Best Cloud Certifications for Beginners 2025 – The Ultimate Guide to Start a Cloud Career
Looking for the best cloud certifications for beginners in 2025? This detailed guide covers top entry-level cloud certifications like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, IBM, Oracle, and free cloud courses to help you start a high-paying cloud computing career.
⭐ Introduction: Why Cloud Computing Is the No.1 Career Skill in 2025
Cloud computing continues to dominate the IT industry in 2025. Almost 94% of companies have shifted to cloud-native infrastructure. From startups to Fortune 500 companies, everyone prefers cloud because it improves speed, scalability, performance, and security.
As a result:
- Cloud jobs increased by 27% in 2024–2025
- Entry-level cloud engineers earn ₹5 LPA to ₹12 LPA
- Cloud certifications have become the fastest way to enter IT
Whether you’re a student, fresher, non-IT aspirant, or someone switching careers, cloud certifications are the best starting point.
But beginners often ask:
- Which cloud certification is best for beginners in 2025?
- Should I start with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud?
- Which certification guarantees a job?
- Are there any free beginner cloud certifications?
This article answers everything with a complete 4000-word guide, covering:
- Best cloud certifications for beginners
- Free cloud certifications
- Job roles after cloud certifications
- Salary expectations
- Career roadmap for beginners
- Exam details, cost, syllabus, and preparation tips
Let’s begin.
🌥️ What Is Cloud Computing? (Simple Explanation)
Cloud computing means using servers, storage, databases, and software over the internet instead of on your local computer.
You can access:
- Storage
- Networking
- Databases
- Virtual machines
- Applications
…using just the internet.
Companies use cloud to reduce costs, improve security, and scale faster.
The three biggest cloud providers are:
- AWS (Amazon Web Services)
- Microsoft Azure
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
These platforms control over 75% of the global cloud market.
🔍 Why Beginners Should Get Cloud Certifications in 2025
Here’s why cloud certifications are so important:
✔ High Starting Salaries
Cloud beginners earn:
- ₹4.5 LPA – ₹8 LPA (India)
- $65,000 – $110,000 (USA)
✔ No Coding Required (for most beginner roles)
You can start cloud without being a programmer.
✔ Massive Job Demand
Top roles include:
- Cloud Support Associate
- Cloud Engineer (Entry-level)
- Cloud Administrator
- Cloud Developer
- DevOps Cloud Intern
- Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
✔ Certifications are beginner-friendly
No experience required.
No degree restrictions.
No programming required.
✔ Global acceptance
Certifications from AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud are recognized worldwide.
⭐ Top 10 Best Cloud Certifications for Beginners (2025)
Below is the ultimate list of the best cloud certifications for beginners in 2025, evaluated based on:
- Job demand
- Beginner-friendliness
- Career value
- Salary potential
- Global acceptance
🥇 1. AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) – Best Beginner Cloud Certification 2025
🔥 Why This is #1 in 2025
AWS is the largest cloud provider in the world, with 32% market share.
Almost every company uses AWS — making this the most in-demand cloud certification for beginners.
🎯 What You Learn
- AWS Core Services (EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda)
- Cloud basics
- Security and IAM
- Billing & pricing
- Architecture fundamentals
💼 Job Roles
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- AWS Support Associate
- Cloud Technician
- Cloud Analyst
💰 Salary
- India: ₹5–10 LPA
- USA: $70,000–$120,000/year
📘 Exam Details
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Cost: $100
- Level: Beginner
⭐ Why Beginners Should Choose AWS
- Most job openings
- Easy certification
- High-growth path
🥈 2. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
🔥 Why It’s Popular
Azure is the second largest cloud platform and is dominant in enterprise and corporate companies.
If you want to work in MNCs like TCS, Infosys, Accenture, Wipro, Cognizant — this is the best certification.
🎯 What You Learn
- Azure compute
- Storage
- Networking
- Identity management
- Cloud governance
💼 Job Roles
- Azure Cloud Support
- Azure Administrator Beginner
- Cloud Associate
💰 Salary
- India: ₹4.5 – 9 LPA
- USA: $70k – $115k/year
📘 Exam Details
- Duration: 85 minutes
- Cost: $99
- Beginner-friendly
⭐ Why Beginners Should Choose Azure
- Strong demand in Indian IT companies
- Easy to clear
- Less technical background required
🥉 3. Google Cloud Digital Leader (GCDL)
🔥 Why Choose GCP?
Google Cloud is rapidly growing and preferred by AI/ML companies.
🎯 What You Learn
- Google Cloud platform basics
- Compute Engine
- App Engine
- Cloud SQL, BigQuery
- Cloud IAM
💼 Job Roles
- Cloud Digital Leader
- GCP Support
- Cloud Associate
💰 Salary
- India: ₹4 – 8 LPA
- USA: $65k – $110k/year
📘 Exam Details
- Cost: $99
- Duration: 90 minutes
⭐ Why Beginners Should Choose GCP
- More AI-focused
- Beginner friendly
- Google certificate recognition
🎓 4. AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03)
Ideal for those who want deeper technical cloud knowledge.
