Table of Content
What are the best data migration tools?
The best data migration tool depends on what you are moving. For databases, use AWS Database Migration Service, Google Cloud Database Migration Service, or Azure Database Migration Service. For syncing app data into a warehouse, use Airbyte, Fivetran, or Skyvia. For ecommerce stores, use Cart2Cart or LitExtension. For help desk data, use Help Desk Migration.
- Match the tool to the data: database services move databases, integration platforms sync app data, and store migration tools move products, customers, and orders.
- Entry costs are published for several tools: LitExtension starts at $59, Airbyte Standard from $20 per month, Help Desk Migration lists $100 for 1,000 records, and Fivetran has a free plan with 500,000 monthly active rows.
- Cart2Cart, LitExtension, and Help Desk Migration all offer a free demo migration, so test before you pay.
- No tool fixes bad source data. Mapping, cleanup, and reconciliation are the real work in ERP and CRM moves.
- Prices come from each vendor’s own page, read in October 2026, and change often.
What are the four types of data migration?
Data migration is usually grouped into four types: storage migration (moving data between storage systems), database migration (moving or upgrading databases), application migration (moving data when you change software, such as a CRM or ERP), and business process migration (moving data as processes and systems merge). Most data migration software below handles one or two of these, which is why a single “best” tool does not exist.
Migration is also different from integration. A migration moves data once, validates it, and retires the old system. An integration keeps two systems in sync. Airbyte, Fivetran, and Skyvia are built for syncing and are often used for migrations too, while the cloud database services and store migration tools are built for a cutover.
How do the 9 data migration tools compare?
Use this list of data migration tools as a shortlist, not a ranking. Each one is strongest for a different kind of data.
| Tool | Moves what | Listed pricing (Oct 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Database Migration Service | Databases to AWS | Hourly instances or serverless DCUs; sign-ups after July 15, 2025 get $100 in credits | Moving databases into AWS |
| Google Cloud Database Migration Service | MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle | Not on the product page | Moving databases into Cloud SQL or AlloyDB |
| Azure Database Migration Service | SQL Server to Azure SQL targets | Not on the overview page | Microsoft shops moving to Azure |
| Airbyte | App and database data to a destination | Standard from $20 per month; Plus from $189; open-source Core | Teams that want 700+ connectors or self-hosting |
| Fivetran | App and database data to a warehouse | Usage-based on monthly active rows; Free plan up to 500,000 rows | Managed pipelines with little maintenance |
| Skyvia | Cloud app and database records | Free up to 10k records; overage $0.06 per 1k on Standard | Small CRM and SaaS data moves |
| Cart2Cart | Ecommerce store data | Free demo; paid by entities | Store replatforming across 85+ carts |
| LitExtension | Ecommerce store data | Free demo; starts at $59 | Store replatforming across 140+ platforms |
| Help Desk Migration | Tickets, contacts, knowledge base | $100 per 1,000 records on Essential; $514 for 10,000 | Support platform moves |
1. Is AWS Database Migration Service a good data migration tool?
It is the default for moving databases into AWS. AWS bills replication instances by the hour, plus any extra log storage, and also offers a serverless option sized in DCUs, where one DCU equals 2 GB of RAM. Data transfer into DMS is free, and standard AWS rates apply across Availability Zones, Regions, and out of AWS. For same-engine (homogeneous) migrations, AWS says you pay by the hour only for the duration of the migration, with no storage or data transfer charges. Accounts that sign up after July 15, 2025 choose a Free or Paid Plan with $100 in credits, and up to $100 more for activating foundational services, valid for up to twelve months. Choose it when the target is an AWS database. Skip it when you are moving between SaaS apps. Our AWS development services and AWS cloud migration guide cover the wider move.
