The Best SFTP Clients & Software for Windows and Linux in 2025

When managing files and data across different systems, secure file transfer is essential for maintaining integrity and confidentiality. Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) clients are the go-to tools for businesses and individuals who need to securely transfer files over a network. Whether you’re a system administrator, a developer, or a network engineer, having the right SFTP client is crucial for streamlining workflows, ensuring data protection, and avoiding costly errors.

SFTP clients for Windows and Linux are designed to meet the needs of these professionals by offering easy-to-use interfaces, robust security features, and reliable file transfer capabilities. System administrators often find these tools invaluable for managing and backing up servers, transferring logs, or facilitating secure communication with external parties.

Developers use SFTP clients to upload source code and deploy applications to remote servers, ensuring safe and seamless transfers. Network engineers also benefit from SFTP clients, as they help in monitoring and securing network file exchanges.

Despite the widespread use of these tools, professionals often face several pain points, including difficulties with setting up secure connections, managing large file transfers efficiently, and ensuring that data is transferred without corruption. Moreover, handling automation tasks, managing access controls, and ensuring compatibility across systems can be time-consuming.

This article covers the best SFTP clients and software for Windows and Linux, highlighting solutions that address these common issues and enhance productivity, security, and ease of use in file transfer workflows.

Secure File Transfer Protocol software or SFTP client refers to a tool that enables secure file transfer between a client and a server over an encrypted connection.

SFTP is an extension of the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol and provides a secure method for transferring files, ensuring confidentiality and data integrity.

There are a wide variety of premium and free SFTP server clients out there for you to try, so in this guide, we’ll help you narrow down your choices and find a solution that works best for you.

Here is our list of the best FTP and SFTP clients for Windows & Linux:

1. Files.com EDITOR’S CHOICE A cloud-based file manager that can be used as both a client and a server for secure file transfers or for file sharing and storage. Access a 7-day free trial.
2. ExaVault (FREE TRIAL) This cloud service operates as a mediator for file transfers so, it acts as a server, a storage system, and a forwarding mechanism. Start with a 30-day free trial.
3. WinSCP Widely used and reliable, this package for Windows offers SFTP.FTPS, SCP, and WebDAV.
4. SolarWinds Solar-PuTTY Free file transfer utility that includes SFTP FTP, and SCP options.
5. JSCAPE MFT This on-premises enterprise-grade software suite provides SFTP for secure file movements and also offers FTPS, SCP, AFTP, TFTP, HTTP, HTTPS, and WebDAV.
6. FileZilla Free secure file transfer facility for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
7. CyberDuck Free secure file transfer utility that runs on Windows and Mac OS and integrates support for many popular cloud storage systems.
8. MonstaFTP Online service that runs through your browser. It deploys FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and SCP. It is available in free and paid versions.
9. Bitvise SSH Client This free package offers a secure terminal emulator as well as SFTP file transfer capabilities. This tool is free to use and runs on Windows.
10. CoffeeCup Free FTP Client Free file transfer utility for Windows that includes FTP, FTPS, and SFTP.
11. Progress WS_FTP Pro A file transfer client for Windows that offers FTP, FTPS, SFTP, HTTP, and HTTPS.
12. SecureFX This secure file transfer software supports SFTP, FTP, and FTPS. It is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
13. mRemoteNG An open-source remote connection manager that supports RDP, SSH, VNC, and incorporates SFTP and SCP for file transfers. Runs on Windows.
14. Royal TS A remote connection management tool supporting RDP, SSH, VNC, and a built-in secure file transfer utility. Available for Windows and macOS.

If you need to know more, explore our vendor highlight section just below, or skip to our detailed vendor reviews.

Best SFTP clients for Windows & Linux highlights

Key points to consider before selecting an SFTP client for Windows or Linux

The acquisition project for an SFTP client should start with a little research. Look into these factors:

1. Security Features

Security is the top priority when selecting an SFTP client. Look for features like strong encryption (AES-256, for example), support for SSH keys, and advanced authentication options. It’s also important to ensure the client supports secure protocols such as SFTP and TLS, protecting sensitive data during transfers.

2. Ease of Use and Interface

The interface should be user-friendly and easy to navigate, especially for teams with varying levels of technical expertise. Look for an SFTP client that offers a simple setup process, drag-and-drop functionality, and an intuitive user interface to streamline file transfers without unnecessary complexity.

3. Cross-Platform Compatibility

Consider whether the SFTP client is compatible with both Windows and Linux environments, particularly if your organization uses a mix of operating systems. Ensuring compatibility across different platforms will facilitate collaboration and reduce the complexity of managing multiple systems.

4. Transfer Speed and Reliability

For organizations handling large files, performance is crucial. Choose an SFTP client that supports high-speed file transfers, resume capabilities, and automatic retries for failed transfers. These features will help minimize downtime and enhance productivity when dealing with large volumes of data.

5. Integration with Existing Systems

An ideal SFTP client should integrate seamlessly with your existing infrastructure and systems, such as automated scripts, batch processing, or cloud storage services. This helps streamline workflows and ensures that the SFTP client can fit smoothly into your current technology stack.

6. Automation Capabilities

If you need to automate file transfers or schedule recurring uploads/downloads, ensure the SFTP client offers built-in scheduling or supports command-line scripting. Automation reduces manual effort, increases efficiency, and ensures consistency in transferring files.

7. Support and Documentation

Robust support and detailed documentation are essential for troubleshooting issues and ensuring the client is used effectively. Check whether the vendor offers responsive customer support, knowledge bases, FAQs, and community forums to assist in addressing potential challenges.

8. Cost and Licensing

Evaluate the pricing structure of the SFTP client and determine if it fits within your budget. Consider whether you need a free, open-source option or are willing to invest in premium features. Some clients offer per-user or site licenses, so ensure the pricing model aligns with your organization’s needs.

How to calculate ROI for SFTP client software

Calculating the Return on Investment (ROI) for SFTP client software involves comparing the financial benefits of using the software against the costs incurred in purchasing, implementing, and maintaining it. Here’s a step-by-step approach to calculate the ROI:

Identify the Costs

Start by calculating all the costs associated with purchasing and implementing the SFTP client:

• Initial Software Purchase Costs: The price of the software license or subscription.
• Implementation Costs: Expenses related to installation, configuration, and training.
• Ongoing Maintenance and Support: Costs for software updates, customer support, and any additional user licenses or add-ons.

Determine the Benefits

The benefits of using SFTP client software can be categorized into both tangible and intangible benefits:

• Increased Efficiency: Estimate the time saved by automating and speeding up file transfers (e.g., hours saved per week) and apply an hourly rate for your employees to calculate the total cost savings.
• Reduced Security Risks: SFTP clients provide a secure way to transfer data, reducing the likelihood of costly security breaches or data loss. Estimate potential savings from avoided breaches or legal and compliance penalties.
• Improved Productivity: Measure the impact of faster, smoother file transfers, reducing delays in work processes. Quantify the value of increased productivity through faster turnaround times and improved collaboration across teams.
• Lower IT Support Costs: By using reliable, secure, and user-friendly SFTP software, the need for IT intervention in file transfer-related issues can decrease. Estimate the reduction in IT support requests and the associated cost savings.

Calculate ROI

Once you have both the costs and benefits, you can calculate ROI using the following formula:

Example:

• Total Costs: $5,000 (initial purchase, implementation, and maintenance costs)
• Total Benefits: $12,000 (time saved, reduced breaches, and increased productivity)

In this example, the ROI would be 140%, meaning for every dollar spent, $1.40 in value was generated.

