RHCSA Simulators 2025: The Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Practice Environment

Objective

Preparing for the RHCSA (Red Hat Certified System Administrator) exam in 2025 demands more than just reading documentation or watching tutorials. You need hands-on, practical experience. That's where RHCSA simulators come in. These virtual labs and test environments are designed to mimic real-world RHEL systems, allowing candidates to practice difficult tasks like:

• Managing users and groups
• Configuring firewalls and network settings
• Setting file permissions and SELinux contexts
• Handling boot issues and system recovery
• Configuring storage and file systems

All of this practice happens in a safe, exam-like setting that prepares you for the real certification challenge.

RHCSA for RHEL 9

It's worth noting that the RHCSA exam for RHEL 9 has been available since June 2022, giving the certification landscape time to mature. This means most quality simulators and training materials have had sufficient time to update their content to align with the current exam requirements.

Official Red Hat Resources

Before diving into third-party simulators, candidates should be aware of Red Hat's official training materials and resources:

• Red Hat Training and Certification: Official courses like RH124 and RH134 provide comprehensive coverage
• Red Hat Learning Subscription: Access to official labs, videos, and practice exams
• Red Hat Developer Program: Free access to RHEL for development and learning purposes
• Official Documentation: Comprehensive guides and administration manuals

While these official resources are excellent, many candidates supplement them with third-party simulators for additional practice and different perspectives on exam topics. But with so many simulators that claim to offer the "closest to real exam" experience, which ones actually deliver in 2025? In this blog, we'll review some of the most recommended RHCSA simulators, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and help you choose the best one for your certification journey.

1. RHCSA.GURU Simulator – Best Overall Practice Lab

RHCSA.GURU offers one of the most complete, exam-oriented simulators currently available. Built specifically for RHCSA aspirants, it includes task-based modules that mirror real exam scenarios with a clean interface and step-by-step lab exercises.

Website: https://rhcsa.guru

Pros:

• Lab environment duplicates RHEL 9 layouts: The simulator mirrors the structure and commands of a real RHEL 9 system, providing a true-to-exam experience
• Dozens of hands-on tasks organized by RHCSA objectives: Tasks are aligned with official RHCSA topics, making it easy to focus your efforts where they matter
• Detailed solutions and hint support: If you're stuck, you can access hints or step-by-step solutions that support learning without leaving you confused
• Community forums and discussion threads: Active discussions let you learn from others' doubts, clarifications, and tips while building your understanding
• Regular updates: Content stays current with exam changes and RHEL updates

Cons:

• Requires a subscription for full access: While some content is free, the most comprehensive features are available only to paid users
• No downloadable offline version: You must stay connected to the internet to use the simulator, which may limit accessibility in offline settings

Verdict: If you want a simulator that focuses on what truly matters in the RHCSA exam, RHCSA.GURU is your best bet. Its labs are practical, aligned with Red Hat's exam blueprint, and perfect for both beginners and seasoned Linux users.

2. Linux Academy (now A Cloud Guru) – Great Content, Higher Cost

Linux Academy, now part of A Cloud Guru, has long been a go-to platform for Linux certifications. Its RHCSA simulator features interactive labs with virtual servers, quizzes, and video lessons.

Website: https://acloudguru.com

Pros:

• Cloud-hosted virtual machines: The labs run on remote servers, allowing users to practice without needing to install RHEL locally
• Includes both lab tasks and theory: Combines hands-on exercises with explanatory content, making it ideal for understanding both concepts and commands
• Beginner-friendly navigation and dashboards: The user interface is intuitive, helping new users track progress and jump between sections easily
• Structured course with progress tracking: Learners can follow a clear learning path and monitor their performance across lessons and tasks
• Multiple learning formats: Videos, hands-on labs, and quizzes cater to different learning styles

Cons:

• High monthly subscription fee: The platform is relatively expensive, which might not be affordable for all learners
• Sometimes lags on slow internet connections: Because the labs are cloud-based, performance can suffer without a stable and fast internet connection
• Some content not fully updated to RHEL 9: A few labs and examples are still based on older versions, which can be confusing during RHCSA-specific prep
• Broad focus may dilute RHCSA-specific preparation: The platform covers many topics beyond RHCSA

Verdict: If you're looking for a structured course with labs included and price is not a concern, Linux Academy delivers well. However, its broader focus might dilute RHCSA-specific prep for those short on time.

3. Netlab+ by NDG – Academic Style Practice

Netlab+ is popular among colleges and institutions for Linux training. It provides access to RHEL virtual machines in a timed environment, great for lab-based learning.

