Best Top 5 SharePoint Migration Tools Comparison: Boost Your Productivity

Top 5 SharePoint Migration Tools Comparison: Are you planning a SharePoint migration and looking for the most effective tools to make the process a breeze? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we will dive deep into the world of SharePoint migration tools. With our curated selection of the top 5 SharePoint migration tools, you can streamline your transition, minimize downtime, and boost your productivity to new heights. Whether you are a small business or a large enterprise, these powerful tools will help you migrate your valuable data, workflows, and documents effortlessly. Join us on this exciting journey as we explore the ultimate guide to 5 SharePoint migration tools and empower your organization for success.

Selecting the right SharePoint migration tool is one of the key parameters in your migration project. In my professional career, I have had the opportunity to work on many SharePoint migration projects and have worked with a couple of well-known migration tools.

One thing I can say while planning for the SharePoint migration project, selecting the right migration tool will play a vital role in the successful migration, so we can say selecting the right SharePoint migration tool for your business will be one of the key factors. In my career, I have worked on ShareGate, Metalogix (Content Matrix), and FME migration-center. In the following section, I will compare the migration tools Metalogix, ShareGate, and FME Migration Center based on my experience when deciding which tool to use over the others.

With various tools available in the market these days, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. This is why identifying the top 5 SharePoint migration tools is important to make an informed decision. These tools offer unique features and functionalities to make the migration process seamless, efficient, and cost-effective. A careful evaluation of each tool’s strengths and weaknesses can help organizations select the most suitable tool for their specific needs.

Key-Highlights: Top 5 SharePoint Migration Tools

• Comparison between ShareGate, Metalogix, FME migration-center, Content DB Migration, and the SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) tool
• Pros and cons of the ShareGate migration tool
• Pros and cons of Metalogix – content migration tool.
• Pros and cons of the FME migration-center migration tool
• When to use ShareGate, Metalogix, FME migration-center, Content DB Migration, or the SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) tool.
• Kernel SharePoint Migrator: an easy way to migrate your content to the cloud

Top 5 SharePoint Migration Tools

Below are the top 5 SharePoint migration tools we can use for our content migration:

• ShareGate
• Metalogix
• FME migration-center
• SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT)
• Kernel migrator for SharePoint

ShareGate Migration Tool

ShareGate Migration Tool stands as one of the leading SharePoint migration tools available, empowering organizations to effortlessly transfer their SharePoint content between environments. This comprehensive and user-friendly tool offers a wide range of features and functionalities that simplify the migration process while minimizing potential disruptions.

With ShareGate Migration Tool, users can migrate sites, lists, libraries, workflows, permissions, and metadata, ensuring a smooth transition from the source to the target SharePoint environment. The tool provides a intuitive user interface, allowing users to easily configure migration settings, map fields, and schedule migrations to suit their specific needs.

URL: ShareGate Migration Tool

Pros of ShareGate Migration Tool

• Seamless SharePoint Migration: ShareGate offers a reliable and efficient migration experience, ensuring that your content is transferred securely and accurately.
• Intuitive User Interface: The tool boasts a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both technical and non-technical users, saving time and reducing complexity.
• Comprehensive Content Migration: ShareGate supports the migration of various SharePoint entities, such as sites, lists, libraries, and workflows, ensuring that your entire SharePoint ecosystem is migrated seamlessly.
• Advanced Mapping and Field Configuration: Users can effortlessly map fields and configure advanced migration settings, ensuring that the data is accurately transferred to the target environment.

We might consider the below pros from the ShareGate migration tool as well:

• In the ShareGate migration tool, the licensing cost is based on the number of users and not the amount of content you want to copy or move; this is how it becomes a budget-friendly option for those moving large amounts of content to migrate, which gives it an additional plus in terms of cost over the other migration tools available in the market.
• Another major advantage is that it has very good customer support. If you run into problems during the migration, simply go to their user-friendly website to search for a solution, or you can email ShareGate support staff, who typically respond within 24 hours, and a dedicated technician will be associated with you until the issue gets resolved.
• The ShareGate helps us generate various reports like site collection, sites, permission, workflow, etc.; these reports are really helpful while analyzing the source site data.
• Recently, ShareGate has launched an additional plug-in to get connected with Microsoft Teams; this plug-in comes along with the existing Sharegate license.

