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EPC Group

Enterprise Microsoft consulting with 29 years serving Fortune 500 companies.

(888) 381-9725
contact@epcgroup.net
4900 Woodway Drive, Suite 830
Houston, TX 77056

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About EPC Group

EPC Group is a Microsoft consulting firm founded in 1997 (originally Enterprise Project Consulting, renamed EPC Group in 2005). 29 years of enterprise Microsoft consulting experience. EPC Group historically held the distinction of being the oldest continuous Microsoft Gold Partner in North America from 2016 until the program's retirement. Because Microsoft officially deprecated the Gold/Silver tiering framework, EPC Group transitioned to the modern Microsoft Solutions Partner ecosystem and currently holds the core Microsoft Solutions Partner designations.

Headquartered at 4900 Woodway Drive, Suite 830, Houston, TX 77056. Public clients include NASA, FBI, Federal Reserve, Pentagon, United Airlines, PepsiCo, Nike, and Northrop Grumman. 6,500+ SharePoint implementations, 1,500+ Power BI deployments, 500+ Microsoft Fabric implementations, 70+ Fortune 500 organizations served, 11,000+ enterprise engagements, 200+ Microsoft Power BI and Microsoft 365 consultants on staff.

About Errin O'Connor

Errin O'Connor is the Founder, CEO, and Chief AI Architect of EPC Group. Microsoft MVP multiple years, first awarded 2003. 4× Microsoft Press bestselling author of Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Inside Out (MS Press 2007), Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010 Inside Out (MS Press 2011), SharePoint 2013 Field Guide (Sams/Pearson 2014), and Microsoft Power BI Dashboards Step by Step (MS Press 2018).

Original SharePoint Beta Team member (Project Tahoe). Original Power BI Beta Team member (Project Crescent). FedRAMP framework contributor. Worked with U.S. CIO Vivek Kundra on the Obama administration's 25-Point Plan to reform federal IT, and with NASA CIO Chris Kemp as Lead Architect on the NASA Nebula Cloud project. Speaker at Microsoft Ignite, SharePoint Conference, KMWorld, and DATAVERSITY.

© 2026 EPC Group. All rights reserved. Microsoft, SharePoint, Power BI, Azure, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Fabric, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

SharePoint Migration Tools Comparison: Enterprise Guide 2026 - EPC Group enterprise consulting

SharePoint Migration Tools Comparison: Enterprise Guide 2026

Feature-by-feature comparison of SPMT, ShareGate, AvePoint, Metalogix, and MigrationWiz for enterprise migrations.

This guide compares the top SharePoint migration tools for enterprise: Microsoft SPMT (free), ShareGate, AvePoint FLY, Quest Metalogix, and BitTitan MigrationWiz. Each tool has different strengths by migration scenario, user scale, compliance requirement, and pricing model. EPC Group uses all five tools — we select based on the specific engagement requirements.

Key Facts

  • Microsoft SPMT is free but limited to in-place tenant scenarios — does not support cross-tenant or cross-platform migrations.
  • ShareGate is best-in-class for permission preservation across hub-spoke architectures.
  • AvePoint Migrator provides enterprise-scale compliance reporting for regulated industries (HIPAA, FedRAMP, SOC 2).
  • For enterprises with 10,000+ users: use SPMT for basic files, ShareGate for permission-heavy moves, AvePoint for cross-platform.
  • Standard migration tools cannot migrate SharePoint 2010/2013 workflows — they must be rebuilt in Power Automate.

Why Choosing the Right SharePoint Migration Tool Matters

Enterprise SharePoint migrations involve petabytes of data, millions of documents, complex permission hierarchies, and business-critical workflows. The migration tool you select directly impacts data integrity, timeline accuracy, and total project cost. After completing 500+ SharePoint migrations involving 11,000+ engagements, EPC Group has tested every major migration tool in production enterprise environments.

