Alternatives to CrossFTP
Cross-platform Java-based FTP and Amazon S3 client with sync and directory compare
CrossFTP ranks #3 of 11 in FTP clients, with an Alt Score of 90. It is proprietary, freemium from $24.99 and available on Windows, macOS and Linux. 9 of 9 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
CrossFTP is a Java-based FTP/SFTP/FTPS and Amazon S3 client that runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, aimed at developers and webmasters who need to manage both traditional FTP servers and S3-compatible cloud storage from one dual-pane interface. It includes folder synchronization, directory comparison, and a server component (CrossFTP Server) for teams that also need to host transfers.
CrossFTP is aimed at Windows, Mac, and Linux users who need to transfer and manage files over FTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, and cloud storage protocols such as Amazon S3, Glacier, Azure, and Google Storage, ranging from casual users who need a free browser-like client to power users managing many sites who need scheduled synchronization and automation.
The free foundation edition provides multi-protocol file transfer (FTP/FTPS/SFTP/WebDAV/S3 and other cloud storage), tabs, password encryption, archive handling, and batch transfer. The paid Pro/Enterprise tier adds a multi-threaded transfer engine, directory synchronization and mirroring, scheduling, bandwidth speed limits, remote file editing, client-side encryption, proxy support, and a command-line tool (CrossFTP Commander) included with Enterprise.
CrossFTP is a Java-based desktop application with a two-pane, browser-like interface for connecting to and transferring files between local storage and one or more remote sites/protocols in a single window. Pro and Enterprise editions are unlocked with a serial number purchased once for perpetual, per-computer use after a 30-day evaluation period.
Where CrossFTP stands out
Verified capabilities most alternatives don't have.
Why people leave CrossFTP
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
Sign in to add a reason — new reasons go through moderation before appearing.
Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
AeroFTP is a modern open-source desktop file transfer client for Windows, macOS, and Linux, built on Rust/Tauri, supporting FTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, S3-compatible storage, Azure Blob, and other cloud.
lftp is a free, open-source command-line file transfer program for Unix/Linux (and via ports, macOS/Windows) supporting FTP, FTPS, HTTP, HTTPS, SFTP, and FXP server-to-server transfers.
SmartFTP is a longstanding Windows file transfer client supporting FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and WebDAV alongside cloud services like Amazon S3, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
Xftp is a Windows SFTP and FTP client from NetSarang (maker of Xshell), built for IT teams managing transfers to Unix/Linux hosts.
Core FTP is a Windows file transfer client offered in a free edition and a one-time-purchase Pro edition, supporting FTP, FTPS, SFTP/SSH, and HTTP/HTTPS.
Feature comparison
Rows come from the FTP clients checklist (13 rows). Human-verified cells only. ? means the value has not been verified.
| FTP clients checklist | CrossFTP | Cyberduck | AeroFTP | lftp | SmartFTP | WinSCP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | ||||||
| Starts at | ||||||
| License | ||||||
| Platforms | ||||||
| Protocols (FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3) | ||||||
| Sync / mirror mode | ||||||
| Editing remote files | ||||||
| Key-based auth | ||||||
| Speed limits & scheduling | ||||||
| Open source | ||||||
| One-time purchase option | ||||||
| Directory comparison | ||||||
| CLI |
Every fact and feature listed for CrossFTP is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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License Proprietary verified 2026-07-30
No LICENSE file or open-source repo found; distributed under a commercial EULA. Foundation edition is free to use, Pro/Enterprise requires a paid license.
Crossworld is licensing you the right to use the CrossFTP Software
https://www.crossftp.com/license_lite.htm -
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux verified 2026-07-30
Download CrossFTP/Pro/Enterprise for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
https://www.crossftp.com/download.htm -
Status active verified 2026-07-30
Vendor-published PAD file dates the current release (v2.00.1, matching the version shown on download.htm) to 2026-06-14, about 6 weeks before this research date (2026-07-30). Recent release cadence su
<Program_Version>2.00.1</Program_Version> ... <Program_Release_Month>06</Program_Release_Month> <Program_Release_Day>14</Program_Release_Day> <Program_Release_Year>2026</Program_Release_Year>
https://www.crossftp.com/pad_crossftp.xml -
Pricing model Freemium verified 2026-07-30
Foundation CrossFTP is free; Pro/Enterprise is a one-time paid upgrade after a 30-day trial.
If you would like to continue using CrossFTP Pro/Enterprise after your evaluation, a CrossFTP Pro/Enterprise license must be purchased.
https://www.crossftp.com/purchase.htm#pro_license -
Starts at $24.99 verified 2026-07-30
One-time, per-computer license fee for CrossFTP Pro. Enterprise tier is $39.99, also one-time.
CrossFTP Pro Price: 24.99$
https://www.crossftp.com/purchase.htm#pro_license -
Protocols (FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3) Yes verified 2026-07-30
CrossFTP is a free FTP, FTPS, SFTP, FXP, WebDav, Amazon S3, Amazon Glacier, Microsoft Azure, Google Storage, and OpenStack Swift client for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
https://www.crossftp.com/features.htm#crossftp -
Sync / mirror mode Yes verified 2026-07-30
Sync/mirror is a Pro-tier feature, not in the free foundation edition.
It is capable of transfer, queue, schedule, synchronize, mirror, job management, with the speed be boosted by turbo multi-threaded engine.
https://www.crossftp.com/features.htm#why -
Editing remote files Yes verified 2026-07-30
Listed under CrossFTP Pro's 'Edit Anywhere' feature.
Edit any files in any app, even remote graph files.
https://www.crossftp.com/features.htm#pro -
Key-based auth Yes verified 2026-07-30
Private Key File - Fill in the location for OpenSSH's private key file.
https://www.crossftp.com/manual.htm -
Speed limits & scheduling Yes verified 2026-07-30
Scheduling is also listed as a separate Pro feature: 'Put your transfer/synchronization tasks in plan.' Both are Pro-tier, not in the free edition.
Speed Limit Nicely grant your bandwidth to other programs.
https://www.crossftp.com/features.htm#pro -
Open source No verified 2026-07-30
CrossFTP is distributed under a proprietary EULA; no public source repository was found on the vendor's site.
Crossworld is licensing you the right to use the CrossFTP Software
https://www.crossftp.com/license_lite.htm -
One-time purchase option Yes verified 2026-07-30
Per-computer, one-time fee: $24.99 Pro / $39.99 Enterprise.
The term of license is perpetual. It means you can forever use the version of CrossFTP Pro/Enterprise you have bought for.
https://www.crossftp.com/purchase.htm#pro_license -
Directory comparison Yes verified 2026-07-30
From manual section 2.9.2 'How to Sync', under 2.9 Synchronization Dialog. The sync preview also 'retrieve[s] all the files patterns from the synchronization directories, compare the patterns, and the
Describe the way how the comparison should be made for two directories' synchronization.
https://www.crossftp.com/manual.htm#2_9 -
CLI Yes verified 2026-07-30
CLI ships as CrossFTP Commander, a component bundled only with the CrossFTP Enterprise license, not the free or Pro tiers: 'CrossFTP Commander is a component of CrossFTP Enterprise. With CrossFTP Ente
CrossFTP Commander is a command line tool based on CrossFTP engine to handle data transfer, sync and various other operations.
https://www.crossftp.com/commander.htm
FAQ
Yes. AeroFTP, lftp and WinSCP have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Cyberduck, AeroFTP and lftp — every license claim links its source.