Free Courses From Microsoft, Google and AWS: What’s Free and Where to Start
Yes, Microsoft, Google and AWS all teach for free. Microsoft Learn, Google Skills (formerly Google Cloud Skills Boost) and AWS Skill Builder give away thousands of self-paced courses; you pay only for proctored certification exams, typically US$99 to US$200. Start with Microsoft’s “Get started with AI applications and agents”, Google’s “Introduction to Generative AI” or AWS’s “Cloud Practitioner Essentials”, depending on which cloud your company runs.
The three biggest cloud companies spend a fortune teaching people to use their platforms, because trained users buy more. That is good news for you: almost everything they teach is free. The catch is working out what is free, what is paid, and which of the thousands of courses to open first.
Is Microsoft Learn really free?
Yes. Every self-paced learning path and module is free, and so are the certification practice assessments. The paid part is the certification exam, whose fee depends on the country you sit it in.
- Get started with AI applications and agents on Azure (Microsoft Learn). A seven-module path covering generative AI, agents, text, speech, vision and knowledge retrieval in Microsoft Foundry. Beginner · Free
- Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals (Microsoft Learn). An entry-level certification proving you understand AI workloads and can build simple AI solutions with Microsoft Foundry. Beginner · Exam AI-901; fee varies by country
- Automate a business process using Power Automate (Microsoft Learn). Learning path covering flows, approvals, multiple data sources, AI Builder and flow administration. Beginner · 7 modules · Free
- GitHub Copilot Fundamentals Part 1 of 2 (Microsoft Learn). Learn how to use GitHub Copilot, the AI pair programmer, to write and understand code faster. Free
- Automate processes with Robotic Process Automation and Power Automate for desktop (Microsoft Learn). Use desktop flows and AI Builder to automate an end-to-end invoice-processing solution. Intermediate · 8 modules · Free
- Get started with Power Automate (Microsoft Learn). Build your first cloud flows, such as saving email attachments and sending yourself reminders. Beginner · 9 units · Free
Microsoft also runs AI Skills Navigator for personalised AI paths, and a separate Educator Center for teachers.
What is free on Google Skills?
Many of its ~3,000 courses and labs are free, including the Generative AI Leader path and skill badges; developers get free monthly lab credits. Google Skills replaced Google Cloud Skills Boost in 2025; old links still work.
- Introduction to Generative AI (Google Skills). A short course explaining what generative AI is, how it is used and how it differs from traditional machine learning. Beginner · 45 minutes · Free
- Introduction to Large Language Models (Google Skills). Learn what large language models are, where they are useful and how prompt tuning improves their results. Beginner · 1 hour · Free
- Beginner: Introduction to Generative AI (Google Skills). A beginner learning path of short courses on generative AI, large language models and responsible AI, with skill badges. Beginner · Free
- Beginner: Introduction to Generative AI (Intro to Gen AI). A short learning path explaining generative AI, large language models and responsible AI, with skill badges on completion. Beginner · Free
- Introduction to Generative AI (Intro to Gen AI). A micro-course on what generative AI is, how it works and how it differs from traditional machine learning. Beginner · 45 minutes · Free
For marketers, Google Skillshop is separate and free, including Google Ads certifications. For career certificates, Grow with Google runs paid programmes with a seven-day trial and financial aid.
What does AWS give away?
More than 900 free self-paced digital courses; the paid subscription adds labs, games and extra exam prep. Students and complete beginners can also use AWS Educate, which needs only an email address.
- Introduction to Generative AI - Art of the Possible (Skill Builder). An introduction to generative AI, its use cases, risks and benefits, illustrated with a content-generation example. Beginner · 1 hour · Free
- Machine Learning Essentials for Business and Technical Decision Makers (Skill Builder). Learn how to judge whether machine learning suits a business problem and what an organisation needs to adopt it. Beginner · 1.5 hours · Free
- AWS Certified AI Practitioner (Skill Builder). A foundational certification validating your knowledge of AI, machine learning and generative AI concepts on AWS. Beginner · 90-minute exam · Exam US$100
Which cloud should I learn first?
The one your company already pays for. A Microsoft 365 office gets the most from Microsoft Learn and Copilot; a Google Workspace office from Google Skills; an engineering team on AWS from Skill Builder. If you have no preference, AWS’s Cloud Practitioner is the most widely recognised entry-level cloud certificate, and Google’s Generative AI Leader is the most business-friendly AI one.
| Microsoft Learn | Google Skills | AWS Skill Builder | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning | Free | Many courses free | 900+ courses free |
| Entry AI certification | Azure AI Fundamentals (fee by country) | Generative AI Leader, US$99 | AI Practitioner, US$100 |
| Free badges | Achievements, Applied Skills | Skill badges | Digital badges on some courses |
| Best first course | AI apps and agents on Azure | Introduction to Generative AI | Cloud Practitioner Essentials |
How do I avoid paying for the exam?
Ask first. Many employers and partner companies reimburse exams, and all three vendors run free-voucher events for training days and students. Study with the free material, and only pay when a role or client needs the certificate.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Learn free?
Yes. Every self-paced module and learning path on Microsoft Learn is free, including practice assessments. Only proctored certification exams are paid.
Is Google Cloud Skills Boost still free?
It is now called Google Skills. Many of its courses, labs and skill badges are free; proctored Google Cloud certifications are paid, for example Generative AI Leader at US$99.
Are AWS courses free?
AWS Skill Builder has more than 900 free self-paced courses, and AWS Educate is free for students and beginners. The Cloud Practitioner and AI Practitioner exams cost US$100 each.
Which is best for AI: Microsoft, Google or AWS?
Pick the one your organisation uses. For business users, Google's Generative AI Leader path and Microsoft's Copilot learning are the most practical; for builders, AWS and Azure both have strong free AI courses.
Can I get a free certificate from Microsoft or Google?
You can earn free badges and achievements on both. Formal certifications are paid exams, although vendor events and employers sometimes provide free vouchers.
Not sure where to start? Tell the free learning guide what you do; it builds a path from 402 official courses.
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