Choosing between AZ-700 and AZ-104 can feel confusing because both certifications are connected to Microsoft Azure infrastructure. However, they are not the same exam, and they do not lead to the exact same type of job role. AZ-104 focuses on Azure administration, while AZ-700 focuses on Azure networking. In simple words, AZ-104 is broader, and AZ-700 is more specialized.

If you are planning your Azure certification path in 2026, the better choice depends on your current skills, career goals, and the type of cloud work you want to do. AZ-104 is usually the better starting point for people who want a wider Azure foundation. AZ-700 is better for people who already understand cloud basics and want to build deeper skills in networking, connectivity, routing, load balancing, and secure access.

The Main Difference Between AZ-700 and AZ-104

The biggest difference is scope. AZ-104 covers the daily work of an Azure administrator. This includes identity, governance, storage, compute, virtual networking, and monitoring. It is built for professionals who manage Azure environments and support business cloud operations.

AZ-700 is narrower but deeper. It is built for people who design and implement Azure networking solutions. This includes virtual networks, hybrid connectivity, private access, DNS, routing, application delivery, network security, and traffic management. If AZ-104 teaches you how to manage many Azure services, AZ-700 teaches you how to make Azure networks work correctly, securely, and efficiently.

This difference matters because many beginners choose an exam only by looking at salary or popularity. That is not the best way. You should choose the exam that matches the work you want to do.

Quick Comparison Table

Who Should Take AZ-104 First?

AZ-104 is a strong choice if you want to become an Azure administrator or cloud support professional. It gives you a practical understanding of how Azure environments are managed in real business settings. You learn how to work with users, subscriptions, storage accounts, virtual machines, virtual networks, backups, monitoring, and access controls.

This exam is also a good option if you are moving from traditional IT support or system administration into cloud computing. Many of the skills connect with real tasks, such as managing resources, checking performance, applying security controls, and keeping cloud services available. Candidates who want extra exam-style practice can also review https://certempire.com/exam/az-104-exam-questions while preparing with official Microsoft learning resources.

AZ-104 can also help you prepare for higher Azure certifications later. For example, if you plan to move toward Azure Solutions Architect, DevOps, security, or cloud engineering roles, AZ-104 gives you a solid foundation. It is not a beginner exam, but it is often the most practical associate-level starting point after understanding Azure fundamentals.

Who Should Take AZ-700 Instead?

AZ-700 is better if your main interest is networking. This exam is designed for people who want to work with Azure virtual networks, routing, VPNs, ExpressRoute, Azure Firewall, private endpoints, load balancers, Application Gateway, Front Door, DNS, and network security.

If you already work as a network engineer, infrastructure engineer, cloud engineer, or security-focused network professional, AZ-700 may feel more relevant than AZ-104. It allows you to prove that you can design and manage Azure networking solutions, not just basic cloud resources.

AZ-700 is also useful for people who support hybrid environments. Many companies still use on-premises systems while moving workloads to Azure. These companies need professionals who understand how to connect local networks with Azure securely and reliably. Candidates preparing for this networking-focused path can use https://certempire.com/exam/az-700-exam-questions for additional exam-style question practice alongside hands-on Azure networking labs.

Which Exam Is Easier?

For most candidates, AZ-104 is easier to approach because it covers a broader set of Azure administration topics. The concepts are still challenging, but they are easier to connect with general cloud learning.

AZ-700 can feel harder if you do not have a networking background. It expects you to understand network design, IP addressing, routing behavior, DNS, secure connectivity, traffic flow, and private access. These topics can be difficult for people who only have basic Azure knowledge.

However, difficulty depends on your background. A system administrator may find AZ-104 easier. A network engineer may find AZ-700 more natural. The right question is not only “Which exam is easier?” but “Which exam matches my existing skills?”

Career Value in 2026

Both certifications have strong value because Azure continues to be widely used by businesses. AZ-104 is useful because almost every Azure environment needs administrators. Companies need people who can manage cloud resources, control access, monitor workloads, and keep services running.

AZ-700 has value because networking is one of the most important parts of cloud infrastructure. Poor network design can cause downtime, security risks, slow performance, and high costs. As companies build hybrid and multi-region environments, Azure networking skills become more important.

AZ-104 can open more general cloud administration roles. AZ-700 can support more specialized roles with deeper infrastructure responsibility. If you want a wider job search, AZ-104 may help more. If you want to stand out in cloud networking, AZ-700 may be the stronger option.

Best Learning Path for 2026

A smart path is to start with Azure fundamentals, then move to AZ-104, and later take AZ-700 if networking is your target area. This path works well because AZ-104 gives you the base knowledge needed to understand how Azure resources work together.

After AZ-104, AZ-700 becomes easier because you already understand Azure subscriptions, resources, monitoring, governance, and basic networking. Then you can focus on advanced networking topics without struggling with the Azure platform itself.

If you already work in networking, you can go directly to AZ-700, but you should still understand Azure basics first. You do not need to earn every lower-level certification, but you do need the knowledge. Cert Empire can be used as one preparation support option when candidates want exam-style practice material alongside official learning resources.

Watch Cert Empire’s YouTube video for a complete and easy explanation: 🔻

Study Tips Before Choosing

Before choosing either exam, review the official Microsoft skills outline. Do not choose based only on exam names. Look at the topics and ask yourself which daily tasks you want to perform.

For AZ-104, practice creating and managing virtual machines, storage accounts, users, role-based access, virtual networks, backups, and monitoring alerts. For AZ-700, practice designing virtual networks, configuring routing, setting up private endpoints, testing connectivity, and understanding traffic flow between services.

Hands-on practice is important for both exams. Reading alone is not enough. Azure exams often test how services behave in real situations, so you should spend time inside the Azure portal and Microsoft Learn labs.

Final Recommendation

Take AZ-104 if you want a broad Azure administration certification, are new to Azure associate-level exams, or want a flexible cloud career path. It is the better choice for most beginners and IT professionals moving into cloud roles.

Take AZ-700 if you already understand Azure basics and want to specialize in cloud networking. It is the better choice for network engineers, infrastructure professionals, and cloud specialists who want to design secure and reliable Azure network solutions.

For many learners, the best answer is not AZ-700 vs AZ-104, but AZ-104 first and AZ-700 later. This gives you both general Azure administration knowledge and specialized networking strength.
For a simplified overview, readers can check Cert Empire’s Instagram post.

FAQs

Is AZ-700 harder than AZ-104?

AZ-700 can feel harder if you lack networking experience because it focuses deeply on routing, connectivity, private access, and security. AZ-104 is broader and easier to start.

Can I take AZ-700 before AZ-104?

Yes, you can take AZ-700 before AZ-104, but it is better if you already understand Azure basics, networking concepts, subscriptions, resources, and cloud infrastructure behavior.

Which certification is better for beginners?

AZ-104 is usually better for beginners because it gives a wider Azure foundation. It covers administration tasks that help learners understand how Azure environments are managed.

Which exam is better for network engineers?

AZ-700 is better for network engineers because it focuses on Azure networking, hybrid connectivity, routing, traffic management, private endpoints, and secure network design.

Should I take both AZ-104 and AZ-700?

Taking both is a strong choice if you want broad Azure administration knowledge and deeper networking skills. AZ-104 builds the base, while AZ-700 adds specialization.

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