Which Azure Certification Should You Start With in 2025 - AZ-900 or AZ-104?

Table of Contents

• Understanding Microsoft Azure
• What is the AZ-900 Certification?
• What is the AZ-104 Certification?
• Key Differences Between AZ-900 and AZ-104
• Who Should Start with AZ-900?
• Who Should Start with AZ-104?
• Pros and Cons of Starting with AZ-900
• Pros and Cons of Starting with AZ-104
• Preparation Tips for AZ-900
• Preparation Tips for AZ-104
• Career Opportunities After These Certifications
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Understanding Microsoft Azure

Before we dive into the certifications, let's take a moment to talk about what Microsoft Azure actually is. Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing platform, essentially a huge collection of online services that help businesses build, deploy, and manage applications without needing their own physical servers. Think of it like renting space in a massive data center that's always available, scalable, and secure.

In 2025, Azure continues to grow rapidly, powering everything from simple websites to complex AI-driven systems. It's part of the broader cloud ecosystem alongside competitors like AWS and Google Cloud, but Azure stands out for its seamless integration with other Microsoft products like Windows, Office 365, and Active Directory. If you're new to cloud tech, don't worry Azure uses straightforward concepts like virtual machines (which are like digital computers) and storage blobs (fancy terms for file storage in the cloud).

Why pursue Azure certifications now? Well, the job market is booming. According to recent reports, cloud skills are in high demand, with roles like cloud administrators and architects offering competitive salaries. Starting with the right certification can set you up for success, but choosing poorly might leave you frustrated. That's why comparing AZ-900 and AZ-104 is so important they represent different entry levels into this world.

What is the AZ-900 Certification?

The AZ-900, officially known as Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, is designed as an entry-level certification. It's perfect for those who want to get their feet wet in cloud computing without diving too deep right away. This exam focuses on the basics: what cloud computing means, how Azure works, and some core services.

From what I've seen in the latest Microsoft docs, the AZ-900 covers topics like cloud concepts (such as public, private, and hybrid clouds), Azure architecture and services (think compute, networking, and storage), and management tools for governance and security. It's not about hands-on coding or complex setups; instead, it's more about understanding the big picture.

The exam itself is straightforward. It typically includes around 40-60 questions, lasts about 60 minutes (though practice assessments are 45 minutes), and requires a passing score of 700 out of 1000. There's no prerequisite experience needed, making it accessible for beginners. The cost varies by region but is generally around $99 USD. In 2025, there haven't been major updates, but Microsoft keeps the content fresh with minor tweaks to reflect new Azure features.

If you're coming from a non-tech background, like sales or project management, AZ-900 helps you speak the language of cloud pros. It's a great confidence builder too I remember passing it and feeling like I finally "got" what the cloud hype was about.

What is the AZ-104 Certification?

Moving up a notch, the AZ-104 is the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate exam. This one is aimed at folks who already have some IT experience and want to prove they can handle day-to-day Azure operations. It's more hands-on and practical compared to AZ-900.

Key areas include managing Azure identities and governance (like user access with Microsoft Entra ID), implementing storage solutions, deploying compute resources (such as virtual machines), handling virtual networking, and monitoring resources. You'll need familiarity with tools like PowerShell, Azure CLI, and the Azure portal  these are command-line and web-based interfaces for managing Azure.

The exam format is a bit tougher: expect 40-60 questions over 100 minutes, with the same passing score of 700. While there are no formal prerequisites, Microsoft recommends experience with operating systems, networking, and virtualization. The cost is higher, around $165 USD, reflecting its associate-level status. For 2025, the skills outline remains stable, but always check for any beta updates on the Microsoft Learn site.

If you've worked with servers or networks before, AZ-104 feels like a natural step. It's where you start applying concepts to real scenarios, like setting up a secure virtual network or backing up data.

Key Differences Between AZ-900 and AZ-104

Now that we've covered the basics of each, let's highlight what sets them apart. AZ-900 is all about foundational knowledge, while AZ-104 dives into implementation and management. To make this clearer, here's a comparison table:

As you can see, the jump from AZ-900 to AZ-104 is significant in terms of depth. If you're unsure, many experts in 2025 recommend starting with AZ-900 to build a solid base before tackling AZ-104.

Who Should Start with AZ-900?

If you're completely new to cloud computing, AZ-900 is your best bet. This includes students, career changers, or professionals in non-IT fields like marketing or finance who want to understand Azure for better collaboration with tech teams.

• Beginners with no prior IT experience
• Those seeking a quick win to boost confidence
• Non-technical roles needing cloud literacy
• Anyone exploring Azure as a hobby or side skill

In my experience, starting here prevents burnout. It introduces terms like IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service—renting servers) and PaaS (Platform as a Service—ready-made environments for apps) without overwhelming you.

Who Should Start with AZ-104?

On the other hand, if you have some background in IT, skip straight to AZ-104. This is ideal for system admins, network engineers, or developers who've dabbled in cloud or on-premises setups.