2. What does Google Cloud Database Migration Service do?
Google describes a managed service for migrating MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and Oracle databases to Cloud SQL and AlloyDB. It takes an initial snapshot and then replicates changes continuously for minimal downtime, runs a validation before migration, and is serverless, with no migration servers to manage. For SQL Server and Oracle moves to PostgreSQL, a built-in conversion workspace handles schema and code, with Gemini-assisted conversion in preview. The product page does not list prices. Choose it when you are moving to Google Cloud. Skip it when your target is another cloud.
3. Is Azure Database Migration Service worth using?
For SQL Server moves into Azure, yes. Microsoft describes Azure DMS as a fully managed service for migrations with minimal downtime. Its overview table shows offline migration to Azure SQL Database, online and offline migration to Azure SQL Managed Instance, and online and offline migration to SQL Server on Azure virtual machines, with Azure portal, PowerShell, and Azure CLI support and private endpoints. The portal version does not include assessment or SKU recommendations, so run an assessment first. Choose it when you are moving SQL Server to Azure. Skip it when you are not on Microsoft.
4. Is Airbyte a good open-source data migration tool?
Among open source data migration tools, Airbyte lists 700+ connectors and a self-hosted offering called Core. On the managed cloud, Standard starts at $20 per month with 5 credits included and extra credits at $5 each, billed by data volume. Plus starts at $189 per month for 40 credits. Pro and Enterprise Flex are custom priced and capacity based. Choose it when you want control, many connectors, or a self-hosted option. Skip it when you want a one-off cutover with built-in validation.
5. How does Fivetran pricing work?
Fivetran charges by monthly active rows, meaning inserts and updates, not unchanged rows on re-syncs. Its Free plan includes 500,000 MAR for connections. Standard lists 700+ fully managed connectors and 15-minute syncs, with a $5 base charge per standard connection, and Enterprise adds one-minute syncs and enterprise database connectors. Annual contracts save up to 22%. Choose it when you want managed pipelines and can estimate row volume. Skip it when your data changes heavily and unpredictably, since cost follows active rows.
6. What can Skyvia migrate?
Skyvia is a cloud integration platform for moving records between apps and databases. Its pricing page lists a Free plan with 10,000 records per month for data integration, a 20% discount on annual billing, and overage of $0.06 per 1,000 records on Standard and $0.02 on Professional. Base plan prices were not shown. Choose it when you are moving CRM or SaaS records at modest volume. Skip it when you are moving a production database.
7. Is Cart2Cart good for ecommerce migration?
Cart2Cart is a self-service store migration tool. It says it supports 85+ platforms, has been on the market 17 years, and has performed 500,000+ migrations, with an average migration time of 5 hours. These are its own figures. It migrates products, categories, manufacturers, customers, orders, coupons, reviews, and CMS pages, offers a free demo, and sells expert-led packages for large stores. Choose it when you are moving between standard carts. Skip it when you have heavy custom data, which needs a developer. See our ecommerce migration SEO guide and ecommerce migration services.
8. What does LitExtension migrate?
LitExtension lists support for 140+ platforms including Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento (Adobe Commerce), BigCommerce, PrestaShop, OpenCart, and Wix. It migrates products, customers, orders, and blogs, can carry SEO URLs if you select that option, and accepts data from database dumps, CSV, Excel, Google Sheets, XML, and APIs. The free demo moves 20 products, 20 customers, and 20 orders, and pricing starts at $59 based on the number of entities. Re-migration and Smart Update are free within three months if the additional entities stay within 10% of the original. Choose it when you want a free demo and flexible sources. Skip it when your catalog needs custom transformation. If you are weighing platforms first, read our guide to Shopify alternatives.
9. How much does Help Desk Migration cost?
Help Desk Migration prices per record, not per agent. Its page says a basic Essential migration costs $100 for 1,000 records and $514 for 10,000, and that pricing is not linear. Records include agents, contacts, companies, and tickets, plus knowledge base articles, categories, and folders. Attachments, comments, and notes do not count. Demo migrations are free and unlimited, each moving 20 tickets and 20 articles, and payment is one-time. It lists platforms including Zendesk, Freshdesk, Freshservice, Jira Service Management, and Salesforce Service Cloud. Choose it when you are changing support platforms. Skip it when you are moving other data types.
How do you choose a data migration tool?
| Question | What to look for |
|---|---|
| What am I moving? | Database, SaaS records, store catalog, or tickets. Pick the tool built for that data |
| Does it support my source and target? | Check the exact versions and platforms, not just the brand |
| How does it validate? | Row counts, checksums, or a pre-migration validation step, as Google lists |
| What is the cutover plan? | Continuous replication and a short switch, or an offline window |
| What does it cost at my volume? | Per record, per entity, per hour, or per active row all scale differently |
| Can I roll back? | Keep the source system untouched until reconciliation passes |
For schema changes inside an existing database, a different class of tool applies. Flyway, for example, versions and automates schema changes across 60+ database platforms, with a Community edition for individuals and education and a 28-day Enterprise trial.
Why ERP and CRM migrations need more than a tool
The tools above copy records. They do not decide which records are worth keeping. In an ERP or CRM move, most of the effort goes into mapping fields, merging duplicates, retiring dead accounts, agreeing on cutover dates, and reconciling totals between old and new. Plan a rehearsal migration on a copy, compare counts and balances, and only then schedule the real one. Our CRM and ERP integration guide, website migration guide, and legacy system modernization guide cover the planning side.
If you want a team to run the migration, our AI integration services, Odoo development services, and ecommerce migration services handle mapping, build, and cutover.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are data migration tools?
Data migration tools move data from a source system to a target system, usually with mapping, transformation, and validation. They range from cloud database services to integration platforms and store-specific migration tools.
What are the four types of data migration?
Storage migration, database migration, application migration, and business process migration. Moving CRM or ERP data is application migration, and moving a database to the cloud is database migration.
What is the best data migration tool?
There is no single best tool. AWS DMS, Google Cloud DMS, and Azure DMS are the cloud data migration tools for databases, Airbyte, Fivetran, and Skyvia suit syncing app data, and Cart2Cart, LitExtension, and Help Desk Migration suit stores and support platforms. Choose by data type and target.
How do I migrate an SQL database?
A typical SQL data migration assesses the source, converts the schema if the engine changes, loads an initial snapshot, replicates changes until cutover, validates counts and data, then switches applications. Google Cloud DMS describes this snapshot-plus-replication pattern, and AWS and Azure offer comparable managed services.
What are ETL tools used for data migration?
ETL and ELT tools such as Airbyte and Fivetran extract data from sources and load it into a destination. They are good for repeatable syncs and warehouse loads, but one-off cutovers also need validation and a rollback plan.
Is there a free data migration tool?
Several have free tiers: Airbyte Core is open source, Fivetran has a Free plan with 500,000 monthly active rows, Skyvia has a Free plan with 10,000 records, and Flyway Community is free for individuals and education. Cart2Cart, LitExtension, and Help Desk Migration offer free demo migrations.
How long does a data migration take?
It depends on volume, complexity, and testing. Cart2Cart states an average of 5 hours for store migrations, which is its own figure. ERP and CRM migrations usually take longer because of mapping, cleanup, and reconciliation.
What is the best way to migrate a database?
Use a managed migration service when source and target are supported, rehearse on a copy, validate before cutover, and keep the source until reconciliation passes. Continuous replication reduces downtime.
Can I migrate an ecommerce store without losing SEO?
Yes, if you carry over URLs where possible and map every changed URL to its new address with a 301 redirect. LitExtension lists an SEO URLs option, but redirects and metadata still need a plan. See our ecommerce migration SEO guide.
Bottom Line
Start with the data type, then the target, then the cost model. Use a cloud database service for databases, an integration platform for syncing, a store migration tool for ecommerce, and a help desk tool for tickets. Run a free demo or a rehearsal first, validate every count, and keep the old system until reconciliation passes. If the move touches an ERP, a CRM, or a live store, talk to us about ecommerce migration services.
