9 Best Cloud Computing Courses to learn in 2024
Hello folks, Cloud Computing is becoming an essential skill for any Software developer or IT professional today as more and more companies are moving towards Cloud for their infrastructure and service needs.
It pays to learn Cloud Computing today as the most likely application will be solely built and deployed in the cloud in the future.
No matter what your role is, if you are working in technology, cloud computing is going to affect you, one way or another.
Anyway, if you want to learn cloud computing then you have come to the right place, in this article, I am going to share some of the best courses to learn Cloud computing basics in general and with AWS and GCP in particular.
To be honest, I have had a tough time finding an excellent course to learn Cloud Computing, after trying a handful of courses on Udemy, Pluralsight, Educative, and Coursera, I have finally zeroed down into following five directions to learn the basics of Cloud Computing.
These courses provide a broad introduction to all aspects of cloud computing, but before going to see these courses let’s first understand what is cloud and what benefit it provides? What problem does cloud solve, and why is there so much buzz about it?
Well, Cloud has a different meaning for different people and is also used to refer to different things in a different context, but in general, the cloud means a host of services that are ready to use for your application. There are many Cloud service provider companies like AWS (Amazon Web Service), GCP (Google Cloud Platform), and Microsoft Azure, which provides these services.
Now, what are those services? Well, these could be servers, networks, storage, computing power, and other infra-related services commonly offered and referred to as IaaS (Infrastructure as service).
There are other cloud models as well, like PaaS (Platform as Service) and SaaS (Software as service) which is nothing but Cloud application and very popular for building online products and startups, but let’s focus on IaaS first to understand the benefits provided by Cloud.
Not long ago, in order to host a real-world E-commerce application, you need to buy servers, networks, storage and need to set them up to your requirements like installing the required software and operating system. Most of the companies have their own Data Center where these servers are kept, and there was a high cost involved to keep those data center running.
It was just initial time and cost for setting up the server, but also their utilization was poor; for example, secondary servers are often idle just wasting that precious CPU and memory power. The effect was more evident on big companies which own thousands of servers across multiple data center on the world.
Amazon was one such company, which quickly realize that by using virtualization, they can use the computing power of their infrastructure, and that gives birth to the cloud.
In the cloud, you can spin up a server, database, network very quickly with just some clicks and you will only be charged for whatever you use. So this solves the problem of setup, utilization, and scalability.
Top 9 Online Courses to Learn Cloud Computing for Beginners
Now that you know what cloud is and what benefits it offers in terms of cost, ease of setup, efficiency, and scalability, it’s time to deep dive and goes through these online training courses, which will help you to learn Cloud Computing fundamentals better.
1. Introduction to Cloud Computing on AWS for Beginners by Neal Davis
When I started learning about Cloud, it was a very abstract thing for me; I wasn’t able to understand what the cloud is and why everyone is talking about the cloud. It was like a person without a face, but when I learned about AWS, I could co-relate various cloud concepts very quickly.
So, AWS is like putting a face on Cloud, and that’s why I recommend this course for anyone starting to learn about Cloud.
This course explains key concepts of clouds like Iaas, PaaS, and Saas with examples from AWS, which makes it easy to learn what Cloud is and what benefits it offer.
Knowing AWS is also a plus because it’s one of the most popular Cloud platforms, and your experience with AWS will also boost your CV for any AWS job or for a developer job where AWS skills are desired.
Here is the link to join this course — Introduction to Cloud Computing with Amazon Web Services
2. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 Exam Prep Specialization [Coursera]
Whether you want to learn Cloud Computing basics or want to prepare for the Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 exam, this course is perfect to start your Cloud computing journey.
This course is offered by Microsoft itself and it's perfect to launch your career in cloud computing and prepare for the Azure Fundamental exam.
This Microsoft certification course consists of four courses that will act as a bedrock of fundamental knowledge to prepare you for the AZ-900 certification exam and for a career in the cloud.