Consider Intangible Benefits

While tangible financial benefits are easier to quantify, don’t overlook the intangible benefits such as improved customer satisfaction, better compliance, and enhanced data security. These can also contribute to the overall value of the SFTP software.

By following these steps, you can assess whether the SFTP client software provides good value for the investment and make an informed decision based on your organization’s specific needs.

What to look for in an FTP/SFTP client?

The answer to this question is really “it depends”. If you are a home user or just manage a WordPress site or two, you may be able to get away with a very simple file transfer client. All you may need is a simple graphical user interface (GUI) and support for a protocol or two. On the other hand, if you are an advanced user or subject to specific compliance requirements, you may have a much more extensive list of needs when it comes to your FTP/SFTP client software needs. Below is a quick rundown of some of the features you may want to keep an eye out for:

• Protocols & encryption method support – Do you know you will only ever need SFTP support? Are you in a role where one server uses SFTP, another FTPS, another HTTPS, and another FTP? Similarly, do you care (for compliance reasons or otherwise) about the security of the encryption methods your client software uses? You’ll need to consider these points when picking client software.
• Drag & drop – This is a convenience feature, but drag and drop with client software GUIs can streamline the file transfer process.
• File integrity checks – How do you know if the file you moved from location A to location B made it there without any corruption? Comparing the hash or checksum can help you do this. Some client software will take care of this for you.
• Scheduling of actions – How much time will you save if you or your team can automate your file transfers? If you are in a medium or larger-sized business, automating the easy stuff can help save on Opex.
• Connection limits – Do you need to be able to make unlimited FTP/SFTP connections or can you get away with just one or two?
• Logging – For auditing, compliance, and troubleshooting, detailed logs can be essential. Does logging matter to you?
• Synchronization & backups – Do you need to be able to sync files at two different locations automatically? Would automating a backup process save your team a ton of time? If yes, look for these features in your client software.

The best SFTP clients for Windows & Linux

Features Comparison Table

1. Files.com (FREE TRIAL)

Best for: Link invite file sharing

Price: Three editions: Starter costs $99 per month; Power costs $5,000 per year; Premier costs $20,000 per year.

Files.com is a file management service that can be used to consolidate all file movements. As such, the cloud service will act both as an FTP or SFTP server and a client.

Unique buying proposition

Files.com can operate as an SFTP client. Its advanced security features include end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication, and compliance with industry standards like GDPR and HIPAA. Its user-friendly interface, easy integration with enterprise systems, and automation tools make it a flexible, secure, and scalable solution for businesses.

Feature-in-focus: Files.com’s SFTP operations

Files.com offers multiple ways to implement file movements with SFTP, including automated file transfers via scheduled tasks, direct SFTP connections for real-time uploads/downloads, and integration with APIs for workflow automation. Additionally, it supports file synchronization across multiple systems and platforms, ensuring efficient and secure file movement across environments.

Comparitech SupportScore

Our calculations give Files.com a SupportScore of 6 out of 10. This is low and it is largely due to the low quality of online help and system usage guides. The actual human Customer Support team get full marks for that category of the assessment.
Other factors related to corporate stability also contributed to the low SupportScore value. These include a relatively low revenue and poor job satisfaction among employees.

Why do we recommend it?

Files.com is a file transfer system that supports end users rather than technicians. It provides a secure way to eliminate the distribution of files to outsiders. Users upload their files over a secure connection to the Files.com server and email out an invite link instead. Users can control access to their files and revoke or limit the rights given to others.

The cloud service of Files.com acts as a secure buffer between your organization and the rest of the world and also creates a shared file space for collaboration. Files that are in transit get uploaded to the Files.com server and then the rest of the journey occurs virtually. The intended recipient of the file gets a link to access the file securely on the Files.com server. Settings on each file restrict the actions that each nominated recipient can perform on it, such as downloading it, altering it, or copying it.

The Files.com system can be used as a pass-through to other cloud storage services, such as Dropbox and Google Drive. The service also has online app integrations with productivity and collaboration software, such as Microsoft 365, so documents can be created, stored, and shared directly on the Files.com server. That eliminates the need for uploading and downloading files with FTP or SFTP.

Strictly speaking, FTP has no security. So, as all file transfers performed with Files.com are encrypted, it isn’t really an FTP service. The service implements FTP over TLS, which is better known as FTPS. SFTP, or SSH FTP, is implemented on Files.com using public keys provided by the ED25519, RSA, or DSA standards.

Files.com can interact with on-premises equipment as a mounted drive, through a web browser, or through desktop-based FTP utilities, such as CuteFTP or WinSCP. You can get a 7-day free trial of the Files.com service to see it for yourself.

Who is it recommended for?

This is a great tool for employees who need to regularly mail YouTube files. They can invite access to those files instead from their location on the cloud server. The system can become the primary file drive for an office community as well because it integrates with Microsoft 365 and email systems.

2. ExaVault (FREE TRIAL)

Best for: Team collaboration

Price: Free Self-Hosted Appliance = $0; Premium Service = $99 per month

Clean straightforward dashboard for easy file and access managementExaVault is a cloud platform that lets you eradicate the need for a file transfer client by sending a link to recipients instead. You upload files to the system with any standard client and then either store the client there or send an access link to others with timed availability before deletion.

Unique buying proposition

ExaVault’s unique buying proposition as an SFTP client lies in its user-friendly interface combined with enterprise-level security. Its features include customizable workflows, automation, and scalable storage solutions, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes. With reliable support, easy integrations with third-party tools, and compliance with industry standards, ExaVault ensures secure and efficient file transfers.

Feature-in-focus: ExaVault’s custom branded file sharing

ExaVault’s branded file sharing allows businesses to customize their SFTP site with their own logo, colors, and custom URL. This feature enhances brand visibility by integrating the company’s branding into the file sharing interface, emails, and notifications. Quick setup and full customization provide a fault-free, professional experience for clients.

Comparitech SupportScore

ExaVault is a subsidiary of Files.com but, curiously, it is doing a lot better than its parent company and even was before it was bought out. This is especially true of the in-app and online guides offered by ExaVault, which score 10 out of 10 in our estimation. This high score together with top marks for the human Customer Support team, gives ExaVault a higher SupportScore than that of Files.com. The service scored 7.9 out of 10.

Why do we recommend it?

ExaVault is a very similar service to Files.com. It enables you to set up workflow automation and application orchestration as well as providing cloud file storage with separate accounts for each user. Outsiders are invited to share files through an emailed link and colleagues can collaborate and jointly edit files and add comments.

Think of this system as a replacement for FTP clients because, once the file is on the ExaVault platform, there isn’t any need to transfer them any further. A big advantage of this strategy is that it centralizes file storage for multi-site or virtual offices and enables file sharing and distribution among teams. This is a system that you would use to support home-based workers.

Who is it recommended for?

ExaVault is recommended for businesses of all sizes that need secure, scalable file sharing and storage solutions. It’s ideal for teams requiring customizable workflows, seamless integrations, and branded file sharing. With strong security features and automation tools, ExaVault suits industries like finance, healthcare, and enterprise-level organizations managing sensitive data.

This system is great for distributed teams and companies that operate a virtual office strategy. You can remove the need for in-house file servers with this tool if all of your employees work from home or are always out on-site.

Get a 30-day free trial of ExaVault.