Cons of ShareGate Migration Tool

• Licensing Cost: ShareGate Migration Tool is a paid tool, which means organizations need to allocate a budget for acquiring the necessary licenses based on their requirements. ShareGate Migration Tool offers flexible licensing options tailored to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes. It provides both subscription-based pricing, with monthly and annual plans available, as well as a one-time perpetual licensing option for those who prefer a one-time payment model.

From my experience, I would consider the below cons:

• The migration job (configuration) is not exportable into a PowerShell file for re-use or further customization.
• If your newly migrated site needs major changes in the content or structure during the migration, then ShareGate will not fit there.

Note:

• If what you are looking for is content migration from one environment to another without major changes in the content or site structure, then the ShareGate migration tool could be the right choice for you. It is an easy-to-use migration tool with a simple, user-friendly, and straightforward user interface.

Metalogix Migration Tool

The Metalogix Migration Tool is a highly advanced and feature-rich solution designed specifically for SharePoint migration. With its comprehensive set of capabilities, this tool streamlines the migration process, enabling organizations to seamlessly transfer their SharePoint content from one environment to another.

Metalogix Migration Tool offers a wide range of features that ensure a successful and efficient migration experience. It provides robust content analysis, pre-migration assessment, and mapping functionalities, allowing users to accurately map and transfer their SharePoint sites, lists, libraries, metadata, and permissions to the target environment. The tool also supports incremental migration, minimizing downtime and ensuring data integrity throughout the process.

URL: Metalogix Migration Tool

Pros of Metalogix Migration Tool

• Extensive Feature Set: Metalogix Migration Tool offers a comprehensive suite of features to handle complex SharePoint migrations, providing users with complete control over their migration process.
• Advanced Mapping and Transformation: Users can easily map and transform their SharePoint content during the migration, ensuring that data is accurately transferred and restructured as needed.
• Scalability and Performance: Metalogix Migration Tool is known for its scalability and performance capabilities, allowing organizations to efficiently migrate large amounts of data without compromising speed or reliability.
• Robust Security and Compliance: The tool prioritizes security and compliance, providing features like data encryption, secure connections, and comprehensive auditing to ensure the protection of sensitive information during migration.

We may also consider the below as pros of the Metalogix migration tool apart from the above:

Though ShareGate is a fantastic tool for any type of user (IT, business end users, power users, and SharePoint administrators), it only works well for content migration; however, if you intend to transform your source data to the target environment with a new structure, ShareGate may not be the best option; in this case, Metalogix may be the better option.

• The migration job (configuration) is exportable into a PowerShell file for re-use and further customization. Personally, I like this feature very much in MetaLogix; this keeps MetaLogix ahead of ShareGate.
• The custom XML-based job can be created using the C# code, so if you know C# easily, you can develop a custom job that can be fed into the Metalogix.
• The global log file can be configured for the migration job in a central location where all logs will be available for all jobs.

Cons of Metalogix Migration Tool

Licensing Cost: Metalogix Migration Tool is a commercial tool that requires a paid license. Organizations need to consider the cost of acquiring the necessary licenses based on their migration requirements.

Metalogix Migration Tool offers flexible licensing options tailored to the specific needs of organizations. Licensing models may include subscription-based pricing, perpetual licensing, or a combination of both, depending on the organization’s preferences and migration scope.

We may also consider the below as cons of the Metalogix migration tool apart from the above:

• It is not easy to use; one should be well trained for the user interface, especially if you plan to configure some sort of transformation during the migration. It is not easy until you know the tool well.
• License is slightly more expensive than ShareGate; however, it has more features.

ShareGate vs Metalogix (Content Matrix)

The choice between ShareGate and Metalogix for your migration project will be largely determined by the type of migration you require; each tool has different requirements and scope than the other. Below, we will discuss the pros and cons of each tool and what type of migration is best for each tool.

When comparing ShareGate and Metalogix as SharePoint migration tools, both offer powerful capabilities to simplify and streamline the migration process. However, there are some key differences to consider.

ShareGate Migration Tool is known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both technical and non-technical users. It offers comprehensive content migration features, supporting the transfer of sites, lists, libraries, workflows, permissions, and metadata. ShareGate also provides advanced mapping and field configuration options, allowing users to customize the migration process according to their specific requirements. Additionally, ShareGate offers flexible licensing options, including both subscription-based and perpetual licensing models.

