AWS Skill Builder now offers over 1,000 free learning resources, and that number keeps growing. Add in AWS Educate, Cloud Quest, Builder Labs, the new $200 Free Tier credits, and dozens of community resources, and the options become overwhelming fast.
Most guides give you a list of resources and wish you luck. That approach leads to tutorial paralysis, where you bookmark everything and complete nothing. Instead, you need a roadmap tailored to your goals, experience level, and available time.
By the end of this guide, you'll have a personalized learning path with specific resources, realistic time estimates, and clear next steps. Whether you're aiming for your first certification in 30 days or making a career switch over 90 days, I've mapped out exactly what to use and when.
As someone who holds multiple AWS certifications and helps readers pass their exams regularly, I've tested these resources extensively. Let me show you what actually works.
Quick Start: Choose Your Learning Path
Before diving into specific resources, start by identifying which path matches your situation. The right resources depend entirely on your current experience and goals. Spending 30 minutes daily on a focused path beats spending 3 hours randomly jumping between resources.
AWS recommends dedicating 20-30 minutes daily to learning, which builds consistent progress without burnout. Here are three proven paths based on thousands of learners' experiences.
The 30-Day Cloud Practitioner Path
Best for: Developers, IT professionals, or anyone with some technical background who wants to get certified quickly.
Time commitment: 1-2 hours daily
Week 1: Complete the AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials course on Skill Builder (6 hours total). This foundational course was updated in June 2025 and covers all exam domains.
Week 2-3: Practice with AWS Cloud Quest: Cloud Practitioner (free version). This gamified experience lets you apply concepts in real AWS scenarios while earning an official badge for your LinkedIn profile.
Week 4: Use free practice question sets on Skill Builder, review weak areas, and schedule your exam. The official practice questions align directly with exam content.
Outcome: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification, which validates your foundational cloud knowledge and opens doors to Associate-level certifications.
The 90-Day Career Switcher Path
Best for: People with no IT background looking to break into cloud computing. No credit card required for the first 60 days.
Time commitment: 1 hour daily, 5 days per week
Days 1-30: Start with AWS Educate. This platform requires no credit card and is available for anyone 14 years and older. Complete the Cloud Essentials Career Pathway, which includes gamified learning with badges and points.
Days 31-60: Transition to AWS Skill Builder and complete the Cloud Practitioner Essentials course. Supplement with Cloud Quest for hands-on practice.
Days 61-90: Sign up for an AWS account to claim your $200 in free credits. Use Lab Tutorials to build portfolio projects. Complete practice exams and schedule your Cloud Practitioner certification. Review our exam day strategies and test-taking techniques before your scheduled exam date.
Outcome: Cloud Practitioner certification plus hands-on experience. AWS Educate members 18+ get access to a job board with cloud career opportunities.
The IT Professional Upskilling Path
Best for: System administrators, developers, or network engineers with existing technical experience who need to learn AWS specifically.
Time commitment: 5-10 hours weekly while working full-time
Month 1-2: Skip the basics. Use AWS Ramp-Up Guides for your specialty (migration, AI/ML, HPC, security, or networking). These curated collections include courses, documentation, whitepapers, and tutorials organized by role.
Month 3-4: Focus on hands-on labs through AWS Builder Labs (10 free labs available) and AWS Workshops. Build solutions in your own account using the Free Tier credits.
Month 5-6: Target an Associate-level certification that matches your career goals: Solutions Architect, Developer, or CloudOps Engineer.
Outcome: Role-relevant AWS expertise validated by an Associate certification. This path focuses on depth over breadth, building expertise in areas that matter for your career.
AWS Skill Builder: Your Central Learning Hub
AWS Skill Builder is the starting point for nearly every AWS learning journey. With over 1,000 free learning resources, it consolidates courses, learning plans, practice questions, and hands-on labs in one platform.
