Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

lftp VS Rclone

Compare lftp VS Rclone and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

lftp logo lftp

lftp is a command-line file transfer program which besides FTP, also supports FTPS, HTTP, HTTPS...

Rclone logo Rclone

rsync for cloud storage.
  • lftp Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-03-22
  • Rclone Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-23

lftp features and specs

  • Versatility
    lftp can be used to interact with a wide variety of protocols, including FTP, HTTP, and SFTP, making it a versatile tool for managing file transfers.
  • Robust Command Line Interface
    Provides a powerful command line interface with scripting capabilities for automating file transfer tasks, allowing for efficient and complex operations.
  • Parallel Transfers
    Supports multiple simultaneous connections, enabling faster file transfers by downloading or uploading several files in parallel.
  • Reliability
    Offers built-in mechanisms for error recovery, such as automatic retries and resume support for interrupted transfers, enhancing its reliability.
  • Queue Management
    Allows users to create and manage download and upload queues, providing better control over file transfer priorities and scheduling.

Possible disadvantages of lftp

  • Complexity for Beginners
    The extensive range of features and the command-line interface can pose a steep learning curve for new users unfamiliar with command-line operations.
  • Limited GUI Options
    Lacks an official graphical user interface, which might deter users who prefer visual representations over text-based commands.
  • Resource Intensive
    In some scenarios, especially with large transfer operations, lftp can become resource-intensive, consuming significant CPU and memory resources.
  • Platform Specific Limitations
    While lftp is available on many Unix-like systems, it may not have the same level of support or performance on all operating systems, particularly Windows.
  • Dependency on Command-line Skills
    Because it is primarily a command-line tool, users must have or develop command-line proficiency to fully utilize all of its capabilities.

Rclone features and specs

  • Versatility
    Rclone supports a wide range of cloud storage providers such as Google Drive, Amazon S3, Dropbox, OneDrive, and many others, making it a versatile tool for synchronization and backup.
  • Command-Line Interface
    Rclone offers a powerful command-line interface which provides advanced users detailed control over their synchronization and backup operations.
  • Cross-Platform
    Rclone is cross-platform and can be used on Windows, macOS, and various Linux distributions, offering flexibility in different environments.
  • Encryption
    Rclone supports encryption for both files and directory names, ensuring that data is secure while being transferred or stored.
  • Scriptability
    Being a command-line tool, Rclone can be easily included in scripts and automated workflows, which is beneficial for repetitive tasks.
  • Open Source
    Rclone is open-source software, meaning it's free to use, and the source code is available for review and contribution, promoting transparency and community-driven development.

Possible disadvantages of Rclone

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Rclone's command-line interface may be intimidating and difficult for beginners to learn and use effectively.
  • Lack of GUI
    Rclone lacks a graphical user interface (GUI), which could be a limitation for users who prefer or need a more visual interaction with their backup and synchronization tasks.
  • Limited Support
    While Rclone has a supportive community, it lacks formal customer support, which might be an issue for enterprise users needing prompt troubleshooting.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running complex synchronization tasks, especially involving large volumes of data, can be resource-intensive in terms of both CPU and memory.
  • Configuration Complexity
    The setup and configuration of Rclone can be complicated, requiring users to manually configure remote storage connections through text files or command-line prompts.

Analysis of Rclone

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Rclone is a robust and reliable tool for anyone needing to manage or transfer files across multiple cloud storage services. Its reputation within the tech community is strong due to its continuous updates, active user community, and extensive documentation. While it may have a steep learning curve for beginners unfamiliar with command-line interfaces, the benefits in terms of functionality and flexibility are substantial.

Why this product is good

  • Rclone is highly regarded for its versatility and efficiency in managing cloud storage. It is an open-source command-line tool that supports a vast array of cloud storage providers such as Google Drive, Amazon S3, Dropbox, and many others. Rclone enables users to sync files and directories, manage file transfers, and perform a variety of operations across different cloud services seamlessly. Its ability to handle large data sets, perform bandwidth management, and encrypt data makes it a powerful tool for both individuals and businesses. Additionally, its scripting capabilities allow for automation and integration into larger workflows, making it a favored choice for tech-savvy users and IT professionals.

