Cerberus FTP Server vs Serv-U FTP Server
Cerberus FTP Server
cerberusftp.comServ-U FTP Server
solarwinds.comSide by side
| Figure | Cerberus FTP Server | Serv-U FTP Server |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $133.25/mo | $4.58/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 4 |
| Spec score · Managed File Transfer Software | 8.6 (#5) | 8.7 (#4) |
| Spec score · Secure File Transfer Software | 8.6 (#6) | 8.7 (#5) |
| Spec score · FTP Server Software | 8.5 (#8) | 8.8 (#4) |
| Spec score · SFTP Server Software | 8.5 (#8) | 8.8 (#5) |
| Authentication | Version 2026.3 adds RADIUS authentication alongside existing LDAP and Active Directory support. | The MFT edition adds Active Directory, LDAP and database authentication, while FTP Server is aimed at smaller deployments. |
| Automation | Cerberus provides event, alert and synchronization tools for managed file transfer automation. | MFT adds event-driven automation, including actions triggered by server, domain, group and user events. |
| Encryption | The feature set includes SSH, SSL and FIPS 140-3 security, with TLS 1.3 support. | The product uses SSL/TLS to encrypt file transfers and help prevent tampering or exposure during transfer. |
| Founded | 2001 | 1999 |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Protocols | It supports FTP, FTPS, SFTP, SCP and HTTP/S transfers. | The FTP Server edition supports FTP and FTPS over IPv4 and IPv6; the comparison page lists HTTP as included as well. |
| Support | Professional and Enterprise editions include unlimited phone and email support during business hours, while Enterprise Plus adds 24/7/365 Severity 1 support. | The comparison lists email support for both editions and phone support for MFT. |
Plans
Cerberus FTP Server
- Professional$1,599 a year
- Enterprise$3,499 a year
- Enterprise PlusPriced on request
Serv-U FTP Server
- Serv-U FTP Server$55 a month
- Serv-U File Transfer Protocol Server$55 a year
- Serv-U Gateway$111 a month
- Serv-U Managed File Transfer Server$335 a month
In their own words
Cerberus FTP Server
Cerberus FTP Server is a secure file transfer server built for Windows. It supports FTP, FTPS, SFTP, SCP, and HTTP/S transfers, with a web client for accessing, editing, and transferring files from desktop or mobile browsers. Administrators can manage accounts through the native user database or Active Directory and LDAP; version 2026.3 adds RADIUS authentication. That version also supports Amazon S3 and Azure Blob Storage as Virtual Directory backends. Security features include SSH, SSL, FIPS 140-3, and TLS 1.3. Event, alert, and synchronization tools support managed file transfer automation, while file access, user, and administrator logs support auditing and reporting. The product is positioned for PCI DSS, HIPAA, FIPS-140-2, and GDPR requirements. Professional and Enterprise editions include unlimited phone and email support during business hours; Enterprise Plus adds 24/7/365 Severity 1 support. Commercial use requires a subscription license, and each license permits installation on one machine. The paid product has no free plan but offers a 25-day trial. Cerberus FTP Server was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
Serv-U FTP Server
Serv-U FTP Server provides FTP and FTPS file transfers for organizations, with web and mobile interfaces for viewing, uploading, and downloading files. The FTP Server edition supports IPv4 and IPv6; an edition comparison also lists HTTP. SSL/TLS encrypts transfers. Users can pause or resume multiple and large exchanges, including files larger than 3 GB. Administrators can create users and groups, manage permissions and bandwidth, and review transfer details in a management console. They can set transfer ratios and quotas, limit concurrent sessions, and use IP blocking, reverse DNS options, and anti-hammering controls. Automation can move or delete files after transfer, or disable or reset credentials after a specified number of days. The optional Serv-U Gateway is described as keeping data out of the DMZ and helping meet listed compliance requirements. SolarWinds positions this edition for small businesses and project teams with fewer users and domains on one server. It has no free plan; the listed price is $55 a month, billed annually, and a 14-day trial is available.