Migrating from SharePoint on-premises, whether from SharePoint 2016, 2019, or older versions approaching end-of-life, to SharePoint Online in Microsoft 365 is one of the most common infrastructure modernization projects IT teams are running in 2026. The challenge is not just moving data. It is preserving the metadata, permissions, content types, and site structures that users have been relying on for years, while taking the opportunity to clean up version sprawl and permission debt before it follows you to the cloud.

This guide compares the tools best suited for SharePoint on-premises to SharePoint Online migrations.

Why SharePoint on-premises to online migrations need dedicated tooling

SharePoint on-premises and SharePoint Online share a common heritage but have meaningful architectural differences. Features that work on-premises, including certain web parts, custom workflows built in SharePoint Designer, and third-party add-ons, do not automatically carry over to the online environment. Classic page designs do not modernize automatically during migration.

A migration tool needs to handle what is transferable faithfully, flag what is not, and give IT teams the information they need to decide how to handle the exceptions. Tools that do not surface incompatibilities before migration force teams to discover them after cutover, when users are already impacted.

Tools compared

1. ShareGate

ShareGate Migrate handles SharePoint on-premises to SharePoint Online migrations for all supported versions, including SharePoint 2016 and 2019 (which reached end-of-life in 2026). It migrates sites, lists, libraries, content types, metadata, permissions, and version histories. Pre-migration source analysis scans the on-premises environment and surfaces issues like version sprawl, oversized content, or permission conflicts before any data moves. Post-migration, the governance module helps IT teams right-size the new environment and prepare for Microsoft Copilot deployment.

Key Features

  • SharePoint 2016 and 2019 end-of-life migration support
  • Sites, libraries, metadata, permissions, and version history
  • Pre-migration source analysis for issue detection
  • Bulk permission cleanup and metadata management
  • No PowerShell scripting required for standard workflows

Pros

  • Surfaces incompatibilities before cutover rather than after
  • Governance module supports post-migration environment management
  • Same platform handles OneDrive, Teams, and Exchange migrations

Cons

  • Third-party add-ons, custom workflows, and apps do not migrate automatically
  • Classic pages move but do not automatically modernize to SharePoint Online's modern experience

2. Quest Content Matrix

Quest Content Matrix is a strong option for complex SharePoint on-premises to SharePoint Online migrations, particularly for organizations running SharePoint 2010 or 2013 where the version gap creates additional migration complexity.

Pros

  • Strong support for legacy SharePoint versions including 2010 and 2013
  • Highly configurable for complex on-premises environments

Cons

  • Steeper learning curve than ShareGate
  • Less intuitive for administrators without deep SharePoint migration experience

3. Microsoft SPMT

Microsoft's SharePoint Migration Tool is the free option for SharePoint on-premises to SharePoint Online migrations. It handles basic site and library migrations but has limitations for environments with complex metadata, custom content types, or large subsites.

Pros

  • No additional licensing cost
  • Directly supported by Microsoft for basic migration scenarios

Cons

  • Limited metadata and content type fidelity compared to third-party tools
  • Less effective for complex permission hierarchies or large subsite structures

4. AvePoint Fly

AvePoint Fly covers SharePoint on-premises to SharePoint Online migrations with pre-migration discovery and compliance reporting, making it a solid option for regulated organizations that need audit documentation of the migration process.

Pros

  • Pre-migration discovery for accurate scope planning
  • Compliance-oriented audit reporting

Cons

  • More hands-on configuration than ShareGate
  • Cost model becomes complex for large site collection migrations

5. Metalogix (Quest)

Metalogix, now part of the Quest portfolio, was one of the original SharePoint migration tools and retains a strong following for complex on-premises to online migrations, particularly in enterprise environments with extensive classic SharePoint customizations.

Pros

  • Deep SharePoint architecture knowledge built into the tool
  • Strong for complex enterprise on-premises environments

Cons

  • Interface and workflow are less modern than ShareGate
  • Higher technical expertise requirement

What to look for when evaluating these tools

  • Support for specific on-premises SharePoint versions (2016, 2019, 2013, 2010)
  • Incompatibility detection before cutover for custom workflows and web parts
  • Metadata, content type, and permissions fidelity
  • Pre-migration analysis for version sprawl and oversized content
  • Post-migration governance and permission cleanup tools

FAQ

SharePoint 2019 reached end-of-life in 2026. Do I need to migrate immediately?

End-of-life means Microsoft no longer provides security updates or mainstream support. While the software continues to function, operating without security updates creates compliance and security risks. IT teams should prioritize migration to SharePoint Online to remain in a supported and secure state.

Will my SharePoint Designer workflows migrate to SharePoint Online?

SharePoint Designer workflows do not automatically migrate to SharePoint Online workflows or Power Automate flows. Most migration tools, including ShareGate, will flag these during pre-migration analysis so IT teams can plan workflow modernization alongside the content migration.