Moving from Jira on-premises? Step-by-step guide with n8n migration tool (2026)
With Atlassian's announcement of Jira Data Center end-of-life and the ongoing push toward cloud-only solutions, thousands of organisations are reassessing their project and issue tracking tools. The question is no longer if you should consider on-premises alternatives, but how to execute a smooth transition without disrupting your teams' productivity. This guide walks you through everything you need to know: the migration scope, the process, what to expect, and how to get started with a migration pilot.
Table of contents
Why organisations are migrating from Jira
What can be migrated: The complete scope
3-step Jira migration process
Step 1: Prepare your structure
Step 2: Import your data
Step 3: Configure your workflows
Migration options: Migration pilot vs full migration
Jira migration validation
What you need to prepare
Ready to migrate data from Jira?
TL;DR
Easy8 provides a structured, end-to-end migration service for Jira Software, Jira Service Desk, and Confluence. The migration covers projects, issues, users, time entries, and custom fields. All validated through a side-by-side comparison before going live. Jira Data Center Enterprises qualify for a migration pilot. No vendor lock-in, predictable pricing, and one integrated platform instead of dozens of plugins.
Why organisations are migrating from Jira
The decision to migrate away from Jira typically stems from a combination of strategic and operational factors:
- Jira on-premises end-of-life: Atlassian has been steering customers toward their cloud offerings, with Data Center support timelines creating an end for self-hosted deployments. Organisations requiring on-premises solutions or those in regulated industries face tough decisions about their long-term infrastructure.
- Pricing: A typical Jira environment relies on dozens of products and third-party plugins for functionality that should arguably be native: time tracking, resource planning, Gantt charts, WBS, and more. Each plugin could add licensing costs, maintenance overhead, and potential compatibility issues during upgrades.
- Cloud migration risks: Jira environments often contain hidden risks that only surface during migration attempts. Cloud vs. server schema differences. Incomplete exports from custom add-ons or custom scripts.
What can be migrated: The complete scope
Understanding exactly what transfers to Easy8 is crucial for planning. Here's the comprehensive breakdown:
| Category | What can be transfered |
| Platform & Security | Projects, users, roles & permissions, comments, attachments, change history |
| Project Management | Issues, sprints, story points, statuses, time tracking/worklogs, custom fields, roadmap structure |
| Service Management | Incidents, problems, change requests, ticket fields, priorities, queues, categories, routing rules, email channels, knowledge base (JSM + Confluence) |
| Integrations | REST API compatibility, webhooks, Confluence content, GitLab/GitHub/Bitbucket links, AD/LDAP configuration |
| Reporting & Data | All core entities with full history, project/service reports, BI tool exports (Excel, Power BI) |
| Customisation | Custom fields, forms, permissions |
3-step Jira migration process
Easy8 follows a structured, repeatable methodology that reduces risk and ensures a smooth transition, even for large or heavily customised instances.
Step 1: Prepare your structure
Before touching your actual data, the migration team first transfers all the "building blocks" your projects rely on:
- Statuses and transitions
- Task types and issue hierarchies
- Roles and permission schemes
- Priorities and custom field definitions
- Enumerations and lookup values
Result: Your new environment mirrors the logic of your Jira setup before any project data is imported.
Step 2: Import your data
For organisations with complex or heavily customised Jira instances, the migration team can leverage n8n workflows to automate bulk data extraction, transformation, loading, handling custom field mappings, user reassignments, and attachment transfers at scale without manual CSV wrangling.
With the structure in place, the migration team imports your actual project data:
- Projects and project hierarchies
- All issues (epics, stories, tasks, subtasks)
- Users and their assignments
- Comments and discussion threads
- Time entries and worklogs
- Attachments and linked documents
Result: A fully functional system where your teams can continue working without disruption.
Step 3: Configure your workflows
Finally, the team aligns operational settings to match how your teams actually work:
- Workflow transitions and automation rules
- Permission fine-tuning
- Dashboard and filter configurations
- Notification and email settings
- Integration connections (Git, CI/CD, calendars)
Result: Your processes and routines remain unaffected after the switch.
