What is AWS App2Container?
AWS App2Container (A2C) was a command-line tool that automatically packaged existing Java and .NET applications into container images. The service analyzed running applications, identified dependencies, and generated Dockerfiles, ECS task definitions or Kubernetes manifests, and CI/CD pipelines.
Important note: According to official AWS documentation, App2Container is one of the .NET modernization tools (alongside Porting Assistant for .NET, AWS Toolkit for .NET Refactoring, and AWS Microservice Extractor for .NET) that has been closed to new customers since November 7, 2025. Existing customers can continue using the tool for ongoing projects. For new modernization initiatives, AWS recommends its successor, AWS Transform, an agentic AI service for accelerating cloud migration and application modernization.
Core Features
- Automatic Analysis: Runtime detection of application dependencies and configurations.
- Container Image Creation: Automatic generation of Dockerfiles and container images.
- ECS/EKS Deployment: Ready-made task definitions and Kubernetes manifests.
- CI/CD Pipeline: Automatically generated deployment pipeline for continuous deployment.
- Inventory Management: Overview of all containerizable applications in the environment.
Typical Use Cases
Ongoing Modernization Projects: Existing customers can complete containerization projects already underway with App2Container.
Legacy Modernization (historical): Packaging existing Java and .NET applications into containers without refactoring was the typical first step toward a containerized architecture.
New Modernization Projects: For new initiatives, AWS Transform is the entry point AWS now recommends instead of starting new usage of App2Container.
Benefits (for Existing Projects)
- No source code access required.
- Automated containerization in significantly less time than a manual approach.
- Generated CI/CD pipelines for continuous deployment.
- Free tool; costs only apply for the AWS target services used.
Integration with innFactory
As an AWS Reseller, innFactory supports you in navigating AWS App2Container: assessing ongoing modernization projects, planning the transition to AWS Transform, and general containerization strategy and migration to ECS or EKS.
Typical Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still start using AWS App2Container for a new project?
No. According to official AWS documentation, App2Container is one of the .NET modernization tools that has been closed to new customers since November 7, 2025. Existing customers can continue using the tool to complete ongoing modernization projects.
What is the recommended alternative to App2Container?
For new modernization initiatives, AWS recommends AWS Transform, an agentic AI service designed to accelerate cloud migration and application modernization, covering the functionality of the former .NET modernization tools.
Which applications did App2Container support?
Java applications (e.g. Tomcat, JBoss, WebLogic, Spring Boot) and .NET applications (IIS) on Linux and Windows. The service analyzed running applications and automatically generated Dockerfiles and deployment artifacts for ECS or EKS.
What does AWS App2Container cost?
The tool itself is free. Existing users only pay for the AWS resources used as part of containerization, such as ECS, EKS, ECR, or the underlying compute infrastructure.
Do I need to act now as an existing customer?
Not necessarily immediately, but AWS is no longer actively developing App2Container for new customers. New modernization projects should evaluate AWS Transform; ongoing App2Container projects can still be completed.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of AWS (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by AWS.