Choosing between AZ-204 and SAA-C03 isn’t just about picking a cloud cert, it’s about deciding which direction you want your development career to grow. Whether you’re a hands-on developer who loves writing code or someone leaning into cloud architecture and infrastructure design, these two certifications offer distinct paths in two of the biggest platforms out there: Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services.
With both certs in high demand and cloud skills more critical than ever, understanding the real differences between them can help you make a smarter, faster choice that fits your role, goals, and workflow.
AZ-204 vs SAA-C03
| Feature | AZ-204 (Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure) | SAA-C03 (AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate) |
| Full Name | Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate |
| Cloud Provider | Microsoft Azure | Amazon Web Services (AWS) |
| Exam Code | AZ-204 | SAA-C03 |
| Focus Area | Cloud application development and deployment | Designing distributed systems and cloud architecture |
| Prerequisites | Basic programming and Azure experience | One year of experience in designing distributed AWS systems |
| Difficulty Level | Intermediate | Intermediate to Advanced |
| Topics Covered | Azure compute, storage, security, APIs, DevOps | AWS compute, networking, storage, databases, cost optimization |
| Job Roles | Azure Developer Associate, Cloud Engineer, Software Developer, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure Administrator Associate | AWS Solutions Architect, Cloud Consultant, DevOps Engineer, AWS Certified Developer |
| Validity | 1 year | 3 years |
| Cost | Approx. $165 | Approx. $150 |
| Ideal For | Developers building cloud-based apps on Azure | Architects designing scalable AWS solutions |
AZ-204 vs SAA-C03: Which Cloud Cert Actually Makes Sense for You as a Developer?
So here’s the deal. You’re eyeing a cloud career, you write code, maybe deploy apps, maybe even mess with CI/CD stuff, and become microsoft certified . But now you’re stuck between two popular certs: AZ-204 from Microsoft and SAA-C03 from AWS. One’s for Azure developers, the other’s for AWS solution architects. Yeah, different names, but they get compared a lot—and for good reason.
If you’re wondering which one gives better returns, fits your background, or just feels like less of a brain-fry, you’re in the right place. Let’s break it all down without sounding like a brochure.
So, What’s the Actual Difference Between AZ-204 and SAA-C03?
These two certs come from very different angles.
AZ-204, which corresponds to the azure developer associate certification, is for people who build stuff on Azure storage. Think functions, containers, APIs, storage integration, maybe throw in a bit of monitoring and DevOps. It expects you to actually know how to code, C#, Python, Node.js… that kind of thing.
SAA-C03, which is one of the prominent aws certifications, leans into the architecture side of AWS. It’s less about writing lines of code and more about picking the right AWS service for the job. You’ll be expected to understand how to design scalable, reliable systems. Not much coding, but lots of design patterns, networking, security, cost optimization, and high availability concepts.
If you’re hands-on with code, AZ-204 feels more aligned and is a key cloud certification. If you’re more about structuring systems and connecting pieces, SAA-C03 might feel like home.
SAA-C03 vs AZ-204 Salary: What’s the Payoff?
Let’s just call it what it is, everyone wants to know which one pays better.
Here’s what we’re seeing:
- SAA-C03 certified folks in the U.S. usually land between $120K–$160K, depending on role and experience.
- AZ-204 certified devs hit somewhere in the $95K–$135K range.
But numbers lie if you don’t know what you’re comparing. A mid-level Azure developer might be earning less than an AWS architect simply because the job scope is different. Also, SAA-C03 cert holders often end up in higher-level roles, even with less coding.
If you’re aiming to stay technical and build stuff, AZ-204 will get you in the door fast. If you’re cool stepping back and designing infrastructure (and maybe leading teams down the line), SAA-C03 leads to those higher-paying architect gigs.
Which One’s Easier to Pass?
Okay, let’s talk about brain-pain in cloud computing.
AZ-204 is not easy, even though it’s a dev cert, and passing the certification exam requires significant preparation . You need hands-on Azure experience. It throws code snippets, storage configurations, logic apps, message queues, and monitoring solutions at you. If you’re not used to the Azure portal, this can feel like drinking from a firehose. If you’re prepping for AZ-204 and want to speed up review, check out AZ-204 exam dumps from Cert Empire, they focus on real-world Azure scenarios and current Microsoft modules.
