Comparing CodeTwo vs Native Tools for Office 365 Migration

Comparing CodeTwo vs Native Tools for Office 365 MigrationMigrating mailboxes, public folders, archives, and permissions to Microsoft 365 (Office 365) is a critical project for many organizations. Choosing the right migration method can affect downtime, user experience, data fidelity, and administrative effort. This article compares CodeTwo migration tools (especially CodeTwo Office 365 Migration) with Microsoft’s native migration options so you can pick the best fit for your environment.

Executive summary

• Use CodeTwo when you need a feature-rich, low-downtime, and user-friendly migration with advanced filtering, staged or hybrid scenarios, and strong support for coexistence.
• Use native Microsoft tools when you prefer no third-party costs, have straightforward migration needs, or are performing Microsoft-recommended modern hybrid/tenant-to-tenant scenarios supported directly by Microsoft.

What each solution covers

• CodeTwo Office 365 Migration

  • Third-party migration suite focused on mailbox and public folder migrations to Microsoft 365.
  • Supports staged, cutover, and tenant-to-tenant migrations; works with Exchange Server (on-premises), IMAP, PSTs, and other sources via connectors.
  • Includes coexistence features (mail-flow coexistence, GAL sync), scheduling, pre- and post-migration filters, delta/continuous sync, and logging.

• Native Microsoft tools

  • Exchange Admin Center (EAC) migration options: Cutover, Staged, and Hybrid migrations (for Exchange on-premises to Exchange Online).
  • Migration endpoints for IMAP migrations and PST import/export via the Microsoft 365 admin center or Azure AzCopy + Import Service.
  • Microsoft also offers specialized tools and guidance for tenant-to-tenant migrations (PowerShell scripts, cross-tenant mailbox moves via Microsoft 365 Cross-Tenant Mailbox Migration where available), and the Microsoft Exchange Hybrid Configuration Wizard for true hybrid deployments.

Key comparison factors

Ease of use and UI

• CodeTwo: Intuitive GUI, centralized dashboard, prebuilt templates, step-by-step wizards; easier for administrators who prefer a graphical tool.
• Native: EAC and Microsoft 365 admin center are integrated but sometimes fragmented (separate consoles for different tasks) and often require PowerShell for advanced control.

Feature completeness

• CodeTwo: Advanced filtering (by date, folder, recipients), selective migration, delta syncs (changes after initial sync), automatic retry logic, and coexistence tools (mail flow, free/busy, GAL sync).
• Native: Solid core features for direct mailbox moves and hybrid. Less granular filtering and limited delta-sync flexibility outside hybrid migrations. PST import and IMAP have more manual steps.

Downtime and coexistence

• CodeTwo: Designed to minimize downtime using initial full sync and continuous delta syncs, allowing cutover with minimal final data sync time. Provides coexistence features to keep mail flow and address lists consistent.
• Native: Hybrid migrations provide excellent coexistence (true online mailbox moves). Cutover and staged migrations can involve more downtime at cutover and limited coexistence options.

Tenant-to-tenant migrations

• CodeTwo: Built-in support for tenant-to-tenant scenarios with mapping of mailboxes, aliases, and permissions, simplifying migrations after mergers/acquisitions.
• Native: Microsoft has introduced cross-tenant migration features, but many tenant-to-tenant scenarios still require complex scripting, PowerShell, and manual steps.

Public folders and archives

• CodeTwo: Supports migration of public folders and can handle archive mailboxes with filtering and mapping.
• Native: Public folder migration is supported via Microsoft tools but can be complex and require careful preparation; archive handling varies by method.

Reporting, logging, and troubleshooting

• CodeTwo: Detailed logs, reporting dashboards, and clear error handling with automatic retries and explanatory messages.
• Native: Logs available but often require digging through audit logs, message traces, and PowerShell output. Less user-friendly reporting.

Security and compliance

• CodeTwo: Supports secure connections (TLS), stores credentials securely, and operates under your administrative control. Check vendor compliance certifications for specifics.
• Native: Fully within Microsoft 365, benefiting from Microsoft’s compliance, security controls, and data residency. No third-party data handling.

Cost

• CodeTwo: Paid product with licensing per mailbox or server; cost varies by edition and features. Often justified by reduced admin time and lower migration risk.
• Native: No extra licensing cost beyond Microsoft 365 and Exchange Server; cost is primarily in internal labor and potential extended migration timelines.

Typical scenarios and recommendations

• Large enterprise with complex coexistence needs, staged cutovers, or tenant-to-tenant mergers:

  • Recommendation: CodeTwo — for reduced downtime, advanced mapping, and better coexistence.

• Small-to-medium organization with straightforward cutover migration from Exchange Online or an IMAP server and tight budget:

  • Recommendation: Native Microsoft tools — lower financial cost; acceptable if migration scope is simple.

• Organizations requiring strict adherence to Microsoft-only toolchains due to compliance policies:

  • Recommendation: Native — keeps all migration activities within Microsoft infrastructure.

• Migrations involving lots of PSTs or diverse source systems:

  • Recommendation: CodeTwo or a hybrid approach — CodeTwo simplifies bulk handling of varied sources; use native only if resources can handle the manual steps.

Example migration workflows

• CodeTwo workflow (Exchange on-prem → Microsoft 365)

  1. Install CodeTwo migration agent in your environment and connect to source Exchange and target Microsoft 365 tenant.
  2. Configure migration jobs, mailbox mappings, filters, and scheduling.
  3. Run initial full sync (mail, folders, calendar, contacts).
  4. Keep delta sync running to capture changes.
  5. Cutover mailboxes during a planned maintenance window; finalize final delta sync.
  6. Decommission agents and wrap up coexistence configuration.

• Native hybrid workflow

  1. Configure Hybrid Configuration Wizard and establish hybrid connectivity.
  2. Use EAC or PowerShell to move mailboxes to Exchange Online (online mailbox moves).
  3. Maintain hybrid coexistence until all mailboxes are migrated.
  4. Remove hybrid configuration when cutover is complete.

Pros and cons (comparison table)

Practical tips before you choose

• Run a pilot migration: test both approaches with a subset of mailboxes to measure time, data fidelity, and user impact.
• Inventory and plan: map mailbox sizes, public folders, shared mailboxes, and delegates before choosing a tool.
• Check coexistence needs: if you need calendar free/busy, GAL sync, or staged coexistence, favor tools that explicitly support those features.
• Evaluate total cost of ownership: include vendor licenses, admin hours, user downtime costs, and potential need for post-migration fixes.
• Review security/compliance: confirm CodeTwo’s certifications and data handling meet your organization’s policies if considering third-party tools.

Final recommendation

For complex migrations that require robust coexistence, tenant-to-tenant capabilities, and minimal downtime, CodeTwo is generally the stronger choice. For simpler, budget-constrained migrations, or where keeping everything inside Microsoft’s ecosystem is a policy requirement, native Microsoft tools are adequate.