ExaVault Start 30-day FREE Trial

3. WinSCP

Best for: A file transfer client on Windows

Price: Free

WinSCP is a popular file transfer client for Windows, boasting over 114 million downloads. It’s free, extensible, and supports SFTP, FTP(S), SCP, and WebDAV (an extension of HTTP). WinSCP supports drag and drop, a variety of languages, scripting, and includes an integrated text editor.

Unique buying proposition

WinSCP is efficient and easy to use. It supports multiple file transfer protocols (SFTP, SCP, FTP), offers advanced automation features, and integrates with Windows. It is suitable for both casual and professional users. Its free-to-use model and strong community support add exceptional value.

Feature-in-focus: WinSCP’s scripting and task automation features

The scripting and task automation capabilities of WinSCP allow users to automate file transfers, synchronize directories, and schedule tasks. Through its powerful command-line interface and scripting language, WinSCP enables seamless integration into workflows, reducing manual effort and ensuring efficient, reliable automation of routine file management tasks.

Comparitech SupportScore

WinSCP is a free tool and that mans there is very little budget for professional support. The company is stable and has been operating for a long time, which counts in its favor in our SupportScore formula.

The size of the workforce and its reported job satisfaction forms part of our SupportScore calulations. However, WinSCP doesn’t seem to have any employees, so it got no points in those categories. The overall SupportScore for WinSCP is 1.5 out of 10.

Why do we recommend it?

WinSCP is a utility for Windows. It is free and very widely used. You can use this system for SFTP as well as for SCP to protect your file transfers. The tool is very easy to use and requires very little training. It is also a small program that is easy to install and doesn’t use much memory.

This software was my go-to SFTP and SCP software for quite some time. The CLI (Command Line Interface), PuTTY integrations, and large user base all help extend how much you can get out of this free software.

Who is it recommended for?

WinSCP is recommended for individuals and businesses that need a reliable, secure file transfer solution. It’s ideal for IT professionals, developers, and teams managing remote servers. With support for SFTP, SCP, and FTP, it suits users looking for an open-source tool for automation, scripting, and efficient file management tasks. However, it is only available for Windows.

WinSCP is a worthwhile tool for any system administrator. The tool is only available for windows, so if you only run Macs or Linux machines, you will need to look elsewhere for a secure file transfer utility.

You can download WinSCP here.

4. SolarWinds Solar-PuTTY

Best for: Administration tasks

Price: Free

SolarWinds first released Solar-PuTTY in 2017. This free utility takes the popular popular PuTTY tool and builds it out a bit further to add a more modern GUI and a variety of additional features. I’ll be covering this software in more detail in a piece soon, so we’ll focus on the FTP, SCP, and SFTP features of Solar-PuTTY here.

Unique buying proposition

Solar-PuTTY’s unique buying proposition lies in its enhanced session management and multi-session capabilities, allowing users to easily manage multiple remote connections in a single window. With features like saved credentials, tabbed interface, and seamless integration with SolarWinds’ other network tools, it provides a user-friendly, efficient solution for IT professionals.

Feature-in-focus: Solar-PuTTY’s SSH security

Solar-PuTTY uses SSH (Secure Shell) for secure remote connections, enabling encrypted communication between the client and server. It supports multiple SSH sessions, allowing users to securely access and manage remote systems. With features like saved credentials and session management, Solar-PuTTY streamlines SSH connections, ensuring both security and ease of use.

Comparitech SupportScore

SolarWinds gets a SupportScore of 8.9 out of 10. This is onew of the highest scores in our list and is due to it getting 10 out of 10 in all of themany of the assessment categories in the SupportScore formula. Only two of the categories have low values; these are Employee Job Satisfaction, which gets only 4.7 out of 10, and Glassdoor rating, which is only 2.8 out of 5.

Why do we recommend it?

SolarWinds Solar-PuTTY lets you set up connection details for different destinations and then connect to each with the press of a button. This system also provides automation by enabling you to execute scripts on the remote server. Sessions can be secured with SSH and a companion file transfer system implements SFTP. SCP is also available.

In short, this portable software is a useful tool for ad-hoc file transfers. It’s free, supports drag-and-drop transfers, logging, storing credentials and sessions, and more. I’ve been using Solar-PuTTY in place of PuTTY as my go-to SSH client for a bit, and the SFTP client has been a nice plus.

While I can’t say I like Solar-PuTTY’s interface more than WinSCP for SFTP/SCP transfers, the fact it is also an SSH client is a big plus. That and the storing of sessions makes it easy enough for me to use Solar-PuTTY regularly.

Who is it recommended for?

Solar-PuTTY uses SSH (Secure Shell) for secure remote connections, enabling encrypted communication between the client and server. It supports multiple SSH sessions, allowing users to securely access and manage remote systems. With features like saved credentials and session management, Solar-PuTTY streamlines SSH connections, ensuring both security and ease of use.

Solar-PuTTY is a nice update of the old PuTTY system that is easy to use and a real time saver for system administrators. This tool is free to use and useful for any technician that works from a Windows PC.

If you’re looking for a piece of free Windows software that can serve as a “Swiss Army Knife” type of client tool, give Solar-PuTTY a try for free.

5. JSCAPE MFT

Best for: Managed file transfers

Price: Contact Sales for prices

 

JSCAPE MFT is an enterprise-grade SaaS/MFTaaS platform solution that provides a corporate file transfer management service that can control file movement and log all file transfer activities. This package provides a number of secure file transfer protocols, including SFTP. The server unit is a central manager for the entire package and it delivers a client to users through a Web interface.

Unique buying proposition

JSCAPE MFT’s unique buying proposition lies in its comprehensive, platform-agnostic managed file transfer solution. It supports various protocols (SFTP, FTPS, HTTP/S, etc.), offers automation, high-level security features, and customizable workflows. JSCAPE MFT is ideal for organizations needing scalable, reliable, and secure file transfer without complex infrastructure requirements.

Feature-in-focus: JSCAPE MFT’s workload automation

JSCAPE MFT offers powerful workload automation features, allowing users to schedule, automate, and monitor file transfers and processes. With customizable workflows, triggers, and event-based actions, it reduces manual intervention, improves efficiency, and ensures timely, secure file transfers. This automation capability enhances operational productivity and streamlines business-critical tasks.

Comparitech SupportScore

JSCAPE MFT is a product of Redwood Software and so our SupportScore assessment needed to look at that company. Redwood gets a SupportScore of 8.3, which is high.

The score could be improved significantly if the business paid attention to the self-help documentation in its products such as JSCAPE MFT. The company currently gets 0 out of 10 in that category.

Why do we recommend it?

JSCAPE MFT is an on-premises controller for all file movement actions. This system uses your existing access rights manager to apply access permissions to movement rights. The system’s Web-based client also offers a file viewer, which removes the need to transfer copies of files. SFTP is just one of the secure protocols that this package can implement.

The software for the JSCAPE package installs on Windows, Linux, z/OS, Solaris, AIX, and macOS. That means IBM z Series mainframes can run the system. The functions of the package go beyond a conventional file transfer utility because they include the ability to set up task automation scripts to run on triggers or on a schedule and the tool can also manage EDI transfers.

Other features in the package include the ability to set up a file upload feature in a Web page and a plugin for Microsoft Outlook, which controls and logs the files that are uploaded as attachments. The tool can set up a central store of files that need to be sent out many times, such as sales brochures, and enable automated processes to allow outsiders to access those files.

Who is it recommended for?

