For many organizations, the move from Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud is no longer just an option—it’s becoming a strategic necessity. Atlassian continues to invest heavily in its Atlassian Cloud ecosystem, introducing faster updates, stronger security frameworks, and expanded data residency options.
But migrating from a data center instance to a Jira Cloud environment isn’t simply about exporting data and starting fresh. Teams must move projects, users, workflows, and Marketplace apps while maintaining data integrity, minimizing migration downtime, and ensuring a smooth transition for thousands of users.
This raises a common question among administrators and IT leaders:
What tools help migrate Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud effectively?
In this guide, we’ll explore the most commonly used migration tools, how they support Atlassian cloud migration, and where solutions like Getint’s Jira–Jira Integration can help organizations manage more complex cloud migrations.
Why Companies Are Migrating from Data Center to Jira Cloud
For many organizations, the decision to move from Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud is no longer driven only by technology improvements. It’s increasingly influenced by Atlassian’s long-term product strategy and the gradual shift of innovation toward Atlassian Cloud.
As discussed in our article on the Jira Data Center end-of-life timeline, Atlassian continues to prioritize cloud development. New features, automation capabilities, AI-powered tools, and security improvements are arriving first—or sometimes exclusively—in Jira Cloud. For companies running large server or data center deployments, this creates a strong incentive to plan a migration path sooner rather than later.
Moving from server or data center deployments to Atlassian Cloud allows organizations to shift infrastructure responsibility to Atlassian while benefiting from faster product innovation.
Key advantages include:
- Automatic upgrades and improved cloud availability
- Reduced infrastructure maintenance and operational overhead
- Stronger security and compliance frameworks
- Expanded data residency options for regulated industries
- Built-in automation and modern integrations
- Access to Atlassian’s broader cloud environment and ecosystem
Instead of managing servers, backups, and upgrades, teams can focus on improving workflows and collaboration across projects.
However, transitioning a data center instance to a Jira Cloud site requires careful preparation. Organizations must design a clear migration strategy, choose the right migration tool, and validate their configuration before moving critical data into the new cloud environment.
The Main Tools Used for Jira Cloud Migration
Organizations typically rely on a combination of Atlassian tools and specialized Marketplace apps to complete data center to Jira migrations successfully.
The most common solutions include:
- Jira Cloud Migration Assistant (JCMA)
- Jira Site Import
- Integration-based migration tools like Getint Jira–Jira Integration
- Configuration and script migration tools
- Synchronization tools for live migrations
Let’s explore each option.
Jira Cloud Migration Assistant (JCMA)
The Jira Cloud Migration Assistant is Atlassian’s primary tool designed for Jira cloud migration from Jira Server or Data Center environments.
Installed directly on your server instance or data center instance, the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant guides administrators through the migration process using a step-by-step interface.
The Jira Cloud Migration Assistant supports transferring:
- Projects
- Issues
- Attachments
- Users and groups
- Workflows
- Custom fields
- Some Marketplace apps
Because it’s designed specifically for Atlassian cloud migration, the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant can automatically identify potential problems and run pre migration checks.
Key features of Jira Cloud Migration Assistant
The Jira Cloud Migration Assistant includes several capabilities that make it the most commonly used migration tool:
- Ability to run pre migration checks
- Project-by-project phased migration
- Mapping of user accounts from Active Directory to Atlassian accounts
- Pre- and post-migration reports
- Support for Jira Service Management customer accounts
- Identification of incompatible Marketplace apps
Using the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant, administrators can run a test migration before performing the final migration.
Running a test migration helps validate data integrity, detect configuration conflicts, and verify that custom fields and workflows behave correctly in the cloud environment.
Jira Site Import
Another method for data center to Jira cloud migration is the Jira site import method.
This approach involves:
- Creating an XML backup of the data center instance
- Uploading the backup to a destination Jira Cloud site
- Rebuilding the system configuration
The site import approach is often used when organizations want to move the entire Jira software configuration at once.
However, Jira site import has limitations:
- It requires longer migration downtime
- It overwrites the existing cloud data
- It provides less flexibility for phased migration
For large enterprises with complex Marketplace apps and integrations, the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant is usually the preferred migration method.
Integration-Based Migration with Getint Jira–Jira Integration
While Atlassian tools handle most migrations, real-world environments often require more flexibility.
Organizations may need to:
- Run a phased migration over several months
- Synchronize affected projects during transition
- Connect multiple Jira instances
- Maintain collaboration between teams during cloud migrations
This is where integration-based tools such as Getint Jira–Jira Integration become valuable.
Getint enables teams to synchronize data between two Jira instances—for example between a Data Center instance and a Jira Cloud site—while migration is in progress.
Instead of a single “lift-and-shift” event, organizations can move projects gradually.