This program will provide foundational level knowledge on Microsoft Azure concepts; core Microsoft Azure services; core solutions and management tools; general security and network security; governance, privacy, and compliance features; Microsoft Azure cost management, and service level agreements.
Overall, an ideal cloud computing and Azure course for IT personnel just beginning to work with Microsoft Azure or anyone wanting to learn about it.
Here is the link to join this program — Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 Exam Prep Specialization
3. Cloud Computing Fundamentals: Cloud Concepts [Pluralsight]
Some of you might know that I also have Pluralsight membership and it's one of my favorite places for online learning.
So, when I started learning about Cloud Computing in general and AWS in particular, I looked into Pluralsight for some learning material and get hooked to this course.
This course provides a good overview of cloud platforms, including Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, as well as private clouds (bringing cloud technology on-premises).
This course will also teach you the basics of cloud computing including the core features of cloud technologies, including cloud deployment models, networking concepts, storage types, and cloud design.
By the time you’re done, you’ll know what cloud computing is all about and be ready to start exploring specific implementations.
Here is the link to join this course — Cloud Computing Fundamentals: Cloud Concepts
So, if you have Pluralsight membership, this course is for you. If you don’t have a membership, it’s worth getting as you get access to almost 6000+ top-quality courses for just $29/month or $299/year. If you want to try, you can also get access to this course for free by taking their 10-day free trial.
4. Getting Started with Cloud Computing — Level 1 [Udemy]
This is another beginner-level Udemy course on Cloud Computing, which I often recommend to my readers.
This course will provide you with a fundamental understanding of what cloud computing is and explains the essential characteristics of cloud computing.
It also explains 3 main services models like IaaS (Infrastructure as Service), SaaS (Software as Service), and PaaS (Platform as Service), along with 4 cloud deployment models like private, public, hybrid, and community model.
On top of that, you will learn the key benefits of public cloud services like AWS, GCP, and Microsoft Azure. Overall an excellent Cloud computing beginner course for anyone who is just starting off.
Here is the link to join this course — Getting Started with Cloud Computing — Level 1
5. Cloud Computing Concepts by Coursera
This is one of the best online courses to learn about Cloud Computing on Coursera. I strongly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn the basics of cloud computing.
The course material is excellent, and instructor Indranil Gupta is phenomenal. He is exceptionally thorough, and his delivery is excellent as well, which makes learning a joyful experience.
On top of this, exams are marvelous and help you to retain the knowledge you have learned. This course is also part of Coursera’s Cloud Computing Specialization, which is nothing but a collection of some individual sessions to learn different areas of Cloud computing.
Here is the link to join this course — Cloud Computing Concepts by Coursera
This course is also part of the 100% online Master in Computer Science degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. If you have joined the full program, your course will also count towards your degree learning as well.
For online learners, this specialization provides a self-paced learning option, practice quizzes, graded assignments with peer feedback, graded quizzes, and sharable certificates, which you can put on your LinkedIn profile.
6. Ultimate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate 2024!
To be honest with you, this is the course that teaches you most about cloud and cloud computing to me.
I learned most when I started preparing for the AWS Certified Solution Architect exam; unfortunately, I couldn’t carry on and need to drop in the middle as I didn’t have any time to progress further with exams, but taking this course was the best decision for me.
The instructor Stephane Maarek is one of the well-known Cloud experts and also an AWS Hero which is quite right given their extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of AWS Cloud. They also hold most of the AWS cloud certification you can think of.
Here is the link to join this course —Ultimate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate 2024!
This is one of the best course to pass the AWS Solutions Architect — Associate Exam, but it also teaches you a lot of small details about cloud computing with AWS. You learn how the services you use on a daily basis on the cloud works like S3, IAM, etc.
Talking about the social proof, this course has, on average, 4.5 ratings from 132,775 ratings and 417,354 students enrolled, which is massive for any stretch of the imagination. No doubt that this course is the best-seller on Udemy, and most of the AWS-certified people I have met have taken this course.
