SharePoint migration tool selection and comparison
Comparison

SharePoint Migration Tool Guide

A Comprehensive Guide to Selecting the Right SharePoint Migration Solution

Aziz Ldir
Aziz Ldir Technical Writer
July 15, 2023 · 8 min read

Introduction

Choosing the Right Tool

The right SharePoint migration tool can mean the difference between a smooth transition and a costly project failure. Evaluate options carefully.

SharePoint to SharePoint migration is a common requirement for organizations consolidating tenants, executing mergers, or restructuring their Microsoft 365 environment. Our SharePoint migration solution addresses these needs with a comprehensive approach. Choosing the right migration tool is one of the most important decisions you'll make in the planning phase.

This guide helps you evaluate SharePoint migration tools by understanding the key features that matter, comparing different approaches, and learning why enterprise organizations choose Cloudiway for their SharePoint Online migrations. Whether you need Microsoft 365 tenant-to-tenant migration or same-tenant restructuring, proper tool selection is critical.

Key Features to Evaluate

When comparing SharePoint migration tools, evaluate these essential capabilities. Cloudiway supports similar feature requirements across all migration scenarios including Google Drive migration:

Critical
Permission Preservation
Map and preserve user permissions, groups, and sharing settings
Critical
List & Library Support
All list types including custom lists, calendars, and document libraries
Critical
Cross-Tenant Support
Migrate between different Microsoft 365 tenants
High
Delta Synchronization
Incremental sync to minimize cutover downtime
High
Metadata & Versions
Column values, content types, and version history
Medium
Reporting & Logging
Detailed reports, error logs, and audit trails

Migration Approaches

Compare different approaches to SharePoint migration. The same considerations apply to Box migration and Dropbox migration projects:

Manual

Manual Export/Import

Very small migrations under 1GB

  • No tool cost
  • Simple for small sites
  • No permission preservation
  • Extremely slow
  • Error-prone
  • No version history
Technical

PowerShell Scripts

Technical teams with SharePoint expertise

  • Free
  • Customizable
  • Scriptable
  • Requires expertise
  • No support
  • Limited error handling
  • Complex permission mapping
Limited

Microsoft Migration Manager

Simple same-tenant migrations

  • Free with M365
  • Microsoft supported
  • Limited cross-tenant support
  • Basic reporting
  • No delta sync

What Can Be Migrated

A comprehensive SharePoint migration tool should support these content types. Cloudiway also supports specialized migrations like Google Sites to SharePoint migration and Google Vault to Microsoft 365 migration:

Content

  • Document Libraries
  • Lists and list items
  • Modern Sites
  • Classic Sites

Security

  • User permissions
  • Group permissions
  • Sharing settings
  • External sharing

History

  • Version history
  • Metadata columns
  • Content types
  • Page content

Structure

  • Site hierarchy
  • Navigation
  • Views and filters
  • Folders structure

Pre-Migration Assessment

Cloudiway provides detailed pre-migration analysis that identifies unsupported content, permission complexity, and potential migration challenges before you start. Check our admin guides for detailed instructions. This helps avoid surprises during migration.

Why Choose Cloudiway

Cloudiway offers distinct advantages for enterprise SharePoint migrations. Beyond file migration, our platform handles mailbox migration, Microsoft Teams migration, and email archive migration from a unified interface:

True Cross-Tenant Migration

Migrate SharePoint content between any Microsoft 365 tenants, not limited to same-tenant scenarios.

Permission Fidelity

Comprehensive permission mapping preserves access controls from source to target with flexible transformation options.

Delta Sync

Multiple migration passes capture changes until cutover, minimizing business disruption.

Unified Platform

Migrate SharePoint alongside Exchange, OneDrive, and Teams from a single platform.

5M+
Mailboxes Migrated
PB+
Data Migrated
24/7
Support Available
99.9%
Success Rate

Getting Started

Ready to evaluate Cloudiway for your SharePoint migration? Explore our case studies to see real customer success stories, or check our pricing page for licensing options. Here's how to begin:

1

Request a Demo

See Cloudiway in action with a personalized demonstration of SharePoint migration capabilities.

2

Run Assessment

Connect your source SharePoint to get a detailed analysis of content, permissions, and migration complexity.

3

Pilot Migration

Test with a representative site to validate the migration process and build confidence before full rollout.

Evaluate Cloudiway for Your SharePoint Migration

Contact our team to discuss your SharePoint migration requirements and see how Cloudiway can help ensure a successful project. We also provide professional consulting services for complex enterprise migrations. Our platform is ISO 27001 certified for data security.

For organizations with complex requirements, Cloudiway also supports Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 migration and Exchange migration.

Our platform extends beyond file migration with Slack to Teams migration and coexistence tools including GALSync.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cloudiway migrate SharePoint along with other Microsoft 365 workloads?

Yes, Cloudiway provides a unified platform that migrates SharePoint alongside Exchange mailboxes, OneDrive files, Microsoft Teams, and other workloads. This integrated approach ensures consistent user mapping and streamlined project management across all migration workloads.

Does Cloudiway support SharePoint modern site templates?

Yes, Cloudiway fully supports modern SharePoint sites including Team Sites, Communication Sites, and Hub Sites. Modern pages, web parts, and site designs are preserved during migration with proper structure and formatting.

How does Cloudiway handle large SharePoint document libraries?

Cloudiway uses parallel processing and optimized API calls to handle large document libraries efficiently. Libraries with millions of documents are migrated in batches with automatic retry mechanisms for throttled requests. Delta sync ensures only changed content is transferred in subsequent passes.

Can I migrate SharePoint workflows and Power Automate flows?

SharePoint 2010/2013 workflows and Power Automate flows require special consideration. Cloudiway migrates the associated lists and libraries, but workflows need to be recreated or converted to Power Automate in the target environment. Our pre-migration assessment identifies all workflows for planning.

What level of support does Cloudiway provide for SharePoint migrations?

Cloudiway offers comprehensive support including live chat, email support, and optional professional services for complex migrations. Our documentation includes detailed admin guides, and our team provides hands-on assistance for enterprise projects.

How does Cloudiway ensure data security during SharePoint migration?

Cloudiway is ISO 27001 certified and GDPR compliant. All data transfers use TLS encryption, and we never store your content permanently. Complete audit logs track all migration activities for compliance requirements.