Google Migrate to Containers

cloud.google.com

Free plan WindowsLinuxSelf-hosted

Spec score 7.9 #10 of 32 in Cloud Migration Tools

What it is

Google Migrate to Containers is a free, self-hosted tool for moving applications from virtual machines or servers into containers without rewriting or re-architecting them. Its local CLI copies a source VM file system, analyzes it, creates a migration plan, and generates deployment artifacts. It can optionally move data files to persistent volumes. Sources include VMware and Compute Engine VMs, and destinations include Google Kubernetes Engine, GKE Autopilot clusters, and Cloud Run. Supported workloads include Linux applications, IBM WebSphere, JBoss, Apache, Tomcat, WordPress, and Windows IIS applications. Linux workloads can be handled locally in offline mode or on a local network without runtime internet downloads. A local machine needs Docker and several gigabytes of storage. Google recommends assessing workload fit first. The console UI, migctl, and processing-cluster CRDs were discontinued in May 2024; Google directs users to the local CLI. Migration has no charge, while other Google Cloud services cost separately.

Spec sheet

Purpose: Migrate to Containers automates extracting applications from servers and VMs so they can run in containers without rewriting or re-architecting the apps.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cloud.google.com
Support: All Google Cloud customers, including free-trial customers, receive Basic Support with documentation, community forums, billing assistance, and Active Assist.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cloud.google.com
Headquarters: Mountain View, California, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · cloud.google.com
Founded: 1998Read 28 Sep 2026 · cloud.google.com
Company: Google Inc. was officially born in August 1998, and Google's current headquarters is the Googleplex in Mountain View, California.Read 3 Oct 2026 · about.google
CLI workflow: The CLI copies a source VM file system, analyzes it into a migration plan, generates deployment artifacts, and can optionally migrate data files to persistent volumes.Read 3 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Cloud Code integration: The Cloud Code integration supports migrating applications from VMs to GKE containers directly in Visual Studio using a Linux machine.Read 3 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Fit assessment: Google recommends fit assessment before migration, and its documentation describes the Migration Center discovery client CLI as a tool to assess whether a VM workload fits migration to a container.Read 3 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Local requirements: The local machine needs Docker and several GB of free storage, with required storage depending on the source file system size and applied filters.Read 3 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Offline mode: The CLI can migrate Linux-based workloads locally in offline mode and can work on a local network without pulling resources from the internet during runtime.Read 3 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Security compliance: Google Cloud's ISO/IEC 27001 page lists Migrate to Containers among offerings in scope for the Google Cloud Services ISMS certification.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cloud.google.com
Sources: Workloads can be migrated from VMs running on VMware or Compute Engine.Read 3 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Supported workloads: Supported workload types include Linux-based applications, IBM WebSphere, JBoss, Apache, Tomcat, WordPress, and Windows IIS applications.Read 3 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Targets: Migrated applications can run on Google Kubernetes Engine, GKE Autopilot clusters, or Cloud Run.Read 3 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Tool availability: The product's console UI, migctl, and processing-cluster CRDs were discontinued in May 2024; Google directs users to use the CLI on a local machine.Read 3 Oct 2026 · cloud.google.com
Workload limits: Windows workloads need IIS 7 or later; Linux workloads with high-performance or large in-memory databases, special kernel drivers, hardware dependencies, or hardware-ID-bound licenses are listed as poor fits.Read 3 Oct 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com

Plans and prices

Migrate to Containers Free No charge for migrating workloads to Google Cloud Other Google Cloud services used (compute, storage, networking, etc.) are charged separately · Any customer can use the tool Read 3 Oct 2026 · cloud.google.com

Every Google Migrate to Containers plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

Free migration tool
Supports VMware and Compute Engine sources
Targets GKE, GKE Autopilot, and Cloud Run
Offline Linux migration available
Includes workload discovery and assessment guidance

Limits

Windows workloads require IIS 7 or later
Some database and hardware-dependent workloads fit poorly
Docker and several GB of local storage required
Former console tools were discontinued in May 2024

Who it suits

It suits teams moving supported workloads from VMware or Compute Engine VMs into Google container platforms. It is also suited to operators who need offline or local-network Linux migration.

Verdict

Google Migrate to Containers provides a no-charge CLI workflow for extracting supported VM workloads into deployable containers. Its fit limits and local requirements should be checked before migration, and users must use the local CLI rather than discontinued console components.