Azure Database Migration Service review
A focused Azure migration service with online, offline, automated, and private-connectivity options.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Azure Database Migration Service is a Microsoft-managed service for moving databases, schemas, and database objects from on-premises systems or other clouds to Azure. It is aimed at teams migrating SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB workloads into Azure services, including Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines. The service is available through the Azure portal, PowerShell, and Azure CLI, making it suitable for both portal-led projects and automated migration workflows.
The published plans show a free plan alongside compute tiers. Standard Compute supports offline, one-time migrations and is available in 1-, 2-, and 4-vCore options. Premium Compute supports online and offline migrations, continuous migration, and a 4-vCore option. Online migration can help reduce downtime, while offline migration provides a simpler path for one-time moves. Teams should select the tier based on whether continuous migration and online workloads are required, rather than treating the plans as interchangeable.
Azure alignment is the service’s clearest strength. Azure portal migration creation and monitoring, Azure Blob Storage, PowerShell, Azure CLI, private endpoint connectivity, and a self-hosted integration runtime support common operational and network requirements. The runtime can access network backups, while private connectivity supports source and target access. Organizations already standardizing on Azure should find the ecosystem fit straightforward. Those seeking a broader cloud-to-cloud migration destination or a separate discovery and dependency-mapping layer should evaluate alternatives alongside it.
Azure Database Migration Service pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB migrations
- Offers online, offline, and continuous migration options
- Includes PowerShell, Azure CLI, and private endpoint connectivity
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on migrations to Azure rather than broader destination coverage
- Online migration support is tied to Premium Compute
- Not designed as a general discovery and dependency-mapping tool
Azure Database Migration Service fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update