Cyberduck vs NcFTP

Cyberduck is a libre server and cloud-storage browser for macOS and Windows. It connects to FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, SMB, OpenStack Swift, Google Cloud Storage, Amazon S3, Azure, Backblaze B2, OneDrive, SharePoint, Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, and other services. Transfers include drag-and-drop uploads and downloads, recursive directory transfers, resumable transfers, and direct copying between servers. It can synchronize local and remote directories and preview the files affected before acting. Users can edit server-side text or binary files with an external editor, and copy or open HTTP URLs; S3 support includes CDN and pre-signed URLs. Cryptomator integration provides client-side encryption, including encrypted filenames and files. SFTP supports strong ciphers, public-key authentication, and two-factor authentication. Passwords are kept in the system Keychain, and certificates are checked against its trust settings. The free software is GPL-licensed and does not require registration or an account. A personal registration key is listed at $10 a month, billed as a minimum contribution shown by the vendor; a separate registration key contribution is $10, paid once. Retaining modification dates is not supported for all protocols.

NcFTP is a free set of programs for transferring files over FTP. Its client includes an FTP browser, command-line tools for transfers and directory listings, and programs for background work. The browser offers progress meters, filename completion, command-line editing, bookmarks, cached directory listings, resumable downloads and directory tree downloads. It can redial and process work in the background. For scripts, ncftpget and ncftpput provide command-line transfers, while ncftpbatch handles queued FTP requests. Scheduled transfers and automation are supported. NcFTP runs on Linux, macOS and Windows, supports passive FTP, and can be configured to connect through a firewall or proxy. Its protocol coverage is FTP only: there is no built-in encryption or support for secure modes such as SFTP, SSL or SSH tunnels. By default, it attempts anonymous access; a username can be specified with the -u option. The maker lists client version 3.3.0, dated April 23, 2025. There is no registration or licensing fee, and donations are appreciated. Version 3 uses the Clarified Artistic License; LibNcFTP is also available as a C API for adding FTP client services to applications.