lftp vs WinSCP

lftp is a free command-line file transfer program for Linux, with support for FTP, HTTP, FISH, SFTP, HTTPS, FTPS and BitTorrent. It can synchronize files, automate transfers and run queued jobs at set times. Its mirror command downloads or updates a directory tree; reverse mirror does the same by uploading to a server. Multiple files can transfer in parallel, and pget can use multiple connections for one download. lftp retries operations after non-fatal errors and can resume downloads from where they stopped. Unfinished jobs can continue in the background after you exit the program or close an xterm. FTPS and HTTPS rely on GNU TLS or OpenSSL, depending on how lftp was built. Downloads include source archives and Fedora RPM binaries. Release information differs across the project pages: the homepage lists 4.9.3, released on 2024-11-08, while the download page calls 4.9.2 the latest stable version. The author says they have little time to support lftp; the project lists two mailing lists.

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.