Migration options: Migration pilot vs full migration
Easy8 offers flexible engagement models based on your organisation's size and requirements:
| Option | Best For | What's Included |
| PoC/Pilot | Enterprises (500+ Atlassian Data Center users) | Complete migration of sample projects, side-by-side Jira vs Easy8 comparison, migration assessment report, no cost or commitment. |
| Standard Migration | Small to mid-sized organisations | Based on your requirements, includes all data transfer, workflow configuration, and validation. |
Jira migration validation
What makes Easy8's migration unique is the built-in validation approach. After import, every migrated entity (projects, issues, attachments, custom fields) retains a direct link back to its Jira source. That means you can click through from any Easy8 ticket straight to the original Jira issue, compare them side by side, and verify the data transferred correctly.
Whether you want to spot-check a handful of critical tickets or run a structured audit across entire projects, the traceability is there.
Nothing is lost in translation, and stakeholders get real proof, not just a summary report, before you cut over.
What you need to prepare
To initiate the migration process, the Easy8 team requires:
- User list: Export of all users from your Jira instance (names, emails, roles)
- Task field inventory: List of custom fields, their types, and which projects use them
- Project scope: Which projects to include in the initial migration
- Access credentials: API access or database export permissions
Don't have clean exports ready? n8n can connect directly to Jira's REST API to extract users, issues, custom fields, and worklogs into structured formats, automating what would otherwise be hours of manual data preparation.
That's what the Easy8 migration team does. We handle the technical migration, you focus on defining what success looks like for your organisation.
Ready to migrate data from Jira?
This structured, three-step approach ensures accuracy, reduces risk, and keeps your migration predictable, so your teams can move from Jira to Easy8 with confidence.
Start your migration journey! Request a migration pilot to understand exactly what your transition will involve.
Frequently asked questions
Can Jira be self-hosted?
Jira can be self-hosted through its Data Center edition, but Atlassian ended support for Jira Server on February 15, 2024, ceasing security updates, bug fixes, and technical support. Data Center, the remaining on-premises option, faces end of life by March 28, 2029, after which it becomes read-only with no new features or renewals past March 30, 2028.
Organizations seeking a self-hosted replacement should consider tools like Easy8, which offers full on-premises deployment with Jira-compatible migration tools, customizable workflows, and ongoing support.
How does Jira Data Center performance compare to cloud alternatives?
Jira Data Center performance is robust and suitable for enterprises requiring high scalability and customisation, whereas cloud alternatives offer more flexible management but may have limits on customisation.
Disclaimer: Jira Data Center will end in 2029 and is no longer available for new clients. Read more about Jira Server EOL.
How to migrate Jira database?
Migrating from Jira to another platform can be a complex process, and it typically involves several key steps:
- Assessment and planning: Before starting the migration, it's crucial to assess the current Jira setup, including the number of projects, custom fields, workflows, and any integrations or add-ons in use. This helps in planning the migration strategy and identifying potential challenges.
- Data export: The next step is to export data from Jira. This can be done using Jira's built-in export tools, such as exporting issues to a CSV file. The export should include all necessary data like issues, attachments, and user information.
- Data mapping and transformation: Once the data is exported, it needs to be mapped to the new platform's data structure. This may involve transforming the data to fit the new system's requirements, such as converting custom fields or workflows to the new format.
- Migration tools: Depending on the target platform, there may be specific migration tools available to facilitate the process. For example, if migrating to a cloud-based system, there might be cloud migration assistants or third-party tools that can help automate parts of the migration.
- Testing: Before performing the final migration, it's important to test the process in a staging environment. This helps identify any issues that might arise during the actual migration and allows for adjustments to be made.
- Execution: After successful testing, the migration can be executed. This involves importing the transformed data into the new platform and ensuring that all data is correctly mapped and accessible.
- Validation and cleanup: Post-migration, it's essential to validate that all data has been migrated correctly and that the new system is functioning as expected. This includes checking for any missing data, broken links, or issues with workflows. Any necessary cleanup should be performed at this stage.
- Training and support: Finally, provide training and support to users to help them transition to the new platform. This ensures that they are comfortable with the new system and can use it effectively.
Each migration is unique, and the specific steps may vary depending on the complexity of the Jira setup and the target platform. It's often recommended to work with experienced professionals or solution partners to ensure a smooth migration process.
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