Free Google courses with a certificate October 2026
Which Google certificates cost nothing and which ones you pay for, read on Google's own pages. Many courses are free. Google's Career Certificates are not, but they cost less in India and Pakistan.
Checked by hand on 16 October 2026, on each company’s own pages.All 182 quotes re-checked 22h ago and still there.
The short answer
If you read nothing else, read this.
- Free course, free certificate: Skillshop's Google Ads and Google Analytics certifications, Kaggle Learn, Google Play Academy and the Gemini Certified Student exam. Google Skills, DeepMind's AI Research Foundations and the Machine Learning Crash Course give free badges instead.
- Career Certificates cost money: on Coursera, "Enroll for free" only starts a 7-day free trial. Then it is $49 a month in the US and Canada and $20 a month in India and Pakistan. Google AI Essentials is not free either.
- How to pay nothing: apply for financial aid on Coursera, or for a Google scholarship. Google's pages list 100,000 in India, 45,000 in Pakistan (through TechValley) and 16,000 in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- The catches: some IT Support and UX Design modules need a PC or Mac. Google's page for Sub-Saharan Africa asks you to upload a government ID. Skillshop certifications last 1 year, then you take the exam again.
- Closed or changed: Google Digital Garage closed in 2025. Its free course, Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, now gives an award, which Google says "is not a formal credential". The TensorFlow Developer Certificate exam is closed.
I read Google's own pages. Many badges and certificates are free. The Career Certificates are not.
Quick picks
Free certificate, for marketing
Google Skillshop
Free, valid 1 year
Google Ads and Google Analytics certifications. You usually need 80% to pass. Works in a phone browser.
Free certificate, for students
Gemini Certified Student
Free, valid 3 years
A multiple choice exam on Gemini's free features, up to 2 hours. One version for ages 13 to 17, one for college students.
Free certificate, for AI and code
Kaggle Learn
Free, for each course
Python, machine learning, SQL and AI ethics. A few hours each, in your browser. You can start with no coding at all.
Career Certificate, India and Pakistan
Google Career Certificates
$20 a month
It is $49 a month in the US. Financial aid on Coursera, or a Google scholarship, can make it free.
Compare them all
All 29, side by side. Tap a name for the sentences behind it.
Free course and free certificate
Google Skillshop (Google Ads and Analytics certifications)Free, valid 1 yearCourse Free · Length About 1 to 4 hours each · Level For anyoneOpen
- Kaggle Learn (Python, Machine Learning, SQL and more)Free, for each courseCourse Free · Length A few hours each · Level From zero codingOpen
Google Skills (Introduction to Generative AI and skill badges)Free badges, not a certificateCourse Free, plus 35 lab credits a month · Length 45 minutes (first course) · Level IntroductoryOpen- Google DeepMind (AI Research Foundations)Free badge for each courseCourse Free, anywhere · Length 6 hours (first course) · Level Intermediate, needs PythonOpen
The certificate costs money
Google Prompting Essentials$49 a month (US)Course Not free, 7-day trial · Length Under 10 hours · Level BeginnerOpen- Google Cloud Certificates (on Google Skills)$29 a monthCourse Paid; free only through schools · Length 40 to 90 hours · Level Beginner, nothing needed firstOpen
For students
- Gemini Certified StudentFree, valid 3 yearsCourse Free videos to prepare · Length Exam: up to 2 hours · Level Ages 13 to 17, and collegeOpen
- Google Skills credits for college studentsFree skill badgesCourse 200 free credits · Level College studentsOpen
For teachers
- Gemini Certified EducatorFree, valid 3 yearsLength Exam: up to 2 hours · Level TeachersOpen
Closed or changed
- TensorFlow Developer CertificateExam closed
– means their own pages do not say.
Free course and free certificate
The course and the certificate or badge cost nothing. Most ask you to pass a test first. Each card says if you get a certificate or a badge. Read on Google's own pages on 16 October 2026.
Google Skillshop (Google Ads and Analytics certifications)
- Certificate
- Free, valid 1 year
- Course
- Free
- Length
- About 1 to 4 hours each
- Level
- For anyone
- On a phone
- Yes (Android 9+, iOS 12.4+)
Free certifications for Google Ads, Google Analytics and Display & Video 360, and the badge is free too. You usually need 80% to pass. If you fail, wait 24 hours and try again. A certification lasts one year, then you take the exam again. It works in a phone browser. One catch: a Google help page from January 2024 says the newer Professional certifications are open only to some people for now, and will need a fee in the future. The basic ones stay free.
