AWS Certification vs Cloud Architect Course: Which One to Choose for a Cloud Career?

| Updated on June 5, 2025

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • AWS certification quickly validates skills, making it ideal for beginners.
  • Cloud architect courses teach multi-cloud design, strategy, and practical project experience.
  • Multi-cloud skills like AWS and AZ-104 boost career options and salary options.
  • AWS certification is affordable.
  • Cloud architect courses require more time but have great advantages.

Cloud Technology is quickly becoming a major driver of employment, not just in the tech industry, but across a wide range of industries. There are two primary routes to a job in cloud: AWS Certification and a Cloud Architect course.

It can be confusing to determine the best path, especially for those new to the topic. AWS Certifications are well recognized and have a lot of value in the industry, whereas the Cloud Architect course provides a deeper level of knowledge and a larger skill set that allows for growth in the tech industry long-term.

In this article, the different aspects of AWS Certification and Cloud Architect course will be explored in terms of both the benefits of each and job/career outcomes based on each path.

Getting Started: What Is AWS Certification?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the leading cloud computing provider globally, holding a major share of the market. An AWS certification proves that you have validated expertise in deploying, managing, and operating applications on the AWS platform.

Some of The Most Popular AWS Certifications Are:

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

This IT certification is for those who want a developer role.

The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator, also known as the DevOps engineer, should be able to clarify the courses you took once you are awarded the certification.

Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

Every certification is dedicated to a certain specialization and difficulty level, so businesses can see that you have managerial experience and will quickly notice.

Why AWS Certification?

  • Industry Acknowledgement: AWS certifications are rightly regarded as the gold standard in the cloud computing industry.
  • In-demand Skills: AWS abilities frequently rank among the fastest-growing needs on cloud job advertisement boards.
  • Career Advancement: Earning an AWS certification provides a strong foundation for advancing one’s career.

How Does a Cloud Architect Course Work?

The cloud architect course likely provides a more comprehensive knowledge of design, planning, and provisioning cloud integrations. Unlike vendor-specific certifications, these courses are typically multi-cloud, covering AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and others.

What is covered in a Cloud Architect Course?

  • Basics of cloud computing and the architectural principles behind it
  • Architecting cloud solutions that are scalable and secure
  • Cross-cutting networking, storage, and compute services across platforms
  • Best security techniques and compliance for your cloud
  • DevOps and automation integration
  • Actual projects and use cases

These types of courses will qualify you for high-profile executive positions where strategic thinking and omnichannel knowledge are critical.

Where does the AZ 104 Certification fit in?

Although AWS has a major lead in the cloud wars, Microsoft’s Azure has been making up ground, particularly with enterprise customers. The AZ 104 certification (Microsoft Certified: The Azure Administrator Associate is a well-recognized certification that validates your ability to manage Azure cloud services, including computing, storage, networking, and security. Either with the help of passing the Microsoft exams or sitting for one that is served by a testing facility.

If you are leaning toward a multi-cloud migration for your career, or if you work in a place where they are going to adopt Azure, the AZ 104 would be a handy certification to have. A certification that complements your AWS skills and enhances your marketability.

AWS Certification vs Cloud Architect Course

The important aspects of these courses are as follows:

  • AWS-specific tools and solutions
  • Multi-cloud architecture and strategy
  • Learning Type Exam based on some technical depth, Project-based based and strategic
  • Time Investment: Generally weeks to months. Depending on the program, a few months.
  • Costs $150-300 per test, $500-2000+ depending on the course provider
  • Career Path: Cloud engineer, AWS solutions architect, Senior architect, cloud consultant, CTO
  • Skill Span Platform-specific technical skills Cross-platform design, governance, and ops

Pros and Cons: What to Choose?

AWS Certification: Pros

  • Fast-track to validate your AWS skills
  • Highly regarded by employers all over the world
  • Perfect for people looking for AWS-focused internships
  • Affordable and universal learning opportunities

AWS Certification: Cons

  • Limited to the AWS ecosystem
  • Might need more training for multi-cloud designs

More Proper application of Architecture and Strategy – New Bareshell that does not dig deep into the architectural side/Past Design approach and digs into Past Design as Property Pattern and then as Architectural Pattern, Application Architecture.Designing a centralized NET VBCS in the early stages is quite challenging and gradually reveals opportunities to move away from old patterns, without losing sight of the overall architecture and strategy.

