The Best FTP Server Software in 2026
We researched FTP server software from official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Products are ranked on their core job, value for money, and verified features for hosting secure file-transfer endpoints, managing access, and supporting reliable human or automated exchange.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
SFTPGo#1 of 339.4/10A flexible open-source transfer server for teams needing multiple protocols and strong controls.
Free plan · 10-day trial
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Runner-up
CompleteFTP#2 of 339.2/10A broad managed file transfer server for automated, resilient enterprise file exchange.
Free plan · 31-day trial
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Top-ranked free plan
Wing FTP Server#5 of 338.8/10A flexible cross-platform FTP server with a free non-commercial edition and enterprise tiers.
Free plan · 30-day trial
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 33 tools, best first
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Best forOpen-source, secure multi-protocol deployments
A flexible open-source transfer server for teams needing multiple protocols and strong controls.
- Web administration
- Automation API
- Virtual folders
Free plan · 10-day trial Our SFTPGo verdict → Visit SFTPGoFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #1 · $149/mo →9.4/10★★★★★Visit SFTPGo -
Best forEnterprise FTP with automation and failover
A broad managed file transfer server for automated, resilient enterprise file exchange.
Free plan · 31-day trial Our CompleteFTP verdict → Visit CompleteFTPFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #2 · $99/mo →9.2/10★★★★★Visit CompleteFTP -
Best forFeature-rich self-hosted file transfer
A broad, feature-rich self-hosted server with a low one-time entry price.
- Web administration
- Automation API
- Virtual folders
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit CrushFTP -
Best forEnterprise SFTP with security and HA
A security-focused transfer server with permissions, audit logs, automation, and HA options.
- Web administration
- Automation API
- Virtual folders
Pricing on request · 20-day trial Our Titan SFTP Server verdict → Visit TitanFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #4 · $69/mo →8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Titan -
Best forCross-platform teams wanting a free edition
A flexible cross-platform FTP server with a free non-commercial edition and enterprise tiers.
- Web administration
- Automation API
- Virtual folders
Free plan · 30-day trial Our Wing FTP Server verdict → Visit Wing FTPFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #5 · $59/mo →8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Wing FTP -
Best forHigh-availability, API-driven file transfer
A capable self-hosted server for API-driven, high-availability file transfer.
- Web administration
- Automation API
- Virtual folders
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Syncplify -
Best forEstablished Windows FTP administration
A broad Windows file-transfer server with strong administration and automation depth.
- Web administration
- Automation API
- Virtual folders
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Cerberus -
Best forOrganizations needing broad protocol coverage
A flexible server-based file transfer suite for organizations with varied protocol needs.
- Web administration
- Automation API
- Virtual folders
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit zFTPServer -
Best forWindows SFTP with a free personal edition
A capable Windows SFTP server with a free personal edition and broad administration controls.
- Automation API
- Virtual folders
- Audit logging
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Bitvise -
Best forSmall Windows SFTP deployments
A flexible Windows file-transfer server with a capable free edition and paid business licensing.
- Web administration
- Virtual folders
- Audit logging
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Rebex -
Best forWindows FTP with browser administration
A broad Windows FTP server with strong administration tools and a 10-connection limit.
- Web administration
- Automation API
- Audit logging
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Sysax -
Best forCross-platform SSH and FTP administration
A cross-platform server for secure file exchange, automation, and SSH administration.
- Automation API
- Virtual folders
- Audit logging
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit VShell Server -
Best forAffordable web-friendly multi-protocol FTP
A flexible web-friendly FTP server with strong transfer coverage and modest scale.
- Web administration
- Virtual folders
- Audit logging
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Rumpus -
Best forEstablished FTP deployments with web access
A mature FTP/FTPS server for established deployments that need web access and administration.
- Web administration
- Automation API
- Virtual folders
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Serv-U -
Best forFree open-source FTP on multiple systems
A free, flexible FTP server for teams comfortable managing their own infrastructure.
- Virtual folders
- Audit logging
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Pure-FTPd -
Best forDevelopers embedding a basic FTP server
A flexible Java FTP/FTPS server for standalone deployment or application embedding.
- Automation API
- Virtual folders
- Audit logging
7.6/10★★★★☆Try Apache FtpServer -
Best forModular Unix FTP server setups
A flexible, open-source FTP server for administrators who want modular control.
- Automation API
- Audit logging
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit ProFTPD -
Best forMinimal Linux FTP server deployments
A focused, self-hosted FTP/FTPS daemon for minimal Linux deployments.
- Virtual folders
- Audit logging
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit vsftpd -
Best forBudget Windows FTP with directory integration
A budget Windows file-transfer server with directory integration and paid SFTP options.
- Virtual folders
- Audit logging
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Xlight -
Best forFree basic FTP server hosting
A free, open-source FTP/FTPS server with practical administration controls.
- Virtual folders
- Audit logging
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit FileZilla -
Best forFree Windows SFTP/SCP transfers
A focused free Windows utility for SFTP and SCP transfers, with practical access controls.
