Introduction
AWS migration conversations have matured. Most organizations are no longer asking if they should move to AWS, but how to do it without disrupting business, inflating costs, or creating long-term operational debt.
In 2026, migration tooling matters more than ever because environments are more fragmented. You might have legacy servers, modern SaaS integrations, container platforms, and compliance constraints all existing at the same time. One tool never solves everything. Choosing the wrong one, or using the right one at the wrong stage, usually shows up later as downtime, rework, or unexpected cost.
Below are the 10 AWS migration tools that consistently come up in real migration programs, explained the way consultants evaluate them: what they actually do in practice and when they are the right choice.
Top 10 AWS Migration Tools
1. AWS Migration Hub
AWS Migration Hub does not migrate anything by itself. Its real value is visibility. It provides a single place to track migration progress across applications, servers, and databases, even when multiple migration tools or teams are involved.
In practical terms, it answers questions executives and program managers ask constantly:
Which applications have moved? What is in progress? What is blocked? What is still untouched?
When to use it:
- Multiple applications are migrating in parallel
- Different teams own infrastructure, data, and applications
- Leadership wants measurable progress and timelines
If your migration involves more than a handful of systems, running without a central tracking layer almost always leads to confusion and duplicated effort.
2. AWS Application Discovery Service
Application Discovery Service by AWS collects data from on-premise servers to map out applications, resource usage, and system dependencies. It helps answer one critical question before migration: what talks to what?
This data becomes the foundation for migration planning. Without it, teams often rely on tribal knowledge or outdated documentation.
When to use it:
- The environment has grown organically over years
- Application dependencies are unclear
- Downtime risk must be minimized
Skipping discovery is one of the most common reasons migrations fail quietly after go-live.
3. AWS Application Migration Service (MGN)
AWS Application Migration Service replicates live servers into AWS, allowing applications to be launched with minimal interruption. It is designed for large-scale, server-based migrations without changing application code.
This is often described as lift-and-shift, but in reality it is more accurately lift-and-stabilize.
When to use it:
- You need to exit a data center or hosting contract quickly
- Re-architecting is planned for later
- Business continuity is critical
It is not the end state. It is a bridge that buys time and stability.
4. AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)
AWS DMS migrates databases while keeping the source database running. It supports ongoing replication, meaning production systems stay online during the transition.
It supports both same-engine migrations and engine changes, such as moving from commercial databases to cloud-native alternatives.
When to use it:
- You cannot afford extended database downtime
- You are consolidating or modernizing data platforms
- Production workloads must remain available
DMS allows teams to separate database migration from application migration, reducing pressure on cutover windows.
5. AWS Server Migration Service (SMS)
AWS SMS automates the process of replicating on-premise virtual machines into AWS using scheduled snapshots.
Compared to newer services, it is more controlled and less continuous, but that is sometimes an advantage.
When to use it:
- Virtual machines are stable and predictable
- Continuous replication is not required
- Change windows are tightly governed
It is especially useful for regulated workloads that favor predictability over speed.
Note:
AWS Server Migration Service is now discontinued, but all these features are now fulfilled by AWS Application Migration Service. And, if you need help with the setup, or to choose what's right for you, take help of AWS consulting services.
6. AWS Snowball and Snowmobile
Snowball and Snowmobile are physical or offline data transfer solutions. Instead of moving data over the network, data is loaded onto secure AWS-managed devices and transported to AWS data centers.
This approach sounds old-fashioned, but it remains relevant.
When to use them:
- Data volumes are extremely large
- Network bandwidth is limited or expensive
- Data transfer timelines must be predictable
In many enterprise migrations, these devices shorten timelines by months.
7. CloudEndure (AWS Integrated)
CloudEndure enables continuous replication of workloads into AWS, supporting near-zero downtime cutovers. It is often used for mission-critical systems.
Beyond migration, the same replication capabilities can be used for disaster recovery.
When to use it:
- Applications must remain available at all times
- You are migrating revenue-critical systems
- Migration and disaster recovery overlap
It requires careful planning, but it significantly reduces cutover risk.
8. AWS Control Tower
AWS Control Tower helps organizations set up and govern multi-account AWS environments. It applies standardized policies, logging, and security controls automatically.
It does not migrate workloads, but it defines the environment they land in.
When to use it:
- Multiple teams or departments share AWS
- Compliance and security are priority concerns
- Account sprawl is already a risk
It is best introduced early, before patterns solidify.
9. Terraform
Terraform allows infrastructure to be defined as code. This creates consistency, repeatability, and version control across AWS environments.
In migration programs, it replaces manual configuration with predictable patterns.
When to use it:
- Infrastructure needs to be standardized
- Multiple environments must stay in sync
- Manual setup has become unmanageable
It reduces long-term operational effort, not just migration effort.
10. Velero (Kubernetes Workloads)
Velero handles backup and migration of Kubernetes resources and persistent data. It is widely used when moving containerized workloads to Amazon EKS.
When to use it:
- Applications run on Kubernetes today
- You are moving between clusters or cloud providers
- Backup and recovery must be part of the process
Ignoring Kubernetes-specific tooling often leads to incomplete migrations.
Closing Perspective
AWS migration in 2026 is not about picking a tool and pressing a button. It is about sequencing decisions correctly. Discovery first. Movement second. Stabilization and governance always ongoing.
Most successful migrations use multiple tools together, each solving a specific problem at a specific stage. Problems arise when teams expect one tool to handle everything or skip steps to move faster.
This is where experience matters. Not because these AWS migration tools are hard to use, but because the order, timing, and coordination decide the outcome. Organizations that work with experienced AWS migration teams or hire AWS developers tend to move faster with fewer setbacks, simply because mistakes are avoided before they happen.
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