The platform supports seven languages for many courses and includes AI-powered assistance for hands-on labs. Whether you're just starting or preparing for specialty certifications, Skill Builder serves as your primary learning hub.
Free vs Subscription: What You Actually Get
Free tier includes:
- 600+ digital courses covering all certification paths
- Learning plans organized by role and certification
- Basic practice questions for exam preparation
- 10 free hands-on labs through the Introduction to AWS Cloud learning plan
- Cloud Quest: Cloud Practitioner and Generative AI Practitioner (free versions)
Subscription ($29/month) adds:
- 200+ AWS Builder Labs with step-by-step guidance
- AWS Jam challenges for team-based problem solving
- Enhanced exam prep with additional practice tests
- AWS Digital Classroom courses
- AWS Industry Quest scenarios
My honest assessment: The free tier is sufficient for Cloud Practitioner certification and foundational learning. Consider the subscription if you're pursuing multiple Associate-level certifications or your organization needs team-based learning features.
Best Free Courses on Skill Builder
Not all free courses are created equal. These deliver the highest value for your time:
AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials (6 hours): Updated June 2025, this comprehensive course covers all exam domains with videos, demonstrations, and knowledge checks. Start here if you're new to AWS.
Cloud Financial Management courses (4 one-hour courses): Learn cost optimization strategies that actually matter in production environments. These courses help you avoid bill shock and understand AWS pricing.
Generative AI Learning Plan: Amazon's AI Ready initiative provides 135+ free AI/ML courses. This learning plan covers foundations through advanced topics including Amazon Bedrock and SageMaker.
Introduction to AWS Cloud: Builder Labs (10 free labs): Hands-on practice with VPC, S3, EC2, Lambda, DynamoDB, and other core services. These labs provide real AWS Console experience without subscription fees.
Learning Plans for Every Role
Learning plans organize courses into logical sequences based on your career goals. Instead of randomly picking courses, follow these curated paths:
Certification-focused plans: Cloud Practitioner Essentials, Solutions Architect, Developer, and other certification tracks with courses, practice questions, and exam guides.
Role-specific plans: Paths for Solutions Architects, Developers, Data Engineers, and other roles that combine foundational and advanced content.
Technology-specific plans: Generative AI Learning Plan, Migration Foundations, and specialty tracks that build deep expertise in specific areas.
Each completed learning plan can earn you a Knowledge Badge that you can share on LinkedIn or add to your resume.
Official AWS Training Resources
Beyond Skill Builder, AWS provides several specialized training platforms designed for different audiences and learning styles. These official resources complement your Skill Builder courses with alternative approaches.
AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials
The AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials course remains the gold standard for beginners. Updated June 2025, this 6-hour course includes:
- Videos explaining core AWS concepts
- Demonstrations of key services
- Links to additional resources
- Knowledge checks after each module
The course covers everything from cloud concepts and global infrastructure to billing and pricing. It aligns directly with the Cloud Practitioner certification exam, making it essential preparation.
AWS Educate for Beginners
AWS Educate removes the biggest barrier for many beginners: the credit card requirement. This completely free platform is designed for students and career changers.
Key features:
- No credit card required
- Available for ages 14+
- Cloud Career Pathways for essentials, data engineering, cybersecurity, and serverless applications
- Gamification with badges and points
- Job board for users 18+ to explore cloud careers
- Professional development resources for AI and machine learning
AWS Educate graduates can join the AWS Emerging Talent Community, connecting them with job opportunities and additional resources.
AWS Well-Architected Framework
The AWS Well-Architected Framework teaches you how to build systems the right way. Even experienced engineers use this framework to evaluate architectures against best practices.
The framework now includes six pillars (Sustainability was added as the sixth):
- Operational Excellence
- Security
- Reliability
- Performance Efficiency
- Cost Optimization
- Sustainability
Free tools to use:
- AWS Well-Architected Tool: Review your workloads against best practices
- AWS Well-Architected Labs: Hands-on exercises for implementing framework principles
For a quick reference on operational excellence and reliability best practices, check out our comprehensive AWS Operations Checklist.