SAA-C03 is tough too, but in a different way. It’s got less technical syntax and more “choose the best solution” type questions. Some questions feel vague AF unless you’ve built stuff on AWS. But once you get the concepts, it’s not that bad. For sharper prep on tricky AWS architecture patterns, SAA-C03 exam dumps can help you get comfortable with the actual question format
If you’re more dev-focused, AZ-204 might feel easier because it aligns with what you already do. If you’re more theoretical or have experience with infra or sysadmin tasks, SAA-C03 may click quicker.
Study time? Expect:
- AZ-204: Around 2–3 months, if you have solid dev experience.
- SAA-C03: Around 1–2 months, especially if you’ve touched AWS before.
Devs Leaning Azure: Does AZ-204 Make More Sense?
Pretty much, yeah. If you’re already messing with Visual Studio, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, or anything Microsoft-related, AZ-204 fits like a glove. Microsoft makes it real easy to stay in their ecosystem, and that helps.
Also, Azure certs are super structured. You’ve got AZ-104 (admin), AZ-204 (dev), and then higher ones like AZ-305 or DevOps Expert. It’s easy to plan your path.
And for devs, AZ-204 hits the right level, not too high-level, not stuck in infra hell. If you’re considering this route seriously, AZ-204 Certification Guide breaks down every step—from what to study to how the exam feels. Just enough architecture to make you smarter, and just enough code to keep you comfy.
Devs Going AWS-First: Why SAA-C03 Could Be the Smarter Bet
If your projects or workplace already use AWS, SAA-C03 sets you up better than certification in implementing azure security . Devs that know how to use Lambda, API Gateway, S3, and DynamoDB fluently get hired fast.
SAA-C03 makes you understand how AWS services fit together. It’s like LEGO for cloud infra. If AWS feels like your home base, dive into AWS SAA-C03 Certification Exam Detail Guide to get a complete overview of what the cert covers and how to prepare efficiently. You’ll know what service to use where, and that’s huge for real-world apps.
And with AWS rolling out new features constantly, this cert keeps you updated in a good way. Also—if you plan to go full AWS with more certs later (DevOps Pro, Advanced Networking, etc.), SAA-C03 is the obvious first stop.
Which One Gets You Hired Faster?
Let’s be honest, some hiring managers just want that logo on your resume.
Right now:
- More job postings ask for SAA-C03 than AZ-204.
- But Azure jobs are growing faster, especially in government, finance, and healthcare.
If you’re looking to freelance or get into a startup, SAA-C03 might give you faster traction. If you’re gunning for stable, full-time jobs in traditional companies, AZ-204 is way more recognized there.
Some recruiters don’t even know what AZ-204 covers (but they know “Azure Dev” sounds cool). With SAA-C03, you might get calls just for passing the cert—even if your dev skills aren’t perfect.
Switching Careers? Pick Based on Where You’re Coming From
If you’re coming from frontend/backend dev, AZ-204 is a smoother ride. You’ll recognize the patterns, and the coding tasks won’t scare you.
If you’re coming from IT, sysadmin, or networking, SAA-C03 feels more natural. Less code, more infra design.
DevOps folks? Either one could work. But AZ-204 pairs better with Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions pipelines, while SAA-C03 slots nicely into AWS CodePipeline, CloudFormation, and Terraform workflows.
Awesome, let’s keep going and flesh this out past the 3000-word mark with more grounded commentary, hands-on comparisons, and a solid wrap-up that still doesn’t sound like a checklist.
How These Certs Actually Fit Into a Dev’s Workflow
Here’s something that gets glossed over a lot, how these certs, especially the azure certification, show up in real-life dev tasks.
With AZ-204, you’ll actually use what you learn. Let’s say you’re building a microservice, guess what? You’ll need to deploy it on Azure App Service or AKS, connect it to Cosmos DB or Blob Storage, manage secrets with Key Vault, and maybe trigger some background work with Azure Functions. AZ-204 makes you do this stuff.
Now with SAA-C03, the cert doesn’t really teach you how to build apps but it teaches you how to host, scale, and manage them right. You won’t write a Lambda function, but you’ll know that using one is cheaper than spinning up an EC2 instance. You’ll get that storing static content in S3 is cheaper than paying for a server. This kind of knowledge saves teams money and makes infra cleaner.
So, devs who like control and clean architecture? SAA-C03 gives you a mental map. Devs who like rolling up their sleeves and pushing code that hits real-world APIs and services? AZ-204 scratches that itch.
You Learn Differently With Each Exam
This part doesn’t get enough attention: your learning style might decide which cert you enjoy more.
If you like hands-on labs, writing code, debugging stuff, testing APIs, AZ-204 will click. Microsoft Learn has solid modules. Azure has a free tier. And you can spin up functions, queues, databases, and logic apps in minutes. You can literally follow the learning path while building out a whole sample project.
But if you’re more into watching videos, reading whitepapers, and understanding cloud design concepts, then SAA-C03 will feel more natural, as opposed to diving into azure solutions . ACloudGuru, Tutorials Dojo, and AWS SkillBuilder have tons of scenario-based training that mimics what the real test looks like. You’ll study a lot, but you won’t build as much.
Some devs get frustrated with AZ-204 because it throws too much config at you. Some get bored with SAA-C03 because it lacks coding. Totally depends on your vibe.
Cert Maintenance, Yeah, You Gotta Think About That
- AZ-204: Needs renewal every year. But the good news? It’s free, just a short assessment you can do online. Super chill.
- SAA-C03: Valid for 3 years. No free renewals, you’ll need to retake the latest version when it expires.
So if you hate the idea of regular recert exams, Microsoft’s renewal is easier to live with.
Still Can’t Choose? Here’s a Quick Final Push
Pick AZ-204 if:
- You already write code.
- You want to work in enterprise or Microsoft-heavy shops.
- You like building and shipping stuff yourself.
- You enjoy working with CI/CD and modern app stacks.
Pick SAA-C03 if:
- You care more about systems and architecture.
- You want broader cloud credibility across companies.
- You don’t mind studying abstract scenarios.
- You like diagramming and planning infra solutions.
Pick both if:
- You wanna be multi-cloud smart.
- You work in a company that uses both platforms.
- You’re aiming for a future-proof cloud engineer path.
Final Thoughts
Look, there’s no single “right” pick here. Both AZ-204 and SAA-C03 are legit certs that can take your dev career up a level. You just gotta be honest about where you are right now and where you wanna go.
Don’t chase the highest-paying cert. Chase the one that fits your daily work. Or the one that leads you to the work you actually want to do.
If you’re still not sure, try this: spend 1 week doing tutorials on Azure and AWS. Whichever one frustrates you less? Probably the better cert for now.
And worst-case? You get both. You learn more, you earn more, and your resume looks stacked.
For updated practice material and real exam-style questions, Cert Empire offers curated dumps that align with the current exam objectives, without the fluff.
FAQs
Which is better for a developer: AZ-204 or SAA-C03?
Understanding the various azure services plays a crucial role in this decision. Depends on the platform you’re working with. Azure devs should go AZ-204. AWS folks will benefit more from SAA-C03.
Is SAA-C03 worth it for someone with no AWS experience?
Yes, but give yourself time. It’s not beginner-beginner. You’ll need to study properly to get the concepts.
How hard is AZ-204 compared to other Azure certs?
Harder than AZ-900 for sure. Maybe on par with AZ-104. But more dev-focused than either.
Can I take AZ-204 or SAA-C03 without a cloud background?
Technically, yes. But expect a steeper curve. Hands-on practice is key.
What job roles can I get after AZ-204 or SAA-C03?
- AZ-204: Azure Developer, App Engineer, Backend Dev.
- SAA-C03: Cloud Architect, Solutions Engineer, AWS Consultant.
Which cert has better future growth?
Both are solid, especially when it comes to optimizing azure solutions for future growth . But with AI, IoT, and cloud-native dev taking off, having either will keep you relevant.
Last Updated on by Team CE
