When I last discussed free books to learn Linux, some readers asked for my advice about video courses to learn Linux online.

Usually, I advise checking some good and affordable Linux courses on Udemy. There are some free courses and some paid but good courses for beginners as well as advanced users.

But if you are not in a mood to spend a few bucks, I have compiled this list of free Linux training courses.

If you are serious about building your career in Linux, you should try a certification like Linux Foundation Certified Sysadmin. Linux Foundation is the official organization behind the Linux project and they have training and certification courses on cutting edge Linux technologies. They also run sale several times a year. You can check this continually updated page to get Linux Foundation discount offers.

Linux Foundation Sysadmin Bundle Sale

But before you try your hands on certification courses, you should be familiar with the basics.

These video courses will help you do that. Some of these are just basic to introduce you to Linux while some can help you build a career with Linux.

These courses are available worldwide without any charges. All you need is a decent internet connection and the determination to learn Linux.

Free Linux training courses

Some of these are Linux training for beginners while some focus on slightly advanced and job-oriented topics such as DevOps, open stack and cloud infrastructure. You can choose the one which is appropriate as per your needs and skills.

1. Introduction to Linux

This free online course is designed by The Linux Foundation and promoted by Linus Torvalds himself. Consider it as the official Linux course. It is available on edX, an online educational platform by MIT.

However, this course is for the people who have no idea what is Linux and how to use it. You’ll learn the following things after the course:

Working knowledge of Linux

Navigate through major Linux distributions

System configurations and graphical interface of Linux

Basic Linux command line operation

Most common applications of Linux

Introduction to Linux

A similar course is available at our online shop as well. If you could spend a few bucks, you should take this extremely useful Linux course for beginners.

2. An Intro to the Basics of Linux

This free Linux course is created by the networking giant Cisco. Like the previous offering, this course too focuses on absolute beginners. You don’t need any prior knowledge to Linux for this course.

You’ll learn the following thing in this online video course:

Basics of the Linux Command Line Interface (LCI)

Hands-on using a Linux virtual machine (provided free of charge)

The course runs for 8 hours. You can get the details on the page below:

An Intro to the Basics of Linux

3. Linux Essential

If you think that the previous course from Cisco was too basic, you can try your hands on another Cisco course. Linux Essentials course requires you to have some fundamental knowledge of Linux command line and then it builds up the foundation on top of that.

You’ll learn the following in this course:

Learn entry-level open source concepts

Enhance your understanding of Linux command line

Learn how Linux is used

Hands on using a Linux virtual machines

This is rather detailed course and it runs for around 70 hours. It is self-paced so you can use the course at your own comfort. These Cisco courses also include lab activities so you get to do some practice instead of just reading/following the videos.

Linux Essentials

4. Fundamentals of Red Hat Enterprise Linux

This is a free course offered by Red Hat itself. Red Hat is one of the most prominent enterprise-oriented Linux. Securing a certification with Red Hat could actually land you a job.

This course, however, only teaches you the fundamentals of Linux using Red Hat Enterprise Linux. You get to learn:

Access the command line.

Manage files from the command line.

Create, view, and edit text files.

Manage local Linux users and groups.

Monitor and manage Linux processes.

Install and update software.

You can access the online Linux course on the link below:

Fundamentals of Red Hat Enterprise Linux

If you already know these things and want to prepare for the certification, I recommend this Red Hat sysadmin certification course.

5. Introduction to DevOps

This is another free course offered by Linux Foundation. This course is focused on DevOps activities. DevOps is somewhat similar to SysAdmin role, if not exactly the same. You’ll need to have some basic knowledge of Linux command line for this course.

You’ll learn the following stuff from this course:

Why we need DevOps.

Understanding the foundations, principles, and practices of DevOps

Understand, analyze, and map value streams.

Explaining and implementing the deployment pipeline.

Illustration of the concept of Continuous Delivery.

Creating a problem solving culture.

Understand the concepts of blameless postmortems.

Monitoring meaningful infrastructure and business metrics.

Change management coverage

Understand how resilience engineering and safety culture are critical to DevOps success.

The course is over 40 hours long and makes you acquainted with the DevOps processes. If you want to build a career in DevOps, perhaps you should start here. It doesn’t cost a dime after all.

Introduction to DevOps

A similar course is available at our online shop as well. If you could spend a few bucks, you should take this extremely useful course for learning SysAdmin activities.

6. Introduction to Cloud Infrastructure Technologies

No one knows better than The Linux Foundation about what kind of Linux skills are in demand. Cloud computing is everywhere and this course helps you with the fundamentals of building and managing cloud technologies.

You’ll learn the following in this course:

Basics of cloud computing

Different cloud technologies characteristics

Knowledge on how to choose the right technology stack for your needs

The course runs for about 30 hours. You can get more information on its website:

Introduction to Cloud Infrastructure Technologies

7. Introduction to OpenStack

Cloud computing is not the buzzword in the IT industry anymore. It has become the necessity.

OpenStack enables you to build and manage cloud computing platforms for public and private clouds. OpenStack is considered the future of cloud computing and considering that the job market has doubled for OpenStack, I would say you must learn it if you are looking for a career in Linux.

You need to have some basic knowledge of Linux before you could attend this course. I would also suggest completing the previous course on Introduction to Cloud Infrastructure Technologies. It will teach you the following:

Cloud computing compared to virtualization

Deployment of virtual servers

Installation of OpenStack with automated tools

Command line management tools

Scaling out an OpenStack Cloud

The course runs over 30 hours. You can get enrolled on the page below:

Introduction to OpenStack

8. Introduction to Apache Hadoop

Big Data is still a big deal in the tech industry and having Big Data can get you paid. The Linux Foundation is very well aware of it and this is why they have just launched an introductory course to Hadoop.

Background of Apache Hadoop and big data ecosystem

Deploying Hadoop in a clustered environment

Build data lake management architectures around Apache Hadoop

Leverage the YARN framework to effectively enable heterogeneous analytical workloads on Hadoop clusters

Leverage Apache Hive for an SQL-centric view into the enterprise data lake

Introduction to managing key Hadoop components from the command line

Securing and scaling your data lakes in multi-tenant enterprise environments

The course runs over 45 hours. You can register to it on the page below:

Introduction to Apache Hadoop

9. Introduction to Kubernetes

Kuberenetes is the latest buzzword in the IT industry. It takes container deployments to the next level. DevOps teams worldwide are starting to use it. Perhaps you should have a go at the basics of the Kubernetes.

This course from The Linux Foundation will teach you:

The history, architecture, and components of Kubernetes

How to set up and access a Kubernetes cluster using Minikube

Multiple ways to run applications on the deployed Kubernetes environment and access the deployed applications

How you can participate in Kubernetes communities

Introduction to Kubernetes

[Bonus] Linux Survival

Unlike the other entries in this list of best Linux training courses, Linux Survival is not a video course. It’s an online website that teaches you Linux command line in an interactive and relatively fun way.

You don’t have a login here so there is nothing to keep track of your progress. You’ll have to remember on your own where you last left at. Nevertheless, it’s free and worth a try.

Linux Survival

Anything else?

Well, that was my list of free Linux online courses that would help you to learn Linux, become a Linux SysAdmin and even help you get jobs in Linux domain.

Quick tip: If you feel like practicing at work and don’t have a Linux system at hands, you can still run Bash commands using the online Linux terminals. Handy for quick practicing.

Do you know of some other reputable institute offering free online courses to build a career in Linux or with Linux basics? Have you already taken any of the courses? How was your experience? Share it with us in the comments below.