If you're working in information technology (IT) or cloud computing, finding the right training platform can significantly improve your journey toward building real, job-ready skills. Two names you’ll hear often are CBT Nuggets and A Cloud Guru.  

While both platforms are widely organized for IT training, especially in the cloud domain, they serve different training needs depending on your certification goals, job role, and specific skills development needs. CBT Nuggets stands out for its structured video lessons and comprehensive certification tracks, while A Cloud Guru is recognized for its hands-on labs and specialization in cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. 

This detailed comparison between CBT Nuggets vs A Cloud Guru explores their key functionalities, instructional styles, and pricing plans to help you make an informed choice for your IT training needs. 

At A Glance Table Of A Cloud Guru Vs A Cloud Guru

Feature 

CBT Nuggets 

A Cloud Guru 

Learning Management 

Team management with groups, admin controls, and progress tracking 

Skill assessments and personalized learning paths 

Practice Exams 

CyberVista® exams with customizable questions, full simulations, and flashcard drills 

Cloud certification exams for AWS, Azure, and GCP with score breakdowns and feedback 

Virtual Labs 

Virtual labs for IT and cloud skills in real-world simulated environments 

In-browser cloud labs with guided tasks 

Training Library 

IT and cloud courses for Cisco, AWS, Microsoft, CompTIA, and more 

Cloud training for AWS, Azure, and GCP with cert prep and labs 

Certification Preparation 

Exam prep for networking, security, systems, DevOps, and cloud 

Cloud certification prep with practice exams, labs, and feedback 

Price  

Flat monthly pricing starting at $59/learner/month along with a 7-day free trial* 

Multiple tiered plans starting at $15/month along with a 10-day free trial * 

*Disclaimer: Pricing is subject to change. 

What Is CBT Nuggets?

CBT Nuggets is a leading online IT training platform built for real-world certification prep and practical skill development. Subscribers gain access to a broad library of vendor-aligned courses in networking, cloud, security, and systems administration. Each plan includes hands-on learning tools like virtual labs, CyberVista® practice exams, and in-video quizzes to reinforce concepts and boost exam readiness. Learners also benefit from one-on-one coaching and team reporting features that promote guided progress and measurable outcomes.  

Best For: 

  • IT professionals pursuing certifications in Cisco, CompTIA, Microsoft, AWS 
  • Engineers and administrators seeking hands-on practice through virtual labs 
  • Organizations needing structured training paths with team-level analytics 

Unique Features Of CBT Nuggets 

  • CyberVista®IT Practice Exams: Offers unlimited, customizable test simulations with real exam-style questions and flashcard tools to help reinforce key IT terms and concepts 
  • Accountability Coaching: Provides personal guidance to set goals, organize training, and stay motivated. Coaches also assist IT managers in building and tracking team learning plans 
  • LMS Integration: Enables teams to train with CBT Nuggets, offering flexible access while simplifying tracking and reporting across training providers 

Pros And Cons Of CBT Nuggets 

Pros: 

  • Training is highly detailed, providing complete information without needing additional sources 
  • Content is well-structured, with instructors who explain, relate, and actively engage learners 
  • Videos simplify complex topics with the ability to rewind, rewatch, and practice alongside lessons, making learning more effective and lasting 

Cons: 

  • Quizzes may sometimes be confusing and not fully aligned with the video lessons 
  • No official mobile app for iPhone or Android, making on-the-go learning less convenient 

What Is A Cloud Guru?

A Cloud Guru, now part of Pluralsight Cloud+, it delivers hands-on, cloud-focused training built to prepare learners for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud certifications. Its learning experience blends engaging video lessons with interactive sandboxes, practical labs, and targeted practice exams, helping users build real-world skills directly within live cloud environments. Through its integration with Pluralsight, users also unlock broader learning paths that combine cloud certification prep with deeper content in DevOps, data, and software development. 

Best For: 

  • Cloud engineers, solutions architects, cloud administrators, and organizations seeking combined cloud and technical skills under Pluralsight 
  • DevOps professionals building skills across cloud platforms 
  • Teams focused on cloud migration, deployment, and automation 

Unique Features Of A Cloud Guru 

  • Cloud Sandboxes: Provide live AWS, Azure, and Google Could environments to practice skills, test ideas, and prepare for certifications 
  • Azure Skills Assessment: Measures team readiness and recommends targeted AWS and Azure training paths based on current skills 
  • Curated Learning Paths: Offers skill and role assessments to recommend personalized training, helping learners close knowledge gaps and improve job readiness 

Pros And Cons Of A Cloud Guru 

Pros: 

  • Hands-on labs provide practical experience, allowing users to trial cloud-based solutions in a real-world setting 
  • The Playground and live sandboxes set ACG apart from other platforms 
  • Provides a variety of resources, from user awareness to technical training, with labs and focused plans to help you achieve your goal 

Cons: 

  • Limited language support for AWS courses; more multilingual options would improve accessibility 
  • Some courses are overly long, and extended video sessions can become tiring 

A Cloud Guru Vs A Cloud Guru: Head-On Features Comparison

Learning Management

CBT Nuggets includes learner management features that let organizations assign training, create custom groups by team, region, or project, and track progress. Admins can designate group leaders to manage teams and oversee training activities, making it easier to organize learning and monitor team performance.

