Accelerate Your DevOps Career: Top Ansible Certification Courses for Mastering Automation

Ansible is a radically simple IT automation platform that makes application and system deployment faster. So, you no longer have to write tedious scripts or custom codes for updating or deploying your applications.

Here in this article, we will enlist the top 10 best Ansible courses with red hat Ansible certifications that you can take up to kick start your automation journey. We have included both Ansible certification free courses as well as paid ones.

From the Red Hat Ansible training to the Udemy and Coursera courses, each of these classes is presented to you by top-tier recognized industry professionals. So, let us get started and address them one by one.

Best Ansible Training Programs: A Quick Overview

Here is a quick tabular overview of some of the best Ansible training programs.

10 Best Ansible Free Certifications & Paid Courses

Let us now take you through a detailed discussion of the top courses.

1. Ansible for the Absolute Beginner – Hands-On – DevOps – [Udemy]

• Cost: $27.99 | Level: Beginner to Intermediate | Rating: 4.5
• Duration: 2.5 hrs | Instructor: Mumshad Mannambeth, KodeKloud
• Key Features: Hands-on coding exercises, animated slides, builds playbooks step-by-step.
• Cons: Some content may seem outdated.
• Industry Fit: For SysAdmins, Cloud Engineers, and DevOps enthusiasts.

It is the bestseller Ansible certification course on Udemy. It is one of the best Ansible courses because it is 100 percent practical and hands-on. So, across this Ansible network automation certification, you learn by doing.

Here, every lecture has a set of coding exercises that provide you with hands-on experience and fill up with practical exposure to building Ansible Playbooks.

What’s more?

Every lecture in the Udemy course has animated slides. The presence of PPTs makes the class very easy to understand.

It is one of the rare internet courses wherein you get coding exercises for practicing Ansible Playbooks right in your browser. Even though there is no Ansible free certification with it, you receive a Udemy accreditation after completing this course. This class is presented by Mumshad Mannambeth and KodeKloud Training.

Mumshad Mannambeth is an IT Solutions Architect and founder of KodeKloud, specializing in Cloud Native Computing, Automation, and DevOps. He is passionate about teaching through hands-on, interactive learning experiences. KodeKloud is a leading online training platform offering immersive, hands-on courses in DevOps, Cloud, and Automation technologies, with over 500,000 students worldwide.

If you need a free alternative, check out the Red Hat Ansible course with the Ansible Redhat certification discussed in the subsequent sections.

Learning Outcomes

You can learn several things with this Ansible network automation certification course. Some of the things you discover here are:

• Introduction to Ansible
• Fundamentals of YAML with hands-on exercises
• Developing Ansible Inventory Files
• Elementary information on the Playbooks, Modules, Variables, Conditionals, Loops, and Roles
• Automating web server development and provisioning

Prerequisites

Here are some prerequisites associated with this Ansible certification course:

• Access to Linux System for Ansible Setup
• Basic Linux Administrator Skills
• Time and patience to take the course
• Money because it is not an Ansible free certification

Who should take this course?

This Ansible network automation certification is for:

• System Administrators
• Cloud Infrastructure Engineers
• Automation Engineers
• Anyone who wants to learn to automate sans codes

It is a paid course. So, not for someone seeking an Ansible certification free.

Industry Application

This Ansible course is designed for System Administrators, Cloud Infrastructure Engineers, and Automation Engineers looking to streamline IT automation. By mastering Ansible Playbooks and automating server provisioning, students can enhance their efficiency in managing cloud and DevOps environments, positioning themselves as valuable assets in industries that prioritize automation and cloud computing.

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2. Mastering Ansible – [Udemy]

• Cost: $14.99 | Level: Intermediate to Advanced | Rating: 4.4
• Duration: 5 hrs | Instructor: Chris Lunsford
• Key Features: Builds skills progressively with real-world applications. Covers workflows, playbook optimizations, and troubleshooting.
• Cons: Less polished UX.
• Industry Fit: Ideal for Linux Admins and Engineers seeking configuration management mastery.

