CLICK HERE! Start your journey today!What is AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner? AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner...
Read More
Cloud platforms offer infrastructure as a service to various businesses around the world.
Thanks to cloud computing, many companies have been able to increase efficiency, lower operational costs, and scale innovation.
To ensure their cloud environment is well managed and maintained, organizations seek certified professionals who have vast knowledge in cloud computing.
AWS vs Microsoft Azure vs Google Cloud
AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud are known as public cloud platforms.
These companies offer cloud computing services to businesses and other organizations.
While AWS (Amazon Web Services) has about 33% of the cloud market share, Microsoft Azure has 16% and Google Cloud has 8%.
These are the three biggest cloud platforms. Now that we know the three big fish in the cloud computing space, the next question is which one to learn.
If you are new to cloud computing, or at a crossroad where you have to decide which cloud certification to choose, it is important you know all about the three biggest cloud service providers in the global IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), SaaS (Software as a Service), and PaaS (Platform as a Service) market.
Also, since you will be investing a lot of time, money, and effort into learning these platforms, it will be helpful to know the benefits of each of these cloud service providers and how their certifications can help your career in cloud computing.
In this article I will analyze and compare AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform and examine the advantages of taking the certifications they offer.
AWS Certifications
AWS started its journey in 2006, and it was the first company to offer infrastructure services through the internet.
This cloud platform offers roughly 175 services which include Analytics, IoT, Developer tools, Enterprise applications, Security, Storage, and Networking.
However, AWS has a complex pricing model and it is one of the most expensive cloud platforms in the market.
AWS owns a Virtual Private Cloud and some of its leading customers are Netflix, Spotify, and Capital One.
An AWS certification proves you have the required skills to design, manage, and deploy Amazon Web Services applications and solutions.
AWS currently offers twelve certifications.
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is best suited for beginners.
However, there are higher certifications as you move forward in your career. AWS certifications are grouped as follows:
Practitioner Level
Associate Level
Professional Level
Specialty Level
- AWS-Certified Data Analytics
- AWS-Certified Advanced Networking
- AWS-Certified Security
- AWS-Certified Alexa Skill Builder
- AWS-Certified Machine Learning, and
- AWS-Certified Database
The Benefits of AWS
- Suitable for large enterprises with huge needs
- Strong global presence
- Multi-feature cloud technologies, and
- One-stop-shop cloud service provider
Microsoft Azure Certifications
As the second-largest cloud service provider, hybrid cloud is Azure’s niche.
Azure also integrates other Microsoft services such as Teams and Office 365 which makes it more appealing to companies that are already dependent on these platforms.
Azure is the fastest growing cloud service provider and it caters to over 57% of Fortune 500 Companies.
Microsoft Azure owns a virtual network cloud, and some of its famous clientele include GE Healthcare, Samsung, and eBay.
There are 12 certifications offered by Azure, and they are categorized into 3 role-based structures.
If you want to get a good head start into the Azure platform, you might want to start with the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 exam.
Here is the Azure certification structure:
Fundamental Level
- Microsoft Certified –Exam AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals
- Microsoft Certified – Azure AI – Exam AI-900 (beta), and
- Microsoft Certified – Exam DP-900 (beta) -Azure Data Fundamentals
Associate Level
- Microsoft Certified – Exam AZ-103 Azure Administrator
- Microsoft Certified – Exam AZ-203 Azure Developer
- Microsoft Certified – Exam AZ-500 Azure Security Engineer
- Microsoft Certified – Exam AI-100 Azure AI Engineer
- Microsoft Certified – Exam DP-100 Azure Data Scientist , and
- Microsoft Certified – Exam DP-300 (beta) Azure Database Administrator
Expert Level
- Microsoft Certified – Exams AZ-300 and AZ-301 Solutions Architect , and
- Microsoft Certified – Exam AZ-400 Azure DevOps Engineer
The Benefits of Microsoft Azure
- Easy to integrate with other Microsoft products.
- Better support for Hybrid or cross-cloud capability, and
- Strong support for Linux and Windows environments
Google Cloud Platform Certifications
Google Cloud is a relatively new cloud platform.
Its success in the industry can be linked to its cheap pricing model.
Actually, it’s the cheapest amongst the Big-Three because it focuses on small and medium enterprises.
However, Google Cloud Platform has a limited range of products and a smaller global market presence compared to AWS and Azure.
GCP’s unique edge comes from its expertise in open source technologies and containers.
Popular companies that use Google Cloud Platform are Sony Music, Snapchat, and Coca Cola.
There are 8 certifications under Google Cloud Platform and they can be grouped into 2 levels. GCP Associate and Professional. They are as follows:
Associate Level
Professional Level
- Professional – Cloud Architect
- Professional – Cloud Developer
- Professional – Data Engineer
- Professional – Cloud DevOps Engineer
- Professional – Cloud Security Engineer
- Professional – Cloud Network Engineer , and
- Professional – Machine Learning Engineer
The Benefits of Google Cloud Platform
- Competitive pricing model
- Offers various Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence toolsets
- Easy to integrate and manage with other Google’s products, and
- Provides powerful data analytics tools
AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud: Which Certification Is Best For You?
AWS has a strong global market presence compared to other cloud platforms.
A lot of employers look for AWS experts, so this certification is more likely to get your foot in the door if you are looking for an entry-level role in a cloud-related job in top companies.
Also, because of its simple user interface, AWS is recommended for beginners in cloud computing. It is easy to study for AWS certifications, as there are lots of tutorials and study material on the internet.
Learning Azure can be a great addition to your skillset if you already have knowledge of some Windows products such as SQL Server, Active Directory, .NET, and Windows Server.
Also, if you have already have an MCSA: Windows 10, MCSA: Windows Server 2016, or MCSA: Office 365 certification, adding an Azure cloud certification would better your chances of getting a cloud-related job in companies that use Microsoft products.
A Google Cloud certification can be beneficial to you if you are a developer who mostly uses Google services such as Google Maps API and Firebase.
This is because Google Cloud Platform allows you to easily manage and monitor Google-supported API’s.
Your passion and future goals both have a huge role to play in this decision.
If your goal is to appeal to a broader range of employers or you desire a certification that is most in-demand in the IaaS, SaaS, and PaaS market, then AWS is the way to go.
Meanwhile Azure and Google Cloud could be a better option if you want to focus your skillset on Machine Learning and Big Data.
Bear in mind that although AWS and Azure certifications have high demand in the IaaS market, there is high competition for job openings seeking those certifications.
However, while demand for Google cloud platform experts is low, there is less competition in this area of the job market.
Keep in mind that…
Cloud computing is one of the major trends in technology.
Many organizations are now migrating their systems to the Cloud to improve flexibility, save costs, and ensure business continuity.
The demand for IT professionals who can provide cloud-based solutions has skyrocketed over the years.
According to Payscale, cloud computing roles such as Cloud Solutions Architect and DevOps Engineer earn an average salary of $133,000 US dollars.
Not only will cloud certifications increase your earning potential and make you more eligible to many employers, job security is also a huge advantage here.
Cloud technology is the current buzz and it is not phasing out anytime soon.
Most organizations are now abandoning conventional data centers and moving to cloud technology.
So, there will always be a need for cloud computing professionals.
When it comes to the best cloud certification to choose from, there are no absolute answers.
Each cloud service provider I have talked about, has managed to thrive and maintain its position amongst the top three in the market.
That said, if you aim to work with a particular company, you may want to find out which cloud platform they use. This can help you decide which certification to take first, then you can work your way up.