Quick Answer: For AWS certification prep, Stephane Maarek's courses on Udemy ($12–$20 on sale) are the gold standard. AWS Skill Builder (free tier) provides official training. Adrian Cantrill's courses ($40/course) offer the deepest technical content. For beginners, AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials (free on Skill Builder) is the best starting point.
Best AWS Courses by Certification
| Certification | Best Course | Platform | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud Practitioner | AWS CCP Essentials | AWS Skill Builder | Free |
| Solutions Architect Associate | Ultimate AWS SAA-C03 | Udemy (Maarek) | $12–$20 |
| Developer Associate | Ultimate AWS DVA | Udemy (Maarek) | $12–$20 |
| Solutions Architect Professional | AWS SAP Course | Adrian Cantrill | $40 |
| All Levels | AWS Certified Training | Pluralsight | $299/yr |
AWS Certification Salary Ladder
| Certification | Avg Salary | Exam Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Practitioner | $105,419 | $100 |
| Solutions Architect Associate | $155,905 | $150 |
| Solutions Architect Professional | $175,906 | $300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which AWS certification should I get first?
If you have IT experience, go straight to Solutions Architect Associate. If you're completely new to cloud, start with Cloud Practitioner.
Are Stephane Maarek's courses enough to pass?
For most candidates, yes. Combine with practice exams (Tutorial Dojo or Jon Bonso) and hands-on labs using the AWS Free Tier.
Free vs paid AWS training?
AWS Skill Builder free tier covers fundamentals. Paid courses (Maarek, Cantrill) go deeper with practice exams and real-world scenarios that better prepare you for the actual exam.
How long to prepare for SA Associate?
2–4 months at 10–15 hours/week for most candidates. Those with cloud experience can prepare in 4–6 weeks.
Is the AWS Free Tier enough for labs?
For Cloud Practitioner and most SA Associate topics, yes. Be careful with services that charge beyond free tier limits — set billing alerts.