The JSCAPE system provides many options for file sharing and data access controls. The package is suitable for businesses that need to follow data protection standards, such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOX, and GDPR. It is a comprehensive package that is best suited to large organizations that have technicians on site to set up and manage task automation and system controls.

JSCAPE is a comprehensive enterprise-grade file management package that can provide a great deal of task automation. For businesses that don’t want to run the system on their own servers, JSCAPE offers a hosted SaaS/MFTaaS version. You can investigate JSCAPE MFT by requesting a demo.

6. FileZilla

Best for: Multi-platform usage

Price: Free

FileZilla is a free and open-source (released under the GNU General Public License) FTP client software for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

FileZilla is a popular and mature FTP client software that supports FTP, FTPS, and SFTP. The “pro” version of FileZilla adds support for WebDAV and a variety of cloud storage providers (Amazon S3, Dropbox, etc.) as well. FileZilla supports drag and drop, transfer of files greater than 4GB, configurable transfer speed limits, and more.

Unique buying proposition

FileZilla’s unique buying proposition lies in its open-source, user-friendly design, offering reliable and secure FTP, FTPS, and SFTP file transfers. With cross-platform compatibility, reliable performance, and a well-planned interface, FileZilla is ideal for both beginners and professionals. Its free, community-driven development ensures continuous improvement and accessibility.

Feature-in-focus: FileZilla’s community support

FileZilla benefits from strong community support, with an active user base contributing to forums, FAQs, and troubleshooting guides. As an open-source project, it encourages collaboration and offers extensive resources for resolving issues. The community-driven nature ensures continuous updates, feature enhancements, and a wealth of shared knowledge for users.

Comparitech SupportScore

FileZilla is an open-source project. That’s great for those who want free tools, but not so good for businesses that expect a professional support team backing the software that they buy. So, unsurprisingly, FileZilla gets a low SupportScore of 2.5 out of 10.

The unpaid team that develops and updates FileZilla have done a good job supplying Wiki pages. You should expect to have zero difficulty using this tool but if you do, you will need to scroll through community forums because there is no Help Desk to contact.

Why do we recommend it?

FileZilla will run on Macs, and Linux machines as well as Windows PCs. the tool offers a choice between SFTP and FTPS and it will store access credentials for return connections. The standard version is free to use and a paid version is available for transfers to cloud platforms.

One of the most significant benefits of FileZilla is its broad user community. If you are stuck trying to figure things out on your own and run into issues, this could be a handy free resource. You can download the FileZilla client for free here.

One of the criticisms of FileZilla has been that it tries to add “bloatware” during the install. While this is understandable given they are trying to make some money, it can be off-putting to many users.

Who is it recommended for?

FileZilla is recommended for individuals and small to medium-sized businesses that need a reliable, easy-to-use FTP, FTPS, or SFTP client. It’s ideal for users seeking a free, open-source solution with reliable features for secure file transfers. Both beginners and experienced professionals can benefit from its straightforward interface and steadfast performance.

FileZilla is a good choice for any system administrator. Technicians who only work with Macs and Linux machines will be glad to have this utility instead of WinSCP.

At the least, FileZilla gives you the ability to opt-out of the additional software during the install process. It is something you should be cognizant of before blindly clicking through the install of this tool.

7. CyberDuck

Best for: Transfers to cloud storage

Price: Free

CyberDuck is a free and open-source remote file transfer client with support for a wide variety of protocols and cloud storage providers. CyberDuck is a solid alternative for users looking to move away from FileZilla as it offers many of the same features and the ability to import bookmarks from FileZilla (as well as several other apps).

Unique buying proposition

Cyberduck’s unique buying proposition lies in its seamless integration with cloud storage services like Amazon S3, Google Drive, and Dropbox, alongside traditional file transfer protocols like FTP and SFTP. Its intuitive interface, strong encryption, and cross-platform support make it an ideal solution for both casual and advanced users managing cloud-based and remote files.

Feature-in-focus: CyberDuck’s client software

Cyberduck’s client software provides a versatile, user-friendly interface for managing file transfers across multiple protocols, including FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and cloud storage services like Amazon S3 and Google Drive. It offers strong encryption, bookmarking features, and integration with external editors, making it a reliable and efficient tool for both personal and professional use.

Comparitech SupportScore

CyberDuck is a product of Iterate GmbH, which does not seem to have any employees. Our SupportScore formula has inputs related to a product provider’s size, profitability, stability, and employee job satisfaction. We weren’t able to allocate any of these points to CyberDuck.

With no staff, Iterate can offer no Help Desk. However, the online help documentation of CyberDuck is excellent and gets top marks. We evaluated the SupportScore of CyberDuck to be 1.5 out of 10.

Why do we recommend it?

CyberDuck is a free file transfer tool – there is no paid version. The utility is available for Windows and macOS and it provides a good alternative to the better-known WinSCP and FileZilla. Integrations to cloud platforms, including Azure, AWS, Backblaze, OneDrive, and Google Drive make uploads easy – this is a feature that users of FileZilla have to pay for.

While CyberDuck has a respectable feature set when it comes to protocol support (FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and WebDAV are all supported) and security, what really stood out to me was its support for a wide variety of cloud storage providers. CyberDuck boasts support for Amazon S3, OpenStack Swift, Backblaze B2, Microsoft Azure & OneDrive, Google Drive, DRACOON, and Dropbox.

Who is it recommended for?

Cyberduck is recommended for individuals and businesses that need a versatile, secure file transfer solution across various protocols, including FTP, SFTP, and cloud services like Amazon S3 and Google Drive. Its intuitive interface makes it suitable for both casual users and professionals managing remote servers or cloud-based file storage.

CyberDuck is a handy free utility that system administrators should have available, especially if their infrastructure includes both on-site and cloud platforms. The system provides SFTP and FTPS.

The GUI doesn’t default to a drag-and-drop “two-pane” view like many other clients, but I had no problem dragging from Windows Explorer into the CyberDuck GUI. You can download CyberDuck for Windows or Mac directly from its home page here.

8. MonstaFTP

Best for: Access from multiple device types

Price: Lite Edition = Free; Business Edition = $29 per year; Host Edition = $149 per year

MonstaFTP is a novel approach to FTP. It is a PHP and Javascript-based app that runs on a website and effectively makes your browser the FTP client. While this means that the network server administrator would need to set it up and therefore it isn’t the ideal solution for everyone, we thought the idea was worth noting here as well.

Unique buying proposition

MonstaFTP’s unique buying proposition lies in its web-based FTP solution, offering secure file transfers directly through a browser. With no software installation required, users can easily manage files on remote servers via an intuitive interface. Its scalability, high-security features, and easy integration make it ideal for businesses needing accessible, efficient file management.

Feature-in-focus: MonstaFTP’s customizable interface

MonstaFTP offers a highly customizable interface, allowing users to tailor the layout and functionality to their preferences. With options to modify themes, colors, and the arrangement of file panels, users can create a more personalized and efficient experience. This flexibility ensures optimal usability for both casual and advanced users.

Comparitech SupportScore

MonstaFTP is a small business with very fw staff. Therefore, the business is unable to maintain a 24-hour human Help Desk team. Thus, MonstaFTP gets no points out 10 for its Customer Support. However, the service gainst full points, 10 out of 10 for its online help and system documentation.

The SupportScore formula tends to favor large, financially successful and stable businesses. The status of MonstaFTP means that it gets a low SupportScore of 1.5 out of 10.

Why do we recommend it?

