AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service) vs CAST Highlight
AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service)
aws.amazon.com
CAST Highlight
castsoftware.comSide by side
| Figure | AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service) | CAST Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $566.67/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Spec score · Cloud Migration Tools | 8.2 (#4) | 8.5 (#3) |
| Security | 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. | CAST says the SaaS platform is ISO 27001 certified and stores analysis results in a client-reserved cloud hosted on AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud; source code and database scripts are not uploaded. |
| Support | AWS documentation says support for installation or replication issues is limited to operating systems listed as supported. | Annual subscriptions include complementary concierge services from a dedicated CAST specialist for kickoff, setup, interpreting results, best practices, e-learning, certification, and follow-up. |
Plans
AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service)
- Free periodFree
AWS Transform MGN (formerly AWS Application Migration Service) pricing →
CAST Highlight
- Complete Insights (single application)$6,800 a year
- Cloud Insights$30,800 a year
- SCA Insights$33,000 a year
- Complete Edition$44,000 a year
In their own words
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.
CAST Highlight
CAST Highlight is SaaS software for assessing portfolios of custom business applications. Its source analysis reports software risk, complexity, and size, and surfaces application health, resiliency, technical debt, and private data risks. Cloud Insights covers cloud maturity and effort estimates, container readiness, blockers and boosters, and cloud native service recommendations. SCA Insights addresses open source security and license risks, component obsolescence, recommendations, and SBOM creation and importing. AI features identify applications for AI augmentation, recommend AI services or LLMs, and assess agent readiness, blockers, and fixes. Listed plugins include Azure DevOps, GitHub, Jira, BitBucket, and VS Code; product information also names Microsoft Teams, Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot for instant answers. CAST says analysis results are stored in a client-reserved cloud and source code and database scripts need not be uploaded. A 14-day trial includes a preloaded sample portfolio. Annual subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled with 60 days’ notice. Listed annual plans range from 6800.00 USD for a single named application to 44000.00 USD for Complete Edition.