The first time I had to work on a project that ran entirely on Microsoft Azure, I thought my AWS skills would carry me through. Spoiler: they didn’t. Azure Active Directory? Totally new. Hosting APIs in Azure App Service? Different workflow. Setting up data pipelines in Azure Data Factory? A whole new playbook. I quickly realized Azure wasn’t just “Microsoft’s AWS.” It was its own ecosystem with its own quirks, strengths, and tools.
If you’ve been around the cloud space, you know Azure is exploding—especially in enterprise environments where Microsoft already has a foothold. But here’s the catch: Azure is massive. Do you start with fundamentals? Jump straight into certifications like AZ-900 or AZ-204? Or dive into DevOps with Azure Pipelines?
When I started, I wasted way too much time piecing together random YouTube tutorials and blog posts. What I needed was structure. A good course doesn’t just show you buttons in the portal; it gives you a roadmap and explains why you’re doing things.
So I pulled together this list of the best Azure courses for 2026. Whether you’re a beginner, a developer looking to expand your toolset, or someone chasing certifications, there’s something here for you. My top pick is Educative.io’s Azure guide because it’s hands-on and interactive—no setup, just straight into coding. But I’ll also highlight great picks from Udemy, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, Pluralsight, and Microsoft itself.
1. The Complete Guide to DevOps in Azure – Educative.io (Top Pick)
Most Azure courses are either PowerPoint-heavy or exam-focused. Educative does something different. Everything runs in the browser, so you learn by coding.
This course zeroes in on the developer side of Azure: App Service for hosting, Functions for serverless, Cosmos DB for NoSQL, and DevOps for CI/CD. You’re not just passively watching; you’re solving problems, writing code, and deploying cloud apps as you go.
For beginners, it’s approachable. For experienced devs, it cuts the fluff and focuses on building. The trade-off? It’s not a certification cram course. But that’s what makes it one of the best Azure courses if you actually want to use Azure as a developer.
2. AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals – Udemy (Scott Duffy)
AZ-900 is the entry-level exam for Azure, and Scott Duffy’s Udemy course is a favorite. It explains the big-picture services, pricing, and governance in plain language.
Even if you don’t care about the cert, this is one of the best Azure courses if you want to get comfortable with Azure’s ecosystem without getting buried in jargon.
3. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 – LinkedIn Learning
If you prefer quick, polished video lessons, LinkedIn Learning has a solid AZ-900 prep course. It’s concise, professionally produced, and easy to fit into a busy schedule.
This is one of the best Azure courses if you just want a short, digestible intro to Azure before deciding where to go deeper.
4. Azure Solutions Architect Expert – Udemy (Scott Duffy)
For those aiming at architecture roles, the AZ-305 certification is the goal. Scott Duffy’s prep course covers compute, networking, storage, and security design principles.
It’s not for beginners, but it’s one of the best Azure courses if you’re already experienced and want to level up into solution architecture.
5. Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203) – Coursera (Microsoft)
Data engineering is exploding, and Azure is strong in this space. This Microsoft-backed Coursera course teaches Data Factory, Synapse Analytics, and Stream Analytics.
It’s one of the best Azure courses if you want to specialize in building pipelines and big data systems.
6. Azure DevOps Engineer Expert – Pluralsight
If you live in CI/CD land, Azure DevOps is a must-know. Pluralsight has a great path for the AZ-400 certification, complete with labs on Pipelines, Boards, and Artifacts.
One of the best Azure courses for DevOps pros who want to prove (and improve) their skills.
7. Azure Administrator AZ-104 – Udemy (Alan Rodrigues)
AZ-104 is about managing Azure resources, monitoring systems, and handling identities. Alan Rodrigues’s Udemy course provides hands-on prep for that.
This is one of the best Azure courses if you’re an IT admin or sysadmin moving into cloud.
8. Azure Machine Learning – Coursera (Microsoft)
Want to mix AI with Azure? This Coursera course walks you through building and deploying ML models using Azure ML.
It’s one of the best Azure courses for devs and data scientists who want to dip their toes into cloud-based machine learning.
9. Azure Fundamentals – Microsoft Learn (Free)
Microsoft Learn has free, interactive modules that are surprisingly good. The Azure Fundamentals path covers the basics and aligns with AZ-900.
For budget-conscious learners, this is one of the best Azure courses because it’s both official and free.
10. Cloud Computing with Microsoft Azure – edX (Microsoft)
If you prefer an academic style, this edX course gives you both theory and practice. It ties Azure to core cloud concepts like virtualization and distributed systems.
It’s one of the best Azure courses for people who like more structured, university-like content.
11. Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions – Pluralsight
This course goes deep into architecture: high availability, scalability, and cost optimization. It’s meant for advanced learners who already know their way around Azure.
Definitely one of the best Azure courses if you’re aiming for senior-level cloud architecture roles.
How to Pick the Right Azure Course
Azure is a massive platform, so the right course depends on where you’re headed:
- Total beginner? Start with Educative.io’s Azure guide or an AZ-900 course on Udemy or LinkedIn.
- Developer? Stick with Educative.io or dive into Pluralsight’s developer and DevOps tracks.
- Data-focused? Coursera’s DP-203 specialization is perfect.
- DevOps? Go with Pluralsight’s AZ-400 path.
- Architect? Udemy’s AZ-305 prep or Pluralsight’s architecting course will get you there.
Wrapping Up
Azure isn’t just “another cloud provider.” It’s a fast-growing ecosystem, especially in enterprises where Microsoft already dominates. Learning it is a career move that opens doors in development, DevOps, data engineering, and architecture.
The best Azure courses don’t just help you pass a certification—they help you actually use Azure. They give you hands-on practice, context, and confidence to build solutions.
If you’re not sure where to start, my recommendation is Educative.io’s Azure guide. It’s interactive, practical, and skips the setup pain. Once you’ve got the basics, you can branch into certifications, data engineering, or architecture depending on your path.
By the end, Azure won’t feel like a massive list of services—it’ll feel like a platform you know how to navigate and leverage.
What’s the Azure course or resource that finally made things click for you? Drop it in the comments—someone else might find their perfect starting point thanks to your story.
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