Alternatives to SmartFTP
Windows FTP/SFTP/WebDAV/S3 client with transfer automation and bandwidth control
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Why people leave SmartFTP
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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.
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.
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.
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 | SmartFTP | Cyberduck | AeroFTP | CrossFTP | lftp | 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 SmartFTP is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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Pricing model One-time verified 2026-07-30
A yearly Subscription License is also offered as an alternative to the perpetual license; see pricelist page.
Perpetual License The license provides the right to use the current version of the software... A perpetual license does not expire.
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/client/purchase -
License Proprietary verified 2026-07-30
If you would like to continue using SmartFTP after your evaluation, a license for SmartFTP must be purchased.
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/client/purchase -
Starts at $79.99/user/yr verified 2026-07-30
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.
SmartFTP Professional Subscription 79.99
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/pricelist -
Platforms Windows verified 2026-07-30
Download SmartFTP 10.0.3325.0 (x64) x64 version for Windows 11, 10, Server 2025, 2022, 2019
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/download -
Status active verified 2026-07-30
Prices effective from 30. July 2026.
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/pricelist -
Protocols (FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3) Yes verified 2026-07-30
FTP and FTPS (Secure FTP) SFTP over SSH WebDAV Amazon S3 (Enterprise Edition)
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/client/features -
Sync / mirror mode Yes verified 2026-07-30
File/Folder Synchronization
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/client/features -
Editing remote files Yes verified 2026-07-30
SmartFTP features a source code editor which makes editing remote files even easier.
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/client/features/editor -
Key-based auth Yes verified 2026-07-30
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).
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/client/features/ssh -
Speed limits & scheduling Partial verified 2026-07-30
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
With SmartFTP, you can schedule tasks that run at a specific time and repeat at defined intervals.
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/client/features/schedule -
Open source No verified 2026-07-30
Commercial/proprietary licensing model; no source code is published.
If you would like to continue using SmartFTP after your evaluation, a license for SmartFTP must be purchased.
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/client/purchase -
One-time purchase option Yes verified 2026-07-30
Perpetual License The license provides the right to use the current version of the software... A perpetual license does not expire.
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/client/purchase -
Directory comparison Yes verified 2026-07-30
The visual compare feature compares two folders and visually displays the differences between their content.
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/client/features/visualcompare -
CLI Yes verified 2026-07-30
FTP command line
https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/client/features
FAQ
Yes. AeroFTP, CrossFTP and lftp 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.