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit SolarWinds -
Best forTraditional Windows FTP with basic controls
A Windows-only FTP server with broad protocol support and traditional administration controls.
- Automation API
- Virtual folders
- Audit logging
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit BulletProof -
Best forWindows-based automated transfer workflows
A Windows-focused automation client for secure, scheduled, multi-protocol transfers.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Robo-FTP -
Best forLow-cost Windows FTP transfers
A low-cost Windows transfer client with automation and synchronization in Pro.
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Core FTP -
Best forSimple Windows FTP and SFTP hosting
A Windows-focused FTP server with free personal use and paid connection upgrades.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit FTPShell -
Best forOrganizations needing mature Windows FTP
A mature Windows file-transfer server with strong administration and a high entry price.
- Web administration
- Virtual folders
- Audit logging
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit WS_FTP Server -
Best forSingle-user portable Windows SFTP
A portable, free SFTP server for simple Windows file sharing and testing.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Rebex -
Best forDevelopers needing lightweight FTP backends
A lightweight, open-source FTP gateway for developers who want flexible storage backends.
- Audit logging
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forBasic free Linux FTP hosting
A capable free Linux FTP server with strong administration controls and narrow platform coverage.
- Audit logging
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit glFTPd -
Best forBasic secure Linux FTP service
A focused, free FTP/FTPS server for Linux administrators who prefer configuration files.
- Audit logging
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit uFTP server -
Best forFree command-line FTP transfers
A free, open-source FTP client for scripted transfers, queues, and scheduled jobs.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit NcFTP -
Best forFree cross-platform FTP/SFTP client access
A capable free client for managing transfers across major desktop platforms.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit FileZilla -
Best forBasic desktop video editing and processing
A free video editor, not a fit for FTP server administration.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Avidemux
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Protocols supported | Virtual folders | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SFTPGo | Yes | €50/mo | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | CompleteFTP | Yes | $369 one-time | 9.2 | ||
| 3 | CrushFTP | No | $70 one-time | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 9.0 |
| 4 | Titan SFTP Server | No | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 5 | Wing FTP Server | Yes | $199/device one-time | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 8.8 |
| 6 | Syncplify Server! | No | $349 one-time | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 8.7 |
| 7 | Cerberus FTP Server | No | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 8 | zFTPServer Suite | No | €29/user/yr | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 8.5 |
| 9 | Bitvise SSH Server | Yes | $99.95/device one-time | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 8.4 |
| 10 | Rebex Buru SFTP Server | Yes | $399 one-time | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 8.3 |
| 11 | Sysax Multi Server | Yes | $297 one-time | Ftp_ftps_sftp | 8.2 | |
| 12 | VShell Server | No | $599 one-time | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 8.1 |
| 13 | Rumpus | No | $150/site/yr | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 8.0 |
| 14 | Serv-U FTP Server | No | $55/mo | Ftp_ftps | Yes | 7.9 |
| 15 | Pure-FTPd | Yes | Free | Ftp_ftps | Yes | 7.7 |
| 16 | Apache FtpServer | Yes | Free | Ftp_ftps | Yes | 7.6 |
| 17 | ProFTPD | Free | Ftp_ftps_sftp | 7.5 | ||
| 18 | vsftpd | Free | Ftp_ftps | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 19 | Xlight FTP Server | Yes | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 7.3 | |
| 20 | FileZilla Server | Yes | Free | Ftp_ftps | Yes | 7.1 |
| 21 | SolarWinds Free SFTP/SCP Server | Yes | Free | 7.0 | ||
| 22 | BulletProof FTP Server | No | $145/yr | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 6.9 |
| 23 | Robo-FTP | No | 6.8 | |||
| 24 | Core FTP | Yes | $16.95/user one-time | 6.7 | ||
| 25 | FTPShell Server | Yes | $199.95 one-time | Ftp_ftps_sftp | 6.6 | |
| 26 | WS_FTP Server | No | $920 one-time | Ftp_ftps_sftp | Yes | 6.5 |
| 27 | Rebex Tiny SFTP Server | Yes | Free | No | 6.4 | |
| 28 | Golang FTP Server | Free | Ftp_ftps | 6.3 | ||
| 29 | glFTPd | Yes | Free | Ftp_ftps | 6.2 | |
| 30 | uFTP server | Yes | Free | Ftp_ftps | 6.1 | |
| 31 | NcFTP | Yes | Free | 6.0 | ||
| 32 | FileZilla Client | Yes | Free | 6.0 | ||
| 33 | Avidemux | Yes | Free | 6.0 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- SFTPGo vs CompleteFTP
- SFTPGo vs CrushFTP
- SFTPGo vs Titan SFTP Server
- SFTPGo vs Wing FTP Server
- SFTPGo vs Syncplify Server!
- SFTPGo vs Cerberus FTP Server
- SFTPGo vs zFTPServer Suite
- CompleteFTP vs CrushFTP
- CompleteFTP vs Titan SFTP Server
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How we rank FTP server software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update