Training teams has never been more challenging, especially with the rapidly evolving needs of modern businesses. That’s why organizations need flexible Learning Management Systems (LMS) that support continuous learning and help achieve long-term goals. 

A Cloud Guru and Cloud Academy assist their users in building critical cloud skills. Both offer structured learning paths, certification support, and tools to boost employee engagement.  

The tech landscape, surely, is constantly evolving, but so are these two modern learning platforms. Let’s delve into their features further and discover which one might suit you better. 

A Cloud Guru Vs Cloud Academy: At A Glance

Feature    

 A Cloud Guru 

Cloud Academy  

 Multi-Cloud Training 

Multi-cloud initiatives across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, over 1,800 cloud labs 

Real cloud scenarios across AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, DevOps, and more 

 AI-Powered Learning 

AI skills and resources, Iris AI, AI Engineer 

GenAI, Machine Learning (ML), AI apprenticeships, partnership with co-pilot  

 Course Library 

Thousands of expert-led courses 

Pre-built courses across various fields, including AI, digital marketing, and security 

 Learning Pathways 

Structured Learning Paths that blend courses, labs, and assessments  

Hands-on, instructor-led learning, AI-powered learning assistant (Ela) 

Certification Platform 

Certification Prep Centre 

Professional certificates offered by recognized organizations 

Pricing 

Starting from $15 per month 

Starts from $28 per month 

What Is A Cloud Guru?

A Cloud Guru, now part of Pluralsight, is a cloud-based LMS that supports a wide range of users in their managerial, logistical, and learning tasks. Whether it's delivering targeted training through its hands-on cloud labs or ensuring precision with Iris AI, the platform covers every aspect of modern tech education. The convergence of A Cloud Guru’s cloud-focused learning features with Pluralsight’s extensive course library and skill assessments has solidified its reputation as a comprehensive LMS. The platform is now particularly suited and recommended for teams aiming for deep technical upskilling and mastery in cloud infrastructure. 

Unique Features Of A Cloud Guru 

  • Hands-On Labs: Offers 3,000+ interactive labs where learners can easily practice new skills in real cloud environments, without any prior setup 
  • AI Engineer: Learners gain experience building, deploying, and improving AI models for real-world use. It allows them to work with production-ready code and maintain smooth operations 
  • Skill Assessment Engine: Delivers profound skill assessments and tracks progress over time, helping organizations identify gaps and personalize learning paths for each team member 

Pros And Cons Of A Cloud Guru 

Pros  

  • Hands-on labs provide opportunities to explore and trial new cloud-based solutions 
  • User-friendly platform with intuitive navigation and clean interface 
  • Wide variety of courses across multiple cloud platforms 

Cons 

  • Content is not regularly updated, or gamified - leading to less engagement 
  • Mobile app performance needs improvement, as it occasionally gets stuck 

What Is Cloud Academy?

Cloud Academy, now part of QA Training, is a cloud-based LMS. The platform allows you to enhance your team’s technical capabilities with comprehensive training in AI, cloud computing, and data management. It is equipped with intuitive and conducive features such as interactive labs and adaptive learning paths. Cloud Academy not only tracks progress over time but also identifies skill gaps to guide learning. The LMS is designed for enterprises, tech teams, and professionals across industries. 

Unique Features Of Cloud Academy 

  • AI Apprenticeships: Offers AI apprenticeships from Levels 3 to 7, helping organizations develop flexible, AI-powered talent and skills that can transform business capabilities 
  • Ela: An AI-powered learning assistant that delivers expert guidance across courses and labs, helping learners progress faster with 24/7 intelligent support 
  • QA Skills License: Provides cost-effective access to a wide range of training with flexible scheduling, helping businesses manage continuous learning under a single license 

Pros And Cons Of Cloud Academy 

Pros  

  • High-quality learning material with clear explanations 
  • The platform is optimized and well-designed, with an intuitive mobile app 
  • Offline mode allows downloading courses for flexible learning 

Cons  

  • Sometimes the courses can take a long time to load 
  • User interface could be more visually engaging 

A Cloud Guru And Cloud Academy: Side-By-Side Feature Comparison

Multi-Cloud Training

A Cloud Guru offers 1,800+ cloud labs with guided steps across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. These labs help learners develop multi-cloud skills and are ideal for hybrid infrastructure teams. The hands-on labs are designed to build real-world capabilities, which further allows individuals and teams to confidently deploy cloud-based solutions across multiple platforms and services.

Conversely, Cloud Academy delivers practical cloud training through real-world scenarios spanning AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, DevOps, and related services. The platform helps learners apply cloud knowledge to business problems, improving both technical and strategic understanding. Cloud Academy’s emphasis on solving real-world challenges prepares teams for diverse roles in today’s evolving cloud environments.