7. AWS Fundamentals Specialization [Coursera Best AWS Course]
If you are looking for a Coursera course to learn Cloud Computing with Amazon Web Service then this AWS Fundamentals Specialization, offered by AWS itself is a great program to start with.
This Coursera certification program provides a nice overview of the features, benefits, and capabilities of Amazon Web Services (AWS).
This Coursera AWS Specialization contains four online courses to give you a detailed understanding of core AWS services, key AWS security concepts, strategies for migrating from on-premises to AWS, and the basics of building server less applications with AWS.
Additionally, you will have opportunities to practice whatever you have learned by completing labs and exercises developed by AWS technical instructors. This makes it the best AWS course for beginners on Coursera, and I highly recommend it to people who want to learn Cloud Computing with AWS.
Here is the link to join this course — AWS Fundamentals Specialization
By the way, if you find Coursera courses and specialization useful then you should also join the Coursera Plus, a subscription plan from Coursera which provides you unlimited access to their most popular courses, specialization, professional certificate, and guided projects. It cost around $399/year but its complete worth your money as you get unlimited certificates
8. GCP Associate Cloud Engineer — Google Cloud Certification
If you want to learn Cloud Computing with Google Cloud platform then its best you can start preparing for GCP Cloud Engineer certification and this course is perfect for that.
the “GCP Associate Cloud Engineer — Google Cloud Certification” course, a Udemy bestseller that also boasts a remarkable 4.6 rating from over 23,000 satisfied students.
With 26 sections, 291 lectures, and nearly 18 hours of content, this course is meticulously designed for beginners to Google Cloud, covering essential topics such as compute, networking, storage, and database services within the Google Cloud Platform.
The course, updated as of December 2023, provides a comprehensive overview and hands-on experience to understand how to engineer and deploy secure and robust applications in the Google Cloud environment.
For anyone aspiring to validate their expertise with Google Cloud Platform, particularly through the Associate Cloud Engineer Certification, this course proves to be an invaluable and highly recommended resource.
Here is the link to join this course — GCP Associate Cloud Engineer — Google Cloud Certification
9. Understanding Cloud Computing [Datacamp]
If you are looking for a short, yet engaging and hands-on course to learn Cloud Computing then you will love this course from Datacamp, one of the popular website to learn data skills and cloud computing skills in engaging way.
This 2-hour long short course contains 3 chapters (1st chapter is free) and provides non-coding introduction of Cloud Computing, like what they are? which problem they solve and how they make software developers and companies life easier.
Along the way, you will also learn key cloud computing concept, terminology and tools. You will learn why cloud provide a cheaper solution to run software in today’s world and also give piece of mind because many non-functional requirement like scalability, failover, and disaster recovery are taken by cloud.
Here is the link to join this course — Understanding Cloud Computing
By the way, you need a Datacamp plan to access this course. They have different plans like standard, professionals, and premium which allows access to all projects. I generally recommend the standard plan because it is right-priced and you get access to all the essentials to grow your data skills like 350+ courses, 14 career tracks, 50+ skill tracks, unlimited practice challenges, and live code along. It cost around $25/month on an annual plan and it’s totally worth it.
That’s all about some of the best online courses to learn Cloud Computing. There is no better time to learn Cloud computing than today, and I recommend every programmer to learn and get familiar with Cloud computing because no matter what you are doing, your job will be affected by clouds and if you don’t pay attention now, you will be left behind in future.
Just knowing about public cloud platforms like AWS, GCP, and Microsoft Azure will also help you to get a job quickly as more and companies are looking for professionals who can operate on these public clouds. In other words, Cloud Computing is a handy skill for IT professionals, and you should pay attention to it.
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Thanks for reading this article so far. If you like these Cloud Computing online courses, then please share them with your friends and colleagues. If you have any questions or feedback, then please drop a note.
P. S. — If you are new to the world of Cloud and AWS and looking for some free courses to learn Amazon Web Service, then you can also check this list of Free AWS Courses for Beginners.
