Best SFTP Client Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Filestash is ranked #1 of 32 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of CrossFTP and FileZilla Client. The best-ranked option with a free plan is CrossFTP. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Viper FTP at $1.25/mo.
Moving files between your computer and remote systems calls for an SFTP client that fits your platforms and transfer habits. Compared on supported protocols and platforms, these entries also distinguish themselves through SSH key authentication, remote file editing, folder synchronization and automation support. Those details can help you decide whether you need occasional transfers, coordinated folders or repeatable tasks. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing provide further points to check. Consider Filestash, CrossFTP and FileZilla Client against the systems you use and the capabilities your file workflow requires.
32 SFTP client software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
32ranked
8free plans on this page
$1.25/molowest paid tier
4 Oct 2026last checked
Input list SFTP Client Software 25 channels on this page · 97 of 200 spec lines stated by the makers
Ch Tool Free planPaid fromSupported protocolsSupported platformsFolder synchronizationSSH key authenticationRemote file editingAutomation support Spec sheet Score
01 Filestash Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsSFTP, FTP, FTPS, WebDAV, SMB, S3, NFS, MCP, AS2Supported platformsWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidFolder synchronizationYesSSH key authenticationYesRemote file editingYesAutomation supportscripting 7/8spec lines stated 8.1
02 CrossFTP Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformscross-platformFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 7.5
03 FileZilla Client Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformscross-platformFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 7.1
04 Xftp Free planYesPaid from59 one-timeSupported protocolsSFTP (SSH2 only), FTPSupported platformsWindows 8+, Windows Server 2012+, Microsoft Windows Terminal Server, Citrix MetaFrame for WindowsFolder synchronizationYesSSH key authenticationYesRemote file editingYesAutomation supportscheduling 8/8spec lines stated 7.1
05 Cyberduck Free planYesPaid from10 one-timeSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformscross-platformFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 7.0
06 Tectia Server Free planNoPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsSFTP, SCP, SSHv2, FTP tunnelingSupported platformsWindows, macOS, Linux, UnixFolder synchronizationNoSSH key authenticationYesRemote file editingNoAutomation supportscripting 7/8spec lines stated 7.0
07 ExpanDrive Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsFTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, S3Supported platformsmacOS, Windows, LinuxFolder synchronizationNoSSH key authenticationYesRemote file editingYesAutomation supportscripting 7/8spec lines stated 6.9
08 VShell Server Free planNoPaid from59.95 one-timeSupported protocolsSSH2, SFTP, SCP, FTPS, HTTPS, WebDAV, S3, FTP, HTTPSupported platformsWindows, macOS, LinuxFolder synchronizationYesSSH key authenticationYesRemote file editingYesAutomation supportscheduling 8/8spec lines stated 6.9
09 WinSCP Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsSSH, SFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, WebDAV, WebDAVS, S3Supported platformsnot statedFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.8
10 Core FTP Free planYesPaid from24.95 one-timeSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformswindowsFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 6.7
11 FTPManager Pro Free planNoPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformsnot statedFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 1/8spec lines stated 6.6
12 Mountain Duck Free planNoPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsFTP, FTP over TLS, SFTP, WebDAV, SMB, OpenStack Swift, Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Microsoft Azure, Backblaze B2Supported platformsmacOS, WindowsFolder synchronizationYesSSH key authenticationYesRemote file editingYesAutomation supportnot stated 6/8spec lines stated 6.6
13 lftp Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformslinuxFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.5
14 Commander One Free planYesPaid from29.99 one-timeSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformsmacosFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 6.2
15 Fetch Free planNoPaid from29 one-timeSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformsmacosFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 6.2
16 sFTP Client Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformscross-platformFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.2
17 ForkLift Free planNoPaid from19.95 one-timeSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformsmacosFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 6.1
18 Tectia Client Free planNoPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsSFTP, SCP, SSHv2, FTP tunnelingSupported platformsWindows, macOS, Linux, UnixFolder synchronizationNoSSH key authenticationYesRemote file editingNoAutomation supportscripting 7/8spec lines stated 6.1
19 CloudMounter Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsFTP, FTPS, FTPES, SFTP, WebDAVSupported platformsmacOS, WindowsFolder synchronizationNoSSH key authenticationYesRemote file editingYesAutomation supportnot stated 6/8spec lines stated 6.0
20 SmartFTP Free planNoPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformswindowsFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.0
21 Viper FTP Free planNoPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformsmacosFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.0
22 WS_FTP Professional Free planNoPaid from58 one-timeSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformswindowsFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 6.0
23 CuteFTP Free planNoPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformswindowsFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 5.9
24 FlashFXP Free planNoPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsnot statedSupported platformswindowsFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationnot statedRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 5.9
25 ST Explorer Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSupported protocolsSFTPSupported platformsWindows, macOS, LinuxFolder synchronizationnot statedSSH key authenticationYesRemote file editingnot statedAutomation supportnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 5.9
Is your tool on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which SFTP client software is ranked first on Specifiction?
Filestash is ranked #1 of 32 with a score of 8.1. CrossFTP is second and FileZilla Client third.
How many of these have a free plan?
8 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Viper FTP has the lowest first paid tier we found: $1.25/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing. Paid placements never change a rank.
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