AWS Database Migration Service vs DBConvert Streams: A Comprehensive Comparison

When it comes to database migration and replication, two solutions stand out: AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS) and DBConvert Streams. While both help move data between databases, their approach, pricing, and flexibility couldn't be more different.

To give you the gist: AWS DMS is a managed service focused on straightforward migrations with minimal setup, while DBConvert Streams offers a more flexible, real-time streaming architecture suited for complex, continuous data replication.

This guide breaks down their strengths, limitations, and best-fit scenarios so you can confidently choose the right tool for your database modernization or cloud migration strategy.

Overview

AWS Database Migration Service (AWS DMS)

A fully managed service by Amazon, AWS DMS helps you migrate databases to AWS with minimal downtime. Before starting the migration process, AWS DMS requires you to connect to your source database to establish network access and enable data replication. It supports full loads and change data capture (CDC), integrates with other AWS tools, and automates replication—but only within the AWS ecosystem.

DBConvert Streams

A cloud-agnostic and real-time streaming platform for database migration and replication. DBConvert Streams supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and their variants across any hosting provider—cloud or on-prem. Setup is simple, with a one-liner install script, a no-code UI, and built-in schema conversion for cross-database migrations.

Key Feature Comparison

Database Support

AWS DMS:

• Supports Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Amazon Aurora, and more
• Primarily intended for migrations into AWS (RDS, Aurora, Redshift, etc.)
• One endpoint must be AWS-hosted — no support for cloud-to-cloud or on-prem-to-on-prem migrations
• Limited schema transformation; requires external tooling for complex conversions

DBConvert Streams:

• Supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, SingleStore, CockroachDB, and YugabyteDB
• Cloud-agnostic: migrate between any environments—on-prem, AWS, GCP, Azure, DigitalOcean, etc.
• Built-in automatic schema conversion between heterogeneous databases (e.g., MySQL → PostgreSQL)

❗ Need Oracle or SQL Server? Use DBConvert's Windows tools for other DBs like Oracle, MS SQL Server, Access, and DB2.

Migration Modes

AWS DMS:

• Full load (initial bulk migration)
• Change Data Capture (CDC)
• Full load + CDC combo

DBConvert Streams:

• Conversion Mode: One-time chunked migration
• CDC Mode: Low-latency real-time replication
• Fine-grained filters using custom SQL
• Built-in schema transformation and field mapping

Schema Conversion

One key difference is schema handling in heterogeneous migrations.

AWS DMS can only migrate data. It does not convert schemas when source and target engines differ (e.g., Oracle → PostgreSQL). In such cases, you must either:

• Create a compatible target schema manually, or
• Use AWS Schema Conversion Tool (SCT) — a separate application

This adds complexity and extra tooling to your workflow.

DBConvert Streams, in contrast, performs automatic schema conversion out of the box—mapping table structures, types, indexes, constraints, and relationships between supported engines.

Deployment Options

AWS DMS:

• Fully managed, AWS-only
• No support for deployments outside the AWS cloud

DBConvert Streams:

• Deploy anywhere: AWS, GCP, Azure, DigitalOcean, local machine, or on-prem
• Flexible deployment:
  • Docker
  • Native binaries (Linux/macOS)
  • One-line installer with zero config
• Works seamlessly in hybrid and multi-cloud setups

Ease of Use

Performance and Scaling

AWS DMS:

• Performance depends on replication instance type and manual tuning
• Multi-AZ deployment provides high availability
• No built-in horizontal scaling – scaling requires managing multiple tasks manually

DBConvert Streams:

• Stream-based architecture supports horizontal scaling across components
• Chunked transfers (10–1000 rows) with configurable CDC settings
• Capable of processing 1M records in 2–3 seconds under ideal local or high-throughput conditions
• Real-time metrics dashboard shows transfer speed, latency, and health
• Distributed by design – restartable components and multi-node deployment supported; full high availability depends on hosting environment (e.g., Kubernetes)

Pricing

AWS DMS

• Pay-as-you-go:
  • Replication instance hours
  • Data transfer
  • Change log storage
• Example: $54.86/month just to run a minimal instance (t3.small with 1GB storage) — before any data is moved

DBConvert Streams

• Predictable pricing with no hidden fees:
  • Free Trial: 5GB, 14 days
  • Starter: 15GB – $49.50/month
  • Pro: 75GB – $224.50/month
  • Enterprise: 200GB – $449.50/month
• All features included in every tier

💡 15GB for $49.50 with DBConvert Streams vs $54.86 for an empty AWS DMS instance

Security and Compliance

Integration Capabilities

When to Choose AWS DMS

Choose AWS DMS if:

• You’re fully invested in the AWS ecosystem
• You need to migrate data into AWS-native services (e.g., Aurora, Redshift)
• You need support for enterprise-grade databases like Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server
  (Note: If you're migrating between these systems outside AWS, DBConvert Studio offer robust support for SQL Server, Oracle, Access, DB2, and more.)
• Your team already has AWS and DevOps experience
• You require tight integration with AWS services such as IAM, Lambda, CloudTrail, and CloudWatch

When to Choose DBConvert Streams

Choose DBConvert Streams if:

• You want to migrate between any hosting providers
• You're using MySQL, PostgreSQL, or their variants
• You need a real-time, no-code solution
• You care about predictable pricing without surprise AWS bills
• You want built-in schema conversion and multi-cloud flexibility
• You hate vendor lock-in

Final Verdict

Both platforms serve different needs:

• AWS DMS is great for enterprises migrating into AWS, especially when working with legacy DBs. Benefits include seamless integration with AWS services and robust support for complex migrations, but it may be less cost-effective for smaller projects.
• DBConvert Streams is ideal for multi-cloud, real-time replication, or cost-conscious teams using modern open-source DBs. Its benefits are lower costs, flexibility across cloud providers, and real-time data sync, making it advantageous for agile teams and modern architectures.

Start with the free 5GB trial of DBConvert Streams and see how it fits. No commitment. No AWS bills. No headaches.

Video Tutorials

Want to see DBConvert Streams in action? Check out these step-by-step video guides:

📹 Data Migration Tutorial - Learn how to set up one-time database migrations
📹 CDC Replication Tutorial - See real-time change data capture in action

👉 Try DBConvert Streams 👉 Compare all DBConvert tools