Outlook to Gmail Migration: Manual vs. Tool – Which Wins?

The approach for migrating from Outlook to Gmail is an important decision when it involves emails, attachments, calendar events, contacts while preserving folder structures, access permissions and metadata.

IT admins must decide between manual migration methods—such as PST imports—or using migration tools that ensure security and efficiency. But without the right approach, the process can be troublesome if not mapped correctly.

So, the BIG question is: Should you migrate manually or use an automated tool?

Let’s break it down and see which Outlook to Gmail migration method is best for your organization.

Common Challenges in Outlook to Gmail Migration

Before we get into the comparison, let’s look at the common issues IT admins and users face when moving emails from Outlook to Gmail:

1. Data Integrity: Ensuring emails, attachments, and metadata remain intact.
2. Email Downtime: Email access interruptions during migration.
3. Complex Folder Structures: Outlook PST files may not map correctly to Gmail labels.
4. Loss of Contacts and Calendar Data: All elements must migrate seamlessly.
5. Security and Compliance: Handling business emails securely.

Successful migration starts with the right strategy! Use these preparation tips to migrate to Gmail without losing emails, contacts, or important data.

Manual Method: Outlook to Gmail Migration

Migrating manually requires exporting Outlook emails as a PST file and then importing them into Gmail using Google Workspace tools.

Here’s the official Google guide:

https://support.google.com/a/users/topic/28813?sjid=16775601955800099369-NA

https://support.google.com/a/answer/6364709?hl=en

You can use Google Workspace Migration for Microsoft Outlook (GWMMO) to import mail, calendar events, and contacts from an Outlook account or PST file to your Google Workspace account.

But due to the complexity of the product installation, configuration, and system requirements, individuals, businesses, and IT admins find it difficult to use Google Workspace Migrate. Also, the process is time-consuming and requires technical expertise. Even there’s a high risk of data loss or corruption if not executed properly.

How to Migrate Outlook to Gmail with Email Migration Tool: CloudFuze

Using a cloud migration tool is the best way to migrate Outlook to Gmail seamlessly and securely. CloudFuze is the leading email migration platform preferred by IT admins and many organizations.

Our infrastructure can handle high-risk and mission-critical migrations. We have a user-friendly interface and robust security features making it a secure choice for email migration.

1. Log into CloudFuze and add both your Outlook and Gmail clouds by entering the admin credentials for each account.
2. Authenticate Outlook and Gmail through the OAuth process. This will link your accounts securely.
3. In the “Email Migration” panel, select Outlook as the source and Gmail as the destination for your email migration.
4. Map your Outlook user accounts to Gmail using auto-mapping or CSV mapping for easy transfer.
5. Click “Start Migration” and track the progress through the Reports dashboard until the migration is complete.

Want to see how easy email migration can be? Schedule a free demo with our migration experts!

Why Choose CloudFuze for Outlook to Gmail Migrations?

At CloudFuze, we make Outlook to Gmail migrations easy, error-free, and efficient. As a Google Cloud Partner, we automate the transfer of emails, contacts, and calendars, ensuring an agile and encrypted process.

IT teams can migrate TBs to PBs of users at once, reducing downtime, countless hours, and manual work. Our platform preserves email structure (starred, read/unread status) & metadata like folder hierarchy, timestamps, attachments, and email properties (like labels) so your email data stays intact. Also, we migrate:

• Draft email
• Junk email
• Deleted email
• Sent items
• Mail attachments

With enterprise-grade security, we meet SOC 2 TYPE 2 and ISO 27001 compliance. Our Delta Migration feature syncs only new or modified emails after the initial transfer, so you don’t get duplicates, and data stays consistent.

To assist your internal IT teams in moving email data from one provider to another, check out this inclusive email migration checklist.

Manual vs. Tool – Which Wins?

If you’re migrating a small amount of data and have time to spare, manual migration may work. But manual processes are resource-intensive, prone to human error, and can result in data integrity issues, permission mismatches, or metadata loss.

For large-scale migrations, businesses or IT admins looking for operational efficiency, end-to-end encryption, data security, no downtime, and error-free transition, an automated Gmail migration tool is the CLEAR WINNER.

Need Help with Your Outlook to Gmail Migration? Reach out to us today!