• IT professionals with 6-12 months of experience
• Those familiar with networking and servers
• People aiming for administrator roles quickly
• Experienced pros transitioning from other clouds like AWS

AZ-104 builds on existing knowledge, so jumping in can accelerate your career if you're ready.

Pros and Cons of Starting with AZ-900

Let's weigh the upsides and downsides.

Pros:

• Easy entry point for absolute beginners
• Builds foundational knowledge that applies to all Azure certs
• Lower cost and shorter study time
• Great for resumes as a starting credential

Cons:

• May feel too basic if you have IT experience
• Doesn't delve into practical skills
• Less impressive to employers for technical roles

Pros and Cons of Starting with AZ-104

Similarly, for AZ-104:

Pros:

• Direct path to in-demand admin skills
• More valuable for job applications
• Hands-on focus prepares you for real work
• Saves time if you're experienced

Cons:

• Can be overwhelming for true beginners
• Higher cost and longer prep time
• Assumes prior knowledge, leading to gaps if skipped

Preparation Tips for AZ-900

Getting ready for AZ-900 is manageable with the right approach. Start with Microsoft Learn's free modules—they're interactive and bite-sized.

• Use the official study guide from Microsoft
• Watch free YouTube tutorials for visual explanations
• Practice with sample questions on sites like Exam-Labs
• Join online communities like Reddit's r/AZURE for tips
• Aim for 2-4 weeks of study if part-time

Focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing. For example, learn why Azure Regions (data centers worldwide) matter for compliance and performance.

Preparation Tips for AZ-104

For AZ-104, you'll need more hands-on practice. Sign up for a free Azure trial account to experiment.

• Complete Microsoft Learn paths for Azure admins
• Practice labs on platforms like A Cloud Guru or Pluralsight
• Master PowerShell and CLI commands
• Take mock exams to simulate the real thing
• Plan for 1-3 months of dedicated study

Real-world tip: Set up a virtual machine in Azure and configure networking—this mirrors exam scenarios.

Career Opportunities After These Certifications

AZ-900 can lead to entry-level roles like cloud support specialist or junior consultant. It's a stepping stone to higher certs like AZ-104 or even AZ-305 (Solutions Architect).

With AZ-104, you're primed for Azure Administrator jobs, which often pay $80,000-$120,000 USD annually in 2025, depending on location. It opens doors to DevOps, security, or data roles too.

In the Azure certification path, Microsoft recommends AZ-900 first for most, but experienced folks can jump ahead. Either way, these certs boost your LinkedIn profile and job prospects.

Conclusion

To wrap things up, choosing between AZ-900 and AZ-104 in 2025 depends on your background and goals. If you're new to cloud, start with AZ-900 to build a strong foundation it's accessible, affordable, and sets you up for success. For those with IT experience, AZ-104 offers practical skills that employers value right away. Remember, certifications are just one part of your journey; combine them with hands-on practice and networking. Whichever you pick, you're investing in a future-proof skill set. Good luck  you've got this!

Frequently Asked Question(FAQ)

What is the main difference between AZ-900 and AZ-104?

The AZ-900 focuses on basic cloud concepts and Azure overview, while AZ-104 emphasizes practical management of Azure resources like storage and networking.

Do I need any prior experience for AZ-900?

No, AZ-900 has no prerequisites and is designed for beginners.

Is AZ-104 suitable for complete beginners?

Not really; it's better if you have some IT background, as it assumes familiarity with basic concepts.

How long does it take to prepare for AZ-900?

Typically 2-4 weeks of part-time study, depending on your pace.

What is the passing score for these exams?

Both require 700 out of 1000 points to pass.

Can I skip AZ-900 and go straight to AZ-104?

Yes, if you have relevant experience, but AZ-900 can help fill knowledge gaps.

How much does AZ-900 cost?

Around $99 USD, varying by region.

What tools do I need to know for AZ-104?

Azure Portal, PowerShell, Azure CLI, and Resource Manager templates.

Are there free resources for studying AZ-900?

Yes, Microsoft Learn offers free modules and practice assessments.

Does AZ-104 require hands-on labs?

Highly recommended; use a free Azure account for practice.

What jobs can I get with AZ-900?

Entry-level roles like cloud support or junior Azure consultant.

Is AZ-104 worth it in 2025?

Absolutely, as Azure admin skills are in high demand.

How often do these exams update?

Microsoft reviews them periodically; check the official site for changes.

Can I take these exams online?

Yes, through Pearson VUE with proctoring.

What is the exam format for AZ-900?

Multiple-choice questions, possibly with interactive elements.

Does AZ-104 cover security?

Yes, including identity management and governance.

Are there study groups for these certs?

Yes, communities on Reddit, LinkedIn, and Microsoft forums.

What if I fail the exam?

You can retake after 24 hours, with policies for multiple attempts.

Is AZ-900 a prerequisite for AZ-104?

No, it's not required, but recommended for beginners.

How does AZ-104 fit into the Azure career path?

It's a key step toward expert-level certs like AZ-305.