MonstaFTP provides secure file transfers and it is implemented as a PHP function that can be integrated into websites. The tool’s form can be branded. This system is available in free and paid versions and it offers SCP, SFTP, and FTP for secure transfers as well as FTP.

MonstaFTP supports FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and SCP. It enables users to upload .zip files and extract them on the server-side, edit files on-screen, customize the user interface, and rebrand the software. This could be an interesting solution if you are an administrator looking to make life easier for your users. As opposed to making them pick a client on their own (which may come with a non-trivial support burden for you), you can provide the client on the server-side. The ability to drag and drop from Windows Explorer is a nice plus as well.

Who is it recommended for?

MonstaFTP can only be used once it has been integrated into a Web page. Therefore, it isn’t available off the shelf for use by office workers or administrators. It cloud be added to an intranet page by businesses that want to make a file transfer utility available to their staff.

There are lite (free), business ($49/year), and host ($149/year) versions of MonstaFTP available as of this writing. You can download the free version or buy a license here. You can also add a free 45 day Host Edition trial when you download the lite version. If you would like to take it for a test drive before installing, you can demo MonstaFTP from your browser here.

9. Bitvise SSH Client

Best for: Secure remote operations

Price: Free

The Bitvise SSH Client is a free tool and can be paired with the paid Bitvise SSH Server, but it is will work with any server that has SSH or SFTP capabilities. A nice feature of this package is that you get a secure remote terminal system as well as an SFTP client.

Unique buying proposition

Bitvise SSH Client’s unique buying proposition lies in its advanced features, including secure file transfer (SFTP), terminal emulation, and SSH tunneling. With high-performance encryption, a customizable interface, and support for automated scripts, it’s ideal for IT professionals and businesses seeking a secure, reliable, and flexible SSH solution.

Feature-in-focus: Bitvise SSH Client’s SFTP utility

Bitvise SSH Client’s SFTP utility offers secure and efficient file transfers with advanced features like file synchronization, remote directory management, and drag-and-drop support. It provides high-speed transfers with strong encryption, ensuring data integrity and security. Its straightforward interface makes it ideal for both casual and professional users.

Comparitech SupportScore

Bitvise is a small company with only three employees, so it doesn’t have the capacity to provide a human Customer Support team. The low turnover of the business also works against it in our SupportScore formula. However, the in-app and online help guides and system documentation get a full 10 out of 10. Overall, the SupportScore of Bitvise is 2.5 out of 10.

Why do we recommend it?

Unlike many free IT tools, Bitvise SSH Client is regularly updated. It is compatible with Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022, which shows that the utility’s creators are keeping an eye on developments in the world of IT. The Bitvise system can be integrated into workflow automation via a scripting system because transfers and remote sessions can also be launched from the command line.

The SFTP utility in Bitvise SSH Client is straightforward and contains few surprises. It doesn’t include any multi-thread options or simultaneous transfers to multiple remote sites. However, it does provide a continuity mechanism that enables interrupted transfers to be resumed when a broken connection is re-established. It is also possible to pause and resume transfers.

The SFTP client is presented as a graphical user interface for Windows and it provides standard features, such as side-by-side local and remote directory listing, click-to-change directory movements, and drag-and-drop file movement commands.

It is also possible to use the Bitvise SSH system at the command line. That also provides the opportunity to integrate file transfers and remote script execution into local scripts for task automation. In fact, working with this free tool, you can set up a whole library of task automation scripts for workload automation.

Who is it recommended for?

Anyone could use Bitvise SSH Client for a wide range of tasks. It is a handy utility to have on the computer for ad-hoc remote access or file transfers and administrators that want to put together their own automated processes for managed file transfers or remote device maintenance would be able to use the command line version of the tool. The only restriction that limits the audience for Bitvise SSH Client is that it is only available for Windows and Windows Server.

You can download Bitvise SSH Client for free.

10. CoffeeCup Free FTP

Best for: Home use

Price: Free

CoffeeCup Free FTP Client is a free FTP, FTPS, and SFTP client for Windows operating systems. In addition to those file transfer protocols, it can also support HTTP. The GUI supports drag and drop, and if you are okay with the ads across the bottom of the window, it is fairly easy to use.

Unique buying proposition

CoffeeCup Free FTP’s unique buying proposition lies in its simplicity and ease of use, offering a fast, lightweight FTP client for both beginners and experienced users. With essential features like drag-and-drop support, folder synchronization, and secure connections, it provides a no-cost, user-friendly solution for basic file transfers and management.

Feature-in-focus: CoffeeCup Free FTP’s archiving utility

CoffeeCup Free FTP includes a convenient archiving utility that allows users to easily create and manage compressed files (ZIP, TAR, etc.) during transfers. This feature simplifies the process of uploading or downloading multiple files at once, ensuring efficient storage, transfer, and organization of large file sets directly within the FTP client.

Comparitech SupportScore

CoffeCup is a sole trader operation with only one member of staff. So, it doesn’t rate highlynwith the formula we created to derive the SupportScore. This is because a large part of the SupportScore calculation involves the stability of the provider. Those assessments are based on the size of staff, their job satisfaction, and the profitability of the company.

CoffeeCup isn’t able to provide a team to support customers. Howwever, support documentation is excellent, gaining a full 10 out of 10 in that category. The overall SupportScore for CoffeeCup works out at 2.5 out of 10.

Why do we recommend it?

As well as being a secure file transfer utility, CoffeeCup Free FTP includes an HTML editor. The tool is only available for Windows and it offers FTPS and SFTP for secure transfers up to or down from a remote site.

The free version of CoffeeCup FTP supports archival, combo bookmarks, historical file information, and more. The paid version of this software, Direct FTP adds features like a built-in code editor with code completion functionality.

Who is it recommended for?

CoffeeCup Free FTP is recommended for individuals and small businesses, particularly for home users looking for a simple, reliable FTP solution. Its easy-to-use interface and essential features make it ideal for casual users needing to upload or download files without the complexity of enterprise-level tools, all at no cost.

This tool is ideal for Web developers because of its integrated HTTP editor. Download a file, edit it, and then upload it for testing, all within the CoffeCup environment.

You can download CoffeeCup Free FTP here. You can purchase Direct FTP here.

11. Progress WS_FTP

Best for: Large enterprises

Price: Progress doesn’t publish a price list but you can get a 30-day free trial.

Progress (formerly IPswitch offers) a robust WS_FTP Professional Client-side for Windows with a variety of advanced features. According to Progress, this popular file transfer client is trusted by over 40 million users.

Unique buying proposition

Progress WS_FTP Professional Client’s unique buying proposition lies in its strong security features, including AES encryption, two-factor authentication, and support for secure FTP protocols. It offers a straightforward interface, advanced automation tools, and easy integration with cloud storage, making it an ideal solution for businesses needing reliable, secure, and efficient file management.

Feature-in-focus: Progress WS_FTP Professional Client’s transfer encryption

Progress WS_FTP Professional Client offers advanced transfer encryption with AES-256 and SSL/TLS support, ensuring secure data transmission. This encryption guarantees that sensitive files remain protected during transfers, preventing unauthorized access. The security features make it ideal for businesses and professionals who prioritize data integrity and confidentiality in file exchanges.

Comparitech SupportScore

Progress does very well with our SupportScore formula because it is a large and stable organization, which wins it extra points in our calculations. The company has more than 3,600 employees and they report high job satisfaction.

The company gets top marks for its Customer Support team and for its self-help documentation, so the SupportScore for Progress is 9.5 out of 10.

Why do we recommend it?

