Best AWS Academy Alternatives in 2026
The top AWS Academy alternatives are KodeKloud, AWS Skill Builder and Tutorials Dojo: 15 cloud training platforms our editors would look at instead of AWS Academy, in our ranking order.
AWS Academy: A free, instructor-led AWS program with labs, projects, and certification-aligned courses. Where it falls short: limited to eligible higher education institutions.
Switching from AWS Academy? For most cloud training platforms buyers the best AWS Academy alternative is KodeKloud, built for multi-cloud learners wanting labs and mobile access. On a budget, Cantrill starts at $6.67/mo.
Why People Look for an AWS Academy Alternative
- Limited to eligible higher education institutions
- Focuses on AWS rather than multiple cloud providers
- Primarily instructor-led, not self-paced training
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallKodeKloud9.4
Multi-cloud learners wanting labs and mobile access
Visit KodeKloud - Lowest priceCantrill7.8
Paid plans from $6.67/mo
Visit Cantrill - Best free optionKodeKloud9.4
Has a free plan
Visit KodeKloud
All 15 AWS Academy Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forMulti-cloud learners wanting labs and mobile access
- Better than AWS Academy:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.1
A broad multi-cloud learning platform with labs, certification prep, and mobile access.
- Practice exams
- Learning paths
- Certification prep
9.4/10★★★★★Visit KodeKloud -
Best forAWS learners seeking official certification training
- Better than AWS Academy:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.1
A focused AWS learning hub combining free courses, labs, certification prep, and team reporting.
- Practice exams
- Learning paths
- Certification prep
9.2/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forBudget-conscious multi-cloud certification learners
- Better than AWS Academy:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.1
A flexible multi-cloud study platform with strong exam preparation and AWS lab coverage.
- Practice exams
- Learning paths
- Certification prep
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Tutorials Dojo -
Best forFree Azure training and certification preparation
- Better than AWS Academy:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.1
A free, Azure-focused learning platform with paths, labs, and certification preparation.
- Practice exams
- Learning paths
- Certification prep
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forCross-cloud learners prioritizing practical labs
- Better than AWS Academy:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.1
A practical cloud-learning platform for cross-cloud learners who value structured practice.
- Learning paths
- Certification prep
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Google Skills -
Best forTeams needing broad content and learning analytics
- Better than AWS Academy:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 8.1
A broad technology learning platform with assessments, labs, analytics, and mobile access.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Pluralsight -
Best forMulti-cloud certification study with free content
- Better than AWS Academy:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 8.1
A broad, self-paced route to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud certification study.
- Practice exams
- Learning paths
- Certification prep
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit ExamPro -
Best forLow-cost multi-cloud exam and lab practice
- Better than AWS Academy:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 8.1
A multi-cloud study platform combining self-paced courses, exam practice and practical labs.
- Practice exams
- Learning paths
- Certification prep
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Whizlabs -
Best forBlended multi-cloud learning with mobile access
- Better than AWS Academy:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 8.1
A blended cloud learning catalog spanning AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
- Learning paths
- Certification prep
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Simplilearn -
Best forBlended certification training with hosted sandboxes
A blended AWS and Azure training platform combining courses, labs, exams, and bootcamps.
- Practice exams
- Learning paths
- Certification prep
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forLow-cost AWS-focused learners wanting lifetime access
A low-cost, AWS-focused training platform with lifetime access for many courses.
- Practice exams
- Certification prep
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Cantrill -
Best forEnterprise teams wanting AI-assisted cloud training
A broad, AI-assisted cloud training platform for enterprise learning programs.
- Practice exams
- Learning paths
- Certification prep
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forOrganizations building multi-cloud lab programs
A broad cloud lab platform for organizations running structured, multi-cloud learning programs.
- Practice exams
- Learning paths
- Certification prep
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit CloudLabs -
Best forInteractive enterprise labs and live training events
A strong fit for enterprise labs, live events, and measurable cloud learning.
- Practice exams
- Learning paths
- Certification prep
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Instruqt -
Best forOrganizations needing managed virtual lab delivery
A managed platform for browser-based labs, guided exercises, and virtual classrooms.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Strigo
AWS Academy Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to AWS Academy?
KodeKloud: #1 in our Cloud Training Platforms ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad multi-cloud learning platform with labs, certification prep, and mobile access.
Is there a free alternative to AWS Academy?
Yes. KodeKloud, AWS Skill Builder, Tutorials Dojo, Microsoft Learn for Azure and Google Cloud Skills Boost have a free plan or a free tier (8 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to AWS Academy?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Cantrill starts lowest, at $6.67/mo.
Why do people look for AWS Academy alternatives?
Limited to eligible higher education institutions; Focuses on AWS rather than multiple cloud providers; Primarily instructor-led, not self-paced training.
How do I switch from AWS Academy?
Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your AWS Academy server. Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key. Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers. Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel AWS Academy.
How to Switch from AWS Academy
- Snapshot or back up the data and configs on your AWS Academy server.
- Create the new server with the same operating system and size, and add your SSH key.
- Copy the data across (rsync or your backup tool) and reinstall your apps or containers.
- Move the DNS records or IP references to the new server, test it, then cancel AWS Academy.
AWS Academy vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Cloud providers | Hands-on labs | Certification prep | Practice exams | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | AWS Academy | Yes | Free | AWS | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 1 | KodeKloud | Yes | AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | AWS Skill Builder | Yes | AWS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Tutorials Dojo | Yes | AWS, Azure, GCP | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 4 | Microsoft Learn for Azure | Yes | Free | Azure | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 5 | Google Cloud Skills Boost | Yes | Google Cloud, AWS, Microsoft Azure | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | ||
| 6 | Pluralsight | No | $299/user/yr | 8.7 | ||||
| 7 | ExamPro | Yes | AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 8 | Whizlabs | No | Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, Alibaba Cloud | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 9 | Simplilearn Cloud Computing | Yes | AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | ||
| 10 | Digital Cloud Training | Yes | $24.99/user/mo | AWS, Microsoft Azure | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 11 | Cantrill | No | $6.67/mo | AWS, Microsoft Azure | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 12 | QA Learning Platform | No | AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 13 | CloudLabs | AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle Cloud, private cloud | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | ||
| 14 | Instruqt | AWS, Azure, GCP | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.4 | ||
| 15 | Strigo | AWS, Azure, GCP | Yes | 7.3 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update