Recommended for

    Rclone is recommended for IT professionals, cloud administrators, developers, and tech enthusiasts who need a powerful tool for handling cloud storage tasks. It's particularly suitable for users who have experience with command-line tools and who need to manage large-scale data transfers across multiple cloud environments efficiently.

lftp videos

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Rclone videos

What is Rclone?

More videos:

  • Review - Getting started with Rclone in Windows (GDrive & Crypt Remotes)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to lftp and Rclone)
File Transfer
100 100%
0% 0
Cloud Storage
0 0%
100% 100
FTP Client
100 100%
0% 0
Web Service Automation
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare lftp and Rclone

lftp Reviews

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Rclone Reviews

  1. Mindy
    · retired at none ·
    Awesome peice of software for Rclone

    I was looking for a GUI for rclone and found one. I am so happy for this software it has made working with rclone so much easier, and so far it has worked PERFECT. I love it!!!

    🏁 Competitors: CloudMounter, NetDrive
    👍 Pros:    Easy to use|Easy to use interface|Super simple
    👎 Cons:    No mac software
  2. cloudslinker
    · Working at CloudsLinker ·

15 Best Rclone Alternatives 2022
With Cryptomator, what you get is a simple digital protection tool. Rclone syncs your files to cloud storage, while Cryptomator syncs and locks your files to cloud storage. Cryptomator gives you access to your files on any device and only you hold the keys to access them.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Rclone seems to be a lot more popular than lftp. While we know about 629 links to Rclone, we've tracked only 7 mentions of lftp. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

lftp mentions (7)

  • FTP and SFTP clients for Common Lisp
    For SFTP, we must find another means. I didn't find a pure CL library, and it is annoyingly not straightforward to run a SFTP command with a password on the command line. Some solutions exist and I chose lftp. It is included in Debian. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • What's a really niche tool you use that you can't live without?
    I want to see tools most of us have never heard or even thought of. Extractors for obscure websites or websites we don't think of in terms of extractors like megatools or Mediafire Bulk Downloader. "Glue" tools like rclone's serve command (as well as the rest of rclone) and lftp that makes stuff work together easier. Phone apps like FE File Explorer Pro (sadly the free version seems to be gone) that makes... Source: about 2 years ago
  • Zsync – Rsync over HTTP
    Sounds a bit similar to lftp[1]. While I don't think it supports updates of compressed files, it doesn't rely on a meta-file and also supports a range of other protocols. You can essentially just point it at a website, directory index, ftp server, torrent etc. And it will let you browse the files, create mirros or update local files. [1] https://lftp.yar.ru. - Source: Hacker News / almost 4 years ago
  • ftp only images from a directory tree
    I think you could accomplish this using lftp's mirror command with the --only-newer and --include-glob options. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Sending files to an FTP server off a DSLR
    Yeah, you can drive the camera with a raspi and libgphoto2. You can sync the captured images via FTP using lftp. Source: about 4 years ago
View more

Rclone mentions (629)

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing lftp and Rclone, you can also consider the following products

cURL - cURL is a computer software project providing a library and command-line tool for transferring data...

Syncthing - Syncthing replaces proprietary sync and cloud services with something open, trustworthy and...

FileZilla - FileZilla is an FTP, or file transfer protocol, client. It lets individuals transfer single files or batches to a web server. For many years, FTP was the standard for website design. Read more about FileZilla.

Cryptomator - When it comes to saving your files on a cloud server, it is important to ensure the security of those files. Keeping your delicate files out of the wrong hands can save you a lot of time and hassle. Read more about Cryptomator.

HTTPie - CLI HTTP that will make you smile. JSON support, syntax highlighting, wget-like downloads, extensions, and more.

RaiDrive - Mount NAS, Router, Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox to a network drive or file explorer.