Dolphin vs WinSCP
Dolphin
apps.kde.org
WinSCP
winscp.netSide by side
| Figure | Dolphin | WinSCP |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · File Manager Software | 8.8 (#3) | 8.6 (#8) |
| File management | It supports navigating, browsing, creating, moving, and deleting files and folders. | Features include common local and remote file operations, an integrated text editor and directory synchronization. |
| File operations | It supports creating, moving, deleting, compressing, sharing, and duplicating files and folders. | Supports all common operations with files. |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations | The product page names Git and Nextcloud plugins, and lists extensions for Google Drive, Amazon S3, Samba sharing, and local network services. | WinSCP integrates with Windows and PuTTY, and can share site settings with PuTTY. |
| Purpose | Dolphin is KDE’s file manager for browsing and managing files on hard drives, USB sticks, SD cards, and other storage. | WinSCP is an open source file manager and client for transferring files between a local computer and remote computers. |
| Support | The product page links to the Dolphin Handbook and KDE forum for help, and to bug reporting and source code pages. | WinSCP provides troubleshooting documentation and a support forum monitored by its development team, with sensible guideline-following posts answered within two business days on average. |
Plans
In their own words
Dolphin
Dolphin is KDE’s file manager for browsing and managing files on local storage, including hard drives, USB sticks and SD cards, as well as remote machines and internet cloud services. It supports creating, moving, deleting, compressing, sharing and duplicating files and folders. Multiple tabs let users work in several folders, while split view supports drag-and-drop copying or moving between panes. Choose among grid, detailed and tree views, and configure most of the application’s behavior. The right-click menu supports custom actions. An integrated terminal runs commands in the current folder. Plugins extend workflows with Git and Nextcloud, while listed extensions cover services such as Google Drive, Amazon S3 and Samba. Dolphin is free and open source under GPL-2.0-or-later. Linux installation is available through AppStream stores or distribution package managers, and Flathub is listed. Windows installers are available as nightly builds for testing. KDE links to a handbook, forum, bug reporting and source code for support and contribution.
WinSCP
WinSCP is an open-source file manager and transfer client for Microsoft Windows. It copies files between a local computer and remote computers over FTP, FTPS, SCP, SFTP, WebDAV, WebDAVS and S3, with SSH also listed as supported. Explorer and Commander interfaces provide two ways to manage transfers; Commander is focused on keyboard control. Alongside common file operations, WinSCP includes directory synchronization and an integrated text editor. For repeat tasks or programmatic workflows, it offers scripting, command-line options and a.NET assembly. The client integrates with Windows and PuTTY, including sharing site settings with PuTTY. Authentication methods include password, keyboard-interactive, public key and Kerberos, and stored site information can optionally be protected by a master password. A portable version and workspace-based session management are available. WinSCP is free, with a listed price of free. Its security guidance warns that malware on the computer running it can steal credentials stored or entered there.