Voyager

YugabyteDB Voyager is an open-source data migration engine and tool designed to move databases from PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL, and cloud databases (including Google Cloud SQL and Amazon RDS) to YugabyteDB, a distributed SQL database.

Reviewed by 7wData

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Publisher review

YugabyteDB Voyager is an open-source data migration engine and tool designed to move databases from PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL, and cloud databases (including Google Cloud SQL and Amazon RDS) to YugabyteDB, a distributed SQL database. It targets teams modernizing legacy or cloud-based relational databases for cloud-native scale, availability, and performance, offering an end-to-end migration lifecycle from planning and assessment to live migration and application cutover. The tool is built by Yugabyte, the company behind the YugabyteDB distributed SQL database, and is free and 100% open source, making it accessible to organizations of any size.

Voyager uses an AI-powered modernization agent to automate discovery, assessment, schema analysis, and performance optimization, eliminating manual complexity. It provides live migration with zero application downtime via Change Data Capture (CDC), enabling real-time data synchronization and business continuity. The tool includes fall-forward and fallback options for confident application validation before final cutover. Key capabilities include automated schema migration optimization for distributed database performance, assessment and sizing with readiness reports and infrastructure sizing estimates, a unified CLI across different source databases, and direct import of data from CSV files. Voyager supports moving data to any version of YugabyteDB, including YugabyteDB Managed (now YugabyteDB Aeon), YugabyteDB Anywhere, and self-managed YugabyteDB.

In the database migration tool market, Voyager competes with Citus Data (a PostgreSQL extension for distributed queries), TiDB (a distributed SQL database with MySQL compatibility), and cloud-native services like Amazon Aurora, Google Cloud SQL, and Microsoft Azure SQL Database. Unlike general-purpose migration tools, Voyager is purpose-built for YugabyteDB, offering deep integration with its distributed architecture, including automated sharding and sizing recommendations. However, it is limited to YugabyteDB as the target database, unlike competitors that support multiple targets or are cloud-agnostic. Voyager's open-source nature and zero-cost pricing differentiate it from proprietary services like AWS DMS or Azure Database Migration Service.

The primary trade-off is that Voyager is exclusively designed for migrations to YugabyteDB, making it unsuitable for teams targeting other databases. Complex migrations, especially those involving non-PostgreSQL-compatible features or large-scale Oracle databases, may require additional manual steps for schema adjustments and data type transformations. The tool is optimized for PostgreSQL and related databases, so MySQL and Oracle migrations may encounter more compatibility issues. Additionally, while Voyager simplifies distributed SQL adoption, teams must still invest time in understanding YugabyteDB's distributed architecture and tuning for optimal performance, as the tool provides guidance but does not fully automate all optimization decisions.

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How it works

  1. AI-powered database modernization

    Automates discovery, assessment, schema analysis, and performance optimization to eliminate manual complexity during migration.

  2. Live migration with zero downtime

    Uses Change Data Capture (CDC) to migrate from Oracle and PostgreSQL with zero application downtime and real-time data synchronization.

  3. Schema migration optimization

    Automatically transforms features, data types, and objects to optimize them for distributed database performance in YugabyteDB.

  4. Assessment and sizing reports

    Generates readiness reports with infrastructure sizing estimates and migration timeline planning based on workload analysis.

  5. Unified CLI across sources

    Provides a consistent command-line interface for migrating from PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL, and cloud databases.

  6. Direct CSV import

    Allows importing data directly from CSV files for greater flexibility in data ingestion workflows.

  7. Fall-forward and fallback options

    Enables confident application validation before final cutover by supporting fall-forward and fallback during live migration.

  8. Cross-platform cloud compatibility

    Supports seamless integration with AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, enabling migration across major cloud providers.

Strengths and trade-offs

Strengths

  • Simplifies database migration with AI-powered automation that eliminates manual complexity and provides step-by-step optimization guidance.
  • Supports live migration with zero application downtime using Change Data Capture (CDC), ensuring business continuity during cutover.
  • Provides comprehensive assessment and sizing reports with infrastructure estimates and migration timeline planning for accurate resource allocation.
  • Is free and 100% open source, making it accessible to organizations of any size without licensing costs.

Trade-offs

  • Limited to YugabyteDB as the target database, making it unsuitable for teams migrating to other distributed or cloud databases.
  • May require additional manual steps for complex migrations involving non-PostgreSQL-compatible features or large-scale Oracle databases.
  • Primarily designed for PostgreSQL and related databases, so MySQL and Oracle migrations may encounter more compatibility issues.
  • Teams must still invest time in understanding YugabyteDB's distributed architecture and tuning for optimal performance beyond the tool's guidance.

