AZ-900 vs. AZ-104: Which Microsoft Azure Certification is Right for Beginners?

Microsoft Azure is one of the leading cloud computing platforms, and earning an Azure certification can significantly boost your career. If you’re considering getting certified, you might be wondering: Should I take AZ-900 or AZ-104?

AZ-900 (Microsoft Azure Fundamentals) and AZ-104 (Microsoft Azure Administrator) are two of the most popular Azure certifications. However, they serve different purposes and are designed for different levels of expertise. This guide provides a detailed comparison to help you decide which exam best fits your goals.

1. What Are AZ-900 and AZ-104? An Overview of Both Certifications

Before comparing the two exams, let’s understand their purpose and target audience:

• AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
  • Ideal for beginners with little or no experience in cloud computing.
  • Focuses on basic cloud concepts, Azure services, pricing, and security.
  • No prior technical knowledge is required.
• AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator
  • Designed for IT professionals who manage Azure resources.
  • Covers more technical topics such as networking, identity management, and monitoring.
  • Requires hands-on experience with Azure administration.

Now, let’s break down their differences in more detail.

2. AZ-900 vs. AZ-104: A Side-by-Side Comparison of Key Differences

3. AZ-900 vs. AZ-104: Detailed Breakdown of Exam Objectives

AZ-900 Exam: What You’ll Learn in the Azure Fundamentals Certification

The AZ-900 exam tests your understanding of basic cloud computing principles and Azure services:

• Cloud Concepts (25-30%) – Understanding cloud computing models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), benefits of cloud, and deployment models.
• Azure Core Services (15-20%) – Introduction to Azure compute, networking, storage, and databases.
• Security, Privacy, Compliance, and Trust (25-30%) – Overview of identity management, security controls, and compliance tools in Azure.
• Azure Pricing, SLAs, and Lifecycle (20-25%) – Cost management, Azure billing, support plans, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

AZ-104 Exam: What You’ll Learn in the Azure Administrator Certification

The AZ-104 exam covers practical, hands-on Azure administration tasks and requires real-world experience:

Monitoring and Maintaining Azure Resources (10-15%) – Performance monitoring, Azure logs, and troubleshooting.

Managing Azure Identities and Governance (15-20%) – Azure Active Directory (AAD), Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), and policy management.

Implementing and Managing Storage (15-20%) – Azure Blob Storage, file shares, backups, and replication.

Deploying and Managing Compute Resources (20-25%) – Virtual Machines (VMs), containers, Azure App Services, and availability sets.

Configuring and Managing Virtual Networking (15-20%) – Virtual Networks (VNets), VPNs, DNS, firewalls, and security groups.

4. Which Certification is Right for You? How to Choose Between AZ-900 and AZ-104

Who Should Take the AZ-900 Certification?

• Absolute beginners in cloud computing.
• Business professionals, sales teams, and decision-makers working with Azure.
• Students and fresh graduates exploring cloud careers.
• Developers who want to understand cloud basics before diving into Azure administration.

Who Should Take the AZ-104 Certification?

• IT professionals who actively manage Azure environments.
• System administrators looking to transition into cloud-based roles.
• Cloud engineers, DevOps specialists, and infrastructure architects.
• Candidates preparing for more advanced Azure certifications like AZ-305 (Azure Solutions Architect Expert).

5. Career Benefits of AZ-900 and AZ-104: How Each Certification Helps Your Career

How AZ-900 Certification Can Boost Your Career

• Provides foundational knowledge of Azure and cloud computing.
• Helps professionals in non-technical roles understand cloud concepts.
• Adds credibility to business analysts, project managers, and marketing teams working with Azure.
• Serves as a starting point for advanced Azure certifications like AZ-104, AZ-204 (Developer), or AZ-305.

How AZ-104 Certification Can Boost Your Career

• Qualifies you for Azure Administrator and other cloud-focused roles.
• Helps secure higher-paying IT jobs such as Cloud Engineer, System Administrator, or DevOps Specialist.
• Provides a stepping stone for Azure Expert-Level Certifications like Azure Solutions Architect (AZ-305).

Average Salary Comparisons

• AZ-900: Entry-level cloud roles ($50,000 – $80,000/year).
• AZ-104: IT administrator or cloud administrator roles ($80,000 – $120,000/year).

6. How to Prepare for AZ-900 and AZ-104: Study Resources and Exam Tips

Best Study Strategies for AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

• Start with Microsoft Learn’s free modules on Azure basics.
• Watch free YouTube tutorials explaining Azure concepts.
• Take AZ-900 practice tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format.
• Read Microsoft’s official Azure Fundamentals Study Guide.

Best Study Strategies for AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator

• Gain hands-on experience by using the Azure portal to deploy and manage resources.
• Enroll in online courses from platforms like Udemy, Pluralsight, or LinkedIn Learning.
• Read Microsoft’s official documentation and hands-on labs for deeper learning.
• Take AZ-104 practice exams to identify knowledge gaps and improve test readiness.

7. Final Decision: Should You Take AZ-900 or AZ-104?

• Choose AZ-900 if you are new to Azure and cloud computing.
• Choose AZ-104 if you already work in IT and want to specialize in Azure administration.
• If you are unsure, start with AZ-900, then move on to AZ-104 when you feel ready.

Both certifications are valuable and open doors to cloud computing careers. Whichever you choose, continuous learning and hands-on experience will help you succeed in the Microsoft Azure ecosystem.

Conclusion: Kickstart Your Cloud Journey with the Right Certification

AZ-900 and AZ-104 are stepping stones to a successful cloud career. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced IT professional, earning a Microsoft Azure certification can help you stand out in the competitive job market.

Start your journey today—good luck on your exam! 🚀