Cloud Architect Course: Pros

  • Thorough knowledge of cloud environments
  • Getting ready to lead and execute strategies
  • Practical skills developed through applied assignments
  • Frequently runs with preparation for certifications such as AWS and AZ-104 certification

Cloud Architect Course: Cons

  • More time and money went into
  • You have to be willing to accept longer courses
  • More abstract, more generic, potential lack of detailed vendor expertise

Employment and Salary Information

AWS Certified Professionals

There will be high demand for AWS Certified trainers and handsome packages:

  • Role India (INR) and US (USD)
  • AWS Solutions Architect ₹15-25 Lakhs per year $130,000-180,000
  • AWS Cloud Engineer ₹10–18 LPA $110k-$140k
  • AWS DevOps Engineer ₹18–28 LPA $140,000–$190,000  

Cloud Architects (Course Completers)

Professionals with broad architectural experience — often certified across multiple platforms — have the potential to earn even higher salaries. Position India Avg Salary(INR) U.S. Avg Salary(USD): 

  • Cloud Architect ₹20-35 Lakhs $150,000-$200,000
  • Cloud Architect Multi-Cloud ₹25–40 Lakhs $180,000–$220,000
  • Cloud Consultant ₹18-30L $140K-$180K

PRO TIP: If you combine AWS with the AZ-104 certification, it boosts multi-cloud expertise and unlocks top-tier opportunities!

The Value of Multi-Cloud Skills

AWS is in the lead, but just about everyone (except arguably Google) is really a multi-cloud strategy for flexibility and risk control. Having experience in both AWS and Azure (for example, holding the AZ-104 certification) can give you a competitive edge and open doors to diverse projects with more attractive compensation. Below, you can see what advantages make this skill very important. 

Benefit of Multi-Cloud

Here’s How to Decide, Based on Where You Are in Your Career

AWS certification can also offer beginner-level professionals the chance to quickly enhance their portfolio with industry-recognized certificates.

Mid-level IT professionals can enhance their resumes by completing a cloud architect course, which helps them build advanced design capabilities and strategic planning skills.

Solution architects and consultants with long experience should look to include AWS certification, AZ 104 certification, as well as architecture courses to drive cloud initiatives.

Where to Take the Best Classes and Get Certifications

Now l’ll tell you where you can take the best classes to obtain certifications. This includes: 

  • AWS Certification Resources
  • AWS official training and certification website
  • A Cloud Guru, Udemy, Coursera, and other online platforms
  • Practice exams from Tutorials Dojo, Whizlabs
  • Cloud Architect Courses
  • Simplilearn, Great Learning, Intellipaat
  • Online university classes from Coursera and edX
  • Google Cloud preparation for multi-cloud exposure
  • AZ 104 Certification Training
  • Microsoft Learn (official)
  • Pluralsight Udemy LinkedIn Learning

AWS Certification vs Cloud Architect Course?

Each route has some pros and cons, and which one you should choose depends very much on your goals:

  • If you want to quickly specialize in AWS and develop practical skills, starting with the AWS certification is the ideal first step.
  • If you are looking to make a long-term career in the cloud space and want to work with multi-cloud environments by building and maintaining them, then you should go for a cloud architect course.

Toughen up your cloud skills and skills with AZ 104 certification to showcase that you are a multidisciplined cloud professional. The cloud industry is expanding rapidly, and with the proper certification or training, your cloud career can accelerate in 2025 and the years ahead.

FAQ

What’s the primary benefit of AWS certification?

AWS certification quickly validates your AWS skills, and it helps with your employability in cloud computing jobs that mention AWS.

How does a cloud architect course differ from an AWS certification?

A cloud architect course would have multi-cloud knowledge, while you study strategic skills along with hands-on project skills, AWS would be just one type of expertise.

Should I get AZ-104 Azure certification along with AWS certification?

AZ-104 certification covers the major fundamentals of Azure and adds great Azure skills to your toolkit, and it improves your multi-cloud marketability and career flexibility.


Janvi Verma

Tech and Internet Content Writer


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