AZ-700 and AZ-104 are both Microsoft Azure associate-level exams, but they are built for different career paths. Many candidates compare them because both include Azure infrastructure topics, virtual networks, security, and cloud operations. Still, the purpose of each exam is different.
AZ-104 is the Microsoft Azure Administrator exam. It is best for people who want to manage Azure resources, users, storage, compute, networking, monitoring, and governance. AZ-700 is the Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions exam. It is best for people who want to specialize in Azure networking, hybrid connectivity, routing, traffic delivery, and secure private access.
The right exam depends on what type of Azure work you want to do. If you want broad cloud administration skills, AZ-104 is usually the better choice. If you want deep cloud networking skills, AZ-700 is more focused.
The Core Difference Is Job Role
The main difference between AZ-700 and AZ-104 is not the difficulty. It is a job role.
AZ-104 prepares you for Azure administrator responsibilities. These professionals manage the daily health of Azure environments. They work with subscriptions, access control, virtual machines, storage, virtual networks, monitoring, backups, and resource policies.
AZ-700 prepares you for Azure network engineer responsibilities. These professionals design and manage how cloud services connect. They work with virtual networks, routing, DNS, VPNs, ExpressRoute, private endpoints, load balancers, firewalls, and application delivery services. So, AZ-104 is wider. AZ-700 is deeper in networking.
Side-by-Side Exam Difference
| Area | AZ-104 | AZ-700 |
|---|---|---|
| Exam focus | Azure administration | Azure networking |
| Certification role | Azure Administrator Associate | Azure Network Engineer Associate |
| Best candidate | Cloud admin, IT support, sysadmin | Network engineer, cloud network specialist |
| Main skill type | Managing Azure services | Designing and implementing connectivity |
| Networking depth | Moderate | Advanced |
| Scope | Broad Azure platform | Focused network infrastructure |
| Good starting point | Yes, for most Azure learners | Better after Azure or networking experience |
| Career direction | Cloud operations | Cloud networking and infrastructure design |
AZ-104 Covers More Azure Services
AZ-104 gives candidates a wider view of Azure. You study identity, governance, storage, compute, virtual networking, monitoring, and backup. This makes it useful for people who need to manage many parts of an Azure environment.
For example, an Azure administrator may need to create a virtual machine, assign a role, configure storage access, check alerts, apply policies, and manage backups. These are common tasks in real cloud operations. Candidates who want to test these skills before the exam can use the AZ-104 exam dumps as part of their final review.
Because of this wide coverage, AZ-104 is often the first serious Azure exam after AZ-900. It helps candidates understand how different Azure services work together in business environments.
AZ-700 Goes Deeper Into Networking
AZ-700 is not a general Azure exam. It focuses strongly on networking. You need to understand how traffic moves, how networks connect, and how Azure services stay secure and reachable.
This exam covers virtual networks, routing, hybrid connectivity, VPN Gateway, ExpressRoute, Azure Firewall, DNS, private endpoints, Load Balancer, Application Gateway, Front Door, and other networking services. AZ-700 is useful for candidates who enjoy technical design. You are not only learning how to click through settings. You are learning how to choose the right network solution for a real business need. For focused revision, AZ-700 exam questions can help candidates check their understanding of Azure networking scenarios.
Difficulty Depends on Your Background
Some candidates say AZ-104 is easier because it is broader and more general. Others find it harder because it covers many different Azure services. You must remember how several tools, settings, and resource types work.
AZ-700 can feel harder for people without networking knowledge. Terms like routing, DNS zones, private access, BGP, VPN, ExpressRoute, and traffic flow can be confusing without a strong foundation. However, a network engineer may find AZ-700 easier than AZ-104 because the topics match their existing experience. A system administrator may feel more comfortable with AZ-104 because it connects with daily infrastructure and support tasks.
Which Exam Is Better for Beginners?
AZ-104 is usually better for beginners who already know Azure fundamentals. It gives a broader foundation and helps learners understand the full Azure platform. It also supports many entry-to-mid-level cloud roles.
AZ-700 is not impossible for beginners, but it is better for people who already know networking basics. If you do not understand IP addressing, routing, DNS, firewalls, and private connectivity, AZ-700 may feel too advanced. A good path is AZ-900 first, then AZ-104, then AZ-700 if networking is your target area. This path builds knowledge step by step.
Cert Empire covers the topic with practical examples on YouTube: 📍
Career Value of AZ-104
AZ-104 is valuable because cloud administrators are needed in many companies. Businesses need people who can manage Azure resources, control access, monitor workloads, configure storage, and keep cloud systems available.
This certification can support roles such as Azure administrator, cloud support engineer, system administrator, cloud operations analyst, and junior cloud engineer. It is also useful before moving into Azure architecture, security, or DevOps. If you want flexible Azure career options, AZ-104 is a strong choice because it proves you understand many parts of the platform.
Career Value of AZ-700
AZ-700 is valuable for candidates who want a more specialized cloud infrastructure role. Networking is a key part of cloud success. Poor network design can cause downtime, slow applications, security gaps, and high cloud costs. This certification can support roles such as Azure network engineer, cloud network specialist, infrastructure engineer, network security engineer, and hybrid cloud engineer. AZ-700 may be especially useful for professionals working with companies that use both on-premises infrastructure and Azure. These environments need secure and reliable connectivity between local systems and cloud services.
How Preparation Should Be Different
AZ-104 preparation should include broad hands-on practice. You should create storage accounts, deploy virtual machines, manage access, configure monitoring, set up backups, and work with virtual networks.
AZ-700 preparation should be more diagram-based and scenario-based. You should practice designing traffic flow, connecting networks, configuring routing, using private endpoints, and securing connectivity. For AZ-104, ask yourself, “Can I manage this Azure resource?” For AZ-700, ask yourself, “Can I design the best network path for this workload?” Candidates can also use Cert Empire once for additional exam-style practice after completing Microsoft Learn and hands-on labs.
Final Decision
Choose AZ-104 if you want a broad Azure administration certification, want to manage cloud resources, or are still building your Azure foundation. It is the better first associate-level exam for most candidates.
Choose AZ-700 if you already understand Azure basics and want to specialize in networking. It is the better exam for network engineers, infrastructure professionals, and candidates who enjoy connectivity and security design.
For many Azure learners, the best answer is not choosing only one. AZ-104 first and AZ-700 later can create a strong mix of administration and networking skills.
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FAQs
Is AZ-700 more difficult than AZ-104?
AZ-700 can be more difficult if you lack networking experience. AZ-104 covers more Azure services, but AZ-700 goes deeper into routing, private access, and connectivity.
Should I take AZ-104 before AZ-700?
AZ-104 is a better first choice for most learners because it builds broad Azure knowledge. After that, AZ-700 becomes easier to understand and prepare for.
Is AZ-700 good for cloud administrators?
AZ-700 is useful for cloud administrators who work with networking tasks. It helps them understand hybrid connectivity, routing, load balancing, and secure network access in Azure.
Which certification has better job value?
Both have strong value, but AZ-104 supports broader cloud administration roles. AZ-700 is better for specialized networking, infrastructure, and hybrid cloud connectivity positions.
Can I prepare for both exams together?
You can, but it may confuse your study focus. AZ-104 and AZ-700 overlap slightly, yet each exam needs a different preparation strategy and lab approach.
More insights: AZ-700 vs AZ-104: Exam Tips and Preparation Strategy Explained
