The Best SFTP Client Software in 2026
We researched SFTP client software through official vendor websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Products are ranked on secure file-transfer capabilities, value for money and verified features that support everyday file management, synchronization and server access in SFTP client software.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
WinSCP#1 of 319.4/10A capable free SFTP client for Windows users who need scripting and synchronization.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
Cyberduck#2 of 319.2/10A versatile, open-source SFTP client for cross-platform file transfers and cloud connections.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
FileZilla Client#3 of 319.0/10A capable free SFTP client for cross-platform file transfers and remote file management.
Free plan
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 31 tools, best first
-
Best forWindows users needing a powerful free SFTP client
A capable free SFTP client for Windows users who need scripting and synchronization.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit WinSCP -
Best forCross-platform users needing broad connectivity
A versatile, open-source SFTP client for cross-platform file transfers and cloud connections.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Cyberduck -
Best forFree cross-platform SFTP transfers
A capable free SFTP client for cross-platform file transfers and remote file management.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit FileZilla -
Best forTeams needing web and mobile SFTP access
A broad, open-source SFTP workspace for teams spanning web, desktop and mobile.
- Folder synchronization
- Remote file editing
- SSH key authentication
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Filestash -
Best forProfessional users needing secure automation
A paid, cross-platform client for secure transfers, synchronization, and automation.
- Folder synchronization
- Remote file editing
- SSH key authentication
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit SecureFX -
Best forCross-platform users needing scheduled transfers
A capable cross-platform transfer client with scheduling, synchronization, and automation.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit CrossFTP -
Best forLinux users automating SFTP transfers
A free, open-source SFTP client for automated Linux transfers and directory mirroring.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit lftp -
Best forUsers wanting scheduled SFTP with team features
A cross-platform SFTP client for scheduled transfers, terminal work and team sharing.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit sFTP Client -
Best forWindows users wanting low-cost transfer automation
A low-cost Windows client for scheduled transfers, synchronization and everyday file movement.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Core FTP -
Best forWindows professionals needing managed transfers
A feature-rich Windows SFTP client for managed transfers, synchronization and automation.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit SmartFTP -
Best forMac users needing sync and transfer controls
A capable macOS client for multi-protocol transfers and synchronization, without a free plan.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Transmit -
Best forMac users needing scheduled synchronization
A Mac-focused SFTP client for scheduled transfers, synchronization, and automation.
- Folder synchronization
- Remote file editing
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Yummy FTP Pro -
Best forMac users needing rich file management
A feature-rich macOS SFTP client for users who need file management beyond transfers.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit ForkLift -
Best forMac users wanting a straightforward SFTP client
A focused Mac file-transfer client with synchronization, previews, and resume support.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Fetch -
Best forWindows users needing enterprise transfer workflows
A Windows-focused client for secure, scheduled, and automated file transfers.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Progress -
Best forOrganizations needing mature SSH-based transfers
A mature SSH client for organizations that need GUI, command-line, and tunneled transfers.
- SSH key authentication
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Tectia -
Best forWindows users needing FXP and automation
A Windows SFTP client for FXP transfers, scheduled jobs, editing, and automation.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit FlashFXP -
Best forUsers wanting SFTP mounted as a native drive
A flexible drive-mounting client for remote files, with team features starting at $29 per month.
- Remote file editing
- SSH key authentication
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit ExpanDrive -
Best forUsers wanting remote storage mounted locally
A capable desktop client for mounting, syncing, editing, and sharing remote storage.
- Folder synchronization
- Remote file editing
- SSH key authentication
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Mountain Duck -
Best forWindows users needing scheduled SFTP transfers
A focused Windows client for scheduled, synchronized file transfers.
- Folder synchronization
- Remote file editing
- SSH key authentication
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Xftp -
Best forMac users wanting a dual-pane file manager
A macOS file manager combining SFTP access, dual panes, tabs, and cloud connections.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Commander One -
Best forWindows users needing high transfer concurrency
A Windows-only SFTP client with scripting, synchronization, scheduling, and high concurrency.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit CuteFTP -
Best forWindows users already using UltraEdit tools
A capable Windows SFTP client for UltraEdit users, with strong transfer and sync tools.
