considering different certification prep courses.

What are the Best Cloud Computing Certifications?

The truth is, it totally depends on your goals. If you’re an IT professional who has a chance to branch out at the company you already work for, then it makes sense to pursue certification through the provider your employer uses.

Otherwise, starting with a basic course will likely answer many of the questions you have about which Cloud area of expertise makes the most sense for you. The more you understand about Cloud computing, the easier it will be to understand which aspects interest you the most.

Which Cloud Certificate is the Easiest?

Overall, AWS tends to be the easiest Cloud service for beginners to master. If you’re new to the IT world, then Amazon recommends starting with the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C01).

This entry-level certification is designed with beginners in mind and serves as a great introduction to the Amazon Web Services ecosystem. Amazon also offers this handy overview of different certification paths that can help you figure out which is best for you.

What Cloud Certification Should You Get First?

If you’re still on the fence about which provider you want to get certified through, then check out the Cloud Essentials+ (CL0-002) certification from the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). As a trusted leader in IT certifications, CompTIA is a very respected organization that offers exams for several different types of professionals.

Their Cloud Essentials+ certification is designed for both IT professionals and non-professions alike and covers a non-vendor-specific exam of core Cloud fundamentals. No matter which other certificates you choose to pursue, this is a great one to start with.

Which Cloud Certification Has the Most Value? and Which pays the most?

While this will obviously depend on a number of factors, from company to location, the good news is that Cloud computing jobs tend to pay incredibly well. For instance, ZipRecruiter estimates that the average annual salary for a GCP engineer is $128,704.

The site estimates that a GCP Architect makes an average of $146,099 a year. An AWS Certified Developer Associate is estimated to pull in $134,080 a year, while a Microsoft Azure Administrator earns an average annual salary of $84,901.

Again, these averages are highly subjective depending on a number of factors. But the bottom line is that the right Cloud certification can be incredibly lucrative.

Conclusion

As Cloud computing continues to revolutionize the world of technology, employees with Cloud-related skills are more in-demand than ever before. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career in Cloud computing or are just curious to learn more about the latest technological advances, there are plenty of great courses out there that can help you get started.

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