AWS Ramp-Up Guides
AWS Ramp-Up Guides are curated collections of resources organized by role, technology, or use case. Unlike generic learning paths, these guides are designed for specific career transitions.
Available guides include:
- Migration Ramp-Up Guide
- AI, ML, and Generative AI Ramp-Up Guide
- High Performance Computing Ramp-Up Guide
- VMware Migration Training
- Research IT Ramp-Up Guide
Each guide includes digital courses, documentation, whitepapers, and hands-on tutorials. If you're transitioning from a specific technology (like VMware) or into a specific role (like researcher), these guides provide targeted paths.
Hands-On Learning Without the Bill Shock
The fear of unexpected AWS charges stops many beginners from practicing hands-on. Good news: AWS has dramatically expanded free options for hands-on learning, including $200 in credits for new accounts.
Hands-on practice is non-negotiable for AWS learning. You can watch all the videos and read all the documentation, but nothing replaces actually building solutions in the AWS Console. Let me show you how to do it safely.
AWS Free Tier: $200 in Credits for New Accounts
As of July 2025, new AWS accounts receive up to $200 in credits to explore services without financial risk.
How it works:
- $100 automatically credited upon sign-up
- Additional $100 earned by using specific services (EC2, RDS, Lambda, Bedrock, and Budgets)
- 6-month free period to use these credits
- Over 30 always-free services available even after credits expire
Cost protection tips:
- Set up billing alerts immediately (AWS Budgets is one of the qualifying services)
- Stick to t2.micro or t3.micro instances for learning
- Delete resources when you're done practicing
- Check the "Free tier eligible" filter when launching services
- Review the AWS Free Tier page to understand limits
The free account plan doesn't provide access to all AWS services, but it covers everything you need for foundational learning and certification preparation.
AWS Cloud Quest: Learn by Playing
AWS Cloud Quest transforms AWS learning into a 3D role-playing game. Instead of passively watching videos, you complete quests by building solutions for virtual city residents.
Free versions available:
- Cloud Quest: Cloud Practitioner
- Cloud Quest: Generative AI Practitioner
- Cloud Quest: Recertify Cloud Practitioner (free recertification option)
Why it works:
- "Learn-recommend-build" methodology: Learn a concept, recommend a solution, then build it hands-on
- Real AWS Console experience in a risk-free environment
- Aligns with Cloud Practitioner and AI Practitioner exam domains
- Earn an official AWS badge upon completion
- Available in seven languages
Cloud Quest badges are verifiable credentials you can add to LinkedIn. Completing the Cloud Practitioner version demonstrates practical AWS skills beyond just passing an exam.
AWS Builder Labs
AWS Builder Labs provide step-by-step guidance in real AWS environments. The labs cover fundamental to advanced topics across all major AWS services.
Free access:
- 10 labs through the "Introduction to AWS Cloud: Builder Labs" learning plan
- Services covered: VPC, S3, EC2, IAM, Lambda, DynamoDB, API Gateway, RDS, Aurora, and more
Key features:
- Real AWS Console (not a simulation)
- Step-by-step instructions with explanations
- No charges during lab sessions
- AWS Learning Assistant: AI-powered chat support available for 200+ labs (added December 2024)
The 200+ lab library requires a subscription, but the free learning plan provides enough hands-on experience for Cloud Practitioner certification.
AWS Workshops
AWS Workshops are comprehensive tutorials created by AWS experts for implementing specific solutions. Unlike labs that teach individual services, workshops guide you through complete implementations.
Access: Available through AWS Builder Center with advanced filtering by category, service, complexity level, and time commitment.
Topics include:
- Database implementations
- Analytics pipelines
- Game development
- Observability solutions
- Migration scenarios
Workshops run in your own AWS account, so use your Free Tier credits. Each workshop includes time estimates and cost expectations, helping you plan your learning sessions.
