
The Best Free Tools & Platforms to Practise Cloud Computing Skills in 2025/26
Cloud computing has become the backbone of digital transformation. From small start-ups to multinational enterprises, organisations are moving workloads, applications, and even entire infrastructures into the cloud. This shift has fuelled demand for skilled professionals who understand not just the theory, but the practical application of cloud services. If you want a career in cloud engineering, DevOps, cloud architecture, or even data science with cloud specialisation, hands-on practice is essential. Employers are no longer satisfied with theoretical knowledge; they want candidates who can prove they’ve spun up a server, deployed a container, or automated infrastructure on a real platform. The good news? You don’t need to break the bank. Dozens of free tiers, open-source frameworks, and sandbox environments exist to help you practise cloud computing skills at zero cost. In this article, we’ll cover the best free tools and platforms in 2025 that let you experiment, build projects, and showcase your cloud expertise.