How Getint supports Jira Cloud migrations
Getint (the fastest-growing Jira integration on the Atlassian Marketplace) can help organizations:
- Synchronize projects between Data Center and Jira Cloud
- Enable automated processes during migration
- Keep teams working in both systems simultaneously
- Maintain data integrity
- Avoid integration fails during platform transitions
This approach allows teams to perform a seamless migration without interrupting daily operations.
For example, if one department has already moved to the new Jira Cloud environment, while another still works on Data Center, Getint can synchronize issues between both environments.
This ensures collaboration continues while the migration process unfolds.
Other Tools Supporting Jira Cloud Migration
Beyond the core migration tools, several Marketplace apps help manage specific parts of the transition.
Configuration migration tools
Tools like configuration management apps help migrate:
- Workflow schemes
- Project's permission scheme
- Global permissions
- Complex dependencies between configurations
These tools simplify migration planning when organizations operate large data center apps environments.
Script migration tools
Many Data Center installations rely on scripts and custom automations.
Some migration utilities help translate these scripts into cloud-compatible automation rules, reducing manual rework.
Synchronization tools for phased migrations
Some organizations run hybrid environments for months.
Synchronization tools allow teams to migrate projects gradually while keeping the server instance and Jira Cloud site aligned.
Common Challenges in Jira Cloud Migration
Even with the right migration tool, organizations frequently encounter obstacles during Atlassian cloud migration.
Here are the most common ones.
Marketplace app compatibility
One of the first steps in migration planning is reviewing Marketplace apps.
While many Marketplace apps support cloud migrations, not all data center apps have full cloud equivalents.
Understanding app compatibility early helps avoid delays during migration.
User management issues
Another challenge involves user management.
Because Jira Cloud relies on Atlassian accounts, organizations must address user management issues early.
This includes verifying:
- Email domains
- Identity mapping
- User accounts
- Group permissions
Failing to review these areas may result in duplicate users or unexpected access issues.
Custom field conflicts
Large environments often accumulate hundreds of custom fields.
During Jira cloud migration, duplicate custom fields or unused fields may cause conflicts.
This is why data cleanup should be part of the structured migration plan.
Permission mismatches
Permissions in Atlassian Cloud may behave differently from those in server or data center environments.
Administrators should:
- Verify permissions
- Review customer permissions
- Validate project leads
- Confirm global permissions
This prevents users from losing access after migration.
Best Practices for a Successful Jira Cloud Migration
A successful migration requires more than just the right tools—it requires strong migration planning.
Here are proven best practices used by enterprise teams.
Start with a detailed inventory
Before beginning the migration journey, organizations should map their current setup.
This includes documenting:
- Projects
- Marketplace apps
- Integrations
- Workflows
- Custom fields
- Automation rules
Understanding the environment makes the migration strategy far more predictable.
Run pre-migration checks
Tools like the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant allow administrators to run pre migration checks.
These checks help identify:
- Unsupported apps
- Configuration conflicts
- Data structure problems
Fixing issues early reduces risk during the final migration.
Perform a test migration
A test migration should always be completed before moving production data.
The test migration allows teams to:
- Validate data
- Review key settings
- Identify missing configurations
It also gives administrators a chance to verify app data supported in the new cloud environment.
Choose the right migration method
There is no single migration method that works for every company.
Organizations may choose between:
- Lift-and-shift migration
- Phased migration
- Site migration
- Integration-based migration
For complex enterprises, a phased migration combined with tools like Getint often provides the safest path.
Plan post-migration optimization
Once migration is complete, teams should review their new Jira Cloud environment.
Key tasks include:
- Reviewing automation rules
- Removing redundant Marketplace apps
- Simplifying permission schemes
- Optimizing workflows
This final step ensures the new cloud site performs efficiently.
Choosing the Right Migration Strategy
The best migration path depends on several factors:
- Size of the data center instance
- Number of Marketplace apps
- Complexity of integrations
- Volume of projects and attachments
- Required migration downtime
For small environments, the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant may be enough.
For larger enterprises with multiple teams and complex integrations, combining Atlassian tools with synchronization solutions like Getint Jira–Jira Integration enables a more controlled and flexible migration.
Final Thoughts
Migrating from Jira Data Center to Jira Cloud is a major transformation for any organization.
Tools like the Jira Cloud Migration Assistant and Jira Site Import provide a solid foundation for moving projects and users into Atlassian Cloud.
But real-world migrations often require more flexibility—especially when organizations need to maintain collaboration across systems during the transition.
That’s where integration solutions like Getint Jira–Jira Integration can help bridge the gap, enabling teams to synchronize data between environments and support cloud migrations without disrupting daily work.
With the right migration strategy, careful migration planning, and the right combination of tools, organizations can move center to Jira Cloud smoothly while preserving their workflows, data, and collaboration.
