Choosing the right cloud certification exam can be tricky, especially when there are so many options. If you’re trying to decide between CLF-C02 and AZ-204, you’re likely wondering which one suits your career goals better. These two exams focus on different aspects of cloud computing, one builds foundational AWS knowledge, while the other dives deep into Azure development.
So, which one should you go for? That depends on your experience level, job aspirations, and the cloud platform you want to specialize in. In this guide, we’ll break down CLF-C02 and AZ-204, compare their difficulty levels, career benefits, and help you figure out which one makes the most sense for you. Let’s get started!
| Feature | CLF-C02 | AZ-204 |
| Cloud Provider | Amazon Web Services (AWS) | Microsoft Azure |
| Target Audience | Beginners, aspiring AWS professionals | Developers, software engineers, Azure professionals |
| Exam Focus | AWS services, security, cloud economics, pricing models | Developing, deploying, and maintaining cloud applications on Azure |
| Exam Difficulty | Entry-level, basic cloud concepts | Intermediate, requires coding and cloud development experience |
| Best For | Beginners who want AWS knowledge or plan to take advanced AWS certs | Developers who want to build and manage cloud applications on Azure |
| Number of Questions | 65 | 40-60 |
| Exam Duration | 90 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Exam Format | Multiple-choice, multiple-answer | Multiple-choice, case studies, coding-based scenarios |
| Passing Score | Variable (scaled scoring) | 700/1000 |
| Certification Validity | 3 years | 1 year |
| Cost | $100 USD | $165 USD |
| Prerequisites | None | Experience with Azure development recommended |
| Recommended Experience | Basic understanding of AWS services and cloud concepts | 1-2 years of professional development experience with Azure |
| Preparation Resources | AWS Training, AWS whitepapers, practice tests | Microsoft Learn, official AZ-204 study guide, practice tests |
CLF-C02: A Gateway into AWS Cloud Fundamentals
CLF-C02: What’s It About and Who’s It For?
The CLF-C02 exam is the updated version of AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, foundational certification designed to give a solid intro to AWS cloud services. It’s made for beginners, people with little or no cloud experience who want to understand the basics of how AWS works. This is an entry-level cert, so you don’t need a tech background, coding skills, or prior AWS knowledge. If you’re considering it as your first AWS certification, check out our CLF-C02 certification guide for a full breakdown of the exam, topics, and preparation tips.
If you’re an IT newbie, a non-technical manager handling cloud projects, or just someone looking to switch to cloud computing, CLF-C02 is a good starting point. It helps you understand AWS services, pricing, security, and the overall structure of the cloud without diving into deep technical stuff. Even if you’re in marketing, sales, or finance, this cert makes sense if your job involves AWS in any way.
What You’ll Learn with CLF-C02
You’re not going to be writing code or building cloud apps with this cert. Instead, CLF-C02 covers the fundamentals—how AWS works, what services it offers, and why businesses use it. Expect to learn about:
- Cloud Concepts – What google cloud platform computing is, the different models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), and AWS’s approach to it.
- AWS Core Services – Compute, storage, databases, networking services like EC2, S3, RDS, and more.
- Security and Compliance – How AWS secures cloud environments, shared responsibility model, IAM (Identity and Access Management), and compliance basics.
- AWS Pricing & Billing – Cost management, pricing models, free tier benefits, and how to keep cloud expenses under control.
- AWS Support and Documentation – Where to find official AWS resources and support plans.
It’s all about understanding AWS, not hands-on cloud engineering. You won’t be asked to deploy servers or configure networks. It’s more about concepts, use cases, and why AWS is the go-to cloud solutions provider for many businesses.
Is CLF-C02 Hard? How Much Prep Do You Need?
If you’re worried about the difficulty, here’s the good news, it’s one of the easiest AWS certs. That doesn’t mean you can walk in without studying, but compared to AWS’s technical exams, this one is very beginner-friendly.
- No coding required – Unlike developer or architect certs, you won’t be writing scripts or debugging code.
- No deep AWS experience needed – You don’t need to know how to build cloud systems, just understand how AWS services fit together.
- Mostly theory-based – The questions focus on concepts and best practices, not technical configurations.
If you’re brand new to cloud computing, expect to spend about 20-30 hours studying. If you already work with AWS in some way, a week or two of prep might be enough. AWS offers free training, and there are tons of practice tests online to get familiar with the question style. For high-quality, exam-style practice, check out the CLF-C02 exam dumps to boost your confidence and prep smarter.
Who Gets the Most Out of CLF-C02?
This isn’t a cert for cloud engineers, architects, or developers looking for deep technical skills. Instead, it’s useful for:
- IT beginners – If you’re just getting started with cloud computing, this is a great way to get familiar with AWS.
- Non-technical professionals – Sales, marketing, finance, and business teams that work with AWS clients or cloud-based products can benefit from knowing AWS basics.
