Validates knowledge of administering Azure identities, governance, storage, compute and networking, and monitoring cloud infrastructure.
A good AZ-104 course follows the five skill areas of the April 2026 outline and gets you building in the Azure portal, because the exam asks which setting or service meets a need. We compared the main options on coverage, hands-on practice and price.
Most people should start with the free Microsoft Learn course and its lab instructions, and add Scott Duffy's Udemy course if they learn best from video. Watch John Savill's free cram for the big picture, and choose the Pluralsight path only when your employer already pays for it.
| Course | Best for | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Microsoft Learn: AZ-104 course | Free official course | Interactive | Free |
 AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator - Complete Exam Prep | Full video course | Video | $150 |
 AZ-104 Study Cram v2 | Free big-picture review | Video | Free |
 Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) | Employer-funded study | Video | $35/month |
 AZ-104 lab instructions | Hands-on labs | Interactive | Free |
Microsoft's own self-paced learning paths for each AZ-104 skill area, linked to the Azure documentation the exam draws on. The same course is taught as a four-day class by training partners. Learn is also the reference you can open during the exam.
Great fit if you want the official material at no cost
Poor fit if you learn best from video; choose Scott Duffy
About 18 hours of video with portal walkthroughs for every skill area, last updated October 2026. It includes a free study guide PDF, a 30-day study plan, cram notes and a practice test.
Great fit if you want one structured video course that follows the objectives
Poor fit if you want built-in labs; use the AZ-104 lab instructions
A free four-hour YouTube review that explains how Azure identity, subscriptions, networking and compute fit together. It was recorded in 2024, before the April 2026 update, so use it for the big picture rather than as your only course.
Great fit if you want a big-picture overview before or after a full course
Poor fit if you need a full course or practice questions; choose Scott Duffy
A path of six courses, about 33 hours of video, eight hands-on labs and a practice exam, organized by the April 2026 AZ-104 skill areas. Pluralsight's most recent course in the path was updated in September 2026.
Great fit if your employer already pays for Pluralsight and you want video and labs in one place
Poor fit if you would buy a subscription just for this exam; use Microsoft Learn or Scott Duffy
Step-by-step labs from Microsoft's instructor-led AZ-104 course, maintained by Microsoft Learning on GitHub. You build the exam's services in your own Azure subscription, which is the practice the exam rewards.
Great fit if you want structured hands-on practice in your own subscription
Poor fit if you cannot use an Azure subscription or want lessons; choose Microsoft Learn
For most people, the free Microsoft Learn course with the lab instructions. Scott Duffy's Udemy course ($150) is the best choice if you learn from video.
Yes. Microsoft Learn, the GitHub labs, John Savill's cram and Microsoft's practice assessment are all free. Your only cost is the Azure resources you create in your own subscription.
Scott Duffy's course runs about 18 hours and the Pluralsight path about 33 hours. Plan for about 80 hours of preparation in total, including labs and practice.
Yes. The exam is open book with Microsoft Learn, so practise searching it quickly while you study.