Segment to RudderStack Migration Guide

Migrate from Segment to RudderStack with minimal code changes.

Any technical migration requires careful consideration, but with intentional planning, execution, and monitoring, migrating from Segment to RudderStack can be a straight-forward process.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully migrate from Segment without data disruption, maintaining, and in most cases improving, data quality and consistency. Additionally, you can leverage the power of RudderStack’s more advanced technical capabilities to extend the functionality and value of your customer data platform.

Overview: why data teams migrate from Segment to RudderStack

In today’s data-driven world, businesses rely heavily on customer data platforms (CDP) to collect, manage, unify, and activate customer data. Segment started out as a data-focused CDP, but it was built before the mass adoption of the cloud data warehouse, which has become the center of the data stack and the source of truth for all customer data. Segment has also increasingly focused their product development on marketing users, limiting the ability of data teams to implement more advanced use cases.

RudderStack is a powerful warehouse-native CDP that offers a range of benefits over Segment:

Warehouse native

  • Data is only stored in your warehouse
  • Lower cost of ownership
  • Increased ROI from your warehouse investment
  • Full transparency and control
  • Simplified security and compliance

Built for data teams

  • Technical tools for shipping complex use cases
  • Integration with your existing development workflow
  • Centralized management and monitoring of all customer data integrations

Flexible, open architecture

  • Open source core reduces proprietary risk
  • Portable assets that live in your warehouse eliminate vendor lock-in
  • Flexible technical tools make it easy to respond to changing busines requirements

Many data teams who migrate also find that RudderStack’s Data Governance tools significantly increase their ability to manage data quality across their stack.

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During the migration process, RudderStack’s Data Governance Toolkit makes it easy to implement data quality measures, fix data problems, and address bad instrumentation.

Other benefits of migrating to RudderStack

Data teams also find these features and functionalities are a significant improvement over their experience with Segment:

  • Powerful, real-time event transformations for fixing bad data, enriching events, customizing integrations, and interacting with APIs
  • Comprehensive data governance and quality features, such as data catalog, tracking plans, and schema validation
  • Robust, fully configurable, warehouse-native identity resolution
  • Ability to unify all customer data in the warehouse to build a comprehensive customer 360 table
  • Ability to access the customer 360 table in real-time via the Activation API
  • Ability to sync the customer 360 from the warehouse to business tools via reverse ETL

A three-phased approach to seamless migration

This migration guide will walk you through the process of migrating from Segment to RudderStack, highlighting key differences and advantages of our warehouse-native architecture. It will guide you through each step, from preparing for migration to updating your SDK implementation, migrating your data, and taking advantage of RudderStack’s advanced features.

  • Phase 1: Basic SDK, Event, and Property Migration: Lay the foundational groundwork by migrating SDKs, events, and properties
  • Phase 2: Advanced Migration Techniques: Implement more complex migration strategies, including custom transformations, migrating user data and traits, and incrementally migrating high-traffic websites and apps
  • Phase 3: Testing and Validating Your Migration: Ensure the integrity and accuracy of your migration through testing and validation processes

Migration roadmap

TopicDescription
Migration Scenarios & TimelinesGet an overview of migration scenarios and estimated timelines for both simple and advanced configurations
Migration Timeline and Cutover Best PracticesBest practices to plan your migration timeline and cutover.
Preparing for MigrationPrerequisites before diving into the migration process
Migrate Existing Segment EventsMigrate your existing Segment events by connecting Segment to RudderStack.
Phase 1: Basic SDK, Event and Property migrationUpdate your SDK, event, and property implementations while migrating from Segment to RudderStack.
Phase 2: Advanced Migration TechniquesAdvanced migration techniques to ensure a smooth and complete migration from Segment to RudderStack.
Phase 3: Testing and Validation of Your MigrationVerify data flow, identify and resolve discrepancies, and monitor for post-migration anomalies.

Additional resources

RudderStack offers a wealth of resources and support to help you seamlessly migrate from Segment, including:

  • Comprehensive documentation and guides covering every aspect of the RudderStack platform and migration process.
  • A dedicated support team and customer success managers to help you plan and execute your migration and optimize your RudderStack implementation.
  • A vibrant community of developers, data engineers, and marketers sharing knowledge and best practices on the RudderStack forum and Slack channels.
  • Regular webinars, workshops, and events to help you stay up-to-date with the latest features and best practices in customer data management.

By leveraging these resources and following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently migrate from Segment to RudderStack and unlock the full potential of your customer data stack.



Questions? Contact us by email or on Slack