Selecting a Six Sigma certification is about more than belt colors. The process of going through studying, exam registration and receiving your certificate is important, as is if the credential meets the expectations of a specific employer. Customer reviews can show how providers treat those kinds of details, but review sites typically don’t differentiate between Six Sigma students and every other customer a business has.
For this comparison, publicly visible Trustpilot ratings/review numbers were taken into consideration as well as certification levels offered, flexibility and exam criteria. Ranking is done editorially, not a numerical ranking based on Six Sigma-specific course ratings. If a provider has limited reviews to compare against, that was factored into their review.
In this guide:
- Quick comparison Â
- Management and Strategy Institute Â
- PeopleCert / IASSCÂ Â
- American Society for Quality Â
- The Council for Six Sigma Certification Â
- How to choose the right Six Sigma certification Â
- Final verdict
Quick comparison
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Public review context |
| 1 | Management and Strategy Institute | Online self-paced courses with certification provided | ~7,200 Reviews from Trustpilot. Management and Strategy Institute services have an average rating of 4.8/5 |
| 2 | PeopleCert / International Association for Six Sigma Certification | Those looking for a standalone Lean Six Sigma exam administration | Approx. 7,000 reviews on Trustpilot; 4.0/5 overall rating for PeopleCert services |
| 3 | American Society for Quality | Quality professionals putting stock in formal eligibility criteria. | Extremely limited Trustpilot sample size. This is not a valid Six Sigma rating. |
| 4 | The Council for Six Sigma Certification | Students who want to take various belt tests | There is no equivalent review for this rank |
1. Management and Strategy Institute: Best overall for accessible online Six Sigma training
Designed with working professionals in mind that need to balance training with work and family commitments, Management and Strategy Institute provides an easy way to get started with Six Sigma. All of their courses are done online and provide self-paced training material. Management and Strategy Institute also offers certification exams that are administered through them as well. They offer everything from White Belt to Master Black Belt so it makes sense to pick your level based on experience rather than changing organizations as you gain experience.
One helpful distinction to keep in mind is that the institute bundles learning material with its certification program. Options in their Six Sigma Certification Course allow for fully online training. Certifications are also sold as lifetime, no need to renew.
Reviews are their most concrete public testimony. They claim more than 10,000 reviews across multiple platforms, which includes FindCourses, but that cumulative number is self-reported and has not been reconciled by a third party. Furthermore, those reviews are not all for Six Sigma students. Their Trustpilot page showed ~7,200 reviews and a 4.8/5 TrustScore as of this writing. Many reviewers comment on the accessible resources, ease of navigation, and real-world application. Keep in mind not all reviews are about Six Sigma, and some have complained about wanting more visual aids or interactive learning. Therefore consider the rating as an indicator of company-wide satisfaction as opposed to specific to Six Sigma.
Management and Strategy Institute will provide you with a digital certificate and shareable badge as well as an iPhone/Android-compatible digital wallet card for certain certifications. They have an account on the Better Business Bureau showing they have an A+ BBB rating and are accredited. (Note that this is not a rating of their Six Sigma courses, it’s a rating of their business practices.) Keep in mind that even though these certs are lifetime licenses, you’ll need to verify what specific qualification is named in applicable job postings before you buy.
Best fit: The student seeking flexible study as a first-time learner or working adult who also wants an included assessment and a structured path through multiple belt levels. Management and Strategy Institute has the best overall fit here by virtue of pairing accessible delivery with an above-average positive public reviews history.
2. PeopleCert / International Association for Six Sigma Certification: Best for externally administered Lean Six Sigma exams
PeopleCert’s International Association for Six Sigma Certification Lean Six Sigma certifications are a good fit for those who desire an exam-focused certification program. The International Association for Six Sigma Certification offers Yellow, Green and Black Belt certifications and determines certification through its own certification process rather than through training course completion.
Examining publicly available reviews is another way to attempt validation of PeopleCert. Their Trustpilot page shows approximately 7,000 reviews with an average rating of 4.0/5. Positive reviews generally praise helpful proctors and accommodating online test taking; negative reviews complain of waiting times for exams, technical difficulties and website functionality. Keep in mind PeopleCert offers many certifications outside of Six Sigma, so this is not necessarily a reflection of the International Association for Six Sigma Certification candidates.
You will need to pay closer attention to the exam policies/rules as well as continued credential requirements along this path. Check the published renewal policy as well as remote-proctoring requirements and if you will need to obtain training separately. This can be a great route for those who are solely focused on taking the exam, but if you would like one simple bundle of courses and certification – consider Management and Strategy Institute.
Best fit: A candidate comfortable preparing independently who specifically wants the International Association for Six Sigma Certification examination route.
3. American Society for Quality: Best for experienced quality professionals
American Society for Quality’s Six Sigma Certification options include Yellow, Green, Black and Master Black Belt. Established by the American Society for Quality, this provider may be ideal for those already employed in quality, manufacturing, engineering or continuous improvement roles who desire prior work experience to contribute toward your certification.
The critical distinction is qualification. Some American Society for Quality certifications mandate documented professional experience, and advanced certifications may require supplemental professional verification.
The listing for American Society for Quality on Trustpilot has very few reviews. This means the rating you see is not meaningful when you compare them to providers with hundreds or thousands of reviews. It doesn’t mean they are bad quality or exceeded expectations. It just means we have no public review evidence one way or another. Look at the credential’s website for exam details instead of trusting a volatile mean.
Best fit: Someone who has experience and works for an employer that recognizes the value of that specific American Society for Quality certification and who meets the eligibility requirements to become certified. Novices who desire training as part of the process should read closely about the various preparation options.
4. The Council for Six Sigma Certification: Best for comparing belt exam levels
The Council for Six Sigma Certification provides certification examinations spanning White, Yellow, Green, Black and Master Black Belt levels.
The Council for Six Sigma Certification’s test-focused model might be attractive to the motivated student who has previously learned Six Sigma from work-driven training or other means. The Council for Six Sigma Certification is not as directly analogous to a one-stop shop course package: students need to separate out study guides, exam fees and the resultant certification.
No statistically valid, directly comparable customer-review sample was established for The Council for Six Sigma Certification in this review. Therefore, fourth place should not be taken as an indication that customers are less satisfied. It is based on less review data for that particular comparison edition, as well as a different product format.
Best fit: Someone wanting to compare belt-level exams who doesn’t mind checking training / assessment arrangements separately.
How to choose the right Six Sigma certification
Lead with the job, not the belt color. Someone new to the subject that will focus on day-to-day process improvements may enjoy learning the basics. Someone managing process improvement projects may require Green or Black Belt level training. If seeking advanced certifications, inquire if the school requires work experience, projects or take standalone tests.
Secondly, distinguish between course satisfaction and credential recognition. Review sites can inform you if a website functions or exam support is responsive; they cannot confirm how a specific employer values an award. Research job openings in your field and inquire with recruiters which certifiers they recognize.
Lastly, consider the total investment required for earning and keeping the credential. See if course materials, exam fees, a digital badge, a wallet credential, and renewals are included.
Final verdict
Management and Strategy Institute leads this review-informed comparison because of their superior online accessibility, wide belt-level offering and generally positive user reviews. PeopleCert / International Association for Six Sigma Certification may be preferred by individuals who are dedicated to taking an independently administered exam while American Society for Quality caters to seasoned quality professionals. The Council for Six Sigma Certification is another option for taking belt exams. Ultimately the best certification is the one that best fits your skills and the employer reviewing it.
