AZ-900 vs AZ-104 – What’s the Difference Between These Certifications?
If you’re just beginning your Azure journey, you’ve likely encountered two popular Microsoft certifications: AZ-900 vs AZ-104. While they both focus on Azure, their target audience, technical depth, and outcomes are very different. This guide helps you choose the right path based on your career goals.
AZ-900 vs AZ-104 – Certification Levels
AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals is an entry-level certification. It is designed for individuals with no prior cloud experience and focuses on basic Azure concepts, pricing, governance, and services.
AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate is an intermediate-level certification intended for professionals who already work with Azure services or plan to manage cloud infrastructure.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to enter the cloud computing field. Whether you’re an IT professional or a beginner, this certification will boost your cloud knowledge and career prospects. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to pass the AZ-900 exam on your first attempt.
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Content and Difficulty Comparison
- AZ-900: Broad overview of Azure services, cloud computing, and pricing models. No technical tasks.
- AZ-104: Hands-on tasks like managing VMs, virtual networks, identity, and storage using Azure Portal, PowerShell, or CLI.
AZ-104 is significantly more technical and assumes some hands-on experience.
Exam Format and Preparation Time
- AZ-900: 40–60 questions, multiple choice and scenario-based, 60 minutes. Easy to prepare in 1–2 weeks.
- AZ-104: 40–60 technical questions, with case studies and simulations. May require 4–6 weeks of study and hands-on labs.
Which One Should You Take First?
Most candidates start with AZ-900 to build foundational knowledge. If you are already working in IT or have some cloud experience, you may go directly for AZ-104.
Career Impact of AZ-900 vs AZ-104
- AZ-900: Adds credibility for non-technical roles (sales, marketing, operations) or those entering the cloud industry.
- AZ-104: Qualifies you for technical roles like Azure Administrator, Systems Engineer, or DevOps Assistant.
Conclusion: Choosing Between AZ-900 and AZ-104
Understanding the difference between AZ-900 and AZ-104 is essential before scheduling your exam. Start with AZ-900 if you’re a beginner or coming from a non-technical background. Choose AZ-104 if you’re ready to configure, manage, and deploy cloud services.
Explore our complete AZ-900 study guide or get hands-on with the advanced path by visiting the official AZ-104 Microsoft exam page.