In their own words(9, checked 16 Oct)
“Skillshop is available at no cost.”
“No. Digital badges are part of your Google certification benefits.”
“Unless it’s stated otherwise in the issued certificate, all Skillshop certifications are valid for one year from the date of certification.”
“But depending on the assessment, you’ll need a score of 80% or greater to pass.”
“If you don’t pass, you’ll need to wait 24 hours before you can take it again.”
“Skillshop is also supported by the following mobile devices:”
“Professional Certifications are currently available only to a limited audience.”
“In the future, these exams will require a fee.”
“Foundational certifications continue to be available free of charge.”
Kaggle Learn (Python, Machine Learning, SQL and more)
- Certificate
- Free, for each course
- Course
- Free
- Length
- A few hours each
- Level
- From zero coding
Short lessons that run in your browser. New to code? Start with Intro to Programming, then Python, Intro to Machine Learning (about 3 hours), Intro to SQL or Intro to AI Ethics. Your certificates are under the Completed tab, and you can share them on LinkedIn. Kaggle says you need to verify a phone number to make an account.
In their own words(6, checked 16 Oct)
“No cost, like all Kaggle Learn Courses”
“For every course you finish, you'll earn a completion certificate!”
“Get started with Python, if you have no coding experience.”
“Hours to earn certificate 3 (estimated)”
“You can easily share your certificate with your Twitter or LinkedIn followers by clicking on the social sharing links on your certificate page.”
“Yes, verifying your phone number is required to set up an account on Kaggle.”
Google Play Academy (Store Listing Certificate)
- Certificate
- Free, valid 36 months
- Course
- Free
- Length
- Lessons under 10 minutes
- Level
- App makers and marketers
- Exam
- Up to 5 hours, 4 tries
For people who make or market apps on Google Play. The lessons and the exam are free. You get 4 tries at the exam, and after a fail it locks for 24 hours. You need a strong, steady internet connection for the exam.
In their own words(7, checked 16 Oct)
“Google Play Academy is available at no cost.”
“The exam is available at no charge.”
“Your certificate expires 36 months after you receive your digital badge.”
“You can attempt to pass the exam 4 times.”
“If you attempt the exam and do not pass, the exam will be temporarily "locked" for 24 hours before you can take it again.”
“You have 5 hours to complete the exam.”
“Important: You need a strong and reliable internet connection to complete the exam.”
Google Skills (Introduction to Generative AI and skill badges)
- Certificate
- Free badges, not a certificate
- Course
- Free, plus 35 lab credits a month
- Length
- 45 minutes (first course)
- Level
- Introductory
Google Cloud Skills Boost is now called Google Skills. You earn digital badges here, not certificates. Video courses are free. Skill badges need hands-on labs, and most labs use credits: the free plan gives 35 credits a month, and Pro costs $29 a month. Claiming your badges on Credly is free, and you can link them from LinkedIn. Our button opens a beginner path that starts with Introduction to Generative AI. College students can ask for 200 free credits (see For students).
In their own words(7, checked 16 Oct)
“Our no-cost Introduction to Generative AI course is a great place to start.”
“It takes about 45 minutes to finish.”
“35 free credits every month”
“$29 / month”
“Most labs require a subscription or credits to access.”
“No, claiming and managing your Google Skills badges on Credly is free.”
“For example, you could add a link to your LinkedIn profile that points to your badge.”
Google DeepMind (AI Research Foundations)
- Certificate
- Free badge for each course
- Course
- Free, anywhere
- Length
- 6 hours (first course)
- Level
- Intermediate, needs Python
You build and train a small language model in Python. It is made for university students who know Python and study computer science, math, physics or another technical subject. Google built it with African learners in mind, but it is free for learners anywhere. The first course takes 6 hours, and each course gives a badge.
In their own words(4, checked 16 Oct)
“While built with African communities in mind, it’s available at no cost to learners around the world.”
“Earn a badge today!”
“6 hours”
“It is designed for university students and community learners who are proficient in python, and studying computer science, math, physics or other technical subjects.”
