Google Migrate to Containers vs Ispirer SQLWays

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.

Ispirer SQLWays automates conversion between different database systems, including schema, data, tables, stored procedures, functions, triggers, and views. Migration options include data type mapping, migration queries, conversion reports, file output, object name mapping, dependency handling, and query testing. The product supports databases on Windows, Linux, or Unix, including on-premises and cloud environments, even when source and target operating systems differ. It connects to source databases through ODBC drivers and uses native utilities for target connections. Named cloud environments include Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Aurora, and Azure SQL DB. SQLWays can use a custom AI provider or local models; its built-in AI chat can help resolve errors, refactor code, and generate documentation. AI verification compares converted results with the source, fixes issues it finds, and flags complex structures for attention. Command line mode supports scripted, repeatable or phased migrations, including multithreaded work. Ispirer says SQLWays uses read-only privileges, does not modify the original system, and does not transfer data to third parties. A 14-day trial is available, limited to 2 GB, 20 database objects, and 1,500 measured lines of code. Listed licenses include Light at $395 a month for a 1-month license and Starter at $719 as a one-time purchase for a 3-month license.