Amazon Database Migration Service vs AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service)
Amazon Database Migration Service
aws.amazon.com
AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service)
aws.amazon.comSide by side
| Figure | Amazon Database Migration Service | AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service) |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Spec score · Cloud Migration Tools | 8.7 (#2) | 8.2 (#4) |
| Compliance | AWS lists DMS in scope for SOC, PCI, ISO, FedRAMP, DoD CC SRG, HIPAA BAA, MTCS, CS, K-ISMS, ENS High, OSPAR and HITRUST CSF programs. | AWS says MGN retains certifications including FedRAMP High, HIPAA, PCI DSS, ISO, and SOC 1, 2, and 3. |
| Founded | 2006 | 2006 |
| Purpose | AWS DMS migrates relational databases, data warehouses, NoSQL databases, and other data stores to AWS or between cloud and on-premises setups. | AWS Transform MGN automates rehosting physical, virtual, and cloud servers as native Amazon EC2 instances. |
| Security | AWS DMS requires TLS 1.2 for API clients and recommends TLS 1.3; it also supports resource-based access policies and AWS PrivateLink VPC endpoints. | MGN requires TLS 1.2 or later, uses TLS and IAM for authentication, and recommends EBS encryption and limiting replication server exposure to the public internet. |
Plans
Amazon Database Migration Service
- AWS Free TierFree
- AWS DMS ServerlessPriced on request
- Database Savings PlansPrice not published
- On-demand instancesPriced on request
AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service)
- Free periodFree
AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service) pricing →
In their own words
Amazon Database Migration Service
Amazon Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) is a SaaS service for moving relational databases, data warehouses, NoSQL databases and other data stores to AWS or between cloud and on-premises environments. It handles one-time migrations and continuous replication, with support for both like-for-like and cross-engine moves. AWS says more than 20 databases and data warehouses can serve as source or target endpoints. DMS Schema Conversion assesses schemas and converts many code objects, including views, stored procedures and functions, while identifying work that needs manual conversion. DMS Serverless provisions and scales capacity according to transaction volume, billed hourly. Multi-AZ deployment uses redundant replication instances, and interrupted migrations can resume. API and AWS CLI support automation, while CloudTrail and CloudWatch Logs provide integrations. TLS, VPC deployment, PrivateLink and column masking are available. At least one endpoint must be Amazon RDS or EC2; on-premises-to-on-premises replication is unsupported. The AWS Free Tier offers free with credits.
AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service)
AWS Transform MGN automates rehosting physical, virtual, and cloud servers as native Amazon EC2 instances. It continuously replicates source-server data at the block level, converts servers for AWS, and coordinates cutover with minimal downtime. Teams can use an agentic AWS Transform workflow or manage migration steps in the MGN console, switching paths without losing progress. Sources include physical servers, VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V, other on-premises infrastructure, public clouds, and migrations across AWS Regions, Availability Zones, or accounts. After launch, built-in or custom actions can configure disaster recovery, upgrade operating systems, convert licenses, or install CloudWatch Agent. Servers can be organized into applications and waves for launch, cutover, archival, and configuration operations. MGN supports x86 sources and replication volumes up to 16 TB; larger volumes are not supported. A 90-day free period covers 2,160 hours per source server when used continuously. AWS infrastructure for replication, testing, or cutover is charged separately, and continued replication is charged per hour after the free period.