At a glance
| Source databases | SQL Server 2008 and later, Amazon RDS for SQL Server, MySQL (including Amazon RDS, Aurora, Cloud SQL, Percona), PostgreSQL, MongoDB; Oracle in preview via SSMA |
| Target databases | Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, SQL Server on Azure VMs, Azure Database for MySQL and PostgreSQL flexible server, Azure Cosmos DB |
| Schema conversion | Migrates schemas for SQL Server targets; no code conversion between engines (Microsoft points to SSMA) |
| Data migration | Offline for all listed pairs except PostgreSQL; online for Managed Instance, Azure VMs, MySQL, PostgreSQL and MongoDB, not for Azure SQL Database |
| Automation and CLI | Azure PowerShell and Azure CLI |
| Deployment | Managed Azure service; self-hosted integration runtime for some SQL scenarios |
| Licensing | Standard tier free (offline); Premium tier free for 183 days, then billed hourly |
Azure DMS is the default managed route for moving SQL Server into Azure SQL Managed Instance, SQL Server on Azure VMs or (offline only) Azure SQL Database, and it also covers MySQL, PostgreSQL and MongoDB targets in Azure. It moves data and schemas but does not convert code between engines, so pair it with SSMA or another converter for heterogeneous moves. If you followed older guides, note that DMS (classic) and the Azure Data Studio extension are gone.
Overview
Azure Database Migration Service (Azure DMS) is a managed Azure service that copies databases from on-premises or other clouds into Azure data platforms. Microsoft's supported-scenarios page lists SQL Server and Amazon RDS for SQL Server to Azure SQL Database (offline), Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL Server on Azure VMs (offline and online), plus MySQL to Azure Database for MySQL flexible server, PostgreSQL to Azure Database for PostgreSQL flexible server (online) and MongoDB to Azure Cosmos DB. Oracle to Azure SQL targets is listed as preview, using DMS together with SSMA.
The current version is created and monitored in the Azure portal and can be automated with PowerShell and the Azure CLI. For SQL Managed Instance and Azure VM targets it migrates by backup and restore from an SMB share or Azure Blob Storage; for Azure SQL Database it copies tables logically, and Microsoft's FAQ notes that a self-hosted integration runtime acts as the compute for those copies. The older DMS (classic) and the Azure SQL migration extension for Azure Data Studio are retired.
Key features
- Offline and online (minimal downtime) migration of SQL Server 2008 and later to Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL Server on Azure VMs
- Offline migration of schema and data from SQL Server or Amazon RDS for SQL Server to Azure SQL Database
- Backup-and-restore based migration for Managed Instance and VM targets, with checksum validation of backup files
- Online and offline migration scenarios for MySQL, PostgreSQL (online) and MongoDB to Azure Cosmos DB targets
- Automation of migrations at scale through PowerShell and the Azure CLI
- Private endpoint connections to source and target
- Optional free tracking resource for SQL Server instances, registered through Azure Arc
Pros and cons
Pros
- Microsoft's own managed path into Azure SQL, with online migration for Managed Instance and Azure VMs
- Offline migrations on the Standard tier cost nothing for the service itself
- Scriptable with PowerShell and the Azure CLI for many databases
- Covers MySQL, PostgreSQL and MongoDB moves into Azure as well as SQL Server
Cons
- Only migrates into Azure; it is not a general any-to-any replication tool
- No online migration to Azure SQL Database; Microsoft suggests a partner tool (Striim) for that case
- The portal version has no assessment, SKU recommendation, login migration or TDE-encrypted database support
- Lifecycle changes (classic retirement, Azure Data Studio extension retired) mean many older tutorials no longer apply
Pricing
Microsoft's pricing page labels its tiers Azure Database Migration Service (classic), so confirm current pricing with Microsoft. It lists two tiers. Standard (1, 2 or 4 vCores) supports offline migrations and is free. Premium (4 vCores) supports offline and online migrations and is free for 183 days from the date the service is created, after which provisioned compute is billed hourly; the page does not show the hourly rate, so check the Azure pricing calculator for your region. Microsoft's FAQ states that online migrations need a Premium instance.
Pricing checked on the vendor's official page on 7 November 2026. Prices change; confirm before buying.
Who it is best for
Teams moving SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL or MongoDB workloads into Azure managed databases who want a Microsoft-run service with an online option for SQL Managed Instance and Azure VMs.
Who should look elsewhere
- Moves into AWS or between non-Azure platforms: see the AWS Database Migration Service guide.
- Converting Oracle, MySQL or Db2 code to SQL Server: use SQL Server Migration Assistant for schema and code conversion first.
Verdict
Azure DMS is a sensible first choice when the destination is Azure SQL, Azure Database for MySQL or PostgreSQL, or Cosmos DB, and the Standard tier keeps offline moves free. It is a data and schema mover rather than a code converter, and its retired variants mean you should follow the current Microsoft Learn tutorials rather than older guides.
Frequently asked questions
Is Azure Database Migration Service (classic) still available?
Not for SQL Server scenarios. Microsoft stopped new classic SQL resources from 1 August 2023 and retired them on 15 March 2026. Use the current DMS from the Azure portal, PowerShell or the Azure CLI. Microsoft said MySQL, PostgreSQL and MongoDB classic scenarios were outside that retirement.
What replaced the Azure SQL migration extension for Azure Data Studio?
The extension was retired with Azure Data Studio on 28 February 2026. Microsoft points to the DMS portal experience, DMS PowerShell and Azure CLI, the SQL Server migration experience in Azure Arc for Managed Instance and assessments, and an SSMS migration component for Azure VM targets.
Is Azure DMS free?
The Standard tier for offline migrations is free. Online migrations need the Premium tier, which is free for 183 days from service creation and then billed hourly; the target databases and any storage are billed separately.
Sources
- Microsoft Learn: What is Azure Database Migration Service?
- Microsoft Learn: Supported migration scenarios
- Microsoft Learn: Azure DMS FAQ
- Azure Database Migration Service pricing
- Retirement notice: DMS (classic) SQL scenarios (Microsoft Q&A)
- Microsoft Data Migration blog: alternatives after the Azure SQL migration extension
Checked November 2026.
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