Next, we have another one of the top-rated courses from Udemy. It is a detailed, step-by-step, and one of the best Ansible courses online – course content-wise. It takes you through the whole process of learning Ansible for configuration management and orchestration. This course is by Chris Lunsford. The instructor is a seasoned IT professional with over a decade of experience in network, data center, cloud, and systems operations. Having co-founded a software company, they focus on alleviating operational challenges in cloud and data center environments. They are passionate about sharing their expertise in integrating software practices with IT operations, making complex concepts accessible to learners.

This Ansible certification course stands out for its journey-based approach. Instead of merely following the Ansible documentation, the instructor progressively builds your skills by guiding you through configuring a realistic application stack from scratch.

The course emphasizes core concepts, long-term Ansible maintenance, and creating workflows for troubleshooting via playbooks that can be stored and improved over time.

It includes six sections, starting with foundational topics and installation. From the third session, you begin building a sample application layer-by-layer, learning a new concept in each class. You then refactor in Section 4, optimize code in Section 5, and finish with testing and troubleshooting.

The course fee covers everything—materials, online videos, and certification.

Learning Outcomes

In this Ansible course, you get Ansible free certification, the cost of which is covered in the course fee. Along with the certification, you also get to learn about:

• Executing Ad-Hoc commands against servers using Ansible
• Configuring Ansible roles with default variables, templates, files, handlers, and tasks
• Building operational playbooks to check cluster status to lower execution time
• Writing Ansible configuration playbooks for deploying a three-tier web application
• Optimize Ansible playbooks to decrease playbook execution time
• Performing and building a cluster restart
• Troubleshooting and testing Ansible playbook execution

Prerequisites

Some prerequisites associated with this Ansible certification course are:

• Any IDE or a code editor of your choice
• Mac OS X or Linux computer
• Access to one Linux virtual machine for installing Ansible
• Access to 5 Linux servers for setting up the course environment and following the instructions step-by-step
• SSH client and terminal to run Ansible against target hosts
• No programming or previous automation experience

Who should take this course?

It is the best Ansible course online for:

• Students who have little or no experience with Ansible
• Those familiar with Linux systems administration concepts
• Engineers interested in infrastructure-as-code, orchestration, configuration management, and DevOps principles

Industry Application

This course will benefit Linux system administrators and engineers interested in infrastructure-as-code, orchestration, and DevOps principles. It is ideal for IT professionals looking to enhance their skills in configuration management and automation within cloud and data center environments, enabling them to manage and troubleshoot complex infrastructure efficiently using Ansible. This course emphasizes long-term playbook maintenance and optimizations, preparing students for real-world operational challenges.

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3. Ansible Advanced – Hands-On – DevOps – [Udemy]

• Cost: $19.99 | Level: Intermediate to Advanced | Rating: 4.5
• Duration: 4 hrs | Instructor: Mumshad Mannambeth, KodeKloud
• Key Features: Focuses on advanced concepts, dynamic inventories, Ansible Galaxy, and custom modules.
• Cons: Quizzes could be improved.
• Industry Fit: Great for IT professionals handling large-scale cloud-native environments.

Next, we have another Ansible network automation certification course by Udemy. It is the second course in the series by the author. Herein, you will work with the advanced Ansible concepts and comprehend their real-life uses. It is the perfect pick for someone with a basic understanding seeking to gain expertise in Ansible.

This class is presented by Mumshad Mannambeth and KodeKloud Training. Mumshad Mannambeth is an IT Solutions Architect and founder of KodeKloud, specializing in Cloud Native Computing, Automation, and DevOps. He is passionate about teaching through hands-on, interactive learning experiences. KodeKloud is a leading online training platform offering immersive, hands-on courses in DevOps, Cloud, and Automation technologies, with over 500,000 students worldwide.