Machine Learning Crash Course (Google for Developers)
- Certificate
- Free badges, no certificate
- Course
- Free
- Length
- About 15 hours
- Level
- Some Python and math
Each module ends with a quiz. Pass it and you earn a badge on your Google Developer Program profile. There is no certificate. Google says it is easier for beginners now, with videos and exercises, but the exercises are in Python and you need some algebra and statistics. It now has lessons on large language models.
In their own words(5, checked 16 Oct)
“Learn fundamental machine learning concepts and principles with this free, online 15-hour self-study course.”
“At the end of each module, you can take a quiz to test your knowledge and earn a badge of completion.”
“More approachable and fun for beginners, with videos, interactive visualizations, and exercises.”
“Ideally, you should have some experience programming in Python because the programming exercises are in Python.”
“An introduction to large language models, from tokens to Transformers.”
The certificate costs money
Most are on Coursera. There, "Enroll for free" only starts a 7-day free trial. Then you pay every month: $49 in the US and Canada, $20 in India and Pakistan, and Google says it may be less in other countries.
Google AI Essentials
- Certificate
- $49 a month (US), $20 (India, Pakistan)
- Course
- Not free, 7-day trial
- Length
- Under 5 hours
- Level
- Beginner, no experience
- Financial aid
- Yes, on Coursera
Not free, even though the button says "Enroll for free". That starts a 7-day trial, then a monthly plan on Coursera: $49 in the US and Canada, $20 in India and Pakistan. If you cannot pay, apply for financial aid. In Pakistan, TechValley also gives scholarships for it. Google says it takes under 5 hours.
In their own words(7, checked 16 Oct)
“No, you cannot take this course for free.”
“In the U.S. and Canada, the subscription cost is $49 USD per month after an initial 7-day free trial period.”
“In India, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“In Pakistan, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.”
“We’ve teamed up with TechValley to offer scholarships to Pakistani freelancers, students & women in need.”
“<5 hours to complete”
Google AI Professional Certificate
- Certificate
- $49 a month (US)
- Course
- Not free
- Length
- 8 courses, about 1 hour each
- Level
- Beginner, no AI experience
- Financial aid
- Yes, but no AI Pro trial
Google's old Prompting Essentials page now shows this certificate instead. It costs $49 a month in the US and Canada, and Coursera says prices may vary in other countries. Financial aid is offered, but then you do not get the 3-month Google AI Pro trial. It is free only for some small businesses in the US. It carries no university credit. Google's page says eight courses in one place and seven in another.
In their own words(7, checked 16 Oct)
“In the U.S. and Canada, the subscription cost is $49 per month.”
“Prices may vary in other countries.”
“Yes, but learners who receive financial aid will not have access to the 3-month Google AI Pro trial.”
“The Google AI Professional Certificate is made up of eight courses that can be completed in about an hour each.”
“After you complete all seven courses, you’ll earn a certificate from Google to share with your professional network and potential employers.”
“This program does not carry university credit.”
“This offer is specifically available to small and medium-sized businesses based in the United States.”
Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate
- Certificate
- $49 a month (US), $20 (India, Pakistan)
- Course
- 7-day free trial, then paid
- Length
- 6 months, 10 hours a week
- Level
- Beginner, no experience
- Financial aid
- Yes, on Coursera
To pay nothing, apply for financial aid on Coursera, or for a Google scholarship (see the tip above): Google's India page lists 100,000 and its Pakistan page 45,000. For a free Google marketing certification, take the Skillshop Google Ads or Analytics exams instead.
In their own words(8, checked 16 Oct)
“In the U.S. and Canada, Coursera charges $49 per month after the initial 7-day free trial period.”
“In India, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“In Pakistan, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“6 months at 10 hours a week”
“Financial aid available, learn more”
“To make acquiring new digital skills accessible to more people, we are distributing 100,000 scholarships, in collaboration with NASSCOM Foundation, Tata STRIVE, and Safeducate.”
“Google has also funded 45,000 scholarships for Google Career Certificates, which will be distributed by Grow with Google partners TechValley.”
“If you are an individual, you can apply for financial support via partner NGOs and universities.”
Google Cybersecurity Certificate
- Certificate
- $49 a month (US), $20 (India, Pakistan)
- Course
- 7-day free trial, then paid
- Length
- 6 months, 7 hours a week
- Level
- Beginner, no experience
- Financial aid
- Yes, on Coursera
Graduates get a discount on CompTIA Security+, a separate paid exam. Google's page for Sub-Saharan Africa lists 16,000 scholarships, which make the courses free while you have one. The same page says you need to upload a government ID.