Quick Answer: The best SharePoint migration tool for enterprise is not a single product — it is a multi-tool strategy. Use Microsoft SPMT for file share migrations, ShareGate for SharePoint-to-SharePoint with complex permissions, and AvePoint FLY for cross-platform consolidations. For migrations exceeding 10TB or 5,000 users, engage a specialized migration partner like EPC Group that orchestrates multiple tools for optimal throughput.

This guide compares the five leading SharePoint migration tools across 15 enterprise-critical dimensions including performance, permission fidelity, compliance support, and total cost of ownership.

Source Support

On-prem, cloud, file shares, third-party

Permission Fidelity

Granular permissions and metadata mapping

Delta Sync

Incremental migration for cutover windows

Reporting

Audit trails and compliance logging

Total Cost

Licensing, infrastructure, and labor

Microsoft SPMT (SharePoint Migration Tool)

Free — included with Microsoft 365

Microsoft SPMT is a free desktop application that migrates content from file shares, SharePoint Server 2013+, and JSON/CSV-defined sources to SharePoint Online and OneDrive. It is the baseline tool every enterprise should evaluate first, particularly for file share consolidations where advanced permission mapping is not required.

Strengths

  • Free with any Microsoft 365 subscription
  • Native Microsoft support and regular updates
  • Supports file shares, SharePoint 2013/2016/2019
  • Preserves metadata and version history
  • Bulk migration via JSON/CSV task definitions
  • Migration Manager in SharePoint Admin Center for scale

Limitations

  • No scheduling or off-hours automation
  • Limited reporting and audit trail capabilities
  • Cannot migrate workflows or InfoPath forms
  • No cross-tenant migration support
  • Permission mapping is basic (no complex inheritance)
  • No rollback capability if migration fails mid-stream

Best for: File share-to-SharePoint Online migrations under 50,000 items per wave, organizations with limited migration budget, and pilot migrations to validate content structure before using advanced tools.

ShareGate (by Workleap)

From $9,995/year — unlimited data volume

ShareGate is the most popular third-party SharePoint migration tool, known for its intuitive interface and strong permission mapping capabilities. It excels at SharePoint-to-SharePoint migrations where preserving complex permission hierarchies, content types, and metadata is critical. ShareGate also offers Teams management and governance features beyond migration.

Strengths

  • Best-in-class permission and metadata mapping
  • Incremental (delta) migration for minimal cutover downtime
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop interface for non-technical users
  • Pre-migration reports identify issues before migration starts
  • Supports SharePoint 2010/2013/2016/2019 to Online
  • Unlimited data volume per license — no per-GB pricing
  • Built-in Teams governance and lifecycle management

Limitations

  • Windows desktop application only (no SaaS deployment)
  • Requires direct network access to source SharePoint farms
  • Limited file share migration capabilities compared to SPMT
  • No native support for Google Workspace or Box sources
  • Throttling at scale requires careful API management
  • Annual licensing commitment (no monthly option)

Best for: SharePoint-to-SharePoint Online migrations with complex permissions, organizations needing delta sync for minimal cutover windows, and IT teams that want an intuitive interface without scripting requirements.

AvePoint FLY

SaaS-based — per-user or per-GB pricing

AvePoint FLY is a cloud-native SaaS migration platform supporting the widest range of source environments including SharePoint, Google Workspace, Box, Dropbox, file shares, and Exchange. Its strength lies in cross-platform consolidation scenarios where organizations are standardizing on Microsoft 365 from multiple collaboration platforms simultaneously.

Strengths

  • Widest source platform support (Google, Box, Dropbox, SharePoint, file shares)
  • SaaS deployment — no desktop software installation required
  • Centralized management console for multi-tenant migrations
  • Automated content restructuring during migration
  • Compliance-grade audit logging for regulated industries
  • Built-in content analysis and cleanup recommendations

Limitations

  • Per-user pricing can escalate quickly for large organizations
  • Steeper learning curve than ShareGate for basic SharePoint migrations
  • Requires AvePoint cloud infrastructure (data passes through AvePoint)
  • Less intuitive UI for ad-hoc migration tasks
  • Premium support tiers required for enterprise SLAs
  • Limited offline/disconnected operation capabilities

Best for: Multi-platform consolidations (Google + Box + file shares to Microsoft 365), multi-tenant migrations, and organizations requiring SaaS-based migration management with centralized audit trails.