Website: https://www.netdevgroup.com/netlab

Pros:

• Institutional-grade reliability: Netlab+ is built for educational environments, offering a dependable and stable lab infrastructure
• Supports team and instructor-led environments: It enables instructors to guide students through exercises in a coordinated classroom-like setup
• Follows RHCSA objective path: The labs are designed around RHCSA exam topics, helping learners focus on what is required
• Allows for reset and rebuild of machines easily: Users can quickly reset lab machines to their original state for repeated practice
• Comprehensive tracking and reporting: Detailed analytics for progress monitoring

Cons:

• Limited individual access: While primarily designed for institutions, individual access options may be limited or require special arrangements
• Interface feels outdated: The UI is functional but lacks the polish and modern design found in newer simulators
• Lacks real-time support or community access: There is no integrated community or instant help system, which can leave users stuck during practice
• Scheduling limitations: Lab access may be time-limited or require advance booking

Verdict: A solid choice if you're studying RHCSA through a formal course or educational institution. For solo learners or fast-track students, the access limitations may be a consideration.

4. VirtualBox + Manual Setup – DIY and Cost-Free

This is not a prebuilt simulator but a strategy. Many RHCSA candidates build their own labs using VirtualBox and RHEL 9 ISO. It's budget-friendly and teaches you how Linux environments really work behind the scenes.

Website: https://www.virtualbox.org

Pros:

• 100% free and customizable: Creating your own lab using VirtualBox and a RHEL ISO is cost-free and can be customized to meet your specific study needs
• Excellent learning experience for troubleshooting and setup: Setting up everything manually helps you build confidence in real-world problem-solving and system management
• Great for scripting and automation practice: Offers a perfect sandbox for testing bash scripts, system automation, and tools like Ansible
• Complete control over environment: You can simulate various scenarios and configurations
• Offline accessibility: Once set up, you can practice without internet connectivity

Cons:

• Time-consuming to build and configure: Building the lab environment from scratch takes time, especially for beginners unfamiliar with virtualization or Linux
• Requires a powerful host machine: Running multiple virtual machines smoothly demands ample RAM, CPU, and storage on your local computer
• No structured tasks or performance tracking: Unlike guided simulators, there is no built-in syllabus or tracking—you need to plan and assess your own learning path
• Maintenance overhead: You're responsible for updates, troubleshooting, and maintaining the environment

Setup Tips:

• Minimum requirements: 8GB RAM, 100GB free storage, virtualization-enabled CPU
• Recommended configuration: Create multiple VMs to simulate network scenarios
• Essential tools: Install VirtualBox, download RHEL 9 ISO from Red Hat Developer Program
• Network setup: Configure host-only and NAT networks for realistic practice

Verdict: Ideal for tech-savvy learners who want total control over their environment. If you're willing to invest the time, building your own lab is a fantastic option. Pair this with RHCSA.GURU or GitHub practice repositories for best results.

Download comprehensive RHCSA study guide on How to Set Up a RHEL 9 Virtual Lab for RHCSA Practice

5. GitHub Repositories & Community Labs – Mixed Quality, Free

Several open-source contributors have built RHCSA labs on GitHub. These can include automation scripts via Ansible or Vagrant, sample questions, and walkthroughs.

Website: https://github.com

Pros:

• Completely free: These community labs cost nothing to access, making them ideal for learners on a budget
• Often include real-world scenarios: Many GitHub labs simulate practical use-cases, giving learners insight into real Linux system administration
• Easy to clone and run locally: Most repositories provide clear setup instructions, allowing quick local deployment with tools like VirtualBox or Vagrant
• Community-driven updates: Active repositories benefit from community contributions and improvements
• Variety of approaches: Different contributors offer unique perspectives and methodologies

Cons:

• Varies greatly in quality and accuracy: Since content is community-created, consistency and correctness can differ significantly between repositories
• May not cover the latest RHCSA objectives: Some labs might be outdated or not aligned with the current RHEL 9-based exam
• No formal support or guidance: Users are largely on their own with no official help or structured troubleshooting assistance
• Documentation inconsistencies: Setup instructions and explanations may be incomplete or unclear

Recommended Repositories:

• ansible-rhcsa: Automated lab setup using Ansible
• rhcsa-practice-questions: Community-curated question banks
• vagrant-rhcsa: Vagrant-based lab environments

Verdict: A useful addition to your prep but not a standalone solution. Treat GitHub resources as supplements, not primary learning tools.

Comparison Summary

Conclusion

Choosing the right RHCSA simulator in 2025 comes down to your learning style, budget, and how much time you’re willing to invest. RHCSA.GURU is the top pick for most candidates, it mirrors real exam scenarios closely and keeps things focused and practical. If you're more of a DIY learner, setting up labs manually with VirtualBox and curated GitHub repos can work well, though it takes more effort. For students learning through institutions, Netlab+ is often bundled in and does the job. And if you're willing to pay more for a polished experience, A Cloud Guru delivers, though it’s broader than RHCSA-specific content. No matter what you choose, pair it with official Red Hat material to cover all your bases.