Which IT Support Professional Certificate Is Best for You? Google vs. IBM vs. Microsoft
Build key IT support skills with three different programs from esteemed industry partners on Coursera. Learn more about their differences across topics, tools, and skills, and which is best for your career goals.
![[Featured Image] A team of three professionals is sitting at a long desk in front of their computers, working efficiently. The person in the foreground is smiling and interacting with a client on a tablet to the left of their computer.](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6s9zWkbvuSPOPaRI3GHePw/7015fc5014496c102f2a00046d842be4/GettyImages-2189471723.jpg?w=1500&h=680&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive&auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=1000)
Key takeaways
Information technology (IT) is a field where many employers place a high value on practical knowledge, which you can build alongside relevant skill sets through Professional Certificates from Google, IBM, or Microsoft on Coursera. Which is best for you depends on your goals:
To gain a broad foundation in IT support with practical skills and emerging technologies: Google IT Support Professional Certificate
To gain a comprehensive understanding of IT with an emphasis on cloud computing and customer service skills: IBM IT Support Professional Certificate
To develop tool-specific proficiency for Microsoft-centric or enterprise environments: Microsoft IT Support Professional Certificate
Let’s review the differences between the IT support Professional Certificates on Coursera. Afterward, gain access to all three with a Coursera Plus subscription.
IT Support Professional Certificates on Coursera: Key differences
Google, IBM, and Microsoft all offer Professional Certificates in IT support on Coursera. Professional Certificates are online credentials you can earn from leading industry and university partners. They’re designed to help you develop job-relevant skills and knowledge in specific fields, which you can feature on your resume.
Google, IBM, and Microsoft’s programs all provide a foundational introduction to IT support, but there are some key differences in the additional topics they emphasize and the skills you can expect to develop.
| Google IT Support | IBM IT Support | Microsoft IT Support | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Professional Certificate | Professional Certificate | Professional Certificate |
| Level | Beginner | Beginner | Beginner |
| Modules | 6 courses | 9 courses | 6 courses |
| Estimated time to completion | 3 months (at 10 hours a week) | 3 months (at 10 hours a week) | 3 months (at 10 hours a week) |
| Special topic emphasis | Networking and systems administration | Hardware, software, and cloud diversity | Microsoft-specific tools and technologies, and cloud-based services |
| Key skills | Computer networking, systems administration, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity | Hardware and software troubleshooting, cloud computing, customer service, technical communication | Microsoft 365 expertise, network and data security, business process automation |
| Emerging technologies | AI skills | IoT, VR, AR, and AI applications in IT | Cloud computing and automation, generative AI |
| Other important differences | Google-branded certificate | IBM-branded certificate, plus CompTIA Tech+ certification prep | Microsoft-branded certificate |
| Best for | Achieving a broad, platform-agnostic foundation with a focus on networking and systems | Gaining a comprehensive overview of IT while preparing for CompTIA certification | Developing expertise in Microsoft technologies and their application in enterprise environments |
Price: You can preview the first module of many courses at no cost. Visit the Learner Help Center for more information about your account, payments, subscriptions, and Coursera policies.
Google IT Support Professional Certificate: Topics, tools, and skills
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate offers a comprehensive foundation in IT support, with a strong focus on networking, systems administration, and security. It also covers emerging AI skills.
Topics
Beyond an introduction to technical support, which includes an overview of computer hardware, operating systems, networking, troubleshooting, and customer service, Google’s program covers the following topics:
| Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Technical support fundamentals | Computer networking | Operating systems |
| System administration | IT security | AI skills for IT support |
Tools
Google’s curriculum encourages skills development that can be applied to various tools and platforms, rather than proficiency in a specific brand. Some of the tools you’ll be exposed to, learn more about, and gain proficiency in include:
| Tools | ||
|---|---|---|
| Operating systems | Command line interfaces | TCP/IP |
| Remote access tools | Encryption tools & firewalls | Cloud computing platforms |
| Diagnostic tools | System log tools | Backup and recovery tools |
Skills
The IT skills you can expect to develop with Google include:
| Skills | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hardware proficiency | Operating systems management | Networking fundamentals |
| Cybersecurity essentials | Cloud computing | Customer service |
| System administration | Software troubleshooting | AI tools |
Ideal for:
Individuals with no prior IT experience looking to begin a career in tech as an IT support specialist or help desk technician.
