AWS Mainframe Modernization vs AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service)
AWS Mainframe Modernization
aws.amazon.com
AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service)
aws.amazon.comSide by side
| Figure | AWS Mainframe Modernization | AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service) |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.31/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 11 | 1 |
| Spec score · Cloud Migration Tools | 8.9 (#1) | 8.2 (#4) |
| Purpose | AWS Mainframe Modernization provides tools to plan and implement mainframe application migration and modernization on AWS. | AWS Transform MGN automates rehosting physical, virtual, and cloud servers as native Amazon EC2 instances. |
| Security | AWS Mainframe Modernization uses IAM-protected resources, and AWS requires TLS 1.2 for network clients while recommending TLS 1.3. | 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
AWS Mainframe Modernization
- AWS Transform for mainframe Runtime$0.31 a month
- File Transfer with BMC$1.30, paid once
- File Transfer with BMC (IBM z/OS)$1.30, paid once
- AWS Mainframe Modernization Rocket Developer$2.14 a month
- Rocket Developer$2.14 a month
- Code Conversion with mLogica$2.75, paid once
- Code Conversion with mLogica (Assembler to COBOL)$2.75, paid once
- AWS Mainframe Modernization Rocket Runtime$5.55 a month
- Rocket Runtime$5.55 a month
- Data Replication with Precisely$60, paid once
AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service)
- Free periodFree
AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service) pricing →
In their own words
AWS Mainframe Modernization
AWS Mainframe Modernization has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
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.