Validates knowledge of designing complex multi-account solutions, improving existing workloads, and migrating and modernizing applications using AWS services.
A Solutions Architect Professional course has to teach multi-account, hybrid and recovery designs for long scenario questions, and match the exam version. We compared the main options on hands-on practice, depth, practice questions and price.
Most people should start with Adrian Cantrill's $80 course, which builds the designs in your own AWS account. Choose Stéphane Maarek's for a fast review if you already design on AWS, Neal Davis's for a bundled practice exam, and AWS's free plan as a checklist.
SAP-C02 exams end November 16, 2026; SAP-C03 registration opens October 27 and SAP-C03 exams start November 17, 2026. Source ↗
| Course | Best for | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional | Hands-on builds | Video | $80 |
 Ultimate AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional 2026 | Fast review | Video | $175 |
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional SAP-C02 | Course plus practice exam | Video | $120 |
 Exam Prep Plan: AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional (SAP-C02) | Free official checklist | Interactive | Free |
Scenario-driven theory lessons and demos that build advanced identity, networking, migration and disaster recovery designs in your own AWS account. Downloadable diagrams support each lesson. It is the deepest hands-on option on this list.
Great fit if you want deep understanding and hands-on builds
Poor fit if you want a short review of material you know; choose Maarek
A slide-based video course of about 16.5 hours that moves through all four exam domains quickly, with downloadable slides. It is written for people who already know the Associate material, which keeps it short enough for a focused review.
Great fit if you have strong AWS experience and want a structured review
Poor fit if you want hands-on builds in the course; choose Cantrill
About 22 hours of theory lessons with architecture diagrams, a practice exam in the same purchase and a 30-day study plan. It suits people who want lessons and a first mock exam without buying separately.
Great fit if you want a course and a practice exam in one purchase
Poor fit if you want to build the designs yourself in AWS; choose Cantrill
AWS's four-step learning plan with domain review lessons, the free 20-question practice set and the official practice exam. It tells you what to study but does not teach each service in full, and the official practice exam needs a subscription.
Great fit if you want an official checklist of what to study next to a course
Poor fit if you need full lessons on each service; choose Cantrill
Compare all AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional practice tests →
For most people, Adrian Cantrill's course: it is deep, hands-on and costs $80. Choose Stéphane Maarek's course if you want a short review of material you already know.
AWS's free exam prep plan and question set show you what to study and how the questions look. They do not teach each service in full, so most candidates add a paid course.
The Maarek and Davis video courses run about 16.5 and 22 hours. Plan for about 120 hours of preparation in total, less if you design multi-account AWS architectures at work.
SAP-C02 can be booked up to November 16, 2026, and SAP-C03 exams start on November 17. Both earn the same certification, and all four courses here teach SAP-C02.