Azure Storage Mover is a managed service for migrating files and folders from on-premises systems, AWS S3, and other cloud platforms to Azure Storage. It transfers to Azure Blob Storage or Azure Files from sources using SMB 2.x/3.x, NFS 3/4, or S3. Jobs can run once, recur, or transfer metadata only, copying folder structures and permissions without moving file data. File transfers can preserve structure, permissions, attributes, and metadata. An Azure-hosted resource coordinates jobs, authentication, and progress, while agents scan and transfer files from on-premises or cloud virtual machines. For AWS S3 migrations, Azure Arc connectors provide source access for server-to-server copying without an agent. Microsoft says there is no limit on files or directories per job and reports testing up to 500 million objects in on-premises scenarios. Transfers use HTTPS, and Private Link to storage accounts is optional. Storage Mover is free for on-premises-to-Azure and AWS-to-Azure scenarios, but standard storage, transaction, and networking charges apply. Resources can be created in listed Azure regions, while data can be ingested into all Azure public regions.
Who it is for
It suits hybrid and multicloud migrations of files and folders into Azure Storage, including enterprise-scale workloads. Teams should account for standard storage, transaction, and networking charges.
What is good
- Supports SMB, NFS, and S3 sources.
- Offers recurring, one-time, and metadata-only runs.
- Can preserve file structure, permissions, attributes, and metadata.
- AWS S3 transfers can use server-to-server copying.
What to know first
- Standard storage, transaction, and networking charges apply.
- Storage Mover resources are limited to listed regions.
Verdict
Azure Storage Mover supports several migration modes and can retain important file metadata and permissions. It is free for the stated on-premises-to-Azure and AWS-to-Azure scenarios, while related storage, transaction, and networking charges remain applicable.
Azure Storage Mover plans and pricing
All plansCompared on storage migration software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Workload scope
- file
- Migration mode
- batch
- Metadata preservation
- Yes
- Access preservation
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- SMB 2.x/3.x, NFS 3/4, AWS S3, AWS FSx SMB, GCS S3, Azure Blob Storage, Azure Files, NAS, servers, workstations
- Cutover orchestration
- Yes
- Migration reporting
- Yes
