# Alternatives to SmartFTP SmartFTP is a longstanding Windows file transfer client supporting FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and WebDAV alongside cloud services like Amazon S3, Google Drive, and OneDrive. It targets power users and businesses that need automated/scheduled transfers, on-the-fly compression, and remote file editing in a traditional dual-pane interface. SmartFTP ranks #5 of 11 in FTP clients, with an Alt Score of 85. It is proprietary, sold as a one-time purchase from $79.99/user/yr and available on Windows. 9 of 9 checklist rows are verified against a public source. Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/smartftp/ Category: FTP clients ## Overview - **Who it's for**: SmartFTP is a Windows desktop FTP client aimed at IT professionals, developers, and businesses who need secure, high-volume file transfers to servers and cloud storage, with editions scaled from a single Professional license up to an Enterprise edition with add-ons like remote logging and OpenPGP encryption. - **What you get**: The client supports FTP/FTPS, SFTP over SSH, WebDAV, and (in higher editions) cloud storage services including Amazon S3, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Cloud Storage, Backblaze B2, and Box, alongside a built-in text editor for remote files, folder synchronization, a visual folder-compare tool, task scheduling, a terminal emulator, and an FTP command line. - **How it works**: Users connect to one or more remote servers or cloud storage endpoints through a graphical file-manager style interface with local and remote browser panes, then transfer, edit, synchronize, or schedule file operations; SSH connections support password, public-key, Kerberos, host-based, and RSA SecurID authentication. The software runs as an installed Windows application (x64 or Arm64) and is licensed commercially, either as a perpetual per-user license or an annual subscription, after a 30-day full-featured evaluation. ## Profile - **License**: Proprietary (verified 2026-07-30) - **Pricing model**: One-time (verified 2026-07-30) - **Starts at**: $79.99/user/yr (verified 2026-07-30) - **Platforms**: Windows - **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-30) ## Ranked alternatives | # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms | |---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------| | 1 | [Cyberduck](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/cyberduck.md) | 95 | GPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS | | 2 | [AeroFTP](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/aeroftp.md) | 90 | GPL-3.0 | Windows, macOS, Linux | | 3 | [CrossFTP](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/crossftp.md) | 90 | Proprietary | Windows, macOS, Linux | | 4 | [lftp](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/lftp.md) | 85 | GPL-3.0 | Linux | | 5 | [WinSCP](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/winscp.md) | 85 | GPL-3.0 | Windows | | 6 | [Xftp](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/xftp.md) | 80 | Proprietary | Windows | | 7 | [FileZilla](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/filezilla.md) | 75 | GPL-2.0-or-later | Windows, macOS, Linux | | 8 | [Core FTP](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/coreftp.md) | 65 | Proprietary | Windows | | 9 | [Transmit](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/transmit.md) | 65 | Proprietary | macOS | | 10 | [Commander One](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/commander-one.md) | 50 | Proprietary | macOS | Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/ ## Feature comparison Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified). | FTP clients checklist | SmartFTP | Cyberduck | AeroFTP | CrossFTP | lftp | WinSCP | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pricing model | One-time | Donationware | Free | Freemium | Free | Free | | Starts at | $79.99/user/yr | Free | Free | $24.99 | Free | Free | | License | Proprietary | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 | Proprietary | GPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 | | Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux | Linux | Windows | | Protocols (FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | | Sync / mirror mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Editing remote files | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Key-based auth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Speed limits & scheduling | Partial | Partial | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | | Open source | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | | One-time purchase option | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | ? | | Directory comparison | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | CLI | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ## Sources Sources for SmartFTP. Each alternative is sourced on its own page. - **Pricing model**: One-time — (verified 2026-07-30) - Note: A yearly Subscription License is also offered as an alternative to the perpetual license; see pricelist page. - Quote: “Perpetual License The license provides the right to use the current version of the software... A perpetual license does not expire.” - **License**: Proprietary — (verified 2026-07-30) - Quote: “If you would like to continue using SmartFTP after your evaluation, a license for SmartFTP must be purchased.” - **Starts at**: $79.99/user/yr — (verified 2026-07-30) - Note: Cheapest paid entry point is the Professional Subscription at $79.99/user/year. A perpetual (one-time) Professional license is also available for $399.95/user. - Quote: “SmartFTP Professional Subscription 79.99” - **Platforms**: Windows — (verified 2026-07-30) - Quote: “Download SmartFTP 10.0.3325.0 (x64) x64 version for Windows 11, 10, Server 2025, 2022, 2019” - **Status**: active — (verified 2026-07-30) - Quote: “Prices effective from 30. July 2026.” - **Protocols (FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3)**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-30) - Quote: “FTP and FTPS (Secure FTP) SFTP over SSH WebDAV Amazon S3 (Enterprise Edition)” - **Sync / mirror mode**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-30) - Quote: “File/Folder Synchronization” - **Editing remote files**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-30) - Quote: “SmartFTP features a source code editor which makes editing remote files even easier.” - **Key-based auth**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-30) - Quote: “Public Key Key file (PuTTY, VanDyke's SecureCRT, SSH.com, OpenSSH, PEM), X.509 certificates, Microsoft Windows certificates from a certificate store or a Smart Card (PKCS #11).” - **Speed limits & scheduling**: Partial — (verified 2026-07-30) - Note: Task scheduling is confirmed and documented in detail. The full features page enumerates all client features and does not mention bandwidth/speed throttling, so per-transfer speed limiting could not b - Quote: “With SmartFTP, you can schedule tasks that run at a specific time and repeat at defined intervals.” - **Open source**: No — (verified 2026-07-30) - Note: Commercial/proprietary licensing model; no source code is published. - Quote: “If you would like to continue using SmartFTP after your evaluation, a license for SmartFTP must be purchased.” - **One-time purchase option**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-30) - Quote: “Perpetual License The license provides the right to use the current version of the software... A perpetual license does not expire.” - **Directory comparison**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-30) - Quote: “The visual compare feature compares two folders and visually displays the differences between their content.” - **CLI**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-30) - Quote: “FTP command line” --- Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/