Side by side
CAST Highlight vs Ispirer SQLWays
Both stand on cloud migration tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Choose CAST Highlight if your organization needs portfolio-level analysis of custom applications across software risk, cloud readiness, open-source risks or AI opportunities. Look elsewhere if you need a free plan or want to share one subscription across portfolios owned by different companies or owners.
Visit CAST Highlight
SQLWays combines database conversion controls with AI assistance and command-line migration options. Check the trial limits and license basis, since Ispirer says cost depends on database size, object count, customizations, and project duration.
Visit Ispirer SQLWaysThe facts
| CAST Highlight | Ispirer SQLWays | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | A free trial | A free trial |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows | Linux, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Complete Insights (single application): $6,800 a year | Light (SQL + Data migration): $395 a month |
| Plans published | 4 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | castsoftware.com | ispirer.com |
| On cloud migration tools | #14 of 32 | #18 of 32 |
CAST Highlight: what it does well
- Reports application health, resiliency, technical debt and private data risks.
- Cloud Insights includes container readiness and cloud-native service recommendations.
- SCA Insights supports SBOM creation and importing.
- Identifies AI augmentation opportunities and assesses agent readiness.
- Analysis results are stored in a client-reserved cloud.
What to know first
- There is no free plan; the trial lasts 14 days.
- Each application portfolio requires its own subscription.
- Larger portfolios require contacting CAST.
- Annual subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled with 60 days’ notice.
Ispirer SQLWays: what it does well
- Converts schemas, data, procedures, triggers, and views
- Supports Windows, Linux, and Unix database environments
- Offers AI chat and conversion verification
- Command-line mode supports repeatable and phased migrations
- Uses read-only privileges, according to Ispirer
What to know first
- No free plan
- Two-week trial limited to 2 GB of data
- Trial limited to 20 objects and 1,500 code lines
- Trial requires an online connection and one machine
Alternatives to CAST Highlight Alternatives to Ispirer SQLWays The whole list