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Learn DevOps & Cloud for Free

DevOps and cloud skills are among the best-paid and most-wanted specialisations in tech. Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, and Azure are the tools that move modern software from a developer's laptop to millions of users reliably. This path is for developers or IT people who like automation, systems, and making things run smoothly at scale. Every tool here has excellent free learning material. You can go from your first container to cloud-certified in about 4 to 8 months of part-time study.
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The path at a glance

  1. 01 Learn Docker
  2. 02 Learn Kubernetes
  3. 03 AWS Cloud Fundamentals
  4. 04 Azure Cloud Fundamentals
  5. 05 Enterprise DevOps

Yes, you can learn DevOps and cloud engineering for free. The core tools (Docker for containers, Kubernetes for orchestration, and AWS or Azure for cloud infrastructure) all have free courses and free tiers to practise on. Start with Docker, move to Kubernetes, then earn cloud fundamentals knowledge with AWS Cloud Practitioner and Azure's AZ-900 path. DevOps is less a single skill than a set of practices tying development and operations together, so hands-on practice matters most. AWS is the most-used cloud platform among developers, which makes it a smart place to focus first. Plan for 4 to 8 months of part-time study.

AWS was the most-used cloud platform among professional developers in the 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, ahead of Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud (source: Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2024, https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2024/technology/).

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Your Step-by-Step Path

  1. 1

    Step 1:Learn Docker

    Containers are the foundation of modern DevOps. Start with Docker. Learn to build, ship, and run applications in isolated environments.

    beginner
    freeCodeCamp

    Learn DevOps Basics: Free 2-Hour Docker Course

    2h · Free

  2. 2

    Step 2:Learn Kubernetes

    Once you understand containers, learn to orchestrate them at scale. Kubernetes is the industry standard for container management.

    intermediate
    freeCodeCamp

    Kubernetes Course: Full Beginners Tutorial

    4h · Free

  3. 3

    Step 3:AWS Cloud Fundamentals

    Amazon Web Services powers a third of the internet. The Cloud Practitioner course covers core AWS services, pricing, and architecture.

    beginner
    AWS Skill Builder
    Certificate

    AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials

    7h · Free

  4. 4

    Step 4:Azure Cloud Fundamentals

    Microsoft Azure is the second-largest cloud platform. The AZ-900 path covers cloud concepts, Azure services, and security fundamentals.

    beginner
    Microsoft Learn
    Certificate

    Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Describe cloud concepts (AZ-900)

    4h · Free

  5. 5

    Step 5:Enterprise DevOps

    Tie it all together with CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code, and enterprise-grade DevOps practices on Azure.

    intermediate
    Microsoft Learn
    Certificate

    AZ-400: Development for Enterprise DevOps

    8h · Free

Beyond the path

More Courses to Explore

Microsoft LearnCertificate

DevOpsIntermediate

AZ-400: Development for Enterprise DevOps

Microsoft Learn's primary DevOps path (replaces the retired AZ-400 Get-Started path). Covers source control with Git, GitHub workflows, branching strategies, Azure Boards, GitHub Projects, and applying DevOps practices at scale. Aligns with the AZ-400 certification.

Rating 4.58hDetails →

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a developer before learning DevOps?

Some coding and command-line comfort helps a lot, but you don't need to be a full software engineer. Many DevOps people come from IT or systems administration. Basic scripting and a willingness to learn automation are the real entry requirements.

Should I learn Docker or Kubernetes first?

Docker first, always. Kubernetes orchestrates containers, so it only makes sense once you understand what a container is. This path deliberately puts Docker before Kubernetes for that reason.

Which cloud platform should I learn, AWS or Azure?

Start with AWS, the most-used platform, then add Azure fundamentals. Knowing one deeply plus the basics of another makes you flexible for most job postings. This path covers both at the fundamentals level.

Are the free cloud certifications worth it?

The knowledge is. The AWS Cloud Practitioner and Azure AZ-900 courses are free to study even though the official exams cost money. Employers value the skills, and passing the exam later is a strong résumé signal when you're ready.

How long does it take to learn DevOps?

About 4 to 8 months part-time to reach a junior level comfortable with containers, orchestration, and cloud basics. It's an ongoing field, so learning continues on the job.

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