In the wake of the surging popularity of Kubernetes, there is significant demand for experts who possess extensive knowledge of Kubernetes. This article compares CKA v/s CKAD to assist individuals in making informed decisions regarding which Kubernetes certification to pursue

CKA – Certified Kubernetes Administrator

CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator) certification is aimed at Kubernetes administrators, cloud administrators, IT professionals, and others. The certification exam tests a candidate’s ability to perform Kubernetes administrative tasks, including cluster setup and administration, installation and updating of Kubernetes, and management of related networking, storage, and services. 

The Linux Foundation offers the Kubernetes Fundamentals LFS258 course to provide the required knowledge to pass the CKA exams. 

However, the training does not include labs, and students must set them up independently based on the lab guide provided. The CKA certification costs USD 595 and is valid for three years.

Also read, Is CKS Certification Worth It?

CKAD – Certified Kubernetes Application Developer

CKAD (Certified Kubernetes Application Developer) certification suits individuals who want to engage in cloud-native microservice application development and deployment. 

The certification exam tests a candidate’s ability to design, build, configure, and expose cloud-native applications on Kubernetes. 

The Linux Foundation offers the Kubernetes Fundamentals LFS258 course to provide the required knowledge to pass the CKAD exams. 

The CKAD certification costs USD 595 and is valid for three years.

CKA v/s CKAD: Which is Better Kubernetes Certification?

The main differences between the CKA v/s CKAD certifications are:

Targeted audience: CKA is aimed at Kubernetes administrators, cloud administrators, and other IT professionals, while CKAD is suitable for individuals who want to engage in cloud-native microservice application development and deployment.

Exam focus: The CKA exam tests a candidate’s ability to perform Kubernetes administrative tasks, including cluster setup and administration, installation, and updating of Kubernetes, and management of related networking, storage, and services. In contrast, the CKAD exam tests candidates’ ability to design, build, configure, and expose cloud-native applications on Kubernetes.

Course content: While both certifications use the Kubernetes Fundamentals LFS258 course as their training material, the CKAD certification has a more application-centric focus than the CKA certification, which is a more administrative-centric focus.

Certification validity: Both certifications cost USD 595 and are valid for three years.

Exam duration: Both certifications have a 2-hour exam

Course prerequisites: Both certifications have the exact prerequisites, which are understanding of Linux concepts and command line, package managers, Git and GitHub.

Also Read, CKA vs CKS, What is the Difference