ProFTPD vs Serv-U FTP Server
ProFTPD
proftpd.orgServ-U FTP Server
solarwinds.comSide by side
| Figure | ProFTPD | Serv-U FTP Server |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $4.58/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Spec score · FTP Server Software | 8.1 (#13) | 8.8 (#4) |
| Authentication | The README lists PAM, LDAP, SQL, and RADIUS among its supported authentication methods, as well as virtual users and multiple password files. | The MFT edition adds Active Directory, LDAP and database authentication, while FTP Server is aimed at smaller deployments. |
| Extensibility | ProFTPD has a modular architecture with an API for extensions. | Integration libraries can be written as Windows DLLs or shared libraries, with the sample library serving as the API documentation. |
| License | The source code is licensed under GPLv2 and is available to audit. | Serv-U is proprietary software; SolarWinds' EULA prohibits reverse engineering, redistribution, sublicensing and removal of proprietary notices. |
| Purpose | ProFTPD is a highly configurable FTP daemon for Unix and Unix-like operating systems. | Serv-U FTP Server provides FTP and FTPS file transfers for organizations. |
| Support | The project home page links to forums and user and development mailing list archives. | The comparison lists email support for both editions and phone support for MFT. |
Plans
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
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.