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7 Best Oracle Migration Tools in 2025 for Reliable Database Transfers

Discover the best Oracle migration tools in 2025. Compare Oracle ZDM, GoldenGate, AWS DMS, Estuary Flow, and more for zero-downtime Oracle database migration.

Best Oracle Migration Tools
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Migrating an Oracle database has always been one of the more challenging tasks in enterprise data management. Oracle powers critical business applications, and moving these workloads—whether to the cloud, to open-source alternatives, or between Oracle versions—requires careful planning. The wrong strategy can lead to downtime, data loss, or skyrocketing costs.

There are several common scenarios for Oracle database migration:

  • Moving from Oracle to cloud warehouses such as Snowflake, BigQuery, or Redshift.
  • Migrating from Oracle to Postgres or other open-source databases to reduce licensing costs.
  • Performing Oracle version upgrades or cross-cloud migrations for scalability.

To make these data migrations smoother, teams rely on oracle migration tools. These tools range from Oracle’s own utilities to third-party platforms and modern real-time data integration solutions.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best Oracle migration tools in 2025, covering native utilities, enterprise platforms, and modern streaming-first solutions. At the top of the list is Estuary Flow, a real-time platform that simplifies Oracle-to-anywhere migration without downtime.

Best Oracle Migration Tools in 2025

Oracle powers mission-critical applications across enterprises, but migrating it across versions, clouds, or into analytics platforms can be challenging. The right Oracle data migration tool helps reduce downtime, preserve data integrity, and control costs.

Below, we’ve listed the top Oracle migration tools in 2025.

1. Estuary Flow – Real-Time Oracle Migration & Sync

Migrate Data From Oracle Database Using Estuary Flow

Estuary Flow is a modern real-time Oracle migration tool that captures data directly from Oracle databases using Change Data Capture (CDC) with Oracle Logminer. Instead of relying on manual exports or batch jobs, Flow continuously streams inserts, updates, and deletes from Oracle into your destination systems. This makes it ideal for zero-downtime migrations, cross-cloud replication, and hybrid data architectures.

Key Features

  • Real-time Oracle migration: Built on Oracle Logminer, Flow captures changes as they happen and syncs them downstream.
  • Broad compatibility: Supports Oracle 11g and above, including self-hosted databases and managed services such as Amazon RDS for Oracle.
  • Schema enforcement: Automatically validates schema changes during migration to ensure consistency and reliability.
  • Exactly-once delivery: Prevents duplicate or missing records, even in high-throughput migrations.
  • Flexible deployment: Choose fully managed SaaS, private cloud, or bring-your-own-cloud (BYOC).
  • Destination support: Migrate Oracle data in real time to Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks, Redshift, or even Postgres.
  • Advanced resilience: Handles edge cases such as schema dictionary mismatches and supports both online and extract dictionary modes, giving flexibility for handling schema changes.
  • Secure connectivity: Connect Oracle instances across networks using SSH tunneling for private and secure data transfer.

Best Use Cases

Unlike tools that rely on batch schedules, Estuary Flow keeps your Oracle database migration always up to date with a streaming-first architecture. Its connector ecosystem and ability to adapt to both legacy Oracle environments and modern cloud targets make it one of the most flexible and reliable Oracle migration tools in 2025.

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2. AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)

AWS DMS logo

AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) is one of the most widely used Oracle migration tools in the cloud ecosystem. It supports both one-time data transfers and ongoing replication using Oracle change data capture. While it works with a variety of sources, it is particularly useful for moving Oracle workloads into the AWS environment.

Key Features

  • Migrate Oracle databases to Amazon Redshift, Aurora, RDS, S3, and other AWS services.
  • Supports homogeneous migrations (Oracle-to-Oracle) and heterogeneous migrations (Oracle-to-Postgres, Oracle-to-MySQL, Oracle-to-SQL Server).
  • Continuous replication with minimal downtime using CDC.

Best Use Cases

  • Oracle to Redshift migration for cloud data warehousing.
  • On-premise Oracle to AWS RDS for modernization.
  • Hybrid setups where Oracle data needs to sync across AWS-managed services.

While AWS DMS is powerful, it is primarily suited for AWS-centric Oracle migrations. The tool often requires complex setup, comes with higher operational costs, and may not be the best fit if your targets are outside the AWS ecosystem.

3. Oracle GoldenGate

Oracle GoldenGate is Oracle’s flagship real-time data replication and migration platform. It is widely used by large enterprises for high-volume Oracle database migrations, as well as continuous replication across heterogeneous systems. GoldenGate is known for its ability to move transactional data with minimal latency, making it a powerful—though costly—solution.

Key Features

  • Enterprise-grade real-time replication across Oracle and non-Oracle databases.
  • Supports bi-directional replication, enabling active-active configurations.
  • Handles large-scale, mission-critical Oracle migrations with high throughput.
  • Strong support for Oracle-to-Oracle migrations, but also works with databases like SQL Server, MySQL, and Postgres.

Best Use Cases

  • Large-scale Oracle-to-Oracle migration with zero downtime.
  • Hybrid cloud Oracle migrations where real-time replication is required.
  • Enterprises needing continuous replication for disaster recovery or high availability.

The main drawback of Oracle GoldenGate is its high licensing and infrastructure costs. It also requires skilled administrators to manage and maintain, which can add to operational overhead.

4. Oracle Data Pump (expdp/impdp)

Oracle Data Pump is a native Oracle utility that provides fast export (expdp) and import (impdp) of database objects and data. It is a trusted choice for Oracle database migration when speed and reliability are important, but real-time replication is not required.

Key Features

  • Included with Oracle, with no extra licensing needed.
  • Efficient for schema-level migrations and moving large datasets.
  • Allows filtering of objects, parallel processing, and fine-grained control.

Best Use Cases

  • Oracle version upgrades where downtime is acceptable.
  • One-time Oracle migrations of medium to large datasets.
  • Database backup and restore operations.

While Oracle Data Pump is reliable, it requires downtime during the migration process and is not suitable for real-time Oracle migration or ongoing replication.

5. Fivetran

Fivetran is a managed ELT platform that provides connectors for Oracle database migration into cloud warehouses. It automates much of the extraction and loading process, making it appealing to teams that want a no-code solution for analytics-driven migrations.

Key Features

  • Pre-built Oracle connectors for Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift, and more.
  • Automated schema management with incremental updates.
  • Fully managed pipelines with minimal setup required.

Best Use Cases

  • Oracle to Snowflake migration for analytics pipelines.
  • Oracle to BigQuery sync for reporting dashboards.
  • Teams that prefer a low-maintenance, no-code ELT tool.

The trade-off is that Fivetran operates on batch intervals rather than true real time. Pricing is also based on Monthly Active Rows (MAR), which can become expensive as Oracle datasets grow in size and change frequency.

6. dbForge Studio for Oracle

dbForge Studio for Oracle is a commercial GUI-based tool for database development, management, and migration. It is often used by DBAs and developers who need precision and visibility during Oracle schema and data transfers.

Key Features

  • Schema and data compare tools to ensure accurate migrations.
  • Visual database management features including query building and debugging.
  • Supports exporting and importing data in formats like CSV, SQL, and JSON.

Best Use Cases

  • Schema-level Oracle migrations where detailed control is required.
  • Small-to-medium migrations managed by developers or DBAs.
  • Teams that prefer a visual interface instead of command-line tools.

While dbForge Studio simplifies Oracle migrations at a granular level, it is manual and batch-oriented, making it less suitable for large-scale or real-time Oracle migrations.

7. Oracle Zero Downtime Migration (ZDM)

Oracle Zero Downtime Migration (ZDM) is an Oracle-supported migration solution designed for enterprises that need to move critical databases with little to no downtime. It automates end-to-end migration workflows and supports both physical and logical methods, giving flexibility for different environments and workloads.

Key Features

  • Built on Oracle’s Maximum Availability Architecture (MAA) with technologies like Data Guard, RMAN, Data Pump, and GoldenGate.
  • Supports Oracle 11gR2 and later, including RAC and containerized environments.
  • Automates migrations with job scheduling, pre-checks, pause/resume, and audit trails.
  • Enables in-flight version upgrades, allowing migrations from older Oracle versions (such as 11g or 12c) to modern releases like 19c or 23ai.
  • Designed for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and Oracle-managed multicloud setups, including Oracle@Azure and Oracle@AWS.

Best Use Cases

  • On-premise Oracle to OCI migrations with minimal downtime.
  • Version upgrades during migration, such as Oracle 12c to 19c or 23ai.
  • Large-scale enterprise migrations that require high reliability and rollback options.

Oracle ZDM is a strong fit for enterprises staying within the Oracle ecosystem or moving workloads into OCI. While it delivers powerful automation and near-zero downtime, its scope is narrower compared to modern platforms like Estuary Flow, which support Oracle-to-anywhere real-time migrations.

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Comparison of Oracle Migration Tools

Tool

Type

Real-Time Support

Best For

Limitations

Estuary FlowReal-time CDC platform✅ Yes (exactly-once delivery)Oracle-to-warehouse (Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks, Redshift) or Oracle-to-Postgres with zero downtimeCommercial platform, may be more than needed for small one-time migrations
AWS DMSCloud-native migration service✅ Yes (CDC-based)Oracle-to-AWS (RDS, Aurora, Redshift, S3)Complex setup, AWS-focused, cost grows with scale
Oracle GoldenGateEnterprise replication platform✅ Yes (bi-directional)Large-scale Oracle-to-Oracle or hybrid migrationsHigh licensing cost, requires skilled admins
Oracle Data Pump (expdp/impdp)Native Oracle utility❌ No (one-time only)Version upgrades and backups where downtime is acceptableNot suitable for real-time or continuous replication
FivetranManaged ELT platform❌ No (batch intervals)Oracle-to-Snowflake/BigQuery/Redshift analytics pipelinesExpensive at scale (MAR-based), not real-time
dbForge Studio for OracleGUI-based developer tool❌ NoSchema-level Oracle migrations with visual managementManual effort, not scalable for large workloads
Oracle Zero Downtime Migration (ZDM)Oracle-supported automation tool✅ Yes (near-zero downtime)Oracle-to-OCI migrations and in-flight upgrades (11g/12c to 19c/23ai)Oracle-focused, narrower scope than multi-destination tools

Not sure which Oracle migration tool is right for you? Contact Us

Key Takeaways

  • Estuary Flow is the best choice for real-time Oracle migrations across Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks, Redshift, Postgres, and reliable Oracle-to-anywhere sync, offering zero downtime and exactly-once delivery.
  • AWS DMS is strong for Oracle-to-AWS migrations, but setup complexity and cost make it less flexible outside AWS.
  • Oracle GoldenGate remains an enterprise standard for large-scale Oracle-to-Oracle and hybrid replication, though its licensing costs are high.
  • Oracle Data Pump is a reliable native tool for one-time migrations and version upgrades, but requires downtime.
  • Fivetran works well for Oracle-to-warehouse analytics pipelines, though it is batch-based and expensive at scale.
  • dbForge Studio for Oracle is best for developer-managed schema and data migrations, but lacks real-time capabilities.
  • Oracle ZDM is a specialized solution for near-zero downtime migrations into OCI, with support for in-flight upgrades during the migration process.

Conclusion

Oracle migrations can range from small version upgrades to large-scale cross-cloud replications. The right choice of tool depends on your scale, tolerance for downtime, and target environment.

For teams that need a future-proof solution, Estuary Flow stands out as the most flexible option in 2025. It captures Oracle data in real time with CDC, supports a wide range of cloud destinations, and eliminates downtime risks.

While native tools like Oracle Data Pump or ZDM are excellent within the Oracle ecosystem, and GoldenGate is a strong enterprise replication platform, none match the combination of real-time performance, reliability, and multi-destination flexibility that Estuary Flow provides.

If you are planning a modern Oracle migration, Estuary Flow offers the fastest path to a reliable, streaming-first pipeline that scales with your business.

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FAQs

    The best real-time Oracle migration tool is Estuary Flow, which uses CDC with Oracle Logminer to continuously capture changes and replicate them to destinations such as Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift, Databricks, or Postgres with zero downtime.
    Yes. Tools like Estuary Flow, Oracle GoldenGate, and Oracle Zero Downtime Migration (ZDM) support near real-time replication and switchover methods that minimize or eliminate downtime during Oracle-to-cloud migrations.
    Oracle Data Pump (expdp/impdp) is reliable for one-time migrations, schema-level transfers, and version upgrades. However, it requires downtime and is not suitable for real-time replication or large-scale hybrid cloud migrations.
    Oracle Zero Downtime Migration (ZDM) is an Oracle-supported tool that automates migrations into Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). It enables physical and logical migrations, supports in-flight upgrades (for example, Oracle 12c to 19c), and minimizes downtime.

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Team EstuaryEstuary Editorial Team

Team Estuary is a group of engineers, product experts, and data strategists building the future of real-time and batch data integration. We write to share technical insights, industry trends, and practical guides.

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