Established professionals who are interested in pivoting into tech and need a comprehensive introduction to IT support.
Self-taught tech enthusiasts wanting to formalize their knowledge with a recognized certificate.
Students or recent graduates looking to supplement their education with practical IT skills.
Small business owners or employees needing to handle basic IT tasks in-house.
IBM IT Support Professional Certificate: Topics, tools, and skills
The IBM IT Support Professional Certificate offers comprehensive coverage of IT support topics, with a strong emphasis on hardware, software, networking, and cloud technologies. It also includes preparation for CompTIA certification.
Topics
In addition to learning about the foundations of technical support, which includes an overview of the workplace and technical skills required for IT support, ticketing systems and IT service management, and support methodologies, IBM’s program covers the following topics:
| Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Customer service and conflict resolution | Hardware and device management | Software and application management |
| Networking and security | Cloud computing | Cybersecurity fundamentals |
Tools
IBM’s curriculum is designed to expose you to various tools and environments so you’re prepared for different kinds of scenarios. Some of the tools you’ll be exposed to, learn more about, and gain proficiency in include:
| Tools | ||
|---|---|---|
| Operating systems (Windows & Linux) | Command line interfaces | Hardware diagnostic tools |
| Networking tools, including wi-fi setup | Virtualization | Cloud platforms (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud) |
| Encryption software, firewalls, endpoint security solutions | Ticketing systems and help desk software | IoT devices, VR and AR systems |
Skills
The IT skills you can expect to develop in IBM’s IT Support program include:
| Skills | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hardware and device management | Software application support | Networking fundamentals |
| Cybersecurity | Cloud computing | Customer services and technical communication |
| IT service management | Operating system administration | IT support for IoT, VR, AR, and AI technologies |
Ideal for:
Those interested in a career that combines IT support with cloud computing.
Individuals looking to develop strong customer service skills alongside technical knowledge.
Those preparing for industry-recognized certifications, like CompTIA.
Professionals in adjacent fields looking to add IT support skills to their repertoire.
People looking to work in large enterprises with complex IT needs.
Microsoft IT Support Professional Certificate: Topics, tools, and skills
The Microsoft IT Support Professional Certificate offers a comprehensive IT support curriculum that focuses on the Microsoft ecosystem. It covers essential IT support topics while emphasizing Microsoft-specific tools, cloud services, and business productivity applications.
Topics
With Microsoft, you’ll learn about the fundamentals of IT support, but with a greater focus on Microsoft tools and technologies, such as Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Azure. The program also covers:
| Topics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Computer systems and components | Networking fundamentals | IT security and data management |
| Cybersecurity fundamentals | Network and data security | Issue diagnosis and troubleshooting |
Tools
Microsoft’s IT support program emphasizes proficiency with the Microsoft ecosystem, while also covering essential IT support tools applicable to various environments. Some of the tools you’ll be exposed to, learn more about, and gain proficiency in include:
| Tools | ||
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Suite | Microsoft Azure | Operating systems (Windows, macOS, Unix) |
| Automation tools | Networking tools | Security tools, including encryption and multi-factor authentication (MFA) |
| Virtualization | Command line interfaces | Diagnostic tools |
Skills
The IT skills you can expect to develop in Microsoft’s IT Support Specialist program include:
| Skills | ||
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Suite proficiency | Network security | Windows operating system administration |
| Cybersecurity and data privacy | Cloud computing with Microsoft Azure | Hardware and software troubleshooting |
| Business process automation | IT infrastructure management | Cross-platform support |
Ideal for:
Individuals working in or aspiring to work in enterprise IT departments.
IT professionals wanting to specialize in Windows operating systems and related technologies.
People interested in roles that involve managing Microsoft 365 and Azure cloud services.
System administrators looking to formalize their Microsoft-specific knowledge.
Those preparing for Microsoft certification exams.
Resources for IT support on Coursera
Keep learning about IT support as a topic, skill set, and career on Coursera. There are lots of resources to explore, including:
Career Resource Hub: Take advantage of free career development tools designed to support your learning and career growth.
Career Chat: Stay updated on important topics and trends with Coursera’s free weekly newsletter on LinkedIn.
YouTube: Watch informative videos to learn more about different career paths and important skills.
Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses.
Coursera Staff
Editorial Team
Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.