Best Linux Training
What are the best Linux training courses and certifications?
There are literally thousands of Linux courses, Linux books, Linux blogs…You get the picture.
But which Linux training is worth it?
Today we’re showing you 8 ABSOLUTE BEST Linux training courses and certifications.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation if you buy something. Read my disclosure for more details.
🛎️ TLDR 🛎️
⌨️ If you’re new to Linux, the best Linux training we recommend is Linux Foundation.
Prices range from free to $3000+.
💾 If you’re an intermediate Linux user, the best Linux training we recommend is Linux Academy.
🚀 Advanced Linux user? The best Linux training we recommend is Linux Performance Tuning offered by the Linux Foundation.
Why should I take a Linux training course?
Linux skills are incredibly in demand around the world.
Despite a fear-based media telling you otherwise, there will continue to be countless opportunities to leverage your Linux skills and get paid well for it.
Remember, Linux is Everywhere.
🛎️ Fact: more than 90% of Fortune 500 companies rely on Red Hat. That’s a market share that simply can’t be ignored.
Who will administer their cloud?
Who will fix their servers when they crash?
If you have Linux training, YOU will. And you’ll get paid handsomely for it.
Don’t let the fear mongers fool you.
Linux is everywhere and it continues to grow.
And it’s never been a better time to take a Linux training course and earn a Linux certification.
1. The Linux Foundation
A world-renowned organization, The Linux Foundation offers courses, certifications, and two cloud engineer bootcamps.
These trainings are for those who want to learn Linux and Linux-adjacent technologies.
The Linux Foundation offers a few dozen courses including:
- Linux Networking and Administration
- Developing Embedded Linux Device Drivers
- Essentials of Linux System Administration
- Linux Security Fundamentals
The Linux Foundation also offers Linux-adjacent courses such as:
- DevOps and SRE Fundamentals: Implementing Continuous Delivery
- Kubernetes fundamentals
- Node.js Services Development
This is a #1 destination platform for Linux training, and many of the specific certs listed below are part of this platform. Even if you’re a Linux newbie, you can still enjoy a good selection of trainings.
🛎️ Check out the Linux Foundation here.
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2. Fundamentals of Linux (LFS300)
Are you a Linux newbie? Consider starting here.
Fundamentals of Linux shows you everything you need to get up and running with Linux.
Even better, the course features a live instructor so you can get all your Linux questions answered by a professional. No more asking questions on a message board hoping some kind stranger will answer!
This is a pro-grade course offered by the renowned Linux Foundation.
Fundamentals of Linux includes:
Live Online (Virtual) or Live (Classroom)
4 days of Instructor-led class time
Hands-on Labs & Assignments
Certificate of Completion
Digital Badge
Once you complete this course you’ll have a good working knowledge of Linux.
For example, you’ll be able to use both Linux GUIs (graphical user interfaces) and command line. This will let you navigate any of the major Linux distros with ease.
This is a LIVE TRAINING, INSTRUCTOR-LED course. This means you can either learn in person or virtually. (There are numerous enrollment dates well into the year – check on the course landing page for more info).
🚨 Use PROMO CODE ILT30 at checkout to SAVE 30% on this Linux instructor-led training. 🚨
3. Introduction to Open Source Development, Git, and Linux (LFD201)
In Introduction to Open Source Development, Git, and Linux you’ll learn about open source software (OSS). But not only that, you’ll also get an introduction to both Linux and a version control system known as Git.
Specifically, you’ll learn about the advantages of using OSS. You’ll also become familiar with OSS communities, governance models and licensing choices.
Plus you’ll learn about Linux system stuff like:
- installation
- file systems
- text editors
- desktop environments
- important commands & utilities
- compiling software
- command shells & scripts
- and more!
Introduction to Open Source Development, Git, and Linux is good for beginners. You don’t need to know how to sue the command line. (Although it would be helpful.)
🚨 Check out Introduction to Open Source Development, Git, and Linux 🚨
4. Linux Performance Tuning (LFS426)
Warning, this is not a newbie friendly course. Linux Performance Tuning is for IT pros who have an interest in optimizing Linux performance. You should have a few years of Linux experience before enrolling in this training.
For most Linux IT admins, keeping Linux running optimally is mission critical. This training can help!
You’ll discover all the right tools, techniques and subsystems you need to maximize your Linux system’s performance.
In Linux Performance Tuning you’ll also learn:
- industry configuration best practices
- optimization performance tuning tools & techniques
- how to manually optimize the kernel’s behavior
- tracing, profiling & instrumentation techniques across a diverse range of conditions
- and lots more.