Lab Tutorials (Beta)
Lab Tutorials are a new learning format (beta) that lets you build real projects in your own AWS account with full guidance.
What makes them different:
- Build portfolio-worthy projects
- Complete control to pause and resume
- Clear learning objectives and architecture overviews
- Detailed cost estimates and cleanup instructions
- Available to all Skill Builder users (including free accounts)
Current projects (5 generative AI-focused):
- Creating advanced AI agents
- Building conversational AI applications
- Modernizing .NET applications
- Performing analytics using Amazon S3 Tables
These tutorials bridge the gap between guided labs and building from scratch. The projects are substantial enough for your portfolio but structured enough to ensure success.
AI and Generative AI Learning Resources
AI skills are no longer optional for cloud engineers. AWS has made major investments in free AI learning, including the AI Ready initiative to train 2 million people globally by 2025. Whether you want foundational AI knowledge or hands-on generative AI experience, free resources are available.
AWS AI Practitioner Path
The AWS Certified AI Practitioner certification validates foundational AI knowledge, similar to how Cloud Practitioner validates foundational cloud knowledge.
Free preparation resources:
- AI Practitioner exam prep courses on Skill Builder
- Cloud Quest: Generative AI Practitioner (free)
- Generative AI Learning Plan
- Practice questions and exam guides
This certification pairs well with Cloud Practitioner for a comprehensive foundation in both cloud and AI. Consider earning both to demonstrate broad cloud fluency.
PartyRock: Build AI Apps Without Code
PartyRock lets you build functional generative AI applications using simple prompts. No coding required, and it integrates with Amazon Bedrock's foundation models.
Why it matters for learning:
- Understand AI concepts through hands-on building
- Experiment with different foundation models
- Learn prompt engineering practically
- Build shareable AI applications
The 2024 PartyRock Generative AI Hackathon attracted over 7,600 participants worldwide, demonstrating the platform's engagement potential. Use PartyRock to demystify generative AI before diving into more technical implementations.
Free Generative AI Courses
AWS launched six new generative AI digital courses in October 2024, with more added throughout 2025. These free courses cover:
- One-day class on generative AI foundations
- Amazon Nova models course
- Amazon Bedrock implementation
- Amazon SageMaker for ML workflows
- Generative AI Learning Plan for Model Builders
Combined with the AI Ready initiative's 135+ free courses, you can build significant AI/ML expertise without spending money on training.
Community and Support Resources
Learning in isolation is hard. AWS has built extensive community resources where you can ask questions, find mentors, and connect with other learners. These communities often provide insights that formal training misses.
AWS Builder Center
AWS Builder Center is the new central hub for the AWS builder community, launched July 2025. It consolidated the previous AWS Developer Center and community.aws into one platform.
Access: Free with AWS Builder ID (no AWS account required). Available in 16 languages.
Key features:
- Wishlist: Vote on feature requests and influence AWS product roadmap
- Connect: Find AWS Heroes, Community Builders, User Groups, and events
- Build: Access tutorials, workshops, and Free Tier information
- Spaces (launched November 2025): Topic-based communities with public, private, and invite-only options
- Regional planning tool: Compare AWS services and features across regions
Builder Center is where you'll find workshops, connect with experts, and discover events in your area. If you're serious about AWS learning, create a Builder ID and explore.
AWS re:Post Q&A
AWS re:Post is the official Q&A platform where you can get answers to technical questions from the AWS community.
Features:
- Free for all AWS users
- Available in 8 languages (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Korean, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese)
- Premium Support customers get prioritized responses from AWS Support Engineers
- Private messaging for direct help
Before posting a new question, search the existing answers. Many common questions have detailed solutions from AWS experts and experienced community members.
AWS User Groups and Cloud Clubs
AWS User Groups are local and virtual communities that meet regularly to share knowledge and experiences. They're one of the best ways to network with AWS practitioners in your area.
