A side-by-side comparison of 36 professional certifications across Project Management, Cloud & Platform, Networking, Cybersecurity, Data & AI, Finance & Accounting, IT Service Management, Software Development. Compare verified vendor examination formats, passing rules, renewal requirements, and domain outlines.
| Attribute | AWS SAA Amazon Web Services (AWS) | AWS SAP Amazon Web Services (AWS) | Azure AZ-104 Microsoft | Azure AZ-305 Microsoft | GCP Architect Google Cloud | AWS DevOps Pro Amazon Web Services (AWS) | Terraform Associate HashiCorp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Title | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional | Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) | Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) | Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect | AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional | HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate |
| Issuing Body | Amazon Web Services (AWS) | Amazon Web Services (AWS) | Microsoft | Microsoft | Google Cloud | Amazon Web Services (AWS) | HashiCorp |
| Credential Tier | Associate | Professional | Associate | Expert | Professional | Professional | Associate |
| Domain Area | Cloud & Platform | Cloud & Platform | Cloud & Platform | Cloud & Platform | Cloud & Platform | Cloud & Platform | Cloud & Platform |
| Exam Format | A proctored multiple-choice exam — multiple response and multiple choice — drawn from the AWS published blueprint, covering design across the pillar services and cross-cutting concerns. | A proctored multiple-choice exam with scenario-heavy items covering the professional blueprint, with more complex multi-service architecture decisions than the associate level. | A proctored role-based exam with scenario items and case studies covering the skills measured for the Azure Administrator Associate role. | A proctored role-based exam with scenarios and case studies covering the skills measured for the Azure Solutions Architect Expert role, including an earned prerequisite certification. | A proctored exam of scenario-based multiple-choice and multi-select items covering the professional cloud architect blueprint. | A proctored multiple-choice exam with scenario items covering the DevOps engineer professional blueprint, spanning code, infrastructure, monitoring and operations. | A proctored exam combining multiple-choice with hands-on lab items in a Terraform environment, covering the published objectives. |
| Penalty Rule | Set by the issuer — most vendor exams apply none | Set by the issuer — most vendor exams apply none | Set by the issuer — most vendor exams apply none | Set by the issuer — most vendor exams apply none | Set by the issuer — most vendor exams apply none | Set by the issuer — most vendor exams apply none | Set by the issuer — most vendor exams apply none |
| Validity Period | AWS recertifies every credential on a cycle through a free exam, and the required recertification window is published in the AWS certification policies. | Recertification follows AWS's published cycle for the credential through a free exam. | Credentials renew annually through a free online renewal assessment, as Microsoft publishes in its certification policy. | Credentials renew annually through the free online renewal assessment. | Google Cloud credentials renew every two years through a renewal assessment, per its published certification policy. | Recertification follows AWS's published cycle for the credential. | HashiCorp credentials are valid for two years and renewed by passing the associated recertification exam, per its published policy. |
| Prerequisites | AWS does not impose formal prerequisites for this level; it is recommended as a foundation before the professional exams. AWS publishes recommendations rather than eligibility rules. | AWS recommends the associate certification in the same family before attempting this level; it is a recommendation, not a formal prerequisite. | Microsoft publishes no formal prerequisites for role-based Associate certifications; preparation is expected to match the skills measured. | Microsoft requires an earned prerequisite certification for this expert level. Read the current requirements on Microsoft's certification site for the prerequisite that applies. | Google Cloud does not impose formal prerequisites for this level; it publishes the experience it recommends before attempting the exam. | AWS recommends the associate and professional developer or sysops certifications as preparation; these are recommendations rather than enforced prerequisites. | HashiCorp publishes no formal prerequisites for this credential; it expects working familiarity with infrastructure as code. |
| Official Domains | 5 domains (Design Secure Architectures, Design Resilient Architectures...) | 4 domains (Design multi-account architectures and migration strategy, Design resilient and secure architectures...) | 5 domains (Manage Azure identities and governance, Implement and manage storage...) | 4 domains (Design governance, management and billing structures, Design network and connectivity architectures...) | 4 domains (Designing network and storage architectures, Designing compute and solution architectures...) | 4 domains (Software development lifecycle and version control, Infrastructure as code and configuration management...) | 4 domains (Terraform fundamentals and workflow, State management and lifecycle...) |
| Actions | View Blueprint → | View Blueprint → | View Blueprint → | View Blueprint → | View Blueprint → | View Blueprint → | View Blueprint → |
PMP, PMI-ACP and the practitioner-level agile and process exams.
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Data engineering, machine learning and analytics platforms at professional level.
Professional accounting, investment and risk qualifications.
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