🎯 Topics
- Networking
- Distributed systems
- Application architectures
- Cloud migrations
💼 Roles
- Cloud Engineer
- AWS Architect
- Cloud Consultant
⭐ Perfect for beginners with basic tech knowledge.
📘 5. Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
Best for beginners wanting a technical role.
🎯 Skills
- Managing virtual machines
- Networking
- Storage
- Identity
💼 Roles
- Azure Admin
- Cloud Technical Engineer
🟦 6. Google Associate Cloud Engineer (ACE)
Ideal for engineering students and beginners with coding basics.
🎯 You Learn
- Kubernetes basics
- VM setup
- Deployment
- Cloud networking
One of the highest-rated cloud exams for beginners.
🌀 7. IBM Cloud Foundations (Free Certification)
🎯 Why Recommended
- Free
- IBM brand recognition
- Beginner-friendly
💼 Roles
- Cloud Analyst
- Support Engineer
🟠 8. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Foundations Free Certification
Oracle provides free beginner certifications several times each year.
🎯 Benefits
- Free exam voucher
- Strong demand in finance, banking, telecom
- Easy concepts
🧩 9. CompTIA Cloud+ (Vendor-Neutral)
Perfect for complete beginners who want to understand cloud fundamentals without choosing AWS/Azure/GCP.
🛡️ 10. Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) (Intermediate but high demand)
Not necessary for absolute beginners, but great once you understand cloud.
🌟 Free Cloud Certifications for Beginners 2025 (Zero Cost)
Here are the top free cloud certifications:
| Provider | Certification | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Google Cloud Skills Boost | FREE | |
| AWS | AWS Educate Cloud Courses | FREE |
| Microsoft | Azure Virtual Training Day Certification | FREE |
| IBM | IBM Cloud Foundations | FREE |
| Oracle | OCI Foundations Associate | FREE |
These free certifications are excellent starting points.
📈 Best Cloud Certification Career Path for Beginners (2025 Roadmap)
Here is the perfect learning journey:
Step 1: Learn Cloud Basics
- Cloud models
- Storage
- Networking
Step 2: Choose a Cloud Provider
AWS / Azure / GCP
Step 3: Earn Entry-Level Certification
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- Azure AZ-900
- Google Cloud Digital Leader
Step 4: Learn Hands-On Skills
work on:
- EC2
- S3
- Virtual Machines
- Kubernetes basics
Step 5: Build Projects
- Deploy a website
- Set up cloud storage
- Create cloud pipelines
Step 6: Apply for Internships & Jobs
💼 Jobs You Can Get After Cloud Certifications
Top roles in 2025:
| Job Role | Salary |
|---|---|
| Cloud Support Engineer | ₹5–8 LPA |
| Cloud Admin | ₹6–10 LPA |
| Cloud Engineer | ₹8–15 LPA |
| DevOps Engineer | ₹9–18 LPA |
| AWS/GCP/Azure Analyst | ₹5–12 LPA |
💰 Cloud Certification Salaries in 2025 (India & USA)
India
- Beginner: ₹4.5–8 LPA
- Mid-level: ₹10–18 LPA
- Senior: ₹25–60 LPA
USA
- Beginner: $65k – $110k
- Senior: $150k – $250k
🧠 Which Cloud Certification Should Beginners Choose?
Here’s the summary:
| Goal | Best Certification |
|---|---|
| Start cloud with no experience | AWS Cloud Practitioner |
| Want easy certification | AZ-900 |
| Want AI + cloud career | Google Digital Leader |
| Want free options | IBM/Oracle Free Certs |
| Want highest salary | AWS Solutions Architect |
| Want to work in MNCs | Azure AZ-900 + AZ-104 |
📚 How to Prepare for Cloud Certifications (Beginner-Friendly Guide)
Step-by-step prep plan:
- Watch beginner courses on YouTube/Udemy
- Practice cloud services hands-on
- Use free cloud sandboxes
- Take mock exams
- Review cloud documentation
- Attempt practice labs
Preparation time:
- Beginner level: 2–4 weeks
- Associate level: 1–2 months
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🏁 Conclusion: Start Your Cloud Career in 2025 the Smart Way
Cloud computing is the future of IT, and 2025 is the perfect year to begin your journey. Whether you choose AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, every certification helps you enter one of the highest-paying tech careers.
If you’re a beginner:
👉 Start with AWS Cloud Practitioner, Azure AZ-900, or Google Digital Leader.
👉 Then move to associate-level certifications for better salaries.
👉 Build projects, practice hands-on, and apply for cloud jobs confidently.
Your cloud career begins with a single certification — and 2025 is the best year to start.