In their own words(9, checked 16 Oct)
“In the U.S. and Canada, Coursera charges $49 per month after the initial 7-day free trial period.”
“In India, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“In Pakistan, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“6 months at 7 hours a week”
“Financial aid available, learn more”
“Graduates of the Google Cybersecurity Certificate can access the CompTIA Security+ exam and training at a discounted price.”
“16,000 scholarships to help those who need it to access the certificates.”
“The Google Career Certificate Scholarship Program gives you access to take the certificate courses free of charge as long as you are in receipt of the scholarship.”
“You will need to upload a copy of a valid Government issued ID.”
Google Data Analytics Certificate
- Certificate
- $49 a month (US), $20 (India, Pakistan)
- Course
- 7-day free trial, then paid
- Length
- 6 months, 10 hours a week
- Level
- Beginner, no experience
- Financial aid
- Yes, on Coursera
It teaches Python. With financial aid you get full access to everything you need for the certificate. Signing up also comes with 3 months of Google AI Pro: Google asks for a payment method, and after 3 months it renews at $19.99 a month unless you cancel.
In their own words(8, checked 16 Oct)
“In the U.S. and Canada, Coursera charges $49 per month after the initial 7-day free trial period.”
“In India, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“In Pakistan, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“6 months at 10 hours a week”
“This program teaches the open-source programming language, Python.”
“Recipients of financial aid will have full access to course content and assignments required to earn a certificate.”
“A valid payment method is required at sign-up, but you are not charged until the 3-month period is over.”
“The plan renews at the standard rate of $19.99 per month.”
Google IT Support Certificate
- Certificate
- $49 a month (US), $20 (India, Pakistan)
- Course
- 7-day free trial, then paid
- Length
- 3 months, 10 hours a week
- Level
- Beginner, no experience
- Financial aid
- Yes, on Coursera
- On a phone
- Not all of it
A phone is not enough: Google says some modules need apps that only run on a PC or Mac. Coursera's page does not print the price, so the US price here is from Google's page.
In their own words(6, checked 16 Oct)
“In the U.S. and Canada, the subscription cost is $49 USD per month after an initial 7-day free trial period.”
“In India, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“In Pakistan, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“3 months at 10 hours a week”
“You can take most Google Career Certificates using a browser or Coursera app but some modules in IT Support and UX Design will require you to download some applications that work only on PC/Mac.”
“Financial aid available, learn more”
Google Project Management Certificate
- Certificate
- $49 a month (US), $20 (India, Pakistan)
- Course
- 7-day free trial, then paid
- Length
- 6 months, 10 hours a week
- Level
- Beginner, no experience
- Financial aid
- Yes, on Coursera
Google says 3 months at about 20 hours a week, or 6 months at 10. Graduates get over 100 hours of project management education that count toward PMI certifications, at a discount. Those are separate paid exams.
In their own words(6, checked 16 Oct)
“In the U.S. and Canada, Coursera charges $49 per month after the initial 7-day free trial period.”
“In India, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“In Pakistan, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“The Google Project Management Certificate can be completed in three months working approximately 20 hours per week, or in six months working 10 hours per week.”
“In addition, graduates of the Google Project Management Certificate will qualify for over 100 hours of project management education that apply to PMI credentials at a discounted price.”
“Financial aid available, learn more”
Google UX Design Certificate
- Certificate
- $49 a month (US), $20 (India, Pakistan)
- Course
- 7-day free trial, then paid
- Length
- 6 months, 10 hours a week
- Level
- Beginner, no design experience
- Financial aid
- Yes, on Coursera
- On a phone
- Not all of it
You learn Figma, the design tool. A phone is not enough: Google says some modules need apps that only run on a PC or Mac.
In their own words(8, checked 16 Oct)
“In the U.S. and Canada, Coursera charges $49 per month after the initial 7-day free trial period.”
“In India, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“In Pakistan, the subscription cost is $20 USD per month after an initial 7-day trial period at no cost.”
“6 months at 10 hours a week”
“Financial aid available, learn more”
“Figma is the design tool taught in this certificate program.”
“No prior experience with design or specific tool is required for the Google UX Design Certificate.”
“You can take most Google Career Certificates using a browser or Coursera app but some modules in IT Support and UX Design will require you to download some applications that work only on PC/Mac.”
