Last updated: June 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. See our review methodology.
QUICK VERDICT
Bottom line: Start with Google’s System Administration & IT Infrastructure Services (4.8★, 26,000+ reviews) for the foundations and a recognized credential. Then specialise by platform — Linux, Windows Server, or Red Hat — and target the certification that fits your stack. The certs matter more than any single course here, so we map them out below.
- Best foundation: System Administration & IT Infrastructure (Google)
- Best for Linux: Learn Linux & Become a Linux Sysadmin (ZTM)
- The certs that count: CompTIA, Microsoft, Red Hat RHCSA, AWS SysOps
See Our Top Pick on Coursera →
System administration is one of those fields where the certification is often the goal, not just the course — employers hire sysadmins on CompTIA, Microsoft, Red Hat, and AWS credentials. So we’ve done two things here: picked the best course for each major platform, and mapped out which certification each one points toward.
We checked each course was live and confirmed its rating where one is published. Your first decision is which environment you’ll administer — Linux dominates servers and cloud, while Windows Server runs most corporate networks. We earn a commission if you enroll through our links, which never changes the order.
HOW WE PICKED
We weighed provider authority, how well each course maps to a real certification path, how current the material is, and learner ratings at scale. We kept the list focused on the platforms that actually employ sysadmins, and we point to the certification landscape rather than padding with niche OS courses.
1. Best foundation — System Administration & IT Infrastructure Services (Google)
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Part of the Google IT Support Professional Certificate, this is the strongest starting point — it takes you from managing one computer to administering a whole fleet, covering infrastructure services, directory services, cloud, and disaster recovery. At 4.8★ across more than 26,000 reviews, it’s both the highest-rated course here and a recognized credential in its own right.
Best for: beginners building sysadmin fundamentals + a Google credential. Worth knowing: it’s platform-agnostic fundamentals — specialise with one of the platform courses below.
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2. Best for Linux — Learn Linux & Become a Linux Sysadmin (Zero To Mastery)
Linux runs most servers and nearly all of the cloud, so it’s the single most valuable platform for an aspiring sysadmin. Zero To Mastery’s Linux course is project-led and built to take you to genuine sysadmin competence — the command line, users and permissions, services, and shell scripting. ZTM has a strong reputation for keeping courses current and practical.
Best for: anyone targeting Linux sysadmin or DevOps roles. Worth knowing: ZTM runs on a subscription — best value if you’ll use its wider library. It maps toward CompTIA Linux+ and the LFCS.
RECOMMENDED PARTNER — COURSERA
Sysadmin fundamentals + a Google credential
The Google course sits inside the Google IT Support certificate — one Coursera subscription covers the whole program, a recognized stepping stone into IT and sysadmin roles.
Affiliate partnership — we may earn commission when you sign up via this link. We only recommend courses we’d send a friend to.
3. Best for Windows — Windows Server Administration for Beginners
Most corporate networks still run on Windows Server and Active Directory, and this course is the clearest beginner path into administering them — roles and features, AD, Group Policy, DNS, and DHCP. At 4.6★ it’s well-rated and practical. The fundamentals it teaches carry forward even though it’s built on the 2016 release.
Best for: sysadmins in Microsoft/Active Directory environments. Worth knowing: it’s based on Windows Server 2016 — the core concepts are current, but check release-specific features against your version. It points toward Microsoft’s Azure/Windows Server certifications.
4. Best for Red Hat — Fundamentals of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (edX)
If you’re heading toward the RHCSA — one of the most respected sysadmin certifications — learning from Red Hat itself is the obvious move. This edX course is Red Hat’s own introduction to RHEL, covering the command line, files, and basic administration with the enterprise distribution employers actually run.
Best for: anyone targeting Red Hat (RHCSA) certification. Worth knowing: it’s a foundational intro — the full RHCSA requires Red Hat’s own deeper training and a hands-on exam.
System admin courses compared
| Course | Platform | Cert path | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| System Admin & IT Infrastructure | Foundations | Google IT Support | 4.8 (26k+) |
| Learn Linux & Become a Sysadmin | Linux | Linux+ / LFCS | ZTM (subscription) |
| Windows Server Administration | Windows | Microsoft | 4.6 |
| Fundamentals of RHEL | Red Hat Linux | RHCSA | edX / Red Hat |
The system administrator certifications that matter
For sysadmin roles, the certification often carries more weight than the course. The ones employers actually look for:
- CompTIA (A+, Network+, Server+) — the vendor-neutral entry stack. A+ and Network+ are the usual starting points; Server+ is sysadmin-specific.
- Microsoft (Azure / Windows Server) — the path for Windows and Active Directory environments, now centered on Azure Administrator and role-based certifications.
- Red Hat RHCSA — the gold-standard Linux sysadmin credential, earned through a hands-on practical exam rather than multiple choice.
- Linux Foundation (Linux+ / LFCS) — vendor-neutral Linux credentials that pair well with the Linux course above.
- AWS SysOps Administrator — for administering systems in the cloud, increasingly part of the modern sysadmin role.
A realistic path: build the fundamentals with the Google course, specialise with the platform course that matches your target environment, then earn the matching certification. The courses are preparation; each certification has its own separate exam.
Sysadmin sits next to networking, Linux, and the cloud. Build the surrounding skills with our guides to the best Linux courses, best computer networking courses, and best cloud certifications.
Frequently asked questions
What certification is best for a system administrator?
It depends on your environment. CompTIA A+ and Network+ are the standard entry credentials; Red Hat’s RHCSA is the gold standard for Linux; Microsoft’s Azure/Windows Server certifications for Windows shops; and AWS SysOps for cloud. Most sysadmins start with CompTIA and specialise from there.
What is the best system administrator course?
For fundamentals plus a credential, Google’s System Administration & IT Infrastructure Services (4.8★, 26,000+ reviews) is the strongest. After that, pick the platform course — Linux, Windows Server, or Red Hat — that matches the environment you want to work in.
Should I learn Linux or Windows for system administration?
Linux is the higher-leverage choice — it runs most servers and the cloud — but Windows Server skills are in steady demand in corporate environments. If you’re unsure, start with Linux; if you already work in a Microsoft shop, Windows Server is the practical pick.
How much do these courses cost?
The Udemy course is usually $15–$20 on sale; Coursera, ZTM, and edX run on subscriptions (Coursera and edX can be audited free without the certificate). Certification exams (CompTIA, Microsoft, Red Hat, AWS) are paid separately to each vendor.