Quest Metalogix (Content Matrix)

Enterprise licensing — contact Quest for pricing

Quest Metalogix Content Matrix is the most technically powerful SharePoint migration tool, favored by migration specialists for its granular control over every aspect of the migration process. It handles the most complex scenarios including custom solutions, managed metadata, and large-scale permission restructuring that simpler tools cannot address.

Strengths

  • Most granular control over migration process of any tool
  • Handles complex managed metadata and content type migrations
  • PowerShell extensibility for custom migration scenarios
  • Database-attach migration option for maximum throughput
  • Comprehensive pre-migration assessment and remediation
  • Supports SharePoint 2007 through 2019 source environments

Limitations

  • Steep learning curve — requires experienced migration engineers
  • Complex licensing model with multiple product components
  • UI is dated compared to ShareGate and AvePoint
  • No SaaS option — requires on-premises installation
  • Higher total cost due to professional services requirements
  • Slower to adopt new Microsoft 365 feature support

Best for: Highly complex migrations with custom solutions, managed metadata restructuring, organizations migrating from SharePoint 2007/2010, and scenarios requiring database-attach migration for maximum speed.

BitTitan MigrationWiz

Per-user licensing — from $12/user (document migration)

BitTitan MigrationWiz is a cloud-based migration platform best known for email migrations but also supports document and SharePoint migrations. Its per-user pricing model makes it attractive for smaller migrations, though costs scale linearly with user count, making it expensive for large enterprises.

Strengths

  • Cloud-based — no on-premises infrastructure required
  • Excellent for combined email + document migrations
  • Simple, predictable per-user pricing for budgeting
  • MSPComplete project management portal
  • Strong partner ecosystem with MSP support
  • Automated user provisioning and license assignment

Limitations

  • Per-user cost model becomes expensive at enterprise scale
  • SharePoint migration capabilities less mature than ShareGate
  • Limited permission mapping for complex SharePoint hierarchies
  • Document migration does not preserve all SharePoint metadata
  • No managed metadata or content type migration support
  • Primarily designed for MSPs, not enterprise IT departments

Best for: Combined email and document migrations under 1,000 users, MSPs managing multiple client migrations, and organizations needing a fully cloud-based migration solution with no on-premises footprint.

Feature Comparison: SharePoint Migration Tools

FeatureSPMTShareGateAvePoint FLYMetalogixMigrationWiz
SharePoint On-Prem SourceYesYesYesYesLimited
File Share SourceYesLimitedYesYesYes
Google Workspace SourceNoNoYesNoYes
Box / Dropbox SourceNoNoYesNoYes
Permission MappingBasicAdvancedAdvancedAdvancedBasic
Metadata PreservationYesYesYesYesLimited
Version HistoryYesYesYesYesLimited
Incremental / Delta SyncNoYesYesYesYes
Scheduling / AutomationNoYesYesYesYes
Pre-Migration AssessmentBasicYesYesYesLimited
Managed Metadata MigrationNoYesYesYesNo
Content Type SupportBasicYesYesYesNo
Multi-Tenant SupportNoLimitedYesYesYes
SaaS DeploymentNoNoYesNoYes
Compliance Audit LoggingBasicYesYesYesLimited

Pricing Comparison: Migration Tools

ToolPricing ModelEstimated Cost (10TB / 5K Users)Hidden Costs
Microsoft SPMTFree$0 (tool only)Labor, infrastructure, Azure staging storage
ShareGateAnnual license$10K-$20KMigration infrastructure, Azure blob staging
AvePoint FLYPer-user or per-GB$25K-$75KPremium support tiers, data pass-through bandwidth
Quest MetalogixEnterprise license$30K-$80KProfessional services, complex installation
BitTitan MigrationWizPer-user ($12+)$60K+ at scaleAdditional licenses for SharePoint vs email