We like this course because all lectures come enclosed with animated slides, making them easy to understand and straightforward. It is one of the best Ansible courses where you receive ample Coding Exercises for practicing Ansible Playbooks in your browser.

Learning Outcomes

Here are some things you will learn with this Ansible network automation certification:

• Developing Ansible Playbooks for advanced use cases
• Managing errors during playbook execution
• Employing Dynamic Inventory in Playbooks
• Utilizing Ansible Vault for securing critical information
• Ansible’s execution flow
• Acquiring good hands-on experience in developing playbooks
• Sharing work with Ansible Community using Ansible Galaxy
• Following Ansible best practices during playbook development
• Designing custom plugins, filters, and modules
• Using Lookups to retrieve data from external sources
• Reusing and creating custom roles
• Making and understanding templating using Jinja2

Prerequisites

Though not an Ansible free certification, it is an excellent course. Some things you require for the class are:

• Ansible basics – If you do not have clarity on Fundamentals, you can take the Ansible for the Absolute Beginners course.
• Structure of YAML files and how to develop one
• Making a basic Ansible Playbook
• Fundamental use cases of Ansible

Who should take this Ansible certification course?

This is the best Ansible course online for:

• Anyone who wishes to learn Ansible
• System Administrator who wishes to learn to automate with Ansible
• Anyone who wishes to learn Orchestration/Automation in the cloud

Industry Application

It is ideal for system administrators and IT professionals who want to advance their skills in cloud automation and orchestration using Ansible. It is particularly useful for those working with dynamic and large-scale environments, as it covers advanced use cases such as dynamic inventories, secure information management, and custom Ansible modules. By mastering these concepts, students can significantly improve their efficiency in cloud-native computing, DevOps, and IT automation.

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4. Ansible Basics: Automation Technical Overview – [Red Hat]

• Cost: Free | Level: Beginner to Intermediate | Rating: 4.8
• Duration: Self-paced | Provider: Red Hat
• Key Features: Explains fundamentals and the Ansible Automation Platform through videos.
• Cons: No hands-on labs or certificates.
• Industry Fit: For engineers and architects exploring Red Hat’s automation tools.

Next, we have an informative course from Red Hat. It is not an ordinary Red Hat Ansible certification program, but one of the best options available, given its comprehensiveness.

If you need credentials, you can avail of the Ansible Redhat certification as part of their subscription plan which gives you access to all their resources for the whole year. It is a free Red Hat Ansible training. So, you can start viewing all their videos and study materials. The instructors are seasoned IT professionals specializing in cloud, automation, and DevOps solutions, with extensive experience working with Red Hat technologies and enterprise cloud environments. They bring hands-on expertise in integrating open-source solutions into cloud and infrastructure platforms, helping students navigate complex cloud-native ecosystems.

Before enrolling in this training, please know that you do not get hands-on labs or course completion recognition included.

So, why do we like it?

It is a series of on-demand, online videos that familiarize you with the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform in the most interactive format. As part of this course, you grasp information on deploying, provisioning, and configuration management.

In addition, you also study how to manage and compute infrastructure across cloud, virtual, and physical environments with Ansible. You can finish the course in 30 days. After you finish this class, the instructor recommends following it up with the below sessions:

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux Automation with Ansible (RH294)
• Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) exam (EX294)

Learning Outcomes

Even though it is not a Red Hat Ansible certification course, it is a preferred choice for learners. In this Red Hat Ansible training, you learn several things. Some of them are:

• Fundamentals of Ansible Automation Platform
• Working on Ansible
• Creating, managing, and scaling automation with the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform
• Understanding of playbooks, tasks, and modules
• Executing Ansible commands
• Using templates and variables
• Automation controller and where it fits in
• Controller basics
• RBAC, workflows, and other Controller basics

Who should take this course?