On the other hand, Metalogix Migration Tool is renowned for its extensive feature set. It excels in data transformation, enabling users to manipulate and convert SharePoint content during migration. Metalogix provides robust validation and reporting functionalities, ensuring the integrity of migrated data and providing detailed reports for post-migration analysis. The tool also offers scalability and performance capabilities, making it suitable for large-scale migrations. Metalogix Migration Tool is a commercial tool that requires a paid license, and it offers various licensing options tailored to meet different organization needs.

Ultimately, the choice between ShareGate and Metalogix depends on the specific requirements and preferences of your organization. ShareGate focuses on providing a user-friendly experience and comprehensive content migration, while Metalogix offers advanced data transformation and scalability features. It is recommended to evaluate your migration needs and consider factors such as user interface, feature set, licensing options, and pricing to make an informed decision.

Note:

• It’s important to stay updated with the latest information and product offerings from ShareGate and Metalogix, as the features and capabilities of their SharePoint migration tools may evolve over time.

FME migration-center

When it comes to SharePoint migration tools, the FME migration-center tool stands out as a powerful and comprehensive solution. With its robust capabilities, this tool simplifies the migration process, allowing organizations to seamlessly transfer their SharePoint content from one environment to another while maintaining data integrity and minimizing disruptions.

The FME migration-center tool offers a wide range of features designed to handle complex migration scenarios. It supports the migration of SharePoint sites, lists, libraries, workflows, permissions, and metadata. Users can easily map and transform their data during migration, ensuring a smooth transition to the target environment. The tool also provides powerful validation and reporting functionalities, enabling users to monitor the migration progress and identify any potential issues.

Apart from ShareGate and Metalogix (Content Matrix), we do have one more migration tool named FME migration-center, which might not be known to many SharePoint folk as it is not only focused on SharePoint migration. The FME migration center is a content migration platform that carries out highly automated, large-volume migrations without system downtime. Also, no coding or scripting is necessary because there is a migration-center client to set up the migration and transformation.

This is a great tool that can be used if you plan to migrate non-Microsoft products or content from or to Microsoft SharePoint. For example, if you want to migrate from OpenText Documentum to SharePoint, this tool works well. For example, eRoom applications (a Documentum-based EMC² product) migration to SharePoint

The FME migration-center tool works based on the various adaptors (jar files). Those adaptors (jar files) can be hooked into the FME migration-center tool. When it comes to using the adaptor, we can use the out-of-the-box adaptor or even develop a custom adaptor for which the developer should be an expert in Java coding.

As we can see, the migration-center employs a java-based framework that is highly scalable due to the ability to run the framework and adapters concurrently on different nodes (job servers).

Notes:

• The FME migration center is a very powerful tool; it has lots of features, meaning we can connect to lots of different types of legacy applications (both Microsoft and non-Microsoft-based) using the various connectors provided by the tool, whereas SharePoint is just one of the small connectors.
• While you are forming the migration team, the team should consist of both SharePoint and Java resources.

Pros of FME migration-center Migration Tool

• If you have data in various legacy source applications, both Microsoft and non-Microsoft based, and want to migrate that data to SharePoint, the Migration Center may be the right tool for you.
• It supports various non-Microsoft-based applications as well.
• For a Java developer, customizing the adaptor will be easy; even we can develop our own custom adaptor.
• This could be considered a metadata transformation engine.
• Migration-center creates a full snapshot of all source system information (metadata, folder structure, relations, object types, access rights, etc.) into a central migration database.
• efficiently handles delta migration—the delta scanning of source systems permits migration activities on live data without affecting the daily business operations. Migration-Center automatically picks up any changes to source data repositories and integrates them into the migration process.
• There are no restrictions on the amount of data that can be migrated.
• Strong troubleshooting or error handling
• Versatile Data Transformation: The FME migration-center tool excels in data transformation, allowing users to manipulate and convert their SharePoint content to meet specific requirements during migration.
• Comprehensive Validation and Reporting: Users can take advantage of the tool’s robust validation and reporting capabilities, ensuring the integrity of migrated data and providing detailed reports for post-migration analysis.
• Extensive Connectivity: FME migration-center supports various data sources and targets, enabling seamless integration with other systems and ensuring a smooth migration process.
• Automation and Scalability: The tool offers automation features, allowing organizations to streamline their migration workflows and handle large-scale migrations with ease.