Progress WS_FTP Pro is a secure file transfer client that offers FTPS, SFTP, and HTTPS. This service is a paid system and it can also be used as a file transfer server. The system includes task automation options through the use of scripts and it also allows you to coordinate a local and a remote directory through syncing.

The WS_FTP Professional Client boasts support for a variety of transfer protocols including FTP, FTPS, SFTP, HTTP, and HTTPS. This makes the Progress client software highly extensible. If one protocol doesn’t work, you will not need to immediately jump to another software to get the job done. With many use cases preferring HTTP or HTTPS transfers to FTP or SFTP, the addition of those two protocols is a big plus.

WS_FTP Professional Client also takes security very seriously. 256-bit AES Transport Encryption can secure file transfers, file integrity is validated using a variety of methods including SHA512, PGP file encryption is supported, and the cryptography is FIPS 140-2 validated. These features are a big plus not only for business users looking to remain compliant but also users that place a premium on security.

Another benefit of WS_FTP Professional Client is the ability to automate tasks and back up data. For example, if you want to delete a file from location A after it is transferred to location B, you can automate that process along with the transfer. Similarly, you can schedule and compress backups of important data to a variety of locations including hard drives, network shares, file servers, or Internet hosting services. The synchronization feature helps you keep various directories in sync with one another and can help streamline administration.

Additionally, this software from Progress includes many other premium features that help make this a holistic file transfer client solution. These features include email notifications, unlimited connections, proxy server support, logging, the ability to create and view thumbnails (think WordPress), and more.

Who is it recommended for?

Progress WS_FTP is recommended for businesses and web developers, especially those managing WordPress sites. Its secure file transfer capabilities, robust encryption, and ease of use make it ideal for WordPress administrators who need to upload, download, or manage site files efficiently. It’s perfect for both beginners and advanced users.

The Progress system is a good option for administrators of WordPress sites and it can also be used to implement ad-hoc transfers to any remote server. The tool can be set up to receive files and it will send you a notification when a new file arrives.

Even though it is chock-full of features, I found WS_FTP Professional Client easy enough to get started with. The drag and drop GUI is fairly intuitive and helps you dive right into transferring files. You can download a free trial of the Progress FTP client here.

12. SecureFX

Best for: Windows, macOS, and Linux

Price: 1 license = $96; discounts for multiple purchases.

SecureFX is a versatile and secure file transfer client that supports various protocols, including SFTP, FTPS, SCP, and HTTPS. With its high-level encryption, it offers secure file transfers across networks, ideal for IT professionals who require secure communication.

Unique buying proposition

SecureFX’s unique buying proposition lies in its combination of strong security, multi-protocol support, and integration with SecureCRT, a secure remote terminal utility. It offers advanced encryption, automation features, and file synchronization across platforms, making it ideal for both businesses and professionals. With cross-platform compatibility and support for cloud storage, it ensures efficient, secure file management.

Options in the client include synchronization, multi-platform support, automated file transfers, and integration with SecureCRT for enhanced productivity. The software is designed for easy use, with a customizable interface, file transfer resumption, and advanced authentication methods such as public key and smart card support. SecureFX ensures compliance with security standards like HIPAA and SOX, making it suitable for businesses needing regulatory compliance.

Feature-in-focus: SecureFX’s easy-to-use client

The client utility of SecureFX doesn’t need very much training to use. The typical user can easily work out how to log in, how to choose a remote system and access it, and how to move around the file space of both computers before moving a file. The file transfer is initiated by a drag-and-drop action.

SecureFX also provides unmatched convenience with its ability to synchronize files, perform file transfers across local and remote systems, and automatically recover interrupted transfers. Its multi-platform compatibility across Windows, macOS, and Linux ensures flexibility, and its command-line tool allows for unattended, automated file transfers.

Comparitech SupportScore

SecureFX is a product of VanDyke Software. This enterprise is a sloe trainer, with only the company owner working there. As with many of the other small businesses on our list, the companyloses out on Supportscore points because it just doesn’t have the staff or financial stability to get points in many of our assessment categories.

The in-app documentation gets 10 out of 10, which helps VanDyke Software get an overall SupportScore of 4 out of 10.

Why do we recommend it?

We recommend SecureFX for its robust security features, seamless multi-platform support, and ease of use. Its support for various file transfer protocols and strong encryption ensures secure operations, while automation tools, file synchronization, and integration with SecureCRT enhance productivity. Ideal for professionals needing a reliable, secure transfer solution.

The tool integrates easily with cloud services like Amazon S3, enhancing its utility for businesses with diverse file storage needs. The integration of SSH2, smart card authentication, and advanced file management capabilities makes SecureFX a reliably secure and efficient file transfer utility.

Who is it recommended for?

SecureFX is recommended for IT professionals, businesses, and organizations requiring secure, compliant file transfers across multiple platforms. Its robust security features and automation capabilities make it ideal for enterprises, while its intuitive interface and multi-protocol support also cater to smaller teams and individual users seeking efficiency and security.

SecureFX will run on Windows., macOS, and Linux. The utility is available for a 30-day free trial.

13. mRemoteNG

Best for: Systems administrators

Price: Free

mRemoteNG is a versatile, open-source remote desktop management tool designed for IT professionals who need to manage multiple remote systems. Supporting various protocols such as RDP, SSH, VNC, and more, it allows users to connect to and control remote machines efficiently.

Unique buying proposition

mRemoteNG offers a powerful, open-source remote desktop management solution that supports multiple protocols like RDP, VNC, SSH, and more. Its user-friendly interface and tabbed connections provide seamless management of remote systems. Ideal for IT professionals, it simplifies complex remote access tasks with customization, security, and efficient workflow.

The application’s tabbed interface streamlines the management of numerous sessions simultaneously, making it easy to toggle between tasks and systems without losing focus. mRemoteNG’s customization options, alongside its secure connection capabilities, make it an invaluable tool for IT administration.

Feature-in-focus: mRemoteNG’s file transfer security

mRemoteNG supports a variety of encryption ciphers depending on the protocol being used, such as SSH and RDP. For SSH (SFTP), common ciphers include:

1. AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) – 128, 192, 256 bit
2. 3DES (Triple DES)
3. Blowfish
4. CAST-128
5. ChaCha20 (in some cases)

For RDP, encryption depends on the RDP server and client settings, with ciphers like:

1. RC4
2. AES
3. TLS (Transport Layer Security) for stronger encryption.

The specific cipher availability can vary depending on the version of mRemoteNG and the configurations of the remote system.

The file transfer utility of mRemoteNG is integrated directly into the interface, it allows users to securely transfer files between local and remote systems without the need for third-party software. Whether using protocols like SFTP, SCP, or RDP, mRemoteNG ensures that file transfers are encrypted, protecting sensitive data during the exchange. The combination of these utilities allows users to not only control systems remotely but also handle necessary file transfers within the same environment, all while maintaining a high level of security.

Comparitech SupportScore

Free, open-source products are great, but they don’t offer all of the trappings of a full corporation-produced system. Particularly, such tools don’t have the backing of a human Customer Success team. This is the case with mRemoteNG.

This tool has adequate online and in-app documentation. So, it gets a SupportScore of 1.5 out of 10.