This Ansible Redhat certification will benefit:

• Engineers
• Administrators
• Architects
• IT leaders
• Is anyone else seeking high-level Red Hat Ansible training

Prerequisites

For this Red Hat Ansible certification, you need:

• Basic Linux® system administration skills

Industry Application

This course is ideal for engineers, administrators, architects, and IT leaders seeking to understand the fundamentals of automation using the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform. It provides a comprehensive overview of deploying, provisioning, and managing infrastructure across cloud, virtual, and physical environments. While hands-on labs and certification aren’t included, it lays a strong foundation in Ansible automation, making it a valuable starting point for those looking to scale their automation practices in enterprise environments.

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5. Dive Into Ansible – From Beginner to Expert in Ansible – [Udemy]

• Cost: $14.99 | Level: Beginner to Advanced | Rating: 4.7
• Duration: 7.5 hrs | Instructor: James Spurin, DiveInto Training
• Key Features: Covers Ansible 2.10, with interactive labs, quizzes, and an Ansible-themed game.
• Cons: Some examples could be better.
• Industry Fit: Best for DevOps engineers exploring containers, AWS, and cloud-native automation.

It is one of the top-rated Udemy courses, updated to the latest Ansible version – 2.10. Across this one of the best Ansible courses, the instructor employs Python 3. Your instructors for the class are DiveInto Training and James Spurin. James Spurin is a Docker Captain, CNCF Ambassador, and IT industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, specializing in cloud-native technologies. He collaborates with DiveInto, a leading technical content publisher, to deliver in-depth, high-quality IT training focused on exceeding learner expectations.

You can find exceptional hands-on lab experience to learn as you go with the course. In addition, there are multiple hands-on quizzes and exercises. Lastly, you will finish the course with an Ansible-themed game – Playbook Stacker.

Learning Outcomes

It is an informative Ansible certification course. As part of this Ansible network automation certification, you learn the following:

• Knowledge of the Ansible Modules – Structure of Ansible Playbooks, Building and Executing the Ansible Playbooks, Jinja2 Templating, and Ansible Facts
• Clarity on advanced Ansible Topics like – Parallel Looping, Built-in Modules, Magic Variables, Building Plugins, Task Delegation, Creating Modules, Conditionals, Dynamic Inventories, and Vault
• Troubleshooting issues related to Ansible
• Employing Ansible for testing and validation
• Structuring Ansible playbooks like Tags, Roles
• Using Ansible with containers and cloud services, Docker, and AWS

Prerequisites

Unlike the free Red Hat Ansible certification, it is not an Ansible certification-free course. So beyond time, you also need money to pay for the class. Other than this, it is a beginner to advanced best Ansible course online. So, you have no other requirements for the class.

Who should take this course?

Similar to the Red Hat Ansible course, it is for anyone who wishes to learn Ansible and make the most of scalable orchestration, DevOps, and Automation.

Industry Application

It is ideal for IT professionals, system administrators, DevOps engineers, and cloud practitioners who want to build expertise in scalable orchestration and automation using Ansible. The course covers essential and advanced topics like playbook structuring, cloud integration, and container usage, making it a valuable asset for those working with cloud-native environments and DevOps practices.

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6. Fundamentals of Ansible – [Red Hat Training]- Coursera

• Cost: Free with options for certificate | Level: Beginner | Rating: 4.7
• Duration: 6 hrs (2 hrs/week for 3 weeks)
• Key Features: Introduces playbooks, commands, and infrastructure automation basics.
• Cons: Limited depth compared to advanced courses.
• Industry Fit: Perfect for IT newcomers or professionals seeking foundational knowledge.

Next, we have a Coursera class by Red Hat Training. This course is designed to provide a solid foundation in Ansible, a powerful open-source tool that simplifies IT workflows and system management. Whether you’re new to automation or an experienced professional aiming to refine your skills, this course offers comprehensive coverage of Ansible’s essential features. With step-by-step modules, video demonstrations, readings, and quizzes, you’ll gain a deep understanding of Ansible’s architecture, commands, and playbooks. Learn at your own pace and discover how Ansible can streamline complex environments with ease.

