I Tried 15+ Kubernetes Courses on Udemy: Here Are My Top 6 Recommendations

These are the best Udemy courses you can join to learn Kubernetes (K8s) in depth.

I still remember the first time I heard about Kubernetes. A colleague mentioned that “K8s can automatically restart your app if it crashes” — and that single sentence was enough to make me want to learn more.

Fast forward a few years and our entire Java Microservices fleet runs on Kubernetes. Load balancing, auto-scaling, ConfigMaps, Secrets, Ingress, NodePort — K8s does it all.

It went from a curiosity to a non-negotiable part of how we build and deploy software.

But finding the right course to learn Kubernetes properly? That took real effort.

I enrolled in 15+ Kubernetes courses on Udemy over the past year — completing the best ones, skipping the mediocre ones, and applying everything to real production deployments. Here are the 6 that genuinely made a difference.

Quick start: If you’re a complete beginner, Kubernetes for the Absolute Beginners — Hands-on is the perfect first course. More on that below.

Why Kubernetes is a Must-Learn Skill in 2026?

Kubernetes isn’t just a DevOps tool anymore — it’s a core competency for Java developers, backend engineers, and anyone deploying software at scale.

Here’s what K8s can do for your systems:

  • Auto-restart crashed applications automatically
  • Scale services up or down based on demand
  • Load balance traffic across multiple instances
  • Manage configuration via ConfigMaps without redeployment
  • Handle secrets like passwords and API keys securely
  • Provide Ingress and NodePort for external access

Kubernetes experience is now one of the most searched keywords in job descriptions. Recruiters notice it. Salaries reflect it. Mastering K8s in 2026 is one of the highest-ROI investments you can make in your career.

If you are in rush then I also recommend you to just start with the Start Docker & Kubernetes Practical Guide, you will learn both Docker and K8 together.

6 Best Kubernetes Courses on Udemy for 2026

Without any further ado, here are the best Udemy courses to learn K8 or Kubernetes in 2026. These are tried and tested courses and suitable for both beginners and experienced developers.

1. Kubernetes for the Absolute Beginners — Hands-on

Why it’s #1: The most beginner-friendly, genuinely hands-on Kubernetes course available.

Created by Mumshad Mannambeth — one of the best Kubernetes instructors online — this course spends over 40 minutes on Kubernetes overview alone. That might sound excessive until you realize it’s the clearest 40 minutes on Kubernetes fundamentals you’ll find anywhere.

What makes it exceptional:

  • Perfect for developers with zero Kubernetes experience
  • Covers Kubernetes architecture from the ground up
  • Deployment on GCP, AWS, and Azure
  • Hands-on labs with pods, deployments, and services
  • Teaches the “Kubernetes way” of thinking

What you’ll learn:

  • Kubernetes architecture and core components
  • How to install and deploy Kubernetes on major cloud platforms
  • Working with pods, deployments, and services
  • Essential kubectl commands for day-to-day work
  • How to run containerized applications on K8s

My experience: This was the first Kubernetes course I completed and it set the foundation for everything that came after. Mumshad’s teaching style is exceptional — he builds understanding progressively, never leaving you confused about why something works the way it does. After finishing this course I could confidently read K8s documentation and understand it.

Best for: Complete beginners to Kubernetes, Java developers exploring K8s for the first time, developers moving from Docker to Kubernetes

Here is the link to join this course — Start Kubernetes for Absolute Beginners →

2. Docker & Kubernetes: The Practical Guide

Why it’s #2: The most popular and highest-rated Docker + Kubernetes course — hands-on from start to finish.

This is currently the best overall course if you want to learn both Docker and Kubernetes together. It takes a practical, build-as-you-learn approach that covers Docker basics all the way through to advanced Kubernetes topics — and the quality is consistently excellent throughout.

What makes it stand out:

  • Covers Docker AND Kubernetes comprehensively in one course
  • Hands-on approach throughout — minimal theory, maximum practice
  • Perfect balance of Docker fundamentals and advanced Kubernetes
  • Constantly updated to reflect latest versions
  • Real-world application scenarios

What you’ll learn:

  • Docker fundamentals and container management
  • Kubernetes core concepts and architecture
  • Deploying multi-container applications
  • Kubernetes networking, storage, and configuration
  • Production deployment patterns

My experience: The hands-on approach here is what sets it apart from other courses that spend too long on slides. By the end of the first few sections I had real containers running. By the end of the course I had a complete multi-container app deployed on Kubernetes. The practical focus meant knowledge actually stuck.

Best for: Developers wanting to learn Docker and Kubernetes together, engineers who learn best by building, teams standardizing on container-based deployments

Here is the link to join this course — Start Docker & Kubernetes Practical Guide →

3. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) with Practice Tests

Why it’s essential: The best course for taking Kubernetes knowledge from intermediate to expert — with a certification to prove it.

Created by KodeCloud founder and Kubernetes expert Mumshad Mannambeth, this bestseller has earned a 4.7 rating from 163,411+ students. Preparing for the CKA is one of the most effective ways to learn Kubernetes deeply — the certification forces comprehensive mastery.

What makes it comprehensive:

  • Covers ALL topics tested in the CKA certification
  • Integrated browser-based labs — practice without any setup
  • Available in English and Arabic
  • Active Slack community for support
  • Covers cluster administration, security, storage, and networking

What you’ll learn:

  • Kubernetes cluster administration from scratch
  • Cluster design and building from the ground up
  • End-to-end testing and troubleshooting
  • Security, storage, and network configuration
  • Everything needed to pass the CKA certification exam

My experience: Studying for the CKA was the single biggest leap in my Kubernetes knowledge. The practice tests reveal gaps you didn’t know you had. The integrated lab environment means zero setup friction — you open the browser and start practicing. I passed the CKA on my first attempt using this course exclusively.