When to Use Each SharePoint Migration Tool

Use SPMT When

  • Budget is zero for tooling
  • Migrating file shares under 50K items
  • Running pilot migrations
  • Simple permission requirements

Use ShareGate When

  • SharePoint-to-SharePoint migration
  • Complex permissions must be preserved
  • Minimal cutover window needed
  • IT team wants intuitive UI

Use AvePoint FLY When

  • Multiple source platforms (Google, Box, etc.)
  • Multi-tenant environment
  • SaaS deployment preferred
  • Compliance audit trails required

Use Metalogix When

  • Legacy SharePoint 2007/2010 source
  • Complex managed metadata migration
  • Custom solutions require special handling
  • Maximum granular control needed

Use MigrationWiz When

  • Combined email + document migration
  • Under 1,000 users
  • No on-premises infrastructure
  • MSP managing multiple clients

Use EPC Group When

  • Enterprise migration (10TB+ / 5K+ users)
  • Regulated industry (HIPAA, SOC 2, FedRAMP)
  • Need multi-tool orchestration
  • Zero tolerance for data loss

EPC Group's Multi-Tool Migration Approach

After completing 500+ enterprise SharePoint migrations, EPC Group does not rely on a single tool. Our migration architects select and orchestrate the optimal combination of tools based on your specific environment, compliance requirements, and timeline constraints.

Our Proven Migration Framework

1

Discovery & Assessment

Inventory all content, permissions, workflows, and customizations across source environments. Identify items requiring remediation before migration.

2

Tool Selection & Architecture

Select the optimal tool combination based on source type, data volume, permission complexity, and compliance requirements. Configure migration infrastructure.

3

Pilot Migration

Migrate 2-3 representative sites covering different complexity levels. Validate permissions, metadata, and user experience with stakeholders.

4

Bulk Migration Waves

Execute parallel migration streams during off-hours windows. Monitor throughput, error rates, and API throttling in real-time.

5

Cutover & Validation

Final delta sync, DNS cutover, user redirection. Execute automated validation scripts to confirm 100% content integrity.

Learn more about our enterprise SharePoint migration services or explore our full SharePoint consulting capabilities.

Common Migration Mistakes When Using Tools

Skipping Content Cleanup

Migrating everything — including ROT (Redundant, Outdated, Trivial) content — inflates timelines and costs by 30-50%. Clean before you migrate. EPC Group recommends eliminating 30-40% of content through pre-migration analysis.

Ignoring Permission Redesign

Lifting and shifting broken permissions from on-premises to SharePoint Online multiplies security risks. Use the migration as an opportunity to implement clean permission models aligned with Azure AD groups and sensitivity labels.

Underestimating API Throttling

Microsoft 365 aggressively throttles migration APIs. Running too many parallel streams or migrating during business hours causes failures and exponential slowdowns. Proper scheduling and throttling management is critical.

No Pilot Migration

Jumping directly to bulk migration without piloting 2-3 representative sites leads to discovering issues at scale — when they are 10x more expensive to fix. Always pilot first, validate with stakeholders, then scale.

Forgetting Post-Migration Validation

Declaring migration complete without automated validation scripts means discovering missing content, broken permissions, or lost metadata weeks later. EPC Group runs automated integrity checks on 100% of migrated content.

Neglecting Change Management

Users who are not trained and prepared for the new SharePoint Online environment will resist adoption, create shadow IT, and undermine the ROI of the entire migration investment.

Why Enterprise Organizations Choose EPC Group for SharePoint Migration

500+

SharePoint migrations completed

11,000+ engagement scale

Users migrated across platforms

99.97%

Content integrity rate

28+

Years of Microsoft expertise

Do not risk your enterprise migration on a single tool or an inexperienced partner. EPC Group combines best-of-breed tools with 29 years of migration expertise to deliver zero-data-loss migrations on time and on budget.

Get Free Migration Assessment (888) 381-9725

Related Resources

SharePoint Consulting Services

Enterprise SharePoint architecture, migration, and governance from EPC Group.

