AWS SCT vs DBShifts
The AWS Schema Conversion Tool converts a source schema — including procedures and views — into a target dialect, and produces an assessment of what cannot be converted automatically. Data movement is handled separately, usually by AWS DMS.
When AWS SCT is the better choice
Stated first, because it is often true and you will find out either way.
- ✓You are already committed to DMS and want the AWS-native companion for schema work.
- ✓You need deep conversion of stored procedures and application SQL for a specific enterprise source.
- ✓Your migration is to an AWS target and staying inside one vendor's tooling is worth more than anything else.
Where DBShifts is different
Differences, not a scorecard.
One pass, not two tools
SCT converts the schema and DMS moves the data, configured and operated separately. DBShifts does both in one run, so the DDL that was reviewed is the DDL that executes.
Not a desktop application
SCT is a desktop tool. DBShifts runs in the browser with live progress, or as a CLI on your machine for databases that cannot reach the internet.
Lossy conversions reported per column
DBShifts names the specific columns whose type cannot be represented faithfully — and refuses to pretend a conversion is clean when it is not.
The work after the migration
Masked browsing, unmask grants, access reviews, reconciliation monitors, and governed access for AI agents.
Questions people ask about AWS SCT
What is the difference between AWS SCT and AWS DMS?
SCT converts the schema — including procedures and views — and reports what cannot be converted automatically. DMS moves the data. They are separate products, configured and run separately, and a migration typically needs both.
Do I still need AWS SCT if I use DMS?
For anything beyond simple tables, generally yes, since DMS creates only a basic target schema. DBShifts does not split the two: conversion and transfer happen in one pass, so the reviewed DDL is the executed DDL.
Does AWS SCT tell me what data will be lost?
It produces an assessment of what cannot be converted automatically, which is about schema objects. DBShifts additionally reports lossy conversions per column — the specific columns whose type cannot be represented faithfully in the target — before the migration runs.
Try it against your own schema.
Connect a database read-only and DBShifts reports every lossy conversion before anything moves. Free tier, no card.