Successful migration into the Azure environment requires a specific set of tools, systematic planning, and implementation for desirable outcomes. With an increasing number of organisations migrating critical workloads to the Azure cloud, the role of the best Azure migration tool is vital. Let us also bear in mind that there are different scenarios and use cases for data migration, such as lifting and shifting virtual machines, redeploying workloads and data, and backing up and archiving data, among others. Now, each of these scenarios may require a different approach or a custom tool to achieve a favourable result with minimal overhead.
The proper migration tool makes the process of modern Azure migration easy, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition to the cloud. Let us now quickly explore the benefits of using an Azure migration tool before we proceed to assess the capabilities of the best Azure migration tools.
An overview: Benefits of using Azure migration tools:
Let’s break down several benefits of using specialised Azure cloud migration tools below:
- Smart migration tools ensure reduced downtime, as such tools easily spot a suitable migration window when the impact is minimal.
- Migration tools project a detailed analysis of the existing set-up, highlighting right-sizing opportunities and preventing provisioning wastage. These help optimise costs right from the start.
- Good tools combined with good Azure migration services will flag compatibility hassles and security weak spots before they snowball.
- Migration tools quickly wrap up the exercise thanks to automation.
- There are centralised dashboards and reporting that offer complete visibility throughout the migration process, facilitating better decision-making.
Azure Migration Tools by Microsoft
Microsoft offers a robust ecosystem of native Azure cloud migration tools that spans the entire migration process, from initial assessments to migration execution and post-migration fine-tuning. The power of Microsoft Azure ensures scalability, flexibility, and improved operational performance, enabling your business to thrive in a cloud-centric future. Look at the following table:
| Tool | Objective | Features | Best suited |
| Azure Virtual Machines | Cloud hosting for migrated servers and workloads | ✅ Supports Linux & Windows ✅ VM templates ✅ Works with Azure Migrate | Rehosting on-prem servers in the cloud quickly. |
| Azure Database Migration Service (DMS) | Hassle-free database migration | ✅ Fully managed service ✅ Supports SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle ✅ Minimal downtime ✅ Works with SSMA | Businesses migrating production databases to Azure |
| Azure Migrate | End-to-end migration planning and execution | ✅ Agentless discovery ✅ ✅ Dependency mapping ✅ Right-sizing insights ✅ Cost estimates | Large-scale assessments of on-premises infrastructure |
| Azure Site Recovery (ASR) | Business continuity through workload replication | ✅ Continuous replication ✅ Automated failover ✅Visual pipelines ✅Over 90 pre-built connectors | Disaster-prone environments and BCDR strategies |
| Azure Data Factory | Orchestrate big data and ETL migrations | ✅ Real-time transformation ✅ Schedule & monitor centrally ✅ Schema conversion ✅ Pre-migration assessment | Complex data flow and analytics pipeline migrations |
| SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) | SQL-focused schema and data migration | ✅ Integrates with DMS ✅ Supports multiple DBs | Organizations migrating from Oracle, MySQL, or Access to SQL Server |
| Azure Cost Management + Billing | Cost tracking and optimisation post-migration | ✅ Usage analytics ✅ Forecasting tools ✅ Budget alerts | Managing spend and ensuring ROI after migrating |
| Azure Data Box | Offline data transfer for large datasets | ✅ Physical appliance ✅ Hardware encryption ✅ Trackable logistics | Transferring terabytes or petabytes of data securely |
| Data Migration Assistant (DMA) | Compatibility assessment for databases | ✅ Blocker identification ✅ Modernisation recommendations ✅ Easy-to-understand reports | Early-stage migration planning for Azure SQL |
How do you get started?
- For databases, begin with DMA to verify compatibility, then use SSMA for schema conversion, and finally DMS for execution.
- For virtual machines, use Azure Migrate to assess and discover, and later use Azure Site Recovery for live replication.
- Azure Data Factory is designed to support both big data and hybrid pipelines.
- Azure Data Box enables secure physical transfers in case of internet bandwidth issues.
- Azure Cost Management Billing helps handle cloud expenses post-migration.
Microsoft’s native solutions help cover most cloud migration scenarios; however, some third-party Azure Migration tools can add value.
| Tool | Objective | Features | Best suited |
| MoveBot | Multi-cloud and Azure-to-AWS migration | ✅ Easy UI with minimal setup ✅ Pay-as-you-go pricing ✅ Local Australian support & compliance ✅ Delta sync for faster cutovers ✅ Automated data discovery | Multi-cloud migrations where flexibility, cost control, and local compliance matter |
| AvePoint | Microsoft 365 and SharePoint migration with a compliance focus | ✅ Granular content & metadata migration ✅ Permission/user structure mapping ✅ Automated privacy compliance (AU-specific) ✅ Azure DevOps CI/CD integration ✅ Pre-migration risk assessment | Organisations deeply embedded in Microsoft collaboration tools like SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive |
| ShareGate | Intuitive Microsoft 365 & Teams migrations | ✅ Drag-and-drop migrations ✅ In-depth permissions & security analysis ✅ Automated content restructuring ✅ Pre/post-migration reports ✅ Advanced scheduling | IT teams that need a streamlined, non-disruptive migration experience for Microsoft 365 environments. |
Note the following facts in a nutshell:
- MoveBot excels in cross-cloud scenarios, such as Azure to AWS or Google Cloud, but shines for users who require minimal overhead, easy setup, and flexible pricing. Compliance and support are substantial in Australia.
- AvePoint is explicitly designed for Microsoft-centric environments, particularly those that handle regulated data or require in-depth control over metadata and permissions.
- ShareGate makes complex Microsoft 365 migrations look easy; thanks to its drag-and-drop interface and scheduling flexibility, it gives teams complete control with minimal disruption.
How do you choose the best Azure Migration tool?
Selecting the right Azure migration tool requires effort, starting with assessing a migration objective-whether it’s related to performance, costs, or timeline. Then comes the approach is it a lift/shift or a complete revamp of the setup? Clear goals form the foundation here. The focus is on workloads or destinations and may require different handling than web apps or Virtual machines. Next, assess the skills, identify the gaps, and proactively fix them. Data sovereignty and privacy regulations are paramount, especially in Australia; they must be carefully considered before selecting the Azure migration tool.
Ultimately, most migrations typically involve a combination of approaches rather than a single blanket solution. All the above will help you develop a multifaceted approach tailored to your specific environment. Do you need more guidance here? Talk to our team.