Pricing context

Free, 100% open source with no paid tiers or licensing fees.

Getting started with Voyager

  1. Install Voyager CLI

    Download and install the YugabyteDB Voyager command-line interface on your local machine or migration server. Follow the official installation guide for your operating system to set up the environment.

  2. Connect source database

    Provide the connection details for your source database, such as host, port, username, and password. Use the `yb-voyager assess-source` command to establish connectivity and begin the assessment phase.

  3. Run assessment report

    Execute the assessment command to generate a readiness report. This report includes schema compatibility analysis, infrastructure sizing estimates, and migration timeline planning for your source database.

  4. Migrate schema and data

    Use the `yb-voyager export schema` and `yb-voyager export data` commands to extract your database schema and data. Then run `yb-voyager import schema` and `yb-voyager import data` to load them into your YugabyteDB target.

  5. Verify migration success

    After the import completes, run validation queries on the target YugabyteDB instance to confirm data integrity and schema correctness. Compare row counts and sample data between source and target to ensure a successful migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is YugabyteDB Voyager?

YugabyteDB Voyager is a free, open-source data migration engine that moves databases from PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL, and cloud databases to YugabyteDB. It automates the entire migration lifecycle, from assessment to live cutover, using AI-powered tools for schema optimization and performance tuning.

How does Voyager achieve zero downtime migration?

Voyager uses Change Data Capture (CDC) to synchronize data in real time from Oracle and PostgreSQL sources. This allows live migration with zero application downtime, ensuring business continuity during cutover. It also includes fall-forward and fallback options for safe validation before finalizing the migration.

Is YugabyteDB Voyager free to use?

Yes, Voyager is 100% open source and completely free with no paid tiers or licensing fees. It is built by Yugabyte and accessible to organizations of any size, making it a cost-effective choice for migrating databases to YugabyteDB without upfront investment.

What databases can I migrate to YugabyteDB using Voyager?

Voyager supports migrations from PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL, and cloud databases like Google Cloud SQL and Amazon RDS. It also allows direct CSV file imports. However, it is optimized for PostgreSQL and related databases, so MySQL and Oracle migrations may encounter more compatibility issues.

Does Voyager provide assessment and sizing reports?

Yes, Voyager generates readiness reports with infrastructure sizing estimates and migration timeline planning based on workload analysis. These reports help teams accurately allocate resources and plan the migration process, reducing manual complexity and ensuring a smoother transition to YugabyteDB.

What are the limitations of using Voyager for database migration?

Voyager is limited to YugabyteDB as the target database, so it is not suitable for migrations to other databases. Complex migrations, especially from Oracle or MySQL, may require manual schema adjustments. Teams also need to understand YugabyteDB's distributed architecture for optimal performance beyond the tool's guidance.

Alternatives

How Voyager compares

Direct head-to-head against 3 competitors. Picked by 7wData.

This tool

Voyager

Pricing
Free, 100% open source with no paid tiers or licensing fees.
Target
YugabyteDB Voyager is an open-source data migration engine and tool designed to move databases from PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL, and cloud databases (including Google Cloud SQL
Strength
Simplifies database migration with AI-powered automation that eliminates manual complexity and provides step-by-step optimization guidance.
Watch for
Limited to YugabyteDB as the target database, making it unsuitable for teams migrating to other distributed or cloud databases.

Chrysler Pacifica

Pricing
$39,995 - $55,000+
Target
Families wanting luxury, hybrid option, or advanced tech
Deployment
Dealership purchase
Strength
Plug-in hybrid with 32-mile electric range
Watch for
Higher starting price and costly trim upgrades

Honda Odyssey

Pricing
$38,240 - $51,800
Target
Families prioritizing reliability and resale value
Deployment
Dealership purchase
Strength
Class-leading resale value and Honda Sensing safety suite
Watch for
No hybrid option; fuel economy lower than Pacifica hybrid

Toyota Sienna

Pricing
$38,320 - $53,320
Target
Families wanting standard hybrid and all-wheel drive
Deployment
Dealership purchase
Strength
Standard hybrid powertrain with 36 MPG combined
Watch for
Less cargo space than Voyager; no Stow 'n Go seats

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Sources

Reporting on this tool draws on these publicly available sources.

  1. www.yugabyte.com
  2. www.yugabyte.com
  3. www.yugabyte.com
  4. www.reddit.com