Advanced Google Career Certificates (Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, IT Automation)
- Certificate
- $49 a month (US)
- Course
- 7-day free trial, then paid
- Length
- Not the same for each
- Level
- After a first Google certificate
Not for beginners. Each one builds on a first Google certificate (Data Analytics or IT Support) or the same experience. The price works like the others: $49 a month in the US and Canada after a 7-day free trial, and Google says it may be less in other countries. Business Intelligence takes less than 2 months and Advanced Data Analytics less than 6. Google gives no length for IT Automation with Python.
In their own words(6, checked 16 Oct)
“In the U.S. and Canada, the subscription cost is $49 USD per month after an initial 7-day free trial period.”
“In other countries where Google Career Certificates are available, your cost may be lower.”
“This program builds on the Data Analytics Certificate or equivalent experience.”
“The Google IT Automation with Python Certificate is designed for graduates of the Google IT Support Certificate or people with equivalent information technology experience.”
“With the Google Business Intelligence Certificate you’ll learn data modeling, data visualization, dashboarding, and reporting in less than two months.”
“With the Google Advanced Data Analytics Certificate you’ll learn statistical analysis, Python, regression models, and machine learning in less than six months.”
Google Prompting Essentials
- Certificate
- $49 a month (US)
- Course
- Not free, 7-day trial
- Length
- Under 10 hours
- Level
- Beginner
- Financial aid
- Yes, on Coursera
Still sold on Coursera, but Google's own Prompting Essentials page now shows the Google AI Professional Certificate instead. Coursera says you cannot take it for free. There is a 7-day trial, and Coursera says prices may vary in other countries. It takes under 10 hours.
In their own words(5, checked 16 Oct)
“No, you cannot take this course for free.”
“In the U.S. and Canada, Coursera charges $49 per month after the initial 7-day free trial period.”
“Prices may vary in other countries.”
“If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.”
“The program takes less than 10 hours to complete.”
Accelerate Your Job Search with AI
- Certificate
- Paid, price not shown
- Course
- Not free
- Length
- 6 to 8 hours
- Level
- No experience needed
- Financial aid
- Yes, on Coursera
Coursera says you cannot take it for free, but neither Google nor Coursera shows the price. Coursera's Data Analytics page offers it as a bonus course to people in that certificate. It teaches job search with Gemini, Gemini Notebook and Career Dreamer. Google says 6 hours; Coursera shows 8.
In their own words(5, checked 16 Oct)
“No, you cannot take this course for free.”
“If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.”
“6 hours to complete”
“8 hours to complete”
“In addition to expert-led training and hands-on projects designed to prepare you for a job, you now have exclusive access to a bonus course:”
Google Cloud Certificates (on Google Skills)
- Certificate
- $29 a month
- Course
- Paid; free only through schools
- Length
- 40 to 90 hours
- Level
- Beginner, nothing needed first
Google Cloud's own beginner certificates (Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, Computing Foundations), not the Career Certificates on Coursera. On your own, you pay $29 a month on Google Skills. They are free only through a school, government or nonprofit program in Google's Career Launchpad, and its staff apply for it. You get a certificate you can share, through Credly. Google gives two lengths on the same page: 40 to 90 hours, and about 90 hours.
In their own words(6, checked 16 Oct)
“Start a $29 USD monthly subscription on Google Skills to complete the Google Cloud Certificates.”
“For higher education, and government or nonprofit workforce institutions, the certificates are available at no cost through the Google Career Launchpad program.”
“Faculty and administrators can confirm eligibility and apply to facilitate the Google Career Launchpad program for their learners.”
“Once you finish the learning path, you will earn a shareable digital credential that you can access through Credly and add to your resume or social media.”
“Each Google Cloud certificate ranges from 40-90 hours of study.”
“You should plan ahead and set aside time to study, as each certificate requires about 90 hours to complete.”
Google Cloud certification exams (Generative AI Leader and more)
- Certificate
- Exam fee, $99 to $200
- Course
- Free learning path (AI Leader)
- Length
- Exam: 90 minutes to 2 hours
- Level
- AI Leader: nothing required first
Industry certifications with a paid exam, taken while a supervisor watches (a proctored exam). Google calls the Generative AI Leader learning path a no-cost option. That exam costs $99 and lasts 90 minutes, with nothing required before it, and the certification lasts 3 years. Associate Cloud Engineer costs $125 and Professional Cloud Architect $200, plus tax where it applies. We found no vouchers or aid for individuals on these pages.