Winner: A Cloud Guru, due to advanced multi-cloud skills

AI-Powered Learning

A Cloud Guru uses Iris AI to recommend content tailored to each learner’s skill level and goals. It also offers an AI Engineer feature through which learners build, deploy, and manage AI models using production-ready code. Together, these tools provide personalized learning journeys and practical AI experience, enabling users to stay current in an area of rapid technological growth.

Similarly, Cloud Academy delivers a comprehensive AI-powered learning experience with tools such as GenAI, Machine Learning (ML) modules, and an AI Apprenticeship program (Levels 3 to 7). Its AI assistant, Ela, offers continuous guidance across courses and labs. Partnerships with Co-pilot further enhance AI learning, helping individuals and teams develop real-world AI skills and eliminate any room for error.

Winner: Tie! Both platforms deliver strong, AI-supported learning experiences

Course Library

A Cloud Guru offers an extensive library of cloud-focused courses authored by industry experts. The content covers a wide range of technologies and skill levels, helping learners progress from beginner to advanced. Courses are organized by roles and career paths, along with skill checks to build deep technical knowledge and support continuous learning across evolving cloud technologies.

On the other hand, Cloud Academy’s training library includes pre-built courses across AI, data, cloud computing, security, and digital marketing. The platform supports enterprise-wide skills development and enables organizations to train both technical and non-technical teams. This breadth makes Cloud Academy suitable for businesses with varied learning needs across multiple domains.

Winner: Tie! Both platforms offer wide cross-domain coverage through their course libraries

Learning Pathways

A Cloud Guru provides structured learning paths that blend video-based content with hands-on labs and practice exams. These pathways guide learners through technology tracks or certification goals. Progress is clearly mapped, with checkpoints and milestones helping individuals and teams follow a consistent, measurable journey from novice to advanced skill levels.

Conversely, Cloud Academy combines hands-on and instructor-led learning with AI-driven support from Ela. Learners benefit from scheduled live sessions, flexible online content, and 24/7 assistance. This approach offers dynamic, personalized learning experiences that can adapt to individual needs, making it effective for continuous professional development in evolving fields and business areas.

Winner: Cloud Academy, as it offers a stronger blend of instructor-led and AI-assisted learning

Certification Platform

A Cloud Guru features a centralized Certification Hub where learners can explore certification paths, track progress, and manage all preparation activities. The hub includes Peer Tracker for motivation and trending exams, helping users stay aligned with industry standards. This focused environment supports a structured, goal-oriented approach to achieving cloud certifications.

Cloud Academy offers professional certificates from recognized organizations across the cloud, AI, and cybersecurity fields. Its certifications are valued in the industry, though it lacks a dedicated certification hub or peer tracking tools. Instead, certifications are integrated into broader learning programs.

Winner: A Cloud Guru, due to its dedicated certification hub with peer tracking adds more value

A Cloud Guru Vs Cloud Academy: Pricing Breakdown

A Cloud Guru (now part of Pluralsight) offers flexible pricing plans for individuals, businesses, and the public sector. 

For individuals, Pluralsight provides a free 10-day trial and five subscription options: 

  • Core Tech – $15/month 
  • AI+, Cloud+, Data+, and Security+ Plans – Starting at $18/month 
  • Complete Plan – $28/month 

For organizations, Pluralsight offers three business and public sector plans with distinct features. These are billed annually, starting at $399/user/year. 

In comparison, Cloud Academy (now known as QA Training) features a simpler pricing structure with three main plans and optional add-ons: 

  • Individual Plan – $28/month, ideal for individual learners 
  • Small Team – $36/user/month, recommended for teams of up to 15 members 
  • Enterprise – Custom pricing, suited for large organizations 

A Cloud Guru is a smart pick for tech-driven teams and enterprises focused on building deep cloud expertise. Backed by Pluralsight, it combines hands-on labs, skill assessments, and certification prep to support structured, goal-based learning. It’s especially well-suited for industries like IT, finance, and consulting, where cloud fluency and multi-cloud management are key priorities. 

Cloud Academy, on the other hand, is best suited for organizations seeking flexible cloud training across a wide range of technologies and skill levels. With interactive labs, learning paths, and extensive content on cloud, DevOps, security, and AI, it fits well in tech, public sector, and enterprise environments focused on continuous upskilling and practical, real-world learning. 

Ultimately, the choice depends on the type of team training your organization needs. Both platforms offer a comparable range of features. If you’re still unsure, feel free to contact us for prompt expert advice to help guide your decision.