Cons of FME migration-center Migration Tool

• Although it uses an admin client, it could seem quite complicated to use; one must go through the learning process before starting it. Here, we cannot directly migrate the data to the target application; it has to go through the various life cycles of migration like configuration, transformation, and validation, then the actual migration. Each step in the migration process should be error-free before going to the next step; otherwise, we cannot do the migration.
• Migration troubleshooting is complicated.
• The migration server should be highly configured.
• The license is expensive as it supports lots of different types of legacy applications (both Microsoft and non-Microsoft-based applications).
• Licensing Cost: FME migration-center is a commercial tool that requires a paid license. Organizations should consider the licensing cost based on their migration needs and budget.

FME migration-center Migration Tool offers flexible licensing options tailored to meet the specific requirements of organizations. Licensing models may include subscription-based pricing, perpetual licensing, or a combination of both, providing organizations with the flexibility to choose the most suitable option.

To learn more about FME migration-center Migration Tool and explore their licensing options, visit their official website: URL: FME migration-center Migration Tool

With the FME migration-center Migration Tool, organizations can simplify their SharePoint migration process, ensuring a seamless transition to their new SharePoint environment. Unlock the power of precise data transformation, comprehensive validation, and reporting, and experience a smooth and successful SharePoint migration.

Kernel Migrator for SharePoint

When it comes to SharePoint migration tools, the Kernel Migrator for SharePoint migration tool stands out as a reliable and efficient solution. This comprehensive tool offers a plethora of features designed to simplify and streamline the migration process, ensuring a seamless transition from your source SharePoint environment to the target one.

Kernel Migrator for SharePoint Migration Tool provides a wide array of functionalities to migrate SharePoint sites, lists, libraries, workflows, permissions, and metadata. With its user-friendly interface, users can easily configure migration settings, map fields, and schedule migrations according to their specific requirements. The tool ensures data integrity and minimal downtime during the migration process, guaranteeing a smooth and successful transition.

Apart from the above 4 SharePoint migration tool, Kernel SharePoint migrator is also one of the simplest and recommended SharePoint migration tools available from Kernel Apps these days; a detailed walkthrough of this migration tool can be found here: A quick complete Review – Kernel Migrator for SharePoint.

 

URL: Kernel Migrator for SharePoint Migration Tool

Pros of Kernel Migrator for SharePoint Migration Tool

• Seamless SharePoint Migration: Kernel Migrator for SharePoint migration tool ensures a seamless and reliable migration experience, allowing you to transfer your SharePoint content with ease and accuracy.
• User-Friendly Interface: The tool offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, enabling both technical and non-technical users to navigate and manage their migration process efficiently.
• Comprehensive Content Migration: Kernel Migrator supports the migration of various SharePoint entities, including sites, lists, libraries, workflows, permissions, and metadata, ensuring a comprehensive transfer of your SharePoint environment.
• Advanced Mapping and Field Configuration: Users can effortlessly map fields and configure advanced migration settings, ensuring the precise transfer of data to the target environment.

Cons of Kernel Migrator for SharePoint Migration Tool

• Licensing Cost: Kernel Migrator for SharePoint Migration Tool is a commercial tool that requires a paid license. Organizations should consider the licensing cost based on their migration needs and budget.

Kernel Migrator for SharePoint Migration Tool offers flexible licensing options tailored to meet the specific requirements of organizations. Licensing models may include subscription-based pricing, perpetual licensing, or a combination of both, providing organizations with the flexibility to choose the most suitable option.

With the Kernel Migrator for SharePoint Migration Tool, organizations can simplify their SharePoint migration process, ensuring a seamless and successful transition to their new SharePoint environment. Experience the power of reliable migration, precise field mapping, and comprehensive content transfer with Kernel Migrator for SharePoint Migration Tool.

SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT)

When it comes to SharePoint migration tools, the Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) is a reliable and efficient solution provided by Microsoft. This powerful tool is designed to simplify the migration process, allowing organizations to seamlessly transfer their SharePoint content from on-premises SharePoint environments or file shares to SharePoint Online or OneDrive for Business.

The Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) offers a wide range of features to facilitate the migration process. It supports the migration of sites, lists, libraries, permissions, and content types, ensuring a comprehensive transfer of your SharePoint environment. The tool provides a straightforward and user-friendly interface, allowing users to configure migration settings, select source and destination locations, and monitor the progress of their migration tasks.

Pros of Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT)

• Seamless SharePoint Migration: The Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) ensures a seamless migration experience, enabling you to transfer your SharePoint content with ease and accuracy.
• User-Friendly Interface: The tool offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both technical and non-technical users, simplifying the migration process.
• Native Integration with SharePoint: As a Microsoft product, SPMT seamlessly integrates with SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business, ensuring compatibility and smooth migration between environments.
• Regular Updates and Support: Being a Microsoft tool, the SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) receives regular updates and support, providing users with the latest features and bug fixes.

