WS_FTP Server review
A mature Windows file-transfer server with strong administration and a high entry price.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
WS_FTP Server is a Windows-based server for storing, sharing and transferring files over FTP, FTPS and SFTP in selected editions. It is designed for organizations managing business-critical file transfers that need granular permissions, user and group management, virtual folders, audit logging, authentication integrations and remote web-based administration. Its scope suits teams that want a mature, centrally administered FTP environment rather than a lightweight tool for occasional transfers.
Pricing is perpetual and plan-based. Basic costs $920 per license and includes FTP/SSL/FTPS, user management, Microsoft AD authentication, file management and Syslog integration. Secure costs $1,960 per license and adds SSH/SFTP, FIPS-140-2, 25 ad-hoc users and OpenSSL 3.0. Premium costs $5,195 per license and adds unlimited ad-hoc users, the Web Transfer Module, LDAP integration, HTTPS and SCP2. A 30-day free trial is available. The progression is clear: Basic covers core Windows FTP administration, Secure adds SFTP and additional security features, while Premium is aimed at broader user access and web-based transfer needs.
The strongest fit is an organization already centered on Windows and Microsoft Active Directory, with requirements for folder-, user- and group-level permissions, logs, Syslog, MFA and database connectivity through ODBC, PostgreSQL or Microsoft SQL Server. Optional ad-hoc transfer, web transfer and failover modules extend the deployment for more specialized workflows, including MOVEit Automation integration. Choose WS_FTP Server when administrative control, protocol coverage and perpetual licensing justify the upfront cost. Organizations seeking a lower-cost or non-Windows server should consider a different product.
WS_FTP Server pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports FTP, FTPS and SFTP across the product editions
- Granular permissions, virtual folders and remote web administration
- Integrates with Active Directory, LDAP, ODBC and Syslog
- Where it doesn't
- Starts at $920 per license with no free plan
- Runs on Windows rather than across multiple platforms
- Web, ad-hoc transfer and failover capabilities are optional modules
WS_FTP Server fact sheet, pricing and score →
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