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AWS CertificationFree ResourcesBudget10 min read

How to Get AWS Certified for Free (Or Under $100)

Complete guide to getting AWS certified with minimal cost. Free study resources, discount strategies, and how to avoid expensive courses.

Last updated January 28, 2026

AWS certification doesn't have to be expensive. While you can't avoid the exam fee entirely, you can minimize total costs significantly.

The True Minimum Cost

Absolute minimum: $100 (Cloud Practitioner exam fee)

That's it. Everything else is optional.

Free Study Resources

1. AWS Official Resources (100% Free)

AWS Skill Builder Free Tier

  • Cloud Practitioner Essentials course
  • Solutions Architect learning path
  • Hundreds of hours of free content
  • Official AWS curriculum

AWS Documentation

  • Comprehensive service guides
  • Best practices whitepapers
  • FAQs for each service
  • Architecture examples

AWS Free Tier Account

  • 12 months of free services
  • Hands-on practice
  • Real experience with the console
  • Build actual projects

2. YouTube (Free)

Top channels for AWS certification:

  • freeCodeCamp - Full certification courses
  • TechWorld with Nana - Clear explanations
  • Be A Better Dev - Deep dives
  • Digital Cloud Training - Exam-focused

3. AWS Events and Workshops (Free)

  • AWS re:Invent - Free online sessions
  • AWS Summits - Local free events
  • AWS Workshops - Hands-on labs
  • AWS Twitch - Live learning

4. GitHub Resources (Free)

  • Open source study guides
  • Practice question repositories
  • Community flashcards
  • Exam cheat sheets

How to Save on Exam Fees

Strategy 1: The 50% Voucher Chain

After passing ANY AWS exam, you get:

  • 50% off your next exam
  • Free official practice exam

Optimal path:

  1. Cloud Practitioner: $100
  2. Next exam: 50% off ($75 instead of $150)
  3. Next exam: 50% off again

Save $75+ per exam after your first one

Strategy 2: Employer Reimbursement

Many employers pay for:

  • Exam fees
  • Study materials
  • Paid study time
  • Passing bonuses ($100-1000)

Check your company's L&D policy before paying anything yourself

Strategy 3: AWS Programs

AWS Educate (Students)

  • Free training
  • Sometimes exam vouchers
  • Cloud career resources

AWS re:Start (Career Changers)

  • 12-week free program
  • Certification included
  • Job placement assistance

AWS Community Builders

  • Free certification vouchers
  • Exclusive content
  • Networking opportunities

Strategy 4: Conference Vouchers

AWS events often include:

  • Certification exam vouchers
  • Free practice exams
  • Study material credits

Attend AWS Summits in your region (free registration)

The Budget Study Plan

Week 1-2: Foundation (Free)

  1. Create AWS free tier account
  2. Watch AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials on Skill Builder
  3. Read AWS overview whitepaper
  4. Explore the console hands-on

Week 3-4: Deep Dive (Free)

  1. Study each service in the exam guide
  2. Use AWS documentation
  3. Watch YouTube tutorials for weak areas
  4. Take free practice questions

Week 5: Practice ($0-30)

  1. Take AWS sample questions (free)
  2. Use StudyTech's gap assessment (free tier)
  3. Review all weak areas
  4. Take timed practice exams

Week 6: Exam ($100)

  1. Final review
  2. Book and pass exam
  3. Get 50% voucher for next cert
  4. Celebrate!

Total cost: $100-130

What NOT to Spend Money On

Expensive Video Courses ($300-500)

  • AWS Skill Builder has free courses
  • YouTube has complete courses
  • You don't need to pay for videos

Multiple Practice Exam Sites ($50-100 each)

  • One good source is enough
  • AI-powered platforms adapt to you
  • More isn't better

Bootcamps ($2,000-5,000)

  • Self-study works fine
  • Certification is achievable alone
  • Save money for exam fees

Hands-On Lab Subscriptions ($30-50/month)

  • AWS free tier is sufficient
  • You don't need sandbox environments
  • Learn in the real console

When It Makes Sense to Spend

Quality Practice Questions ($10-30/month)

  • AI-adaptive learning saves time
  • Targeted practice on weak areas
  • Worth it to pass faster

Specific Deep Dives ($15-30)

  • If you're completely stuck on a topic
  • Individual courses on sale
  • Udemy sales bring courses to $10-15

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get AWS certified completely free?

You cannot avoid the $100 exam fee, but all study materials can be free. Total minimum cost is $100.

Are free resources enough to pass?

Yes. AWS provides excellent free training through Skill Builder. Thousands pass using only free resources.

Should I use free practice questions?

Free practice questions are limited. A small investment in quality practice questions ($10-30) significantly increases pass rates.

How do I get the 50% voucher?

Pass any AWS certification exam. You'll receive the voucher via email within a few days, valid for one year.

Your Free Starting Point

  1. Sign up for AWS free tier - Get hands-on immediately
  2. Start AWS Skill Builder - Official curriculum, free
  3. Take a gap assessment - Know what you need to study

StudyTech's free gap assessment saves you weeks of wasted study time:

  • Know your exact weak areas in 10 minutes
  • Get a personalized study plan focused on gaps
  • No paid subscription required to see your results
  • When you're ready, unlock AI-generated practice questions for just $25/month

Over 1,000 learners are using StudyTech to get AWS certified efficiently - many for under $200 total.

The smartest investment isn't expensive courses. It's knowing what to study before you start.

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