What You Will Learn:

• Understand Ansible’s core capabilities and how it simplifies system management.
• Create and manage a basic Ansible inventory for efficient infrastructure handling.
• Design and execute Ansible playbooks for various automation tasks.
• Automate workflows using Ansible modules and best practices.

Industry Application

Ansible is widely used in industries such as cloud computing, finance, healthcare, and IT operations for automating system configurations, managing large-scale infrastructure, and ensuring consistent deployments. Mastering Ansible will help IT professionals and system administrators automate repetitive tasks, improve operational efficiency, and reduce the risk of errors, making this course essential for anyone involved in modern IT management.

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7. Red Hat Enterprise Linux Automation with Ansible (RH294) – [Red Hat]

• Cost: Free | Level: Intermediate | Rating: 4.8
• Duration: Self-paced | Provider: Red Hat
• Key Features: Focuses on provisioning, configuration, and scaling Ansible solutions.
• Cons: Requires RHCSA certification or equivalent knowledge.
• Industry Fit: Advanced automation for Linux Admins and Developers.

Next, we have another Ansible Redhat certification. It is one of the best Ansible courses. In this Red Hat Ansible certification, you learn to automate Linux system administration tasks with the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform.

This Red Hat Ansible course is based on the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 1.2 and the Red Hat® Enterprise Linux® 8.4. The instructors are seasoned IT professionals specializing in cloud, automation, and DevOps solutions, with extensive experience working with Red Hat technologies and enterprise cloud environments. They bring hands-on expertise in integrating open-source solutions into cloud and infrastructure platforms, helping students navigate complex cloud-native ecosystems.

Learning Outcomes

In this Ansible free certification, you will learn the following:

• Installing Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform on control nodes
• Reusing code
• Creating and updating inventories of managed hosts
• Writing effective playbooks at scale
• Simplifying playbook development with Ansible Content Collections and Ansible Roles
• Guarding sensitive data with Ansible Vault
• Automating administration tasks

Who should take this Red Hat Ansible training?

This Ansible Redhat certification is for developers and Linux system administrations who wish to automate provisioning, configuration, application deployment, and orchestration.

Prerequisites

For this Red Hat Ansible certification, you need the following:

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux experience or pass the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) exam (EX200)
• Take the assessment test that comes free with the Red Hat Ansible course to check whether the class is suited for your existing skills.

Industry Application

This course is ideal for Linux system administrators and developers seeking to automate tasks such as provisioning, configuration, and application deployment using the Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform. The course is tailored for professionals managing enterprise cloud and hybrid infrastructures, allowing them to streamline system administration and orchestration tasks. It is particularly valuable for those working in environments that rely on Red Hat Enterprise Linux and open-source automation tools for scalability and efficiency.

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8. Ansible Foundation Training Course – [SimpliLearn]

• Cost: $39 (eBook)
• Level: Beginner to Advanced | Rating: N/A
• Key Features: Comprehensive, self-paced guide with practical examples on automation in cloud and local environments.
• Cons: No video-based instruction.
• Industry Fit: Perfect for DevOps practitioners seeking a written resource.

This Ansible network automation certification is for beginners who wish to start with the installation of Ansible 2.0. The trainers at Alison are all highly qualified and certified. They hold several years of experience in working with front-end development technology.

Learning Outcomes

As you progress, you learn to create your playbooks, manage cloud regions, and configure network devices across Windows or Linux OS. This Ansible certification course comes with a 100% Money-Back Guarantee and lifetime access. Complete 85 percent of the online self-learning Ansible course to receive the certification.

Prerequisites

For this best Ansible course online, you need:

• High school diploma
• Undergraduate degree
• Access to a Linux system
• Webcam
• Microphone, speakers, and headset
• Strong internet access

Who can take this course?