Read more

Enterprise SharePoint Migration Services

Full-service migration from on-premises to SharePoint Online for 10K+ user environments.

Read more

Top SharePoint Migration Services 2026

Ranked comparison of the top enterprise SharePoint migration service providers.

Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best SharePoint migration tool for enterprise?

The best SharePoint migration tool depends on your environment. For enterprises with 10,000+ users and complex permissions, EPC Group recommends a multi-tool approach: Microsoft SPMT for basic file migrations, ShareGate for permission-heavy SharePoint-to-SharePoint moves, and AvePoint FLY for cross-platform consolidations. No single tool handles every enterprise scenario perfectly. EPC Group uses a proprietary orchestration layer on top of best-of-breed tools to optimize throughput, maintain audit trails, and ensure zero data loss across large-scale migrations.

Is Microsoft SPMT good enough for enterprise migration?

Microsoft SPMT (SharePoint Migration Tool) is free and effective for straightforward file share-to-SharePoint Online migrations under 50,000 items. However, it lacks scheduling, granular reporting, advanced permission mapping, and multi-tenant support needed for enterprise migrations. SPMT does not handle SharePoint on-premises site-level migrations well and cannot migrate workflows, InfoPath forms, or custom solutions. For enterprises, SPMT is best used as one tool in a broader toolkit rather than the sole migration engine.

How much does ShareGate cost for enterprise migration?

ShareGate pricing starts at approximately $9,995 per year for a single license, with enterprise agreements available for multi-license deployments. The license covers unlimited data migration volume, which makes it cost-effective for large migrations. Additional costs include Azure Blob Storage for staging (approximately $0.018/GB for hot tier) and dedicated migration infrastructure. Total cost for a 50TB enterprise migration using ShareGate typically ranges from $25,000-$75,000 including tool licensing, infrastructure, and labor — compared to $100,000-$300,000 for a full-service migration engagement.

Can I migrate from SharePoint 2013/2016/2019 to SharePoint Online?

Yes. All major migration tools support SharePoint 2013, 2016, and 2019 as source environments migrating to SharePoint Online. ShareGate and AvePoint FLY handle this most effectively, preserving site structures, metadata, permissions, and version history. Key considerations include: authentication differences (NTLM/Kerberos to Azure AD), workflow migration (2013 Workflows cannot be directly migrated — they must be rebuilt in Power Automate), InfoPath forms (require conversion to Power Apps), and custom solutions (need SharePoint Framework rebuilds). EPC Group has migrated 11,000+ engagements across these version transitions.

How long does an enterprise SharePoint migration take?

Enterprise SharePoint migrations typically take 3-9 months depending on data volume, complexity, and user count. A 10TB migration with 5,000 users and moderate complexity averages 12-16 weeks. Key timeline factors include: discovery and assessment (2-4 weeks), pilot migration of representative sites (2-3 weeks), bulk migration waves (4-8 weeks), user acceptance testing (2-3 weeks), and cutover (1-2 weeks). EPC Group uses parallel migration streams and off-hours scheduling to compress timelines by 30-40% compared to sequential approaches.

What is the difference between AvePoint FLY and AvePoint Cloud Backup?

AvePoint FLY is the migration engine designed for moving content between platforms (SharePoint on-premises, SharePoint Online, Google Workspace, Box, Dropbox, file shares). AvePoint Cloud Backup is a backup and recovery product for protecting Microsoft 365 data in place. They serve completely different purposes. For migration projects, FLY is the correct product. Some enterprises deploy both: FLY for the initial migration, then Cloud Backup for ongoing Microsoft 365 data protection post-migration.

What data cannot be migrated with standard tools?

Standard migration tools cannot migrate: SharePoint 2010/2013 workflows (must be rebuilt in Power Automate), InfoPath forms (require Power Apps conversion), custom web parts and solutions (need SharePoint Framework redevelopment), managed metadata term store relationships (require manual recreation or scripting), custom search configurations, and server-side event receivers. Additionally, OneNote notebooks stored in SharePoint often require separate handling, and items exceeding SharePoint Online limits (file path >400 characters, individual files >250GB) need remediation before migration.

Should I use a migration tool or hire a consulting firm?

For migrations under 1TB with simple file shares, a self-service tool like SPMT or ShareGate may be sufficient with internal IT managing the project. For enterprise migrations (10TB+, 5,000+ users, multiple source environments, compliance requirements), hiring a specialized consulting firm is strongly recommended. The tool itself is only 20% of the challenge — the remaining 80% involves discovery, content cleanup, permission redesign, user communication, change management, and post-migration validation. EPC Group provides end-to-end migration services using best-of-breed tools orchestrated by experienced migration architects.

Ready to Plan Your SharePoint Migration?

Schedule a free migration assessment with our team. We will analyze your current environment, recommend the optimal tool strategy, and provide a detailed migration roadmap with fixed-fee pricing.

Schedule Assessment (888) 381-9725

SharePoint Migration Tools Comparison: Enterprise Guide 2026

This guide compares the top SharePoint migration tools for enterprise: Microsoft SPMT (free), ShareGate, AvePoint FLY, Quest Metalogix, and BitTitan MigrationWiz. Each tool has different strengths by migration scenario, user scale, compliance requirement, and pricing model. EPC Group uses all five tools — we select based on the specific engagement requirements.

Migration Tools at a Glance

| Tool | Best for | Price model | Compliance reporting | |---|---|---|---| | Microsoft SPMT | In-place tenant migrations | Free | Basic | | ShareGate | Permission-heavy SharePoint-to-SharePoint | Per migration | Advanced | | AvePoint FLY | Cross-platform, enterprise scale | Per user/GB | Enterprise (regulated industry) | | Quest Metalogix | Large on-prem farms, complex AD mapping | Per GB | Advanced | | BitTitan MigrationWiz | Mid-size mailbox + SharePoint migrations | Per user | Moderate |

Key facts

  • Microsoft SPMT is free but limited to in-place tenant scenarios — does not support cross-tenant or cross-platform migrations.
  • ShareGate is best-in-class for permission preservation across hub-spoke architectures.
  • AvePoint Migrator provides enterprise-scale compliance reporting for regulated industries (HIPAA, FedRAMP, SOC 2).
  • For enterprises with 10,000+ users: use SPMT for basic files, ShareGate for permission-heavy moves, AvePoint for cross-platform.
  • Standard migration tools cannot migrate SharePoint 2010/2013 workflows — they must be rebuilt in Power Automate.

Tool-by-Tool Breakdown

Microsoft SPMT (SharePoint Migration Tool)

  • What it does — migrates file shares, SharePoint Server, and OneDrive for Business to SharePoint Online.
  • Cost — free, included with Microsoft 365.
  • Best for — in-place tenant scenarios; structured file share migrations; organizations with simpler permission models.
  • Limitations — no cross-tenant support; limited compliance reporting; does not migrate classic workflows or InfoPath forms.

ShareGate Desktop / ShareGate Migrate

  • What it does — SharePoint-to-SharePoint migration with best-in-class permission mapping and hub-spoke awareness.
  • Cost — per migration or subscription; contact ShareGate for enterprise pricing.
  • Best for — SharePoint Server to SharePoint Online; tenant-to-tenant after M&A; complex permission preservation.
  • Limitations — not designed for cross-platform (Google Drive, Box) migrations; compliance reporting is less detailed than AvePoint.

AvePoint FLY (formerly AvePoint Migrator)

  • What it does — enterprise-scale cross-platform migration with regulated-industry compliance reporting.
  • Cost — per-user or per-GB; enterprise licensing available.
  • Best for — healthcare, financial services, and government migrations requiring HIPAA/SOC 2/FedRAMP documentation; cross-platform migrations (Google Drive, Box, Dropbox to SharePoint).
  • Limitations — higher cost than SPMT or ShareGate; overkill for simple file share migrations.

Quest Metalogix Content Matrix

  • What it does — deep SharePoint Server migration including large on-premises farms and complex Active Directory mappings.
  • Cost — per-GB pricing; contact Quest for enterprise quotes.
  • Best for — very large SharePoint 2010/2013/2016 farms with complex site collection structures; organizations with large AD-to-Azure AD identity mapping requirements.
  • Limitations — less strong on cross-platform migrations; UI is less modern than ShareGate or AvePoint.

BitTitan MigrationWiz

  • What it does — combined mailbox and SharePoint migration tool; common in SMB and mid-market environments.
  • Cost — per-user pricing; MSP-friendly volume discounts.
  • Best for — organizations migrating both Exchange and SharePoint in the same project; mid-size deployments (under 5,000 users).
  • Limitations — not recommended for large enterprise environments with complex permissions; limited support for enterprise compliance reporting.

What Migration Tools Cannot Migrate

Standard migration tools move files and permissions — they cannot migrate legacy customizations. Plan for manual remediation of these items.

  • SharePoint 2010 and 2013 workflows — must be rebuilt in Power Automate.
  • InfoPath forms — must be converted to Power Apps.
  • Classic web parts and farm solutions — must be rebuilt in SharePoint Framework (SPFx).
  • Managed metadata term store relationships — require manual recreation or scripting.
  • Custom search configurations — must be reconfigured in Microsoft Search.
  • Server-side event receivers — must be replaced with Power Automate flows or Azure Functions.

Multi-Tool Strategy for Large Enterprises

For enterprises with 10,000+ users and complex permissions, EPC Group recommends using multiple tools in combination.

  • Microsoft SPMT — basic file migrations from Windows file servers to SharePoint Online.
  • ShareGate — permission-heavy SharePoint-to-SharePoint moves, especially tenant-to-tenant.
  • AvePoint FLY — cross-platform consolidations (Google Drive, Box, Dropbox) and compliance-intensive content.

Using a single tool for all scenarios is a false economy — each tool has real limits at scale.

On-Premises to SharePoint Online: Key Considerations

On-premises to Online migrations require addressing these issues before migration execution.

  • Authentication — NTLM/Kerberos to Azure AD. Run Azure AD Connect to sync on-premises identities before migration.
  • SharePoint 2013 workflows — cannot be migrated directly; must be rebuilt in Power Automate.
  • InfoPath forms — require conversion to Power Apps; plan 1–2 weeks per complex form.
  • Custom solutions — farm solutions and classic web parts need SPFx rebuilds before cutover.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best SharePoint migration tool?

There is no single best tool — the right choice depends on the scenario. Microsoft SPMT is best for simple in-place file migrations (free). ShareGate is best for complex SharePoint-to-SharePoint migrations with permission preservation. AvePoint FLY is best for cross-platform and regulated-industry migrations with compliance reporting requirements.

Is Microsoft SPMT good enough for enterprise migrations?

For in-place tenant scenarios and file share migrations with simple permissions, yes. For tenant-to-tenant migrations after M&A, cross-platform consolidations, or environments requiring detailed compliance reporting, use ShareGate or AvePoint instead.

SPMT is also free — it is often used as the primary tool with ShareGate handling the permission-complex sites.

How much do SharePoint migration tools cost?

Microsoft SPMT is free. ShareGate charges per migration or annual subscription — enterprise pricing available on request. AvePoint FLY charges per user or per GB — enterprise licensing available.

Quest Metalogix charges per GB. BitTitan MigrationWiz charges per user. EPC Group includes migration tool licensing within our project pricing for most engagements.

Can migration tools migrate SharePoint workflows?

No. Standard migration tools cannot migrate SharePoint 2010 or 2013 workflows. They must be rebuilt in Power Automate. Use the Microsoft Workflow Migration Tool to generate a report of all existing workflows. Plan 1–4 weeks per workflow rebuild depending on logic complexity.

Get a Migration Tool Recommendation

Talk to a SharePoint migration architect about which tool is right for your source environment, scale, and compliance requirements. Call (888) 381-9725 or request a 30-minute discovery call.