- Project managers – If you’re overseeing cloud-based projects, understanding AWS can help you communicate with tech teams better.
- Career switchers – If you’re moving into cloud computing from another field, CLF-C02 gives you a foundation to build on.
If you’re already working in cloud engineering or software development, this cert certification path might be too basic. You’re probably better off starting with AWS Solutions Architect Associate or AWS Developer Associate.
Exam Format and What You Need to Know
The exam is multiple-choice and multiple-response, meaning you’ll pick one or more correct answers per question. You won’t get any hands-on labs, coding challenges, or simulations, just theoretical questions. Here’s what to expect:
- Total questions: About 65
- Exam time: 90 minutes
- Passing score: 700 out of 1000
- Cost: $100 USD
- Delivery method: Online or in a testing center
AWS doesn’t officially share how many questions come from each topic, but based on past versions, expect something like this:
- Cloud Concepts – 25%
- Security & Compliance – 25%
- AWS Services & Technology – 35%
- Billing & Pricing – 15%
If you don’t pass, you can retake the exam after 14 days. Since it’s not too expensive, many people attempt it as a way to get used to AWS exams before moving on to harder ones.
AZ-204: Diving Deep into Microsoft Azure Development
AZ-204: What Does This Cert Cover?
If you’re planning to work with Azure cloud development, AZ-204 (Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure) is a key cert. Learn everything about the exam format, topics, and preparation in our AZ-204 certification guide. This one isn’t for beginners, it’s made for developers who design, build, and deploy applications in Azure. The exam tests how well you can write code, integrate services, manage security, and optimize cloud-based solutions.
While some Azure certs focus on architecture or administration, AZ-204 is all about cloud application development. You’ll be expected to have hands-on experience with Azure SDKs, APIs, containers, and DevOps tools. If you want to become a cloud developer or advance in cloud engineering, this cert is a solid step forward.
What You’ll Learn with AZ-204
AZ-204 isn’t just theory, you need real coding experience. The exam focuses on practical cloud development skills like building, testing, and managing applications on Azure. Here’s a look at the core areas:
- Azure Compute – Work with virtual machines, App Services, Azure Functions, and container-based solutions.
- Storage and Databases – Use Blob Storage, Cosmos DB, and SQL databases for cloud applications.
- Security and Authentication – Manage identities with Azure AD, role-based access control (RBAC), and secure application secrets.
- Integration with APIs and Messaging Services – Implement Event Grid, Service Bus, and Logic Apps to connect services.
- Monitoring and Troubleshooting – Use Application Insights and Log Analytics to track and improve app performance.
- DevOps and CI/CD Pipelines – Automate deployment using GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, and ARM templates.
Unlike entry-level certs, this one expects you to know how to implement these services, not just understand them. If you’ve never worked with Azure development before, it’s going to be a tough exam.
Is AZ-204 Hard? What Experience Do You Need?
AZ-204 is not an entry-level cert. It’s designed for people who already know how to code and develop cloud applications. If you’re not comfortable with programming, working with APIs, or handling cloud-based deployments, this exam will be difficult.
Here’s what you should already know before taking AZ-204:
- Programming skills – You should be comfortable with C#, Python, JavaScript, or another programming language used in Azure development.
- Hands-on experience – At least 6 months of real-world experience developing apps in Azure is recommended.
- Basic DevOps knowledge – CI/CD pipelines, version control, and automated testing are part of the exam.
- Understanding of cloud services – You should already know the basics of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, as well as Azure’s key offerings.
If you’re new to cloud development, you might want to start with Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) before jumping into AZ-204. If you already have experience with AWS or Google Cloud, transitioning to Azure might take some time, but it’s doable.
Who Should Take AZ-204?
AZ-204 is for developers, not project managers, business analysts, or sales teams. If you’re writing code, building cloud apps, and working with Azure services, this cert is worth considering. The ideal candidates include:
- Cloud developers – If you’re already building apps and want to specialize in Azure, this cert proves your skills.
- Software engineers – If you’re moving towards cloud-based applications, AZ-204 helps you adapt your coding skills for Azure.
- DevOps engineers – If you work with Azure DevOps and CI/CD pipelines, this cert builds strong development-focused knowledge.
- Cloud architects (with a coding background) – If you’re designing Azure-based solutions and need to understand the developer’s side, AZ-204 can be useful.
- Tech professionals switching to Azure – If you have AWS or GCP experience and want to get into Azure development, this cert helps bridge the gap.
This cert is not for non-technical professionals. If you’re in project management, sales, or business roles, AZ-900 or AZ-104 would be a better fit.
AZ-204 Exam Structure and Requirements
This exam is more technical than multiple-choice exams like CLF-C02. Expect scenario-based questions, case studies, and some code-related questions. While you won’t have to write long programs, you should understand Azure development well enough to interpret, debug, and optimize code snippets.