Why do we recommend it?

mRemoteNG is highly recommended for its comprehensive, secure, and user-friendly remote desktop management capabilities. Its file transfer feature ensures encrypted data exchanges, while the support for multiple protocols enhances flexibility. This combination of features makes it an ideal tool for managing remote systems and data securely.

mRemoteNG’s file transfer capabilities are particularly useful in environments where frequent file management and updates are necessary, such as in system administration or network management roles. The secure and efficient transfer of files between systems is a critical task that can be streamlined through mRemoteNG, allowing IT teams to focus on more important aspects of their work.

Who is it recommended for?

mRemoteNG is best suited for IT professionals, system administrators, and network engineers who need a robust, all-in-one tool to manage remote systems and file transfers. Its support for various protocols and secure file management makes it perfect for professionals who regularly need to connect to, control, and transfer data across remote machines.

You can download mRemoteNG for free.

14. Royal TS

Best for: Enterprise support technicians

Price: Lite = Free; Individual license = 49 EUR; Sitre license 849 EUR; Global license 1,699 EUR

Royal TS is a comprehensive remote desktop management tool designed by RoyalApps that allows users to securely manage multiple remote systems from a single interface. It supports a wide array of protocols, including RDP, VNC, SSH, SFTP, and more, making it a versatile choice for managing diverse remote environments. With its intuitive, tabbed interface, users can organize and switch between multiple sessions with ease, enhancing productivity and making it easier to monitor and maintain systems.

Unique buying proposition

Royal TS has a secure file transfer utility that integrates directly with its remote desktop management platform. Supporting protocols like SFTP, SCP, and FTP, it ensures encrypted, reliable data exchanges between local and remote systems. This feature streamlines workflows, allowing IT professionals to manage, transfer, and access files securely without needing third-party tools.

The platform includes advanced encryption and credential management, allowing users to securely store sensitive data and ensure encrypted connections during remote sessions. The credential manager is highly customizable, enabling the storage of connection-specific information for easy access, while maintaining high security standards.

Feature-in-focus: Royal TS’s file transfer protocols

Royal TS supports various secure file transfer protocols, including SFTP, SCP, and FTP. These protocols ensure encrypted, safe data exchanges between local and remote systems. The integration of these protocols directly into the Royal TS interface simplifies file management, enabling users to securely transfer files without needing additional software.

Royal TS offers centralized management features, which allow administrators to deploy and manage configurations across multiple machines, providing a streamlined and efficient solution for large-scale environments.

Comparitech SupportScore

RoyalApps, the provider of Royal TS is a small business and so it doesn’t get many of the points offered by our SupportScore categories that relate to company size, finanical stability, and staff job satisfaction.

Despite only having five staff, the company provides a Help Desk, so it gets full marks in that category of assessment together with a top score in the online help and in-app documentation category. Thus, RoyalApps gets an overall SupportScore of 3.5 out of 10

Why do we recommend it?

Royal TS is recommended for its robust, feature-rich interface that supports a variety of protocols and offers strong security measures. The user-friendly design combined with customizable session management makes it a powerful tool for professionals who need secure and efficient access to multiple remote systems.

Royal TS enables team members to share and manage remote connections, making it an excellent tool for IT teams and organizations that need to collaborate on remote management tasks. Royal TS also supports session recording, auditing, and customizable session templates, allowing for more efficient workflows and enhanced accountability. These features make it particularly beneficial in environments where multiple users need to interact with remote systems and ensure compliance or track changes.

Who is it recommended for?

Royal TS is ideal for IT administrators, network engineers, and teams working in enterprise environments. Its multi-protocol support, strong security features, and collaboration capabilities make it an excellent choice for those who require secure, streamlined remote desktop management across multiple systems and team-based workflows.

Royal TS is compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, offering cross-platform support for a wide range of users. It provides a 30-day free trial, allowing users to explore its full set of features, including remote session management, file transfers, and team collaboration tools, before committing to a paid license.

Alternatively: Use the built-in Linux, Windows, and macOS CLI programs

If you can’t, or don’t want to, install any programs you may be able to get away with the various command-line options available on most modern operating systems. Here we’ll provide a quick overview of what’s available on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

For those of you comfortable with the Linux CLI, the built-in SFTP and FTP programs may be all you need. If you are comfortable with using SSH from a command line, using these two programs should be easy enough. For a primer on SFTP from the Linux CLI, check out this Digital Ocean article.

Given that they are both *nix-based operating systems, the macOS SFTP command-line program is similar to the Linux SFTP program described above. However, beginning with High Sierra, macOS dropped support for plaintext FTP from the command line (check out this Apple discussion for details). If you need CLI plaintext FTP support and are running a newer macOS, installing the open-source inetutils might be the way to go. The command brew install inetutils can be used to install the inetutils suite of tools. Note: inetutils includes a variety of client and server programs, many of which transfer data in plaintext. Consider using an encrypted file transfer method like SFTP or FTPS instead of installing inetutils.

Windows also offers a built-in command-line FTP program you can invoke simply by typing “ftp” at the command prompt. However, there is no such program for SFTP, so you’ll need to install a third-party client tool like PSFTP (from the creators of Putty).

Honorable mentions

There were two client software products that just missed making our list (if you think we should reconsider, let us know in the Comments section below).

Classic FTP is software you may want to consider if you are a Windows Home user who only needs support for FTP and FTPS (SFTP is not supported). Given the context of our list, we decided to leave it off as the freeware version is only available for non-commercial use.

FireFTP is a popular browser that we would have added to our list had Firefox not dropped support. Now FireFTP recommends users leverage the less popular WaterFox browser, so we decided to leave them off. The reasoning behind this decision was not that FireFTP or WaterFox is subpar, just that changing browsers just for FTP support might not be ideal given the availability of alternatives.

Need-to-know: FTP, FTPS, SFTP, SCP & Fish clients

What is FTP?

The File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is, as the name suggests, a client-server protocol used for transferring files between computers on a network. FTP uses Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) port numbers 20 & 21 by default. FTP enables users to download, upload, view, rename, delete files, and more.

FTP is a relatively old protocol. While this helps explain some of the oddities like using two ports, it also speaks to the maturity of the protocol. The original standard for FTP, RFC 114, was published in 1971. The current standard, RFC 959, was published in 1985.

Connection Modes: Active vs Passive FTP

There are two discrete FTP connection modes: active FTP and passive FTP. With active FTP mode, port 21 is used to send the control commands that dictate what happens during an FTP session. Port 20 is used for the actual transfer of data. In passive FTP mode, an arbitrary port higher than 1023 is used in place of port 20. Slacksite takes an excellent deep dive into the topic of active vs passive FTP if you’re interested in learning more.

Transfer Modes: Binary vs ASCII

There are also two different FTP transfer modes: binary and ASCII.

For text files (i.e. a file that is human-readable with a program like Notepad, vi, or nano), ASCII is recommended. This is because ASCII transfer mode supports character translation between different systems (e.g. conversion of end of line characters). This can be important when transferring scripts.

For non-text files, like JPEG images, binary transfer mode is recommended. This is because the character translation in ASCII mode can corrupt non-text files. If you have ever transferred an image between two computers and it wasn’t viewable on the receiving machine, the root cause may have been the ASCII transfer mode use.

If this gets a little hard to keep up with, don’t worry too much. In most cases, you can just use binary transfer mode and not think about it further.

FTP & SFTP Clients FAQs

Is FTP secure?

In a word, no. FTP sends files and credentials across the network in cleartext. That means data sent using FTP is NOT encrypted.

For this reason, it is often better to use an encrypted transfer method like FTPS (FTP Secure) or SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol).

What is FTPS?

