Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

vsftpd VS SFTPGo

Compare vsftpd VS SFTPGo and see what are their differences

vsftpd logo vsftpd

Very secure FTP Daemon, a secure, fast FTP server for UNIX systems, including Linux.

SFTPGo logo SFTPGo

Fully featured and highly configurable SFTP server with optional HTTP/S, FTP/S and WebDAV support - S3, Google Cloud Storage, Azure Blob
  • vsftpd Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-10-12
  • SFTPGo Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-22

vsftpd features and specs

  • Security
    vsftpd is renowned for its strong security features. It boasts a dedicated focus on minimizing vulnerabilities, and it supports powerful security configurations, such as chroot jails, which restrict user access to their home directories and prevent them from accessing the entire file system.
  • Performance
    vsftpd is designed for high performance and can handle a large number of connections simultaneously. Its lightweight and efficient codebase allow it to operate effectively even under heavy load.
  • Compliance
    vsftpd supports various compliance requirements, including adherence to regulations like PCI-DSS, by providing robust security measures and detailed logging.
  • Configuration
    The configuration of vsftpd is straightforward and flexible. Its configuration file is simple to understand and can be easily adjusted to accommodate various use cases.
  • Active Development
    vsftpd is actively maintained and updated. The active development ensures that security patches and new features are regularly released, keeping the server up-to-date.

Possible disadvantages of vsftpd

  • Feature Set
    While vsftpd is highly secure and efficient, it may lack some of the more advanced features found in other FTP servers. Users requiring specialized or niche functionalities might find vsftpd limiting.
  • Learning Curve
    Although the basic configuration is straightforward, optimizing vsftpd for specific security and performance needs can be complex, requiring a deeper understanding of server configurations and security principles.
  • Community Support
    vsftpd has an active developer, but its community support might not be as extensive or responsive as that of some other FTP solutions. Finding online help and resources can sometimes be a challenge.

SFTPGo features and specs

  • Security
    SFTPGo provides secure file transfer capabilities by supporting SFTP, FTP/S, and WebDAV protocols, which are well-known for their ability to facilitate encrypted data exchange.
  • Flexibility
    It offers a range of storage backends, including local filesystem, S3-compatible storage, and Google Cloud Storage, allowing users to integrate it with various storage solutions.
  • User Management
    SFTPGo comes with a rich set of user management features, such as virtual folders, per-user permissions, and fine-grained controls over access and bandwidth, simplifying administration tasks.
  • Event-driven Automation
    The software supports event-driven task automation and notification through hooks and triggers, providing customization for workflows and system integration.
  • Web-based Interface
    SFTPGo includes a web-based management interface, which allows administrators to manage users, monitor activity, and configure the server without requiring command-line expertise.

Possible disadvantages of SFTPGo

  • Complexity of Configuration
    Due to its extensive configuration options and features, beginners might find the setup process complex and require time to fully understand and implement all functionalities.
  • Performance Overhead
    For deployments that do not require extensive security features, the overhead associated with encrypted protocols and additional settings might affect performance.
  • Community Support
    As an open-source project, while it has an active community, users might not have access to the same level of dedicated support compared to commercial alternatives.
  • Documentation Depth
    Although documentation is available, some users may find it lacking in detail for advanced configurations, requiring additional time for experimentation and community engagement.
  • Resource Use
    Depending on the scale of deployment and usage, SFTPGo may be resource-intensive, requiring careful planning to ensure hardware and associated infrastructure can handle the load efficiently.

Analysis of vsftpd

Overall verdict

  • Yes, vsftpd is a good choice for FTP server needs, particularly if security and performance are priorities. It is widely used in the industry and has consistently received positive reviews for its stability and security features.

Why this product is good

  • vsftpd is considered a reliable and secure FTP server for Unix-based systems. It has a reputation for being lightweight and fast while providing advanced security features, such as SSL/TLS support for encrypted connections, configurable IP-based access control, and strong per-user configurability. The name stands for 'Very Secure FTP Daemon,' highlighting its focus on security.

Recommended for

    Organizations or individuals who require a secure and efficient FTP server solution, especially those who prioritize security in environments where high-speed file transfers are vital. It's also suitable for administrators who need detailed configuration options and robust access controls.

vsftpd videos

Web Server Apache2 and FTP Server Vsftpd on Ubuntu Server (Virtualbox)

More videos:

  • Review - vsftpd - установка и настройка FTP-сервера

SFTPGo videos

SSHFS and SFTPGo

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to vsftpd and SFTPGo)
File Transfer
74 74%
26% 26
FTP Client
69 69%
31% 31
SSH
72 72%
28% 28
Web Servers
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, SFTPGo seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 21 times since March 2021. 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.

vsftpd mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of vsftpd yet. Tracking of vsftpd recommendations started around Mar 2021.

SFTPGo mentions (21)

  • What you guys are hosting instead of Nextcloud? I'm sick of it.
    EDIT: Thanks for the recommendations from all of you!! I've chose to use the below: - Files: sftpgo - Calendar: baikal - Notes: memos (But beware, it sends opt-out telemetry) - Network folder: webdav on sftpgo. Source: over 1 year ago
  • HashiCorp Did It Backwards
    > Even these projects have gotten to a level of sophistication that it would implode without big tech support. The worst thing is that all this FAANG or VC backed companies make a lot of people believe that they are the only viable way. > Why do you think you don't see any interesting oss tech from hobbyists is these days? Actually not true, just an example, - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Running an FTP server WITHOUT admin priveleges
    This is possible using SFTPGo. The default Windows installer register SFTPGo as a Windows service. You can download the portable version and run it manually or install SFTPGo from the Scoop packages. You can use the built-in SFTPGo virtual permissions to only allow uploads. SFTPGo uses virtual users, no system users are required. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Was the move to AES 256 really necessary?
    Basically it's a file storage managed over HTTPS. Nextcloud is pretty heavy, that's the reason why I using just a single statically compiled cross-platform binary SFTPgo. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Simple read only ftp server
    Using SFTPGo you can easily configure read-only accounts. SFTPGo uses virtual users and virtual permissions. So you don't need to create system users for your SFTPGo users and you don't need to use chmod to make folders read-only (but the system user that SFTPGo runs as needs file system level permission to access the files/folders you want to share). Source: almost 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing vsftpd and SFTPGo, you can also consider the following products

FileZilla Server - Download FileZilla Server 0.9.60.2 for Windows

ProFTPD - The Official ProFTPD web site. ProFTPD is a high-performance, extremely configurable, and most of all a secure FTP server, featuring Apache-like configuration and blazing performance.

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.

Baby FTP Server - The simplest FTP server to setup. No authentication required.

Xlight FTP Server - Xlight FTP Server is a high performance and easy to use ftp server software for Windows.

Titan FTP Server - Windows FTP Server with SFTP and SSL. Includes events automation, host key support, and strong security.