Benefits:
- Regular meetups and workshops
- Knowledge sharing with peers at similar stages
- Networking for job opportunities
- Local experts who can answer questions
Find User Groups through AWS Builder Center's Connect page. Many groups have virtual options, so location isn't a barrier.
AWS Heroes and Community Builders
AWS Heroes and Community Builders are recognized experts who actively share knowledge with the community.
How to benefit:
- Follow their content on social media and blogs
- Attend their talks at AWS events
- Connect through Builder Center
- Learn from their real-world implementations
These community members share insights from production environments that you won't find in official training. Their content often addresses edge cases and lessons learned from actual deployments.
Certification Preparation Resources
AWS certifications validate your skills and can accelerate your career. All certification paths have free preparation resources, from practice questions to complete exam prep courses. Here's how to prepare without paying for third-party materials.
Free Practice Question Sets
AWS provides official practice questions for multiple certifications on Skill Builder:
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate
- AWS Certified AI Practitioner
- AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer Associate
- AWS Certified Security Specialty
These questions come directly from AWS and align with actual exam content. They're available in multiple languages and include explanations for correct answers.
Standard Exam Prep Plans
Every certification has a free Standard Exam Prep Plan on Skill Builder. Each plan includes:
- Exam Guide PDF: Outlines domains, objectives, and weightings
- Practice assessments: Test your readiness
- Recommended courses: Targeted content for each domain
- Study timeline: Suggested preparation schedule
Start with the exam guide to understand what's tested, then work through the recommended courses. Use practice questions to identify weak areas and focus your remaining study time.
For more detailed certification strategies, check out these guides:
- AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam Guide
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Exam Guide
- AWS Developer Associate Exam Guide
- AWS CloudOps Engineer Associate Exam Guide
- AWS DevOps Engineer Professional Exam Guide
- AWS Security Specialty Exam Guide
Game-Based Recertification
AWS certifications expire after three years, but you no longer have to take another exam to recertify. Cloud Quest: Recertify Cloud Practitioner offers a free, game-based alternative.
Benefits:
- No exam fee
- Self-paced gameplay
- Hands-on scenarios (not multiple choice)
- More engaging than traditional exams
This option currently exists for Cloud Practitioner, with more certifications expected to follow.
Live Training and Events
Self-paced learning works, but live events offer something different: interaction with AWS experts and networking with other practitioners. Many of these events are completely free.
AWS Solutions-Focused Immersion Days
AWS Solutions-Focused Immersion Days are free virtual events led by AWS experts. They combine technical presentations with hands-on labs.
Details:
- Duration: 2-6 hours depending on topic
- Languages: Six+ (French, Arabic, Portuguese, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish)
- Topics: Core services, security, cost optimization, architecture best practices
Register through the AWS Events page. These events provide real interaction with AWS solutions architects who can answer specific questions.
AWS Summits and Community Days
AWS Summits are regional in-person events offering sessions, workshops, and networking. Registration is typically free.
What to expect:
- Technical sessions for all skill levels
- Hands-on workshops with AWS experts
- Networking with local AWS practitioners
- Expo halls with AWS services and partners
AWS Community Days are community-organized events that provide similar experiences in a more intimate setting.
After re:Invent (AWS's annual conference), over 2,000 technical sessions become available online for free. Search YouTube or the AWS Events page for recordings.
