Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

WinSCP VS SFTPGo

Compare WinSCP VS SFTPGo and see what are their differences

WinSCP logo WinSCP

WinSCP is an open source free SFTP client and FTP client for Windows.

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
  • WinSCP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-12
  • SFTPGo Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-22

WinSCP features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    WinSCP offers an intuitive graphical interface that makes it easy for users of all skill levels to navigate and perform file transfers.
  • Supports Multiple Protocols
    WinSCP supports a variety of protocols including SFTP, FTP, FTPS, SCP, and WebDAV, making it versatile for different use cases.
  • Free and Open-Source
    WinSCP is free to use and open-source under the GNU General Public License, which enables transparency and community-driven development.
  • Integration with Windows
    The software integrates well with the Windows operating system, offering features like drag-and-drop file transfer, and context menu integration.
  • Automation Capabilities
    With support for scripting and task automation, WinSCP allows for automated file transfers and operations, increasing productivity.
  • Portable Version Available
    A portable version of WinSCP is available, allowing users to use the software without installation, useful for on-the-go scenarios.

Possible disadvantages of WinSCP

  • Limited to Windows
    WinSCP is a Windows-only application, which limits its usability for users on other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
  • Complexity for Advanced Tasks
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, performing advanced tasks can be complex and may require a learning curve.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Some users have reported occasional crashes or stability issues, especially when dealing with large file transfers.
  • No Built-in Scheduler
    Unlike some other FTP clients, WinSCP does not come with a built-in scheduler for automated transfers, requiring external solutions or scripting.
  • Limited Support for Cloud Storage Services
    WinSCP has limited native support for modern cloud storage services, which may be a drawback for users who rely on those platforms.
  • Command Line Interface Can Be Intimidating
    While powerful, the command line interface can be intimidating for users who are not familiar with terminal commands.

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 WinSCP

Overall verdict

  • Overall, WinSCP is a highly regarded file transfer application for Windows, offering strong security features, easy-to-use interface, and extensive customization options, making it a top choice for users needing reliable file transfers.

Why this product is good

  • WinSCP is considered a good software due to its robust set of features that cater to both beginners and advanced users. It allows for secure file transfer via protocols like SFTP, SCP, and FTP. The graphical user interface is user-friendly and similar in style to Windows Explorer, making it intuitive to navigate. Additionally, it supports scripting and task automation for more advanced use cases. WinSCP is widely praised for its reliability, security features, and versatility in handling different file transfer needs.

Recommended for

    WinSCP is recommended for IT professionals, web developers, and system administrators who need a reliable and secure tool for transferring files. It's also suitable for individual users who prefer a free, open-source solution for their file transfer needs.

WinSCP videos

WinSCP review

More videos:

  • Review - WinSCP 5.1 - review by SoftPlanet
  • Review - Review hosting - webhostingpad - SFTP WinSCP FTP Client

SFTPGo videos

SSHFS and SFTPGo

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to WinSCP and SFTPGo)
FTP Client
91 91%
9% 9
File Transfer
90 90%
10% 10
SFTP Client
100 100%
0% 0
SSH
85 85%
15% 15

User comments

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Reviews

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

WinSCP Reviews

10 Best PuTTY Alternatives To Try in 2024
If you’re on a Windows computer and want a safe way to transfer files, WinSCP is a great choice.
10 Best PuTTY Alternatives for SSH Remote Connection
The WinSCP is a Windows-based file transfer utility that allows free connecting and transfer of files remotely between Windows and Linux devices. The utility tool is an open-source product using the exclusive SCP protocol.
Source: www.tecmint.com
Top 12 BEST SSH Clients For Windows – Free PuTTY Alternatives
WinSCP is used for file transfers. It provides basic file manager functionality. It has scripting capabilities. This SFTP client and FTP client provide functionalities for copying a file between a local computer and remote servers. It makes use of FTP, FTPS, SCP, SFTP, WebDAV or S3 file transfer protocols.
10 Best FTP Clients for WordPress Users (Mac and Windows)
WinSCP isn’t an option for Mac or Linux users. It makes sense for those who want a strictly Windows-based FTP client. We like it mostly for the simplicity of the interface. If you only want the basic necessities, WinSCP looks like a good option for you.
Source: kinsta.com
7 Best FileZilla Alternatives to Use in 2022
WinSCP is one of the popular and best FTP Client used for Windows. To update files via a remote computer, use the SFTP via SSH client or as an FTP. There are command-line capabilities, an internal text editor to update the files remotely.
Source: techdator.net

SFTPGo Reviews

We have no reviews of SFTPGo yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, WinSCP should be more popular than SFTPGo. It has been mentiond 63 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.

WinSCP mentions (63)

  • Microsoft CTO: "Thoughts on OpenAI" (2019)
    > I don't know a single techie person who uses Windows (other than for gaming) I'd say that Windows actually has some nice software, like MobaXTerm: https://mobaxterm.mobatek.net/ which in my eyes is better than Remmina or pretty much anything I've found on nix, short of just running the same thing on Wine. WinSCP is also pretty cool, albeit nothing particularly special: https://winscp.net/eng/index.php PowerToys... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • How to Setup a Minecraft Server on Ubuntu: A Step-by-Step Guide
    You may choose to download the files locally and then upload them to your server using another client like WinSCP or FileZilla, but the simplest way would be to use wget with the download link as below:. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Beyond WinSCP: Updating Servers with C# and DevExpress in DevOps🚀
    In this article, we will explore a DevOps approach that goes beyond conventional file transfer tools like WinSCP. Check here for how to set up WinSCP. Our focus will be on leveraging the capabilities of C# and the DevExpress Framework to not only update servers efficiently but also to orchestrate a seamless and automated deployment process. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Best secure and encrypted cloud service?
    For a secure cloud storage setup, I use Cryptomator, accessible at https://cryptomator.org/, on my Android device, and Mountain Duck, available at https://mountainduck.io/, on my desktop. This configuration enables me to choose my own storage provider on a pay-as-you-go basis. My preferred storage provider is S3, mainly because it facilitates easy backup of cloud files on my NAS or via tools such as WinSCP, which... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • I made a miyoogamelist and image exporter for Launchbox
    Download and install [Python](https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.6.3/python-3.6.3.exe) Choose All Users and add it to your Path Open cmd, and type 'pip install Pillow' Download the attached file and edit it accordingly (specify your LaunchBox folder, desired output folder and platforms) Run 'python launchbox\_retropie\_export.py' Transfer the files to your Pi using... Source: about 2 years ago
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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 WinSCP and SFTPGo, you can also consider the following products

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.

FileZilla Server - Download FileZilla Server 0.9.60.2 for Windows

Cyberduck - A libre FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Backblaze B2, Azure & OpenStack Swift browser.

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

Forklift - The most advanced dual pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS.

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.