Transmit vs WinSCP
Transmit
panic.comWinSCP
winscp.netSide by side
| Figure | Transmit | WinSCP |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2.08/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · FTP and SFTP clients | 7.3 (#30) | 8.7 (#4) |
| Spec score · SFTP Client Software | 6.7 (#27) | 7.9 (#15) |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
Plans
In their own words
Transmit
Transmit is a macOS file-transfer application with multi-protocol support, synchronization, scheduled transfers, and transfer automation. It allows up to 20 concurrent transfers. There is no free plan, but a seven-day trial is listed. The Mac App Store subscription costs $24.99 a year and includes Transmit, Panic Sync, and major updates while subscribed. A separate Direct purchase is listed at $45 a month, with billing described as a one-time purchase with no recurring fees. That option includes a full Transmit 5 download and permits use on all of your Macs when you are the only user. The two plans therefore differ in both included services and billing descriptions: one is an annual subscription, while the other is presented as a one-time payment despite its per-month listed term. Transmit is made by Transmit, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, United States.
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.