What Are Database Migration Services?

Database migration services move a database, including its schema, data, users, permissions and connected applications, from one database engine, version, server or cloud service to another, without losing or corrupting data and with as little downtime as possible. The work covers assessment, schema conversion, data transfer, validation, application changes, cutover and a tested rollback plan.

Codersarts provides database migration services for PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, SQLite, SQL Server, Supabase and Firebase. We move databases between engines, versions, servers and cloud providers, validate every table before cutover, and keep the source database ready until you approve the result.

Database Migration at a Glance

Types of Database Migration

Why Companies Migrate Databases

• End of support. The current version or engine no longer receives security fixes

• Outgrowing SQLite or a single server. More users, background jobs and writes need a proper database server

• Cost. Licensing for commercial databases or usage-based platform pricing grows faster than the business

• Features. PostgreSQL's JSON support, full-text search, extensions such as pgvector for AI search, and strong consistency attract many teams

• Ownership and control. Moving from a developer's account or a hosted platform into a company-owned cloud account

• Performance and reliability. Managed services with automated backups, replicas and failover

Our Database Migration Process

1. Assessment. We inventory schemas, tables, data volumes, indexes, stored procedures, triggers, extensions, users, scheduled jobs and every application that connects to the database.

2. Target design. We choose the target engine, version, size, region, backup and replication setup, and estimate the monthly cost.

3. Schema conversion. Tables, data types, constraints, indexes and functions are converted and reviewed. For engine changes, application queries are checked for incompatible SQL.

4. Migration method. We choose between a dump and restore during a planned window or continuous replication with a short final switch, based on data size and acceptable downtime.

5. Rehearsal. A full migration runs into a test environment, the application is pointed at it and key flows are tested.

6. Validation. Row counts, checksums and sample comparisons confirm the data matches.

7. Cutover. Writes are paused or replication catches up, the application is switched to the new database and verified.

8. Hypercare and decommission. We monitor errors and performance closely, and retire the old database only after you approve.

Near-Zero Downtime Database Migration

For applications that cannot stop for long, we use replication-based methods:

• Native replication, such as PostgreSQL logical replication or MySQL replication, to keep the new database in sync with the old one

• Change data capture, using tools such as AWS Database Migration Service or Debezium, to stream changes across engines

• Dual writes in rare cases where the application writes to both databases during a transition

With these methods, the final switch usually takes seconds to minutes. For smaller databases, a planned window of a few minutes with a dump and restore is often simpler and safer, and we will recommend it when it fits.

Data Validation Before Cutover

Common Engine Changes and What They Involve

SQLite to PostgreSQL

SQLite is excellent for prototypes and single-user tools, but many apps outgrow it when several processes need to write at once. Moving to PostgreSQL involves converting loose SQLite types to strict PostgreSQL types, replacing SQLite-specific functions, adding connection pooling and updating backups. If your app relies on SQLite in write-ahead logging (WAL) mode, we also review how it handles concurrent jobs during the transition.

MySQL to PostgreSQL

Differences in data types, case sensitivity, auto-increment columns, date handling and SQL syntax mean queries and object-relational mapping (ORM) settings need careful review. We convert the schema, migrate data with validation and test application queries before switching.

MongoDB or Firestore to PostgreSQL

Document databases store nested data that must be redesigned as related tables, or kept as JSON columns where that is the better choice. We map collections to a relational model with you, write transformation scripts and update the application's data access layer.

Leaving Supabase or Firebase

Platform databases come with authentication, storage, row-level security policies and functions that also need to move. We plan replacements for each feature, migrate users without forcing password resets where the platform allows it, and move stored files alongside the data.

Rollback Planning

Every database migration has a written rollback plan with clear triggers, such as data mismatches, rising error rates or failed key flows. The source database stays intact and, where possible, synchronised in reverse until you approve the result, so switching back is a configuration change rather than a second migration.

Security and Compliance During Migration

• Data transferred over encrypted connections only

• Temporary copies and exports deleted after the migration

• Least-privilege accounts created for migration tools and removed afterwards

• Data kept in the regions your compliance requirements specify

• A record of what was moved, when and how it was validated

Database Migration vs Application Migration

When only the database changes, the project follows this process. When the whole application moves to a new server or cloud, the database migration becomes one part of an Application Migration. For a larger move of several systems, see Cloud Migration. Simple major version upgrades within the same engine are covered by Version Upgrades.

Example Migration Timeline

This illustrative timeline is for moving a 50 GB MySQL database to PostgreSQL for a single application.

Same-engine moves of smaller databases are usually much faster.

Common Migration Pitfalls We Avoid

• Character encoding errors that corrupt names and text in other languages

• Time zone shifts in date and time columns between engines

• Decimal precision loss in prices and financial values

• Reset sequences that make new records clash with existing IDs

• Case sensitivity differences that change search and login behaviour

• Forgotten scheduled jobs, triggers and reports that still point at the old database

Migrating Data for AI and Search Features

Many teams now migrate to PostgreSQL to use the pgvector extension, which stores vector embeddings for AI search, recommendations and retrieval-augmented generation alongside regular data. This removes the need for a separate vector database in many applications. We plan the extension setup, index types and embedding storage as part of the migration, and test search quality and speed on the new database before cutover.

What We Need From You

• Access to the source database, hosting account and application repository

• The target platform or cloud account, owned by your company

• A list of reports, integrations and scheduled jobs that use the database

• Acceptable downtime and the preferred cutover window

• A person who can test business-critical flows after cutover

Performance After Migration

A new database engine or platform can behave differently under the same workload. Queries that were fast before may need new indexes, and connection limits or memory settings may need tuning. During hypercare we compare query times and resource use with the old database, fix regressions and tune configuration, so the migration improves performance rather than just changing where data lives.

Who Database Migration Services Are For

• Apps outgrowing SQLite or a single small database server

• Companies leaving commercial database licences for PostgreSQL or MySQL

• Startups leaving Firebase, Supabase or Heroku Postgres for their own cloud account

• Teams running end-of-life database versions

• Businesses consolidating several databases after growth or acquisitions

What You Receive

• An assessment of the source database and connected applications

• A migration plan with method, timeline, downtime estimate and rollback triggers

• The converted schema and migration scripts, stored in your repository

• Validation results from rehearsal and cutover

• The application running on the new database, with monitoring and backups

• Updated documentation and recovery runbook

Database Migration Pricing

Single Application Database Move

Starting at $2,000, one-time, for moving an application's database to a new server or cloud service on the same engine, with rehearsal, validation and rollback.

Engine Changes and Large Migrations

Estimated after assessment and charged at $50 per hour against the approved estimate. The estimate depends on data volume, schema complexity, stored procedures and how much application code must change.

After Migration

Ongoing backups, monitoring and tuning through Managed Database, included in Managed Run from $1,000 per month. Database hosting costs are paid directly to your provider.

What Is Not Included

• New features or redesigns of the application beyond what the migration requires

• Database licence and hosting charges

• Data cleansing projects beyond what is needed for a valid migration, unless agreed

• Hosting databases in Codersarts-owned accounts

Frequently Asked Questions

Move Your Data Safely

Tell us which database you use today, where it runs, how large it is and where it needs to go. We will assess it and send a migration plan with a downtime estimate.