FTPS is effectively FTP with support for TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption. In the past, FTPS also used SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). SSL is much less common with FTPS today due to a variety of security issues. Using FTPS instead of standard FTP enables you to get the functionality of FTP, plus the benefits of encryption and certificates.

There are two main types of FTPS connections, implicit and explicit. Servers using implicit FTP listen for connections on port 990 instead of port 21. As mentioned by FileZilla, implicit FTPS is a legacy protocol at this point. This means you won’t see implicit FTPS used as much as explicit FTPS these days. Explicit FTPS (a.k.a. FTPES) uses port 21 like standard FTP and enables the client to call for an encrypted connection explicitly.

What is SFTP?

SFTP, rather counterintuitively, is NOT just an encrypted version of the FTP protocol. While it serves the same purpose of transferring and managing files, under the hood SFTP is significantly different from FTP and FTPS. Many of these differences stem from the fact that SFTP sits atop the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol.

One significant difference is the usage of ports. As opposed to using two discrete ports, SFTP uses just one. By default, this port is TCP port 22 (the default SSH port). Using the SSH port has the added benefit of making SFTP generally more “firewall-friendly” and less likely to be blocked by default.

Additionally, SFTP enables users to benefit from the use of SSH private keys. If you are unfamiliar with the benefits of SSH private keys and asymmetric cryptography, check out this article from Digital Ocean. In short, SSH private keys add an additional layer of security to the authentication process.

Personally, I prefer SFTP to FTP/FTPS/FTPES, but there are use case arguments for both. The near-ubiquity of SFTP on most Linux/Unix servers, firewall benefits of using the single port, and the security benefits of leveraging SSH are the reasons for my preference. However, some may make an argument for FTPS based on the specifics of a given environment (e.g. if there are already FTP servers running), support for X.509 certificates, or support for server to server file transfers.

What about SCP and FISH?

If you are researching file transfer protocols, you may have come across SCP (Secure Copy) and FISH (Files Transferred Over Shell Protocol). These two protocols are similar to SFTP in that they use SSH to facilitate the connection (FISH can also use rsh).

SCP is a popular solution that can prove helpful if you simply need to transfer files. However, if you need to list remote directories, create new directories, remove files, or do other administrative tasks, you’ll need to use SFTP or FTP.

FISH is not as widely-used as SCP or SFTP, but may be helpful where resources and the ability to install software on the server-side is highly limited.

Where are FTP & SFTP used?

You can find FTP and SFTP used in a wide variety of use cases. Anytime you need to transfer files from computer A to computer B or manage files on a remote system is a potential use case for SFTP and FTP. Some of the most popular use cases include:

Uploading files to Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress.

*nix server administration. SFTP is ‘the’ popular choice here.

File sharing. Using a protocol like SFTP may be particularly useful to meet compliance requirements (e.g. for SOX, HIPPA, or FIPS).

Firmware upgrades. Many devices support firmware upgrades via FTP or SFTP.

Why trust us?

Comparitech is highly qualified to assess software and IT systems due to its team of experienced professionals, including certified security experts, software engineers, and IT specialists. With extensive industry knowledge, they provide in-depth analysis and testing services. Their expertise covers areas such as cybersecurity, data protection, and software performance, ensuring comprehensive evaluations. Comparitech stays up-to-date with the latest technologies, trends, and best practices, delivering accurate, reliable, and actionable insights.

Our methodology for choosing SFTP clients for Windows and Linux

At Comparitech, we follow a structured approach to evaluate SFTP clients for Windows and Linux. This ensures that the tools we recommend meet both functional and performance requirements for secure and efficient file transfer across different environments.

1. Feature Set Evaluation

We begin by analyzing the core features of each SFTP client. This includes encryption protocols (e.g., AES, RSA), authentication methods (password, public key), file transfer capabilities, automation support, and compatibility with various SSH versions. Additionally, we prioritize advanced features like scheduling, logging, and file compression.

2. Security and Compliance

Given the sensitive nature of file transfers, security is paramount. We assess how well each client handles encryption during transfer, whether it supports features like two-factor authentication (2FA), and compliance with industry standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS. Clients that offer robust security protections and regular security updates are favored.

3. Performance Testing

We test each client in real-world conditions across both Windows and Linux environments. This includes measuring file transfer speeds, handling of large datasets, and the ability to resume interrupted transfers. Reliability during high-load conditions and overall system resource usage (CPU and memory) are also key performance indicators.

4. User Experience and Compatibility

The ease of use and interface design are evaluated to ensure that users, regardless of technical expertise, can quickly navigate and utilize the tool. We also assess how well the client integrates with common enterprise systems, such as FTP servers and other file management software.

5. Vendor Support and Community Engagement

We review vendor support options, including available documentation, online resources, and customer service responsiveness. Additionally, we look at community feedback, such as user reviews and forum discussions, to gauge the reliability of the software and its long-term viability.

6. Cost and Licensing Models

Pricing and licensing options are evaluated to ensure the tool provides value for money. We consider both one-time fees and subscription-based pricing models, ensuring that businesses of various sizes can find a suitable solution.

Broader B2B Software Selection Methodology

Our approach to selecting B2B software focuses on identifying solutions that offer both immediate utility and long-term growth potential. The process involves comprehensive analysis based on the business’s goals, user needs, and technical requirements.

1. Identifying Business Requirements

The first step in our methodology is to clearly understand the business goals and objectives that the software needs to address. This could include improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experience, or ensuring compliance with industry regulations. We work closely with the business to identify functional requirements, budget constraints, and long-term scalability needs.

2. Feature Analysis and Functionality

Once we understand the core requirements, we evaluate the functionality of the software. Key features such as customization options, integration capabilities with other enterprise tools (CRM, ERP, etc.), and the ability to handle complex workflows are prioritized. We also assess whether the software offers flexibility to adapt to changing business needs.

3. Security and Compliance Considerations

Security is critical in B2B software, particularly when handling sensitive business data. We evaluate how well the software implements data encryption, user access controls, and audit trails. We also examine whether the software complies with relevant standards and regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO certifications, to ensure that the organization remains compliant.

4. Usability and User Experience

The user interface and user experience play a significant role in software adoption. We test the ease of use, clarity of navigation, and the intuitiveness of the software’s design. Training requirements and the software’s ability to onboard new users without major disruptions to existing workflows are also considered.

5. Scalability and Flexibility

We assess whether the software can scale as the business grows, both in terms of users and complexity. This includes evaluating cloud deployment options, multi-site support, and the ability to accommodate increased data loads. Flexibility is also key—whether the software can be customized to fit unique business processes and whether it supports future feature expansions.

6. Vendor Reputation and Support

We examine the vendor’s history, market reputation, and customer service quality. Strong, responsive vendor support ensures businesses can get timely help when issues arise. We also look at the availability of resources like tutorials, knowledge bases, and community forums to support end-users.

7. Pricing and ROI Evaluation

Finally, we consider the total cost of ownership (TCO) and return on investment (ROI). This involves reviewing the pricing structure—whether subscription-based, one-time fee, or per-user—and comparing it to the value the software provides. We also assess any hidden costs, such as implementation fees, training, or support costs, to ensure the software fits within the company’s budget.

By using this methodology, we ensure that businesses select software that not only meets their immediate needs but also provides flexibility and support as they grow.

Check out our detailed B2B software methodology page to learn more.

Let us know what you think!

Have you tried any of the software tools mentioned in this article? Do you think there is something we left out? Do you have a question about one FTP or SFTP? Let us know in the Comments section below.