Here’s what you need to know about the exam format:
- Total questions: Around 40-60
- Types of questions: Multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, hot area, case studies, and coding-based scenarios
- Exam duration: 120 minutes
- Passing score: 700/1000
- Cost: $165 USD
- Prerequisites: No official prerequisites, but Azure development experience is highly recommended
The biggest challenge in AZ-204 is the depth of technical knowledge required. You’ll need to understand how Azure services work together, how to optimize them for performance, and how to troubleshoot issues.
If you don’t pass, you can retake it after 24 hours for the first attempt, but after that, there’s a 14-day waiting period between attempts.
How to Prepare for AZ-204
Because this exam is so hands-on, reading theory alone won’t be enough. You need real experience building applications in Azure. Here’s how to study effectively:
- Use Microsoft’s official learning paths – They cover everything on the exam and include free training materials.
- Get hands-on with Azure – Use the free-tier services to build apps, test deployments, and work with APIs.
- Take practice tests – Exam-style questions help you understand the types of scenarios you’ll face. You can also use AZ-204 exam dumps from Cert Empire to get hands-on with real exam patterns and strengthen your weak areas.
- Watch video courses – Platforms like Pluralsight, Udemy, and YouTube have good AZ-204 prep courses.
- Join developer forums – Places like Reddit, Stack Overflow, and Microsoft’s Tech Community have discussions on common exam challenges.
If you’ve never built an Azure app before, spend time coding before taking the exam. Set up an Azure account, deploy services, write functions, and use APIs. Without hands-on experience, passing this exam will be tough.
CLF-C02 vs AZ-204: Which One Aligns with Your Goals?
Choosing between CLF-C02 and AZ-204 depends on what you want to do in the full cloud computing skills space. These two certs aren’t in direct competition—one is about understanding AWS cloud fundamentals, while the other focuses on building applications in Microsoft Azure. If you’re unsure which one fits your career path, let’s break it down step by step.
AWS Cloud Foundations vs. Azure Application Development
The biggest difference between CLF-C02 and AZ-204 is the purpose of the certification.
- CLF-C02 (AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner) gives you a broad understanding of AWS services and cloud computing concepts. It’s made for beginners who need to understand AWS but don’t necessarily work with it on a technical level. You’re learning how AWS works rather than building applications.
- AZ-204 (Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure) is for developers. It tests hands-on cloud programming skills, application deployment, security management, and DevOps integration. It’s highly technical and requires coding experience.
Think of CLF-C02 as an entry-level overview of AWS, while AZ-204 is an advanced associate level certifications for cloud developers in Azure.
Here’s how they compare in terms of focus:
| Category | CLF-C02 (AWS Cloud Practitioner) | AZ-204 (Azure Developer Associate) |
| Target Audience | Beginners, IT managers, non-technical professionals, entry-level cloud learners | Developers, software engineers, DevOps engineers, cloud application builders |
| Main Focus | AWS services, cloud concepts, pricing, security, and best practices | Coding, deploying, and managing applications in Azure |
| Technical Depth | Low – mostly theory-based | High – hands-on coding required |
| Best for Career Paths | Cloud support roles, business analysts, sales teams, project managers | Cloud developers, backend engineers, DevOps professionals |
If you want a general understanding of cloud computing and AWS, go for CLF-C02. If you want to build applications in Azure and already have programming skills, AZ-204 is the better choice.
Which One is Harder and Why?
CLF-C02 Difficulty Level
CLF-C02 is one of the easiest AWS certifications because it doesn’t require technical knowledge or hands-on cloud experience.
- You don’t need coding skills – The questions are based on theory, AWS services, and basic cloud concepts.
- It’s mostly multiple-choice – No practical labs or coding-based scenarios.
- Study time is shorter – If you’re completely new to AWS, 20-30 hours of study is enough. If you already know cloud basics, you can prepare in a week.
Overall, CLF-C02 is beginner-friendly, and most people can pass it with proper preparation.
AZ-204 Difficulty Level
AZ-204 is much harder.
- Requires programming experience – You need to know C#, Python, JavaScript, or another Azure-supported language.
- Scenario-based and technical – The exam doesn’t just ask about Azure services; it tests how to implement, troubleshoot, and optimize them.
- More in-depth knowledge required – You need experience with containers, databases, serverless computing, APIs, and DevOps tools.
- Takes longer to prepare – Most candidates spend 2-3 months preparing, especially if they don’t have daily Azure development experience.
If you don’t have hands-on Azure development experience, AZ-204 will be very difficult. But if you’re an experienced cloud developer, it might be easier.
Which is Harder?
AZ-204 is definitely harder than CLF-C02. The main reasons:
- It requires hands-on coding knowledge, while CLF-C02 is mostly theory-based.
