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5 SharePoint migration tools to consider
Moving years' worth of SharePoint data out of on-premises storage to the cloud can be daunting, so choosing the correct migration tool is an essential first step.
With several SharePoint migration tools on the market, finding the best option can be daunting.
Organizations that have managed their content with Microsoft SharePoint over the years face a staggering amount of content in on-premises storage. While transferring it all into a cloud environment creates easier access and cheaper maintenance, organizations shouldn't choose a tool based solely on its cost or positive reviews, as different options may be better suited to specific challenges.
Instead, they should compare the various SharePoint migration tools and find the one best suited to their situation.
These products were selected based on user reviews on G2, plus additional research from TechTarget editors.
1. AvePoint
AvePoint's migration tools go beyond SharePoint, which enables built-in versatility. Its SharePoint-friendly features include scanning content before migration in order to filter, map and monitor the migration in real time.
Additionally, AvePoint can migrate term stores, site settings, and customized views and forms. It can also migrate non-SharePoint data into SharePoint from sources like HCL Notes and OpenText, as well as migrate Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 and Slack to Teams. It also preserves site navigation with no volume limit.
AvePoint can do farm-level migration, including farm content and architecture and the farm content database, while its Fly tool can handle delicate migration objects like permissions and content metadata.
Pros
- On-premises server or cloud-hosted software.
- Supports scheduled migrations.
- Supports varied content sources.
- Unlimited migration volume.
- Pre-scan to enhance migration quality.
- Drag-and-drop utility.
- Replication control.
- Includes migration security and compliance features.
Con
- Not compatible with older versions of SharePoint.
Pricing
AvePoint pricing is not readily available on the vendor's website.
2. Kernel Migration for SharePoint
Kernel Migration for SharePoint offers secure data migration into SharePoint, including pre-migration analysis, content and metadata migration and scheduled migrations. Recent versions of the software have added filters for selective Teams migrations to include or exclude chats, channel posts, tabs, etc. The company also offers migration services to manage that process.
Pros
- On-premises installation.
- Additional service offerings.
- Designed to minimize downtime and ensure data integrity.
- Migrates non-SharePoint data sources, including OneDrive, Google Drive and other Microsoft file systems.
- Offers CSV support.
Cons
- Larger migrations may require professional services, which may be too costly for SMBs.
- Some users complain about performance while migrating large data sets.
- Third-party workflow migrations may require significant customizations.
Pricing
Kernel Migration for SharePoint pricing starts at $399 to cover 10 sites, but pricing varies by the number of users for additional OneDrive Migration or Google Drive Migration modules, number of teams for the Teams Migration module, the number of megabytes to migrate for File Server to SharePoint Migration module, etc.
The basic package for the migration service starts at $1,999.
3. ShareGate
A well-established migration tool, ShareGate can move all core SharePoint content objects and non-Microsoft components -- in particular, Nintex workflows and forms. The tool also has no limit on data size and the speed at which it can complete the transfer.
Additionally, ShareGate can migrate term stores, site settings and customized views and forms while preserving site navigation and content between tenants. If things go wrong, it offers error reporting and remediation recommendations.
However, the licenses vary for single and multiple administrative users.
Pros
- On-premises desktop software, with some cloud migration features.
- Unlimited for users and data.
- Simple, easy-to-use UI.
- Post-migration validation reporting.
- Mailbox migration, including calendars, folders and attachments.
- Customer support team.
Cons
- Cannot function incrementally.
- Does not migrate at the farm level.
Pricing
ShareGate has a flat licensing fee per administrative user, but no limit on the number of users with content to migrate or on the amount of content migrated.
It offers pricing tiers based on number of administrative users: one, up to five and up to 25. It also has paid add-ons -- including mailbox and Nintex migrations -- and discounts for multi-year plans. Licensing starts at $5,995 for one user per year but decreases on longer terms -- two or three years -- and increases with additional options. ShareGate offers a 15-day free trial, with all features.
4. SharePoint Migration Tool
Microsoft's own SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) migrates all standard SharePoint content objects, including permissions, site descriptions and managed metadata, while preserving navigation, taxonomy term sets and groups. The tool also includes pre-migration scanning and post-migration reports.
Pros
- Installed on on-premises clients.
- Offers file history preservation (control content versions).
- Supports incremental migration.
- Migrates non-SharePoint data sources (file shares, etc.).
- Supports user mappings and filter options.
Cons
- SPMT has notorious issues with migrating custom code.
- Does not support bulk editing.
- Cannot migrate third-party workflows.
Pricing
Microsoft offers SPMT for free.
5. Quest Content Matrix
Quest's Content Matrix offers migration and consolidation of content and files, promising clean migrations into SharePoint. With Quest, users can reorganize and restructure content and metadata before or after migration. Quest has also integrated Content Matrix migration with its On Demand Migration product to simplify hybrid migrations.
Pros
- Installed on on-premises server.
- Promises zero downtime.
- Offers distributed migration to scale migration workloads.
- Supports older SharePoint software.
- Supports full and incremental migrations as well as re-migrations.
- Supports PowerShell and import of XML files to control migrations.
- Compliance support, including for air gap environments.
- Migrates non-SharePoint data sources (file shares, etc.).
- Supports user mappings and filter options.
Cons
- Pricing can be high for SMBs.
- Configuration can be complex, and professional services may be required for more complex migrations.
- Significant customization may be required to migrate third-party workflows.
Pricing
Quest Content Matrix pricing is not readily available on the vendor's website.
Editor's note: This article was originally written by Scott Robinson and expanded by Jordan Jones.
Jordan Jones is a writer versed in enterprise content management, component content management, web content management and video-on-demand technologies.
