All certifications / Compare / Solutions Architect Associate vs Azure Administrator
Solutions Architect Associate vs Azure Administrator: which should you take?
Which first?
Either order works. Follow the cloud your job uses. If you have no preference, AWS SAA is one of the most requested cloud certifications in job postings.
Who each one is for
Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03): People who design or build systems on AWS.
Azure Administrator (AZ-104): Administrators who run Azure subscriptions, identities, networks, storage and virtual machines day to day.
Key differences
- AWS SAA questions are about choosing the right architecture for requirements; AZ-104 questions are about configuring and managing Azure resources.
- AZ-104 includes identity and governance with Microsoft Entra ID; AWS SAA covers IAM as part of secure architecture.
- Both expect hands-on experience with the platform, not only reading.
Side by side
| Item | Solutions Architect Associate | Azure Administrator |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft |
| Exam | SAA-C03 | AZ-104 |
| Questions | 65 (50 scored, 15 unscored; multiple choice and multiple response) | Not published (Microsoft associate exams usually have 40–60 questions, which can include case studies) |
| Time | 130 minutes | 100 minutes |
| To pass | 720 on a 100–1000 scale | 700 on a 1–1000 scale |
| Free study plan here | – | – |
| Career tracks | Cloud Computing | System Administrator |
Exam domains
Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03)
- Design Secure Architectures 30%
- Design Resilient Architectures 26%
- Design High-Performing Architectures 24%
- Design Cost-Optimized Architectures 20%
Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Manage Azure identities and governance 24%
- Implement and manage storage 19%
- Deploy and manage Azure compute resources 24%
- Implement and manage virtual networking 19%
- Monitor and maintain Azure resources 14%
Exam details come from each vendor's published objectives as recorded in the study plans; confirm them on the vendor's page before you book.
Study either one for free
Week-by-week lessons, quizzes, exam simulations and hands-on labs.
Solutions Architect Associate plan Azure Administrator planWeek-by-week lessons, quizzes, exam simulations and hands-on labs.