In their own words(7, checked 16 Oct)
“It offers extensive no-cost options for learners at every level, like our Generative AI Leader learning path.”
“The certification process involves passing a proctored exam.”
“Registration fee: $99 (plus tax where applicable)”
“Length: 90 minutes”
“Validity period: 3 years”
“Registration fee: $125 (plus tax where applicable)”
“Registration fee: $200 (plus tax where applicable)”
For students
For school, college and university students.
Gemini Certified Student
- Certificate
- Free, valid 3 years
- Course
- Free videos to prepare
- Length
- Exam: up to 2 hours
- Level
- Ages 13 to 17, and college
There are two versions: one for college and university students (18+), and one for ages 13 to 17. The younger version opens only after you finish a starter course. The multiple choice exam covers only Gemini's free features. Prepare with Google's free AI for Students videos (below); Google also suggests AI Essentials, but that course is paid. If you fail, you can try again after 8 days. Google's help page lists Hindi and Arabic among the exam languages, but at launch Google said student exams would be translated later, so check yours.
In their own words(9, checked 16 Oct)
“Valid for 3 years | Free of charge”
“This certification is designed to equip college and university students with the skills to use Gemini tools responsibly and effectively for academic success and problem-solving.”
“This certification is designed to empower students ages 13 to 17 to become responsible and informed users of generative AI.”
“To unlock the certification exam, students must first successfully complete a foundational course.”
“The exam will focus on free features of Google's AI tool, Gemini, making it accessible to all students.”
“(Optional) Take the AI Essentials course”
“If a candidate does not pass the exam, they may retake it 8 days after the initial attempt.”
“Currently the exams are available in the following languages: Arabic, Dutch, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Latina America), Swedish, US English, and UK English.”
“They’ll be available in 12 languages starting today, with localization coming to student exams soon, and an exam for university faculty coming next month.”
Google Skills credits for college students
- Certificate
- Free skill badges
- Course
- 200 free credits
- Level
- College students
- Credits last
- 1 year
College and university students can ask for 200 Google Skills credits for hands-on labs and skill badges. Apply with your school email address. Only students in some countries can apply; India, Pakistan and Nigeria were on Google's list when we checked. The credits expire one year after you get them. Google also has games and challenges for students that give badges.
In their own words(6, checked 16 Oct)
“Students can request access to free online labs, skill badges, and courses through Google Skills.”
“Students are eligible for 200 Google Skills credits”
“Eligibility is limited to currently enrolled college & university students at accredited institutions in eligible countries”
“Please provide your institutional email address.”
“Please note that credits expire one year after they are issued.”
“Complete games and challenges, and earn badges that celebrate your progress!”
AI for Students (Grow with Google)
- Certificate
- None; prep for the Gemini exam
- Course
- Free videos
- Length
- Videos of 2 to 10 minutes
- Level
- Students
Short free videos on using Gemini and Gemini Notebook (the new name for NotebookLM) for homework, exam prep and job search. There is no certificate here. Google points to these videos to prepare for the free Gemini Certified Student exam (above).
In their own words(4, checked 16 Oct)
“AI for Students: Free Study, Writing, & Career Tools & Training”
“Discover how AI tools can boost your schoolwork and kickstart your career.”
“NotebookLM is called Gemini Notebook as of July 2026”
“Prepare by taking our AI student training”
Applied Digital Skills
- Certificate
- Not stated on its pages
- Course
- Free video lessons
- Length
- Over 100 hours in all
- Level
- Grades 7 to 12, and adults
Free video lessons on everyday digital skills, such as email and spreadsheets. Pick single lessons; there are more than 100 hours in all. Google's pages do not say if you get a certificate, so do not count on one.
In their own words(4, checked 16 Oct)
“Teach and learn practical digital skills needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow with our video lessons that are free of charge”
“With more than 100 hours of curriculum, Applied Digital Skills teaches a wide range of lessons in computer and digital literacy using practical soft skills for life and work.”
“presented in digestible activities for 7th-12th grade or adult learners”
“Applied Digital Skills is a flexible video-based curriculum that prepares students for the growing number of jobs that require basic digital skills, such as email and spreadsheets.”
For teachers
Free certificates for teachers, from Google for Education.