This is a LIVE TRAINING, INSTRUCTOR-LED course. This means you can either learn in person or virtually. (There are numerous enrollment dates well into the year – check on the course landing page for more info).
🚨 Use PROMO CODE ILT30 at checkout to SAVE 30% on this Linux instructor-led training.🚨
5. LFCS (Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator)
The Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS) certification is for people who want to validate their Linux sysadmin skills.
The LFCS cert is ideal for people who are early on in their Linux sysadmin career (or open source career). At the minimum, you should have some Linux sysadmin training.
LFCS Exam
If you buy the bundle, you get access to the exam PLUS a course to help you prepare for the LFCS exam. This course is Essentials of Linux System Administration.
And then, if you pass the LFCS exam, you get certified.
This exam is performance-based on the command line. You’ll be challenged with scenarios you’d encounter in a real-life job situation.
You can select either Ubuntu 18 or CentOS 7 for the exam.
Grab the Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator here.
6. LFCE (Linux Foundation Certified Engineer)
The Linux Foundation Certified Engineer (LFCE) exam is designed for active Linux engineers. If you want to demonstrate an advanced level of Linux admin and engineering, go for this cert.
How much Linux experience do I need?
The Linux Foundation recommends you have at least three to five years of Linux experience to excel at this training and exam.
It’s recommended if you want to better qualify for a promotion or land a more advanced job.
The LFCE certification was developed by The Linux Foundation to meet demand for Linux engineers.
LFCE Exam
If you buy the bundle, you get access to the exam PLUS a course to help you prepare for the LFCE exam. This course is Linux Networking and Administration.
And then, if you pass the LFCE exam, you get certified.
This exam is performance-based on the command line. You’ll be challenged with scenarios you’d encounter in a real-life job situation.
You can select either Ubuntu 18 or CentOS 7 for the exam.
🚨 Grab the Linux Foundation Certified Engineer (LFCE) training & exam here.
7. Best Linux Training: Linux Academy
The Linux Academy is known for its immersive training environment where you can experiment with a cloud playground.
The Linux Academy offers over 100 Linux and Linux-adjacent courses including:
- Courses and labs covering major Linux certs
- Red Hat, Linux Foundation, LPIC, and SUSE
- Deep dives into open source, DevOps, and more
With Linux Academy training you’ll learn your way around the operating system that drives modern tech companies.
In addition, The Linux Academy offers training with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
And finally on our list for best Linux training:
8. Red Hat Certified Engineer
The Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification is valuable.
A Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) who is ready to automate Red Hat Enterprise Linux tasks.
That person is also able to integrate Red Hat emerging technologies.
In addition, they can apply automation for efficiency and innovation.
But it’s going to take a lot of work to pass the RHCE cert. Fortunately, Red Hat offers multiple course options to help you prepare.
We recommend you start with Red Hat System Administration I and continue from there.
Red Hat also offers in-person labs to help you prep for the RHCE exam. But you do have to complete their prescribed coursework before taking any lab.
Is Linux training worth it?
Yes, we believe Linux training is worth it. With high salaries, transferrable skills and room for advancement in the IT field, people with Linux skills are highly sought after.
Don’t waste your time scanning YouTube hoping to stumble across a good Linux training video. Pay a few bucks to invest in your future, and then get certified. This includes the best Linux training you can get your hands on.
And if you do that, there’s a good chance you’ll be handsomely rewarded for it.
Want more? Continue learning about the Linux Foundation with our Linux Foundation Training review.
What’s the best Linux certification?
The best Linux certification depends on your career goals and local job market. Always do your research before investing in training for a Linux certification. Some highly rated Linux certifications include GCUX – GIAC Certified Unix Security Administrator, Linux+ CompTIA, LPI (Linux Professional Institute), LFCS (Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator), and LFCE (Linux Foundation Certified Engineer).
What’s the best way to learn Linux?
Possibly the best way to learn Linux is by hands-on training. In other words, you’ll need to be DOING rather than spending the bulk of your learning time reading or otherwise passively soaking up information. One of the fastest ways to learn Linux is to simply open up your command line and start experimenting with basic commands.
What’s the best Linux tutorial?
There are literally thousands of online Linux tutorials but the best Linux tutorials we recommend can be found through the Linux Training Foundation and Linux Academy. There are also many excellent Linux books, including The Linux Command line by William Shotts (No Starch Press).
Is Red Hat certification worth it?
Yes, the Red Hat certification is usually worth it especially if you are new to the industry. Remember, more than 90% of Fortune 500 companies rely on Red Hat. Specifically, The Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) is a good credential to have if you’re looking to land an entry-level IT position (i.e. your first IT role).