#1 What is Data Migration?
It is the process in which the data is transferred from one storage environment to another. For example, the shift of data from one computing device to another computing device. There can be several reasons for the need for data migration.
The simplest reason is to increase the convenience for an individual and enhance the user experience. On the other hand, large organisations and companies need to perform data migration for keeping the data safe and secure.
There are many paid and free data migration software available in the market. Some are best suited for individuals and some are best suited for companies.
#2 How Data Migration Works?
For data to be transferred properly, it needs to transform. This is necessary because the data properties that work in one device may not work on other devices. Therefore, the data is first converted into the most efficient type and format before it can be migrated.
The first step of data migration is to extract data from the previous device. Second, the data needs to be transformed as explained above. The final step is to load the data into the new device.
There are various methods of data migration. Convenient data migration tools make the process a whole lot easier and faster. Given below is the list of best data migration software with details.
#3 Best Data Migration Software in 2021
#1 AWS – Cloud Data Migration
Availability: Licensed
This a popularly used software for data migration in various official and private organisations. It is easy to use and highly secure.
#1 Feature Highlights:
• It supports heterogeneous and homogeneous migrations both; for example, Oracle to Oracle which is homogeneous and Oracle to Microsoft SQL which is heterogeneous
• It minimizes the downtime of application to a great extent
• The database of source devices stays operational during the migration activities
• Very flexible and is capable to migrate data among most commercial and open-source databases
• Excellent for continuous data migrations with its high-availability
#2 IBM – Informix Data Migration Tool
Availability: Licensed
Among Data Migration Software Reviews, this one is usually named in the top ones. Many large companies use this IBM software for data management.
#1 Feature Highlights:
• It supports data migration among different operating systems; for example, UNIX and Linux
• Capable of carrying out data migration from a server to another server
• It performs high-speed data check transfers as it has several different utilities; for example, DB export and DB import utility, on load and on unloading utility, DB load utility, high-performance loader and non-logging tables etc.
IBM also offers an excellent PC cleaner software for data transformation. If your main purpose is data cleansing rather than data migration, it is better to install this cleaner software.
#3 Microsoft – Azure DocumentDB Data Migration Tool
Availability: Licensed
Microsoft Azure is getting more and more popular because of its flexible usability and efficiency.
#1 Feature Highlights:
• It can import data from all of these sources: SQL, CSV files, JSON files, MongoDB, HBase, Azure Table storage, Amazon Dynamo DB, Azure Document DB
• It supports most Windows operating systems; many consider it the best data migration software for windows 10
• It supports .NET frameworks 4.5.1 and all higher versions
#4 Hitachi – HDS Universal Replicator
Availability: Licensed
This software is known to be one of the most efficient tools for data migration. It is appropriate to use for individual customers as well as companies.
#1 Feature Highlights:
• It supports all heterogeneous storage systems
• Provides great flexibility and enterprise-level support
• Supports all storages connected to any Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform; for example, all VSP E series, VSP G series, and VSP F series models
• Migrates data regardless of differences in operating systems and protocols
#5 SalesForce – Apex Data Loader
Availability: Open source
When it comes to open source data migration software, this is counted among the top ones. It has many great in-built features that make it easier to use.
#1 Feature Highlights:
• It supports Windows and Mac
• Great user efficiency and interactive interface
• For Windows, it provides an alternative command-line interface for processing automated batch operations
• Supports large files up to 5 million records
• Easy drag-and-drop feature for field mapping
• Support for all objects, including custom objects
• Capable to process data in Salesforce as well as Database.com
• Has a built-in CSV file viewer
• Provides success and error log files (CSV format)
#6 Rocket – Data Migration
Availability: Licensed
This migration software provides great tools for data management and data governance. If your priority is to have simple to use and highly secure software, consider Rocket data migration software.
#1 Feature Highlights:
• It supports the most widely used source and target devices
• Needs very little manual effort to work
• Minimizes conflicts during migration activities
• It reduces the price of data storage
#7 ibe – ibe Data Platform
The best thing about this data migration tool is that it can easily extract data from nearly all data sources. For instance, it can also pick up information from unstructured data files.
#1 Feature Highlights:
• Allows to streamline and automate the process
• Supports data extraction from various sources including offline files and spreadsheets
• Provides data transformation from all widely used sources
• Highly secure for usage and data share
#8 DBConvert – DBConvert Studio
There is no need for extra backup software if you are using this software for data migration. This is because DBConvert has great features for the safety and security of data.
#1 Feature Highlights:
• Allows three types of data migration: one-way synchronization, source to target migration, and bidirectional synchronization.
• Permits to rename all database objects during migration
• Data types can be mapped for target tables as well as separate tables
• Filters to extract only the needed data from the source database
• Allows to reassign source table to any existing Target table
• Has a flexible built-in scheduler for launching tasks at a particular time without running GUI
#9 IRI – IRI NextForm
This has many attractive features and this is why it is becoming more and more popular by the day. Another reason for its wide use is that it supports most computing devices.
#1 Feature Highlights:
• It migrates data graphically with IRI Workbench
• Supports most modern data source devices and target devices
• Uses standard drivers such as ODBC, Kafka, and MQTT for data movement
• Supports cloud, local, and HDFS file system
• Allows to represent metadata in dialogs, diagrams, and outlines
• Allows secure team share in Git Hub
#10 Acronis – True Image 2021
Acronis True Image data migration software is one of the most talked-about data migration software in today’s time. The main reason behind its popularity is that it is highly user-friendly.
#1 Feature Highlights:
• Changes the computer’s drive from HDD to SSD
• Allows to migrate data from SDD to SDD, HDD to HDD, and between SSDs and HDDs
• Efficient data transfer from Android to iOS and vice versa
• Replicates the data to the new disk
• Capable of disk cloning
• It has a partition software that allows resizing
• End-to-end encryption for data protection
#4 Conclusion
Data migration software has become a necessity in today’s digital world. Many great data migration tools are available in the market for individual users as well as large organisations. It is better to properly compare the features before committing to a software.