Resource Comparison: At a Glance
| Resource | Type | Time Required | Best For | Prerequisites | Free Tier Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Skill Builder | Courses | Varies (1-6+ hours) | All learners | None | Yes (no AWS account needed) |
| AWS Educate | Platform | Self-paced | Beginners, students | Ages 14+ | Yes (no credit card) |
| Cloud Quest | Gamified learning | 10-20 hours | Visual/hands-on learners | Builder ID | Yes |
| Builder Labs | Guided labs | 30-60 min each | Hands-on practice | Skill Builder account | Yes (10 free) |
| AWS Free Tier | Account credits | N/A | Real-world practice | Credit card | Yes ($200 credits) |
| Lab Tutorials | Project-based | 2-4 hours each | Portfolio building | Free Tier account | Estimated costs provided |
| Workshops | Complete tutorials | 2-8 hours | Implementation skills | AWS account | Use Free Tier |
| AWS re:Post | Q&A | As needed | Problem solving | AWS Builder ID | Yes |
| Builder Center | Community hub | As needed | Networking, resources | AWS Builder ID | Yes |
| Immersion Days | Live events | 2-6 hours | Interactive learning | Registration | Yes |
Common Mistakes When Choosing Learning Resources
After helping countless readers prepare for AWS certifications, I've seen the same mistakes repeatedly. Avoid these pitfalls:
Starting with certification materials instead of fundamentals: Exam prep courses assume foundational knowledge. Complete Cloud Practitioner Essentials before diving into exam-specific content.
Avoiding hands-on practice due to cost fears: The $200 in Free Tier credits and numerous sandbox environments mean you can practice extensively without charges. Don't let cost anxiety prevent you from building real skills.
Trying to consume everything: 1,000+ resources means you can't complete them all. Pick one learning path from this guide and commit to it. Depth beats breadth.
Skipping the Well-Architected Framework: This isn't optional reading. The framework principles appear on every certification exam and inform real-world architecture decisions. Read it cover to cover.
Learning in isolation: AWS learning doesn't have to be lonely. Join a User Group, participate in re:Post, or connect through Builder Center. Community support accelerates learning and provides accountability.
Not setting specific goals or timelines: "I want to learn AWS" isn't a goal. "I'll earn Cloud Practitioner certification in 30 days by studying 1 hour daily" is a goal. Set dates and track progress.
What to Do After Completing Free Resources
Free resources are sufficient for foundational knowledge and certification. Here's your progression after mastering the basics:
-
Get Cloud Practitioner certified if you haven't already. Review our complete AWS certification exam guide for test-taking strategies, then check the Cloud Practitioner exam guide for exam-specific preparation. This validates your foundation and provides credibility for further learning.
-
Choose a specialization based on your career goals: Solutions Architect for infrastructure roles, Developer for application development, or CloudOps Engineer for operations.
-
Build portfolio projects using Lab Tutorials and Workshops. Certification proves knowledge; projects demonstrate ability to build.
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Engage with community through Builder Center, User Groups, and re:Post. Networking opens doors that certifications alone cannot.
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Consider AWS Skill Builder subscription if pursuing multiple certifications or needing extensive hands-on labs beyond the free tier.
-
Pursue Associate or Professional certifications to validate deeper expertise. After Cloud Practitioner, the Solutions Architect Associate is the most popular path. Security-focused professionals may also pursue the AWS Security Specialty to validate deep security expertise.
For practical guidance on setting up your AWS CLI with SSO or understanding AWS account best practices, explore our additional guides.
Conclusion
The volume of free AWS learning resources can feel overwhelming, but you now have a clear path forward. Here are the key points to remember:
- Start with your goal, not random resources. Choose one of the three learning paths based on your situation.
- Hands-on practice is non-negotiable. Use the $200 Free Tier credits, Cloud Quest, and Builder Labs to build real skills.
- Community support accelerates learning. Don't learn in isolation when User Groups, re:Post, and Builder Center exist.
- Consistency beats intensity. 30 minutes daily outperforms 5 hours once a week.
- Free resources are sufficient for certification. You don't need expensive courses to pass AWS exams.
Your next step: Pick one learning path from this guide and commit to 30 minutes daily for the next 30 days. Whether you choose the 30-day certification sprint, the 90-day career switch, or the 6-month professional upskilling path, start today.
The AWS ecosystem rewards builders who keep learning. These free resources give you everything you need to start that journey.
What resource are you starting with? I'd be interested to hear which learning path matches your goals and how you're progressing.
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