A Cloud Guru offers ‘curated learning paths’ that guide learners through structured cloud training based on their role or skill goals. It includes skill and role assessments that identify knowledge gaps. Based on assessment results, learners receive content recommendations and customized learning paths to help close gaps and improve job readiness.

Winner: CBT Nuggets takes the lead for organizations needing full team management controls, custom group assignments, and admin oversight.

Practice Exams

CBT Nuggets offers practice exams powered by CyberVista® to help learners get exam-ready with confidence. These full-length simulations mirror actual certification tests and can be customized by topic and question count. Flashcard-style drills are also included to reinforce key terms and concepts during preparation.

A Cloud Guru provides targeted practice exams for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud certifications. These simulations reflect real exam formats and deliver score breakdowns with instant feedback, helping learners identify and improve weak areas before taking the actual test.

Winner: Both platforms offer strong practice exam tools, but CBT Nuggets adds extra flexibility through customization and flashcard reinforcement, making it better suited for more complex multi-vendor certification preparation.

Virtual Labs

CBT Nuggets provides on-demand virtual labs that simulate real IT environments for networking, security, system administration, and cloud technologies. Labs allow learners to apply skills without purchasing equipment or risking production systems, making them useful for hands-on practice during certification prep.

A Cloud Guru offers hands-on cloud labs with secure, temporary, pre-configured cloud environments. Learners follow guided tasks with defined objectives, working fully in-browser without affecting production environments.

Winner: It's a tie! CBT Nuggets covers a broader range of IT disciplines with vendor-specific labs, while A Cloud Guru labs focus exclusively on cloud environments and cloud-native scenarios.

Training Library

CBT Nuggets includes vendor-aligned courses in networking, security, system administration, and cloud management. The library offers video lessons, practice exams, virtual labs, quizzes, coaching, and certification prep for Cisco, Microsoft, CompTIA, AWS, and others. It helps learners build job-ready skills for certification and real-world IT roles.

A Cloud Guru offers cloud training for AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. The library provides certification prep, technical deep dives, video courses, and labs designed for individuals and team-building cloud skills.

Winner: CBT Nuggets takes the lead for organizations or individuals needing multi-vendor IT training across various disciplines.

Certification Preparation

CBT Nuggets offers exam training across multiple IT fields, covering certifications for networking, security, systems, DevOps, and cloud. The training includes videos, practice tests, labs, quizzes, and coaching, aligned with certifications from Cisco, Microsoft, CompTIA, AWS, VMware, and Palo Alto.

A Cloud Guru focuses entirely on preparing learners with unlimited practice exams and hands-on labs that validate learning and reinforce skills. Learners receive real-time feedback throughout the training process to strengthen weak areas and build confidence before exam day.

Winner: A Cloud Guru wins for delivering focused cloud certification prep that combines guided learning, real cloud access, assessments, and testing in one integrated platform.

Pricing Breakdown Of CBT Nuggets And A Cloud Guru

CBT Nuggets offers structured subscription options for individuals and businesses with a 7-day free trial. The pricing is designed to support both individual learners and organizations managing team training. This plan offers a flat monthly or annual fee. 

Here is a detailed breakdown of CBT Nuggets pricing: 

  • Monthly: $59/learner/month 
  • Annual: $599/learner/year 

A Cloud Guru offers multiple plans tailored for individuals, businesses, and public sector customers. The platform offers specialized course libraries focused on key areas, including AI, data, cloud, and security, featuring hands-on labs, assessments, and sandboxes. All plans include a 10-day free trial. 

A detailed breakdown of A Cloud Guru pricing includes: 

For Individuals (all of the following plans are billed annually): 

  • Core Tech: $15/month (over 3,900 courses) 
  • Complete: $28/month (over 6,500 courses including AI, data, cloud, and security content) 
  • AI+: $18/month 
  • Cloud+: $18/month 
  • Data+: $18/month 
  • Security+: $18/month 

For Businesses: 

  • AI + Data: $399/year/user (5,000 courses, AI labs, sandboxes, assessments, analytics) 
  • Security + Cloud: $499/year/user (5,500 courses, cloud labs, sandboxes, assessments, analytics) 
  • Everything: $565/year/user (6,500 courses, full content library, all labs, custom sandboxes, advanced analytics) 

For Public Sector: 

  • AI + Data: $399/year/user 
  • Security + Cloud: $499/year/user 
  • Everything: $565/year/user 

Includes same features as business plans with compliance for public sector procurement. 

Disclaimer: Pricing is subject to change. 

CBT Nuggets Vs A Cloud Guru – Which Platform Is Right For You?

If you're deciding between CBT Nuggets and A Cloud Guru, your choice should reflect your certification goals, skill focus, and preferred learning style. 

CBT Nuggets is well-suited for IT professionals pursuing certifications across networking, security, system administration, and cloud, offering structured video courses, virtual labs, and practice exams. On the other hand, A Cloud Guru is designed for cloud specialists who want hands-on experience with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud using live sandboxes and interactive labs. 

Ultimately, your decision should align with the skills you need to build and how you prefer to fill the learning needs. Still not sure? Contact us to find the right fit for your career goals.