Serv-U FTP Server vs VShell Server
Serv-U FTP Server
solarwinds.comVShell Server
vandyke.comSide by side
| Figure | Serv-U FTP Server | VShell Server |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4.58/mo | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 9 |
| Spec score · FTP Server Software | 8.8 (#4) | 8.6 (#7) |
| Spec score · SFTP Server Software | 8.8 (#5) | 8.5 (#12) |
| Authentication | The MFT edition adds Active Directory, LDAP and database authentication, while FTP Server is aimed at smaller deployments. | Supported authentication methods include password, public key, GSSAPI, keyboard-interactive, Kerberos, RADIUS SecurID and X.509 certificates, with some Windows-only. |
| Automation | MFT adds event-driven automation, including actions triggered by server, domain, group and user events. | Triggers can respond to events such as file uploads, downloads, and failed logons by running commands or moving files. |
| Documentation | SolarWinds publishes administrator help, installation material, system requirements, edition comparisons and versioned release notes in its Success Center. | Technical resources include FAQs, a Linux/macOS solutions guide, videos, white papers, case studies and installation tips. |
| Encryption | The product uses SSL/TLS to encrypt file transfers and help prevent tampering or exposure during transfer. | Supported ciphers include ChaCha20/Poly1305, AES-GCM, AES-CTR, AES and Twofish; legacy 3DES is disabled by default. |
| Founded | 1999 | 1995 |
| Integrations | Serv-U can use ODBC-compliant databases such as Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL and can integrate with Active Directory or LDAP servers. | VShell integrates with Windows user accounts and groups and can authenticate users against an external LDAP server. |
| License | Serv-U is proprietary software; SolarWinds' EULA prohibits reverse engineering, redistribution, sublicensing and removal of proprietary notices. | The EULA grants use of proprietary software, prohibits sublicensing and reverse engineering, and limits evaluation use to 60 days. |
| Protocols | The FTP Server edition supports FTP and FTPS over IPv4 and IPv6; the comparison page lists HTTP as included as well. | It supports SSH2, SFTP, FTPS, and HTTPS, with FTP also available for legacy systems. |
| Support | The comparison lists email support for both editions and phone support for MFT. | Purchases include a perpetual license plus one or three years of software updates and email technical support depending on the order. |
| System requirements | Minimum requirements listed for Serv-U 15.5.4 are a 1 GHz CPU, 256 MB memory, 30 MB disk space, 10/100 Mbps networking and 128 MB video RAM. | Windows support lists Windows 10/11 and Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2025; Linux lists 64-bit Ubuntu/Kubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 LTS; macOS lists versions 15 and 26. |
| What it does | Serv-U is a self-hosted, multiprotocol file server for sending and receiving files through FTP, HTTP, FTPS, HTTPS and SFTP. | VShell is a multi-protocol secure file-transfer server for remote access and administration. |
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
VShell Server
- VShell Workgroup Edition$599, paid once
- VShell Enterprise Edition$999, paid once
- VShell Enterprise Edition with HTTPSPriced on request
- VShell Workgroup Edition$599, paid once
- VShell Workgroup Edition$599, paid once
- VShell Enterprise Edition$999, paid once
- VShell Enterprise Edition$999, paid once
- VShell Enterprise Edition with HTTPS$1,499, paid once
- VShell Enterprise Edition with HTTPS$1,499, paid once
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.
VShell Server
VShell Server has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.