This Ansible network automation certification is for:

• Beginners who wish to automate their organizational infrastructure
• System administrators, developers, and automation engineers

Industry Application

This course is designed for individuals new to network automation and infrastructure orchestration. It is best suited for system administrators, developers, and automation engineers looking to automate tasks across cloud regions and network devices on Windows or Linux platforms. The course provides foundational knowledge in Ansible, helping professionals streamline IT operations in diverse industries that depend on efficient infrastructure management and automation.

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9. Ansible on Windows Fundamentals – [Pluralsight]

• Cost: Subscription (Free trial available)
• Level: Beginner | Rating: N/A
• Duration: 1–2 hrs
• Key Features: Covers essentials for using Ansible for configuration management.
• Cons: Basic coverage, less suited for advanced learners.
• Industry Fit: For IT beginners exploring automation concepts.

Next, we have a course from Pluralsight. It is not an Ansible certification-free course but is comprehensive and informative. This course equips learners with the knowledge and tools to automate and manage Windows infrastructure using Ansible. From foundational concepts to advanced connection configurations, learners will explore how to leverage Ansible’s powerful automation capabilities to streamline system management and optimize workflows.

You will study with Timothy Warner, a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in Cloud and Datacenter Management. He is a highly respected expert in the IT industry. Based in Nashville, TN, Timothy’s deep expertise spans Microsoft Azure, cross-platform PowerShell, and Windows Server technologies. His contributions to the tech community through his blog, AzureDepot.com, and social media platforms have made him a go-to authority for professionals seeking cloud and infrastructure solutions. Timothy’s practical approach and in-depth knowledge make him an outstanding guide for mastering Ansible and Windows infrastructure automation.

What You Will Learn:

• Understand the core principles of Ansible and its agentless communication model.
• Efficiently manage inventories for Windows and Linux nodes.
• Design and implement Ansible playbooks for seamless automation.
• Leverage roles and advanced techniques for scalable system management.
• Explore Ansible Galaxy and create custom modules.
• Master advanced connection configurations for enhanced performance.

By the end of this course, learners will gain the skills needed to automate and optimize Windows infrastructure with confidence and efficiency.

Industry Application

This course is invaluable for IT professionals managing large-scale Windows infrastructures, cloud environments, or hybrid systems. By mastering Ansible, learners will significantly reduce manual tasks, streamline operations, and improve system reliability—key skills in industries like finance, healthcare, and tech where seamless infrastructure management is crucial for business success.

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10. Ansible Online Courses – [LinkedIn Learning]

• Cost: Subscription (Free trial available)
• Level: Beginner | Rating: 4.5
• Duration: 2 hrs
• Key Features: Covers Ansible basics, creating playbooks, and roles.
• Cons: May lack depth for intermediate users.
• Industry Fit: Ideal for IT managers or entry-level automation enthusiasts.

LinkedIn Learning is a hub for some of the top Ansible certification courses by recognized and trained industry professionals. You can find both ansible free certification courses and paid classes. LinkedIn Learning instructors are seasoned industry professionals with real-world experience, ensuring learners receive practical, up-to-date knowledge. Their expert guidance makes complex concepts accessible, helping students build valuable, career-boosting skills.

A few of the top picks are:

• Ansible Essential Training
• Learning Ansible
• Prepare for the Red Hat Certified Engineer (EX294) Exam

Industry Application

LinkedIn Learning offers top Ansible certification courses taught by industry professionals, including both free and paid options. These courses, such as “Ansible Essential Training” and “Learning Ansible,” provide comprehensive learning experiences. They are designed to prepare students for practical application in the industry, enhancing skills crucial for roles like the Red Hat Certified Engineer (EX294) exam. These certifications not only validate expertise but also equip learners with practical skills essential for career growth in IT and DevOps roles.

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Conclusion

For hands-on learners, Udemy’s and Red Hat’s courses are top choices. Free options like Red Hat’s Ansible Basics provide a great start, while Coursera and LinkedIn Learning cater to structured learners.