Best for: Intermediate Kubernetes users targeting the CKA certification, DevOps engineers wanting deep K8s expertise, developers moving into platform engineering

Here is the link to join this course — Start CKA with Practice Tests →

4. Learn DevOps: The Complete Kubernetes Course by Edward Viaene

Why it’s powerful: The best Kubernetes-focused course for developers who want to go deep on K8s without the Docker detour.

While most courses split time between Docker and Kubernetes, this one goes all-in on Kubernetes. If you already understand containers and want serious Kubernetes depth — NodePort, ClusterIP, Ingress, stateful applications, AWS and Azure deployments — this is the course.

What makes it focused:

  • Deep Kubernetes coverage without splitting focus on Docker
  • Essential concepts: NodePort, ClusterIP, Ingress, Cluster setup
  • Stateful AND stateless application deployment
  • Installation on AWS production-grade clusters
  • Advanced kubectl commands for real-world work

What you’ll learn:

  • Core Kubernetes concepts: Pods, Services, Deployments, ConfigMaps
  • NodePort, ClusterIP, and Ingress configuration
  • Installing and configuring Kubernetes on your laptop and AWS
  • Running both stateless and stateful applications
  • Advanced cluster management and operations

My experience: This course taught me the Kubernetes concepts I use every single day deploying Java Microservices. The NodePort and Ingress sections finally clicked for me here after being fuzzy in other courses. The AWS deployment section maps directly to how we deploy in our production environment.

Best for: Developers already familiar with containers, Java developers deploying Microservices on Kubernetes, engineers wanting serious K8s depth

Here is the link to join this course — Start Complete Kubernetes DevOps Course →

5. Docker and Kubernetes: The Complete Guide by Stephen Grider

Why it’s valuable: The most DevOps-complete course — covering Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud deployment together.

Stephen Grider’s course was the top recommendation in this space for years and remains excellent. What sets it apart is the CI/CD pipeline component — you’ll build a complete GitHub + Travis CI + AWS pipeline from scratch alongside the Docker and Kubernetes content.

What makes it complete:

  • Builds a full CI/CD pipeline from scratch
  • GitHub, Travis CI, and AWS integration
  • Complete Docker and Kubernetes coverage
  • Regularly updated by a highly responsive instructor
  • Build, test, and deploy Docker applications with Kubernetes end-to-end

What you’ll learn:

  • Docker fundamentals and container management
  • Kubernetes architecture and core concepts
  • Building a CI/CD pipeline with GitHub and Travis CI
  • Deploying to AWS with Kubernetes
  • Debugging running containers with Docker CLI

My experience: The CI/CD pipeline section is what makes this course unique. Building a complete automated pipeline from code commit to Kubernetes deployment is a skill that every DevOps-aware developer needs. Grider’s explanations are clear and methodical — if you enjoy structured, systematic teaching this is your course.

Best for: Developers wanting CI/CD + Kubernetes together, engineers targeting full DevOps pipelines, developers who prefer Grider’s teaching style

Here is the link to join this course — Start Docker and Kubernetes Complete Guide →

6. Kubernetes: Getting Started

Why it’s the bonus pick: The best free Kubernetes course on Udemy — zero cost, solid foundation.

If you want to test the waters before investing in a paid course, this free course is the ideal starting point. It covers Kubernetes fundamentals clearly and practically — all you need is a free Udemy account to get started.

What makes it accessible:

  • Completely free — no cost to enroll
  • Covers genuine Kubernetes fundamentals
  • Perfect for testing if K8s is right for you
  • Good stepping stone before paid courses
  • No prerequisites beyond basic programming knowledge

What you’ll learn:

  • Kubernetes core concepts and terminology
  • Setting up a basic Kubernetes environment
  • Deploying simple applications to Kubernetes
  • Foundational knowledge to build on with paid courses

My experience: I recommend this to developers who ask “Should I bother learning Kubernetes?” before committing to a paid course. It answers that question clearly — and for most developers the answer after completing it is an emphatic yes. The quality is genuinely good for a free course.

Best for: Complete beginners testing the waters, developers on tight budgets, anyone unsure if Kubernetes is relevant to their role

Here is the link to join this course — Start Kubernetes Getting Started (Free)

Conclusion

That’s all about the 6 best Kubernetes courses on Udemy for 2026. These are courses I personally tested, completed, and applied to real production deployments — not just a list of popular titles.

Kubernetes is one of the most valuable skills in tech right now. It appears in nearly every modern job description, and developers who understand it deeply command significantly higher salaries. The investment in learning K8s pays back quickly.

My recommendation: Start with Kubernetes for the Absolute Beginners to build your foundation, then move to Docker & Kubernetes: The Practical Guide for hands-on depth. If you want a certification, CKA with Practice Tests is the natural next step.

Other DevOps, Cloud, and Programming resources you may like:

All the best with your Kubernetes learning journey! Drop any questions in the comments.

P.S. — Want to start for free? Kubernetes: Getting Started is completely free on Udemy — all you need is a free account to enroll. It’s the perfect zero-risk way to start your K8s journey today.

P. P. S. — The single best value in tech education right now: Udemy Personal Plan gives you access to all 6 courses on this list — plus 11,000+ others — for just $30/month. If becoming a software architect is your goal for 2026, this is the most efficient investment you can make. You’ll thank yourself later.

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