- Folder synchronization
- Remote file editing
- SSH key authentication
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit UltraFTP -
Best forUsers wanting a free, focused SFTP client
A free, focused SFTP client with practical browsing, transfer, and SSH features.
- SSH key authentication
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit ST Explorer -
Best forWindows users mounting SFTP as a drive
A free public-preview utility for accessing remote storage through Windows drive letters.
- SSH key authentication
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Rebex Drive -
Best forMac users wanting inexpensive background uploads
A paid Mac-only client for automated uploads, multi-protocol transfers, and file management.
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Viper FTP -
Best forUsers needing browser-based basic SFTP access
A practical browser-based SFTP client with free basics and paid administration features.
- Remote file editing
- SSH key authentication
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Monsta FTP -
Best forMac or Windows users mounting SFTP drives
A practical cross-platform client for mounting SFTP and cloud storage as local drives.
- Remote file editing
- SSH key authentication
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit CloudMounter -
Best forUsers needing a simple web SFTP client
A simple web SFTP client with a free plan and focused transfer tools.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit FilePort Pro -
Best foriPhone and iPad users transferring SFTP files
A focused iOS file-transfer client with editing, previews, streaming, and server-to-server transfers.
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit FTPManager Pro -
Best forOrganizations needing mapped-drive governance
A governed mapped-drive client for teams managing remote and cloud storage.
- Remote file editing
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit WebDrive
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WinSCP | Yes | Free | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Cyberduck | Yes | $10 one-time | cross-platform | 9.2 |
| 3 | FileZilla Client | Yes | Free | cross-platform | 9.0 |
| 4 | Filestash | Yes | $50/mo | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | 8.9 |
| 5 | SecureFX | No | $59.95/device one-time | Windows, macOS, Linux | 8.8 |
| 6 | CrossFTP | Yes | cross-platform | 8.7 | |
| 7 | lftp | Yes | Free | linux | 8.6 |
| 8 | sFTP Client | Yes | cross-platform | 8.5 | |
| 9 | Core FTP | Yes | $16.95/user one-time | windows | 8.4 |
| 10 | SmartFTP | No | windows | 8.3 | |
| 11 | Transmit | No | $24.99/user/yr | macos | 8.2 |
| 12 | Yummy FTP Pro | No | macOS | 8.1 | |
| 13 | ForkLift | No | $19.95 one-time | macos | 8.0 |
| 14 | Fetch | No | $18/user one-time | macos | 7.9 |
| 15 | WS_FTP Professional | No | $58/user one-time | windows | 7.8 |
| 16 | Tectia Client | No | Windows, macOS, Linux, Unix | 7.7 | |
| 17 | FlashFXP | No | windows | 7.6 | |
| 18 | ExpanDrive | Yes | $29/mo | macOS, Windows, Linux | 7.5 |
| 19 | Mountain Duck | No | macOS, Windows | 7.4 | |
| 20 | Xftp | Yes | $59/user one-time | Windows 8+, Windows Server 2012+, Microsoft Windows Terminal Server, Citrix MetaFrame for Windows | 7.3 |
| 21 | Commander One | Yes | $29.99/device one-time | macos | 7.2 |
| 22 | CuteFTP | No | windows | 7.1 | |
| 23 | UltraFTP | No | $119.95/yr | Windows | 7.0 |
| 24 | ST Explorer | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | 6.9 |
| 25 | Rebex Drive | Yes | Free | Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016 or later | 6.8 |
| 26 | Viper FTP | No | $15/yr | macos | 6.7 |
| 27 | Monsta FTP | Yes | $29/yr | web | 6.6 |
| 28 | CloudMounter | Yes | $29/device/yr | macOS, Windows | 6.5 |
| 29 | FilePort Pro | Yes | $5/mo | web | 6.4 |
| 30 | FTPManager Pro | No | 6.3 | ||
| 31 | WebDrive | No | $150/seat/yr | Windows, macOS | 6.2 |
Head-to-head All 22 comparisons →
- WinSCP vs Filestash
- WinSCP vs SecureFX
- WinSCP vs CrossFTP
- WinSCP vs sFTP Client
- Cyberduck vs Filestash
- Cyberduck vs SecureFX
- Cyberduck vs CrossFTP
- Cyberduck vs sFTP Client
- FileZilla Client vs Filestash
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How we rank SFTP client 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