Best SFTP Client Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Filestash is ranked #1 of 31 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of CrossFTP and Xftp. The best-ranked option with a free plan is CrossFTP. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Viper FTP at $1.25/mo.
Moving files to or from a remote system? Compare SFTP clients by the details that shape your workflow: SSH key authentication, remote editing, folder synchronization and automation support. Supported protocols and platforms help you check compatibility, while free plans and paid-from pricing give you a basis for weighing cost. The ranking starts with Filestash and Cyberduck, followed by FileZilla Client; WinSCP and Core FTP are also near the top. Consider whether you need to edit files remotely, keep folders in sync or automate transfers, then check that the listed protocol and platform support match your setup.
31 SFTP client software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 Filestash Top pick · 8.0 #2 CrossFTP Runner-up · 7.7 Free plan · Free
#3 Xftp Also great · 7.5 Free plan · Free- Free planFree trial AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported protocols
- SFTP, FTP, FTPS, WebDAV, SMB, S3, NFS, MCP, AS2
- Supported platforms
- Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
- Folder synchronization
- Yes
- SSH key authentication
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free planFree trial LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- cross-platform
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free planFree trial Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 59 one-time
- Supported protocols
- SFTP (SSH2 only), FTP
- Supported platforms
- Windows 8+, Windows Server 2012+, Microsoft Windows Terminal Server, Citrix MetaFrame for Windows
- Folder synchronization
- Yes
- SSH key authentication
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatformsFree About XftpVisit site - Free plan macOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 10 one-time
- Supported platforms
- cross-platform
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$10/mofirst paid tier About CyberduckVisit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- cross-platform
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported protocols
- FTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, S3
- Supported platforms
- macOS, Windows, Linux
- Folder synchronization
- No
- SSH key authentication
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$29/mofirst paid tier About ExpanDriveVisit site - Free trial LinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Supported protocols
- SFTP, SCP, SSHv2, FTP tunneling
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux, Unix
- Folder synchronization
- No
- SSH key authentication
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free planOpen source Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported protocols
- SSH, SFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, WebDAV, WebDAVS, S3
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free plan Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- linux
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatformsFree About lftpVisit site - Free trial macOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Supported protocols
- FTP, FTP over TLS, SFTP, WebDAV, SMB, OpenStack Swift, Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Microsoft Azure, Backblaze B2
- Supported platforms
- macOS, Windows
- Folder synchronization
- Yes
- SSH key authentication
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 24.95 one-time
- Supported platforