7 Best Postgres Migration Tools in 2025 for Reliable Database Transfers

Migrating a PostgreSQL database is a common but often challenging task for data engineers, developers, and enterprises. Whether you are moving PostgreSQL workloads to the cloud, upgrading to a newer version, or setting up real-time Postgres replication to another system, the process requires careful planning and the right toolset. Poorly managed migrations can lead to downtime, data loss, or performance bottlenecks, which is why choosing the right Postgres migration tool is critical.

There are several ways to handle PostgreSQL migrations:

• Using native PostgreSQL utilities such as pg_dump and pg_restore for simple, one-time transfers.
• Leveraging open-source frameworks or GUI-based tools for schema and data migration.
• Adopting modern platforms that provide real-time PostgreSQL change data capture (CDC) for ongoing sync with minimal downtime.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best Postgres migration tools in 2025, ranging from open-source utilities to enterprise-ready platforms. At the top of the list is Estuary, a right-time data integration platform that simplifies Postgres-to-anywhere migration without the complexity of traditional methods.

Best Postgres Migration Tools in 2025

PostgreSQL is widely used for modern applications, but migrating it across versions, clouds, or into analytics platforms can be challenging. The right Postgres migration tool helps reduce downtime, ensure data integrity, and simplify the process.

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

1. Estuary

Estuary is the right time data platform that lets you choose when data moves, including sub second streaming, near real time, or batch. For Postgres migrations, Estuary uses change data capture to stream inserts, updates, and deletes as they happen. This enables zero downtime cutovers, cross cloud replication, and continuous sync into warehouses and operational systems without the complexity of stitched together jobs.

Key features

• Right time CDC for Postgres: Uses PostgreSQL logical replication to capture changes continuously with exactly once delivery and strong ordering guarantees.
• Broad Postgres coverage: Supports PostgreSQL 10 and later across self hosted, Amazon RDS, Aurora, Google Cloud SQL, Azure Database for PostgreSQL, and Supabase.
• Schema enforcement and evolution: Validates data against JSON schemas, handles field additions and compatible type changes, and protects downstream systems from drift.
• Zero downtime migration pattern: Backfill current state, then stream ongoing changes to keep sources and targets in sync until cutover.
• Batch fallback option: A PostgreSQL Batch connector is available when logical replication is unavailable or intentionally disabled.
• Resilience for real world edge cases: Handles large rows and TOASTed values so targets receive complete and accurate records.
• Secure connectivity: Supports SSH tunneling and private networking options for regulated environments.
• Flexible deployment: Choose fully managed SaaS, private deployment, or bring your own cloud for maximum control and predictable TCO.
• Wide destination ecosystem: Stream Postgres changes to Snowflake, BigQuery, Databricks, Redshift, other Postgres instances, Kafka, cloud storage, and more. Estuary supports Snowpipe Streaming for low latency Snowflake ingestion and offers Dekaf for Kafka API compatibility without running a broker.
• Workflow integrations: Trigger dbt Cloud jobs on fresh arrivals to keep transformations aligned with ingestion.

Best use cases

• Postgres to Snowflake migration for real time analytics with Snowpipe Streaming
• Postgres to BigQuery sync for faster reporting pipelines
• Cross cloud Postgres replication with continuous CDC and minimal downtime
• Hybrid migrations where ongoing sync is required before and after cutover

Unlike tools that run on fixed intervals, Estuary keeps your migration continuously up to date. Its streaming first architecture, schema guarantees, and deployment flexibility make it a dependable choice for modern teams that need reliability at scale.

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2. AWS Database Migration Service (DMS)

AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) is a widely used cloud-native tool for Postgres database migration, especially if your target is within the AWS ecosystem. It supports both one-time migrations and ongoing replication with change data capture (CDC).

Key Features

• Migrate PostgreSQL databases to Amazon Redshift, Aurora, S3, and other AWS services.
• Supports homogeneous migrations (Postgres-to-Postgres) and heterogeneous migrations (Postgres-to-MySQL, Oracle, etc.).
• Minimal downtime during migrations using CDC.

Best Use Cases

• Postgres to Redshift migration for cloud data warehousing.
• Moving on-premise Postgres to AWS cloud.
• Continuous replication between Postgres databases hosted on AWS.

While AWS DMS is powerful, it comes with operational overhead and higher costs if used for large-scale or cross-cloud migrations. It works best for teams already committed to the AWS ecosystem.

3. pg_dump and pg_restore

pg_dump and pg_restore are the native PostgreSQL utilities for exporting and importing databases. They are often the first choice for small-to-medium migrations, upgrades, or backups, and are widely trusted by DBAs because they come bundled with PostgreSQL.

Key Features

• Free and open-source, included with PostgreSQL.
• Reliable for schema and data migration between PostgreSQL versions.
• Supports custom dump formats for selective restores.