Google Certified Educator (Level 1 and Level 2)
- Certificate
- Free now (an old page says $10, $25)
- Length
- Exam: 2 or 3 hours
- Level
- Teachers
- Valid
- 36 months
Google's own pages disagree on the price. The Help Center says "The exams are free of charge for all available languages", and the certifications page says "Free of charge". But an older FAQ on edu.google.com still says "$10 for Google Certified Educator Level 1" and "$25 for Google Certified Educator Level 2". We go with the Help Center and the certifications page, which are current; check the price when you register. The exam has 37 multiple choice questions in 2 hours, or 3 hours with lab tasks. You need the latest version of Chrome.
In their own words(9, checked 16 Oct)
“The exams are free of charge for all available languages.”
“Valid for 3 years | Free of charge”
“$10 for Google Certified Educator Level 1”
“$25 for Google Certified Educator Level 2”
“37 multiple choice questions”
“Two (2) hours to complete the exam”
“Three (3) hours to complete the exam”
“These certifications are valid for 36 months.”
“Yes, you must be using the latest version of Chrome in order to start the certification exams.”
Gemini Certified Educator
- Certificate
- Free, valid 3 years
- Length
- Exam: up to 2 hours
- Level
- Teachers
A free exam on using Gemini in your teaching. Pass it to get a digital certificate you can share, for example for professional development (PD) credit. The exam is multiple choice and takes up to 2 hours.
In their own words(5, checked 16 Oct)
“The Educator Gemini certification registration is free of charge.”
“All certification exams are multiple choice and offered completely free of charge.”
“Those who successfully pass the assessment will be awarded a verifiable and easy-to-share digital certificate, which they can use for PD credits or showcase to their broader education community.”
“The validity period for Gemini certifications is 3 years.”
“After clicking TAKE EXAM, you will have 2 hours to complete the exam.”
Generative AI for Educators with Gemini
- Certificate
- Free, after an optional test
- Course
- Free
- Length
- About 2 hours
- Level
- Middle and high school teachers
- Language
- English only for now
A 2-hour course for middle and high school teachers of any subject, with no tech skills needed. Take the optional final test to get a certificate of completion. Your school district decides if it counts for professional development credit.
In their own words(6, checked 16 Oct)
“The Generative AI for Educators with Gemini course is provided at no cost.”
“To receive a certificate of completion, you can take an optional final assessment.”
“After completing the course, teachers earn a certificate that they can present to their district for professional development (PD) credit, depending on district and state requirements.”
“Generative AI for Educators with Gemini is a two-hour, self-paced course”
“Generative AI for Educators with Gemini is designed for high school and middle school educators of any subject, with no technical experience required.”
“Generative AI for Educators with Gemini is currently available in English, and we are working to offer this course in additional languages.”
Closed or changed
Older answers still send people to these. Here is what changed.
Google Digital Garage
Ended- Certificate
- Closed in 2025
- Course
- Moved to Skillshop
Google closed Digital Garage in 2025. In February and March 2025 it told users to download their old certificates before the site went offline. Google can no longer make those certificates again. Its free course lives on as Fundamentals of Digital Marketing (next card).
In their own words(4, checked 16 Oct)
“The deprecation process began in early 2025.”
“Active users were sent initial notifications on February 6, 2025, and final reminders on March 4, 2025, advising them to manually download their historical certificates before the platform went permanently offline.”
“Certificates issued in previous years under Digital Garage are no longer accessible or supported.”
“Because that platform infrastructure has been entirely retired, we can no longer issue or regenerate these older certificate layouts.”
Fundamentals of Digital Marketing (new version)
- Certificate
- Free award, not a certificate
- Course
- Free
- Length
- 17 modules
- Final test
- None
The free course from Digital Garage, now on Skillshop. It is still free, with 17 modules and no final test. But now you get an "award" (a digital badge) instead of a certificate, and it has no Google logo. Google says an award "is not a formal credential, but certifications are". You can add the award to LinkedIn. For a free Google certification in marketing, take the Skillshop Google Ads or Analytics exams (above).
In their own words(7, checked 16 Oct)
“Access to the Skillshop platform, awards and most certifications are available at no cost.”
“Go at your own pace and explore 17 modules packed with practical exercises and real-world examples, gaining actionable insights that you can apply to grow your business or career.”
“The new version of FoDM does not require a separate final assessment.”
“Upon completing the newly enrolled course, you will receive an official award (digital badge) instead of a traditional certificate.”
“Please note that there is no Google logo on any of the generated awards.”
“Keep in mind, an award in Skillshop is not a formal credential, but certifications are.”
“Use the sharing options to add your award to external platforms like LinkedIn.”
TensorFlow Developer Certificate
Ended- Certificate
- Exam closed
- Old certificates
- Valid 3 years from passing
Google closed the exam while it decides what comes next. If you passed before, your certificate stays valid for 3 years from the day you passed. For a free Google certificate or badge in machine learning today, try Kaggle Learn or the Machine Learning Crash Course badges.
In their own words(2, checked 16 Oct)
“While we evaluate the next step in our certificate program, we have closed the TensorFlow Certificate exam.”
“Your credentials are valid for 3 years from the date that you passed the exam.”
Questions
Are Google certificates free?
Some are. Free course and free certificate or badge: Skillshop's Google Ads and Google Analytics certifications, Kaggle Learn, Google Play Academy, Google Skills badges, the Machine Learning Crash Course badges and the Gemini Certified Student and Educator exams. Google's Career Certificates on Coursera are not free: after a 7-day free trial they cost $49 a month in the US and Canada and $20 a month in India and Pakistan, unless you get financial aid or a scholarship.
Are there free Google AI courses with a certificate?
Yes. Kaggle Learn gives a free certificate for each course, such as Intro to Machine Learning (about 3 hours). The Gemini Certified Student exam is free and lasts 3 years. Google Skills (Introduction to Generative AI, 45 minutes), DeepMind's AI Research Foundations and the Machine Learning Crash Course (about 15 hours) give free badges, not certificates. Google AI Essentials and the Google AI Professional Certificate are paid.
Is the Google AI Essentials certificate free?
No. Coursera's own page says "No, you cannot take this course for free." The "Enroll for free" button starts a 7-day trial. After that it costs $49 a month in the US and Canada and $20 a month in India and Pakistan. You can apply for financial aid on Coursera. In Pakistan, Google also points to TechValley scholarships for freelancers, students and women in need.
Are there free Google courses with a certificate for students?
Yes. The Gemini Certified Student exam is free and lasts 3 years, with one version for ages 13 to 17 and one for college students. Prepare with Google's free AI for Students videos. College and university students can also ask for 200 free Google Skills credits for labs and skill badges, with a school email; India, Pakistan and Nigeria were on Google's list of countries when we checked. Kaggle Learn and Skillshop are free for students too.
Can I get a free Google certificate in Pakistan or India?
Yes. Skillshop, Kaggle Learn, Google Skills badges and the Gemini Certified Student exam cost nothing. Google's Career Certificates cost $20 a month in India and Pakistan after a 7-day trial, not $49 as in the US. To pay nothing, apply for financial aid on Coursera, or for a Google scholarship: Google's Pakistan page lists 45,000 through TechValley (apply through partner NGOs and universities), and its India page lists 100,000 through NASSCOM Foundation, Tata STRIVE and Safeducate.
Is there a free Google digital marketing course with a certificate?
Yes. Skillshop's Google Ads and Google Analytics certifications are free, badge included, and last one year. You usually need 80% to pass. Fundamentals of Digital Marketing, the old Digital Garage course, is also free (17 modules), but it now gives an award, which Google says is not a formal credential. The Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate on Coursera is paid: $49 a month in the US, $20 in India and Pakistan.
Is there a free Google cybersecurity course with a certificate?
Only with aid. The Google Cybersecurity Certificate on Coursera costs $49 a month in the US and Canada and $20 a month in India and Pakistan, after a 7-day free trial. You can apply for financial aid, or for a Google scholarship in India, Pakistan or Sub-Saharan Africa. Google Cloud's own Cybersecurity Certificate costs $29 a month on Google Skills, and is free only through schools and programs in Google's Career Launchpad.
Do Google certificates expire?
Some do. Skillshop certifications, like Google Ads and Analytics, last one year. Google Certified Educator lasts 36 months, the Gemini certifications 3 years, and the Google Play Store Listing Certificate 36 months. The Generative AI Leader certification from Google Cloud lasts 3 years. Old TensorFlow Developer Certificates stay valid for 3 years from the day you passed.
How we checked
Every fact here comes from the company’s own page, with the sentence it is in. The facts checked for this guide show the day we read them. The tables come from our catalogue, which re-reads each price page on its own. When a page does not say something, we write that, and we never guess. How we check