Cons of Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT)

• Limited Functionality for Complex Migrations: While the SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) is suitable for many migration scenarios, it may have limitations in handling complex migrations that involve customizations, extensive metadata transformations, or specific business logic requirements.

The Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) is available for free to all Microsoft 365 customers. It does not require any additional licensing beyond the standard Microsoft 365 subscription.

To learn more about the Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) and download the tool, visit the official Microsoft documentation: URL: Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT)

Unlock the power of seamless SharePoint migration with the Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT). Transfer your SharePoint content effortlessly, take advantage of the user-friendly interface, and leverage the native integration with SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business.

Final Conclusion: Top 5 SharePoint Migration Tools

The analysis of the above tools was done based on my personal experience, which is completely unbiased. I am not saying one tool is better than the other; all three tools mentioned above (ShareGate, Metalogix, and FME) have their own needs and scope with regard to the migration; it all depends on the type of source application and data you are planning to migrate.

To summarize, we can say as follows:

Use ShareGate when

• If you want to migrate as-is content without making bigger changes to the content and structure of the site during the migration, we can tag this simple “as-is” migration.

Use Metalogix when

• If you want to handle lots of transformations and changes in the content and site structure during the runtime of the migration, for example, mapping a new content type to a target document library during the runtime of the migration, we can tag this as a complex migration.

Use the FME migration-center when

• If your source legacy data is hosted in both Microsoft and non-Microsoft applications, and you want to migrate those data into SharePoint, then FME Migration Center might be your choice. We can tag this as a complex migration that can be fit for both Microsoft and non-Microsoft application migration to SharePoint.

We can also consider content database migration when,

• If you want to do the as-is SharePoint on-premises to on-premises migration (SharePoint’s previous version to the next version without any changes in the content or site structure), then the content database migration approach might be your choice.

We can also consider SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) when,

• If you want to migrate your SharePoint on-premise content as is to Office 365 SharePoint online with minimal changes in the target site,
• The tool runs in the background without impacting your production environment.

Notes:

SPMT lets you migrate content to SharePoint and OneDrive from the following locations:

• SharePoint Server 2016
• SharePoint Server 2013
• SharePoint Foundation 2013
• SharePoint Server 2010
• SharePoint Foundation 2010
• Network and local file shares

Summary: Top 5 SharePoint Migration Tools

The top 5 SharePoint migration tools discussed above offer a range of features to simplify and streamline the migration process:

• ShareGate Migration Tool: ShareGate stands out for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive content migration capabilities. It supports the transfer of sites, lists, libraries, workflows, permissions, and metadata. ShareGate offers flexible licensing options and is suitable for organizations of all sizes.
• Metalogix Migration Tool: Metalogix excels in data transformation and provides advanced features for large-scale migrations. It offers extensive connectivity, validation, and reporting functionalities. Metalogix Migration Tool is a commercial tool that requires a paid license, and various licensing options are available.
• Kernel Migrator for SharePoint Migration Tool: Kernel Migrator offers a reliable and efficient migration experience, allowing for the seamless transfer of SharePoint content. It provides advanced mapping and field configuration options. The tool offers flexible licensing options tailored to organizational needs.
• FME migration-center Migration Tool: FME migration-center specializes in data transformation, enabling users to manipulate and convert SharePoint content during migration. It offers comprehensive validation and reporting capabilities. FME migration-center Migration Tool is a commercial tool with flexible licensing options.
• Microsoft SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT): The SPMT, provided by Microsoft, offers a user-friendly interface and seamless migration experience. It supports the migration of sites, lists, libraries, permissions, and content types. The tool is available for free to Microsoft 365 customers.

Each tool has its strengths and considerations, such as user-friendliness, advanced features, licensing costs, and compatibility with different migration scenarios. It is essential to evaluate your organization’s specific requirements and preferences to choose the SharePoint migration tool that best suits your needs.

See Also: Other SharePoint Migration Related Articles

You may also like the below SharePoint Migration articles:

• 25+ effective quick checklists for SharePoint migration (speed up SharePoint migration)
• Top 28 Keys in SharePoint Migration: Basic tips and tricks in migration project

Hope you have enjoyed reading this article and helped you. If you like to appreciate our efforts, please do share this with your friends and colleagues. 🙂

 

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