Best Use Cases

• Postgres version upgrades (e.g., migrating from Postgres 12 to Postgres 16).
• Database backups and restores for disaster recovery.
• Small migrations where downtime is acceptable.

The main drawback is that pg_dump and pg_restore require downtime, making them unsuitable for real-time Postgres migration or large-scale production workloads.

4. Fivetran

Fivetran is a popular managed ELT platform that includes Postgres migration connectors. It focuses on moving data from PostgreSQL into cloud data warehouses and analytics platforms with minimal setup. While it isn’t purpose-built for database migrations, many teams use it to offload Postgres data for analytics.

Key Features

• Pre-built connectors for Postgres to Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift, and more.
• Automated schema management and incremental updates.
• Fully managed infrastructure with no-code setup.

Best Use Cases

• Postgres to Snowflake migration for business intelligence.
• Analytics pipelines where Postgres serves as the operational database.
• Teams that want a hands-off, managed ELT solution.

The trade-off is that Fivetran works on batch intervals (not true real-time streaming) and its pricing is based on Monthly Active Rows (MAR), which can become expensive as data volumes grow.

5. dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL

dbForge Studio for PostgreSQL is a commercial GUI-based tool that helps developers and DBAs with database migration, management, and debugging. Unlike cloud platforms, it runs locally and provides a visual interface for handling schema and data transfers.

Key Features

• Schema and data compare tools for accurate migrations.
• Visual query builder and database explorer.
• Supports data import/export in multiple formats (CSV, SQL, XML, JSON).

Best Use Cases

• Postgres schema migration where developers need detailed control.
• Small-to-medium migrations with a focus on visual management.
• Teams looking for a developer-friendly environment for Postgres.

While dbForge Studio is powerful for controlled migrations, it requires manual setup and is less suited for large-scale or real-time PostgreSQL migration.

6. EDB Migration Toolkit

The EDB Migration Toolkit is a command-line utility developed by EnterpriseDB to simplify moving databases into PostgreSQL. It is especially strong for organizations migrating from Oracle or SQL Server to Postgres, offering advanced compatibility features.

Key Features

• Supports Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, and PostgreSQL migrations.
• Converts schemas, data types, and procedural code into Postgres-compatible formats.
• Backed by EnterpriseDB commercial support, making it enterprise-ready.

Best Use Cases

• Oracle to Postgres migration for enterprises modernizing their database stack.
• Large-scale migrations where vendor support and reliability are required.
• Organizations with legacy databases moving into PostgreSQL.

The toolkit is less useful for Postgres-to-anywhere migrations, as its primary strength lies in bringing other databases into PostgreSQL.

7. pg_chameleon

pg_chameleon is an open-source tool designed mainly for migrating MySQL to PostgreSQL. It uses MySQL’s replication stream and PostgreSQL’s logical replication to keep databases in sync, making it a strong option for teams switching from MySQL-based applications to Postgres.

Key Features

• Supports real-time replication from MySQL to PostgreSQL.
• Handles schema translation between MySQL and Postgres.
• Offers both initial data load and continuous replication.

Best Use Cases

• MySQL to Postgres migration for application modernization.
• Hybrid environments where MySQL remains in production but data needs to be synced to Postgres.
• Developers or small teams looking for a free, open-source migration option.

The limitation is its narrow scope: pg_chameleon is purpose-built for MySQL-to-Postgres migrations and is not suited for Postgres-to-Postgres or Postgres-to-warehouse migration.

Comparison of Postgres Migration Tools

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Key Takeaways

• Estuary is the best choice for real time Postgres migration. It enables zero downtime migrations, continuous replication, and dependable Postgres-to-anywhere sync.
• AWS DMS works well for migrations within the AWS ecosystem but comes with cost and complexity trade-offs.
• pg_dump / pg_restore are trusted native PostgreSQL tools, ideal for smaller, one-time migrations where downtime is acceptable.
• Fivetran simplifies analytics pipelines with managed ELT but relies on batch intervals and can get expensive at scale.
• dbForge Studio is suited for developers and DBAs who prefer GUI-based schema and data migration.
• EDB Migration Toolkit shines in enterprise scenarios, especially when moving from Oracle or SQL Server to PostgreSQL.
• pg_chameleon is a strong open-source option for MySQL to Postgres migration, though its scope is limited.

Conclusion

Postgres migrations can range from simple one time upgrades to complex cross cloud replication. Choosing the right tool depends on your use case, scale, and tolerance for downtime.

If you need a future proof, real time Postgres migration tool, Estuary stands out as the most comprehensive option in 2025. Its streaming first, right time architecture, exactly once delivery, and broad connector ecosystem make it ideal for modern data teams that need to move PostgreSQL data reliably and without disruption.

For smaller projects, native tools like pg_dump may suffice, and for AWS focused teams, DMS can be a practical choice. But for organizations that value scalability, reliability, and real time performance, Estuary is the clear leader.

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