- The exam questions are complex, with drag-and-drop, case studies, and code interpretation, whereas CLF-C02 is multiple-choice.
- It takes more time to prepare – CLF-C02 can be done in a couple of weeks, but AZ-204 requires real cloud development experience.
If you’re a beginner or don’t have a technical background, CLF-C02 is the better choice. If you’re already a developer working in Azure or want to become one, AZ-204 is the right cert.
Career Impact: AZ-204 vs CLF-C02
Certifications matter, but they need to align with your career goals. Let’s compare the career impact of each two professional certifications.
What Jobs Can You Get with CLF-C02?
Since CLF-C02 is an entry-level cert, it doesn’t qualify you for technical roles like cloud engineering or software development. However, it helps with roles that require cloud knowledge but not deep technical skills.
Common job roles for CLF-C02 holders:
- Cloud Support Specialist
- IT Sales or Cloud Consultant
- Project Manager (Cloud-Based Projects)
- Business Analyst (Cloud Industry)
- AWS Account Manager
- Marketing Professional (Cloud Products)
Salary Range: Since this cert is entry-level, you can expect to earn $50K–$80K depending on your job role and experience. It’s more of an added advantage rather than a game-changer for high-paying tech jobs.
What Jobs Can You Get with AZ-204?
AZ-204 opens doors to actual cloud development jobs. Employers expect hands-on coding and Azure development experience from someone with this professional level certifications.
Common job roles for AZ-204 holders:
- Azure Developer
- Cloud Engineer
- DevOps Engineer (Azure)
- Full-Stack Developer (Azure-based applications)
- Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
- Software Engineer (Cloud Applications)
Salary Range: Because this for specialty certifications is highly technical and in demand, you can expect salaries between $90K–$140K, depending on experience and location.
Industry Demand
- AWS dominates the cloud market, so CLF-C02, an AWS cloud practitioner certification
, is useful if you’re working in an AWS-focused company as an AWS certified data engineer. - Microsoft Azure is growing fast, especially in enterprise environments. If you want to work with companies using Azure as an Azure solutions , AZ-204 will give you a strong advantage for Azure solutions.
Which Certification is Right for You?
So, which one should you go for?
Choose CLF-C02 if:
- You’re new to cloud computing and want to learn AWS basics and be an AWS certified solutions architect or AWS certified sysops administrator.
- You work in a non-technical role (sales, marketing, business, management) but need cloud knowledge.
- You’re not planning to become a cloud engineer or developer but still want to understand AWS.
- You want an easy entry point into cloud certifications before moving to advanced AWS certs.
Choose AZ-204 if:
- You’re a developer or software engineer and want to specialize in Azure cloud development.
- You already have coding experience and want to apply it to cloud applications.
- You’re aiming for technical roles like cloud developer, DevOps engineer, or software engineer.
- You want a high-paying cloud development job in the Azure ecosystem.
Final Thoughts
If you’re just starting out and want a basic cloud cert, CLF-C02 is the way to go. It’s a great first step into AWS and cloud computing in general to be an AWS certified developer.
But if you’re a developer looking to level up, AZ-204 is the better choice as Azure fundamentals certification because it proves your ability to build and deploy real cloud applications. It’s harder, but it has a bigger impact on your career.
Choosing the right cert depends on your goals. If you’re not into coding, CLF-C02 is enough. But if you want to work in cloud development, AZ-204 is far more valuable. And if you’re looking for trusted prep resources, Cert Empire offers top-rated exam dumps and study materials for both.
FAQs
Is CLF-C02 worth it if I already have cloud experience?
If you’re already working with AWS or another cloud platform, CLF-C02 might be too basic. It’s useful if you need official AWS certification but won’t add much value if you already have hands-on cloud knowledge.
How does AZ-204 compare to AWS Developer certifications?
AZ-204 is Microsoft’s equivalent to AWS Developer Associate certification (DVA-C02). Both focus on cloud app development, but AZ-204 is more integration-heavy with DevOps, while AWS Developer covers Lambda, DynamoDB, and AWS SDKs.
Can I take AZ-204 without prior Microsoft certifications?
Yes, AZ-204 has no prerequisites, but you should have Azure development experience. If you’re new to Azure, starting with AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) can help before jumping into AZ-204.
Which certification is better for a beginner in cloud computing?
CLF-C02 is better for beginners since it covers cloud fundamentals without requiring technical skills. AZ-204 is for developers, so it’s not a top certification demonstrates a good starting point unless you already have programming experience.
Does CLF-C02 or AZ-204 offer better career opportunities in 2025?
AZ-204 leads to higher-paying technical roles like cloud developer or DevOps engineer, while CLF-C02 is more of a foundational cert for general cloud technology knowledge. If you want a strong career path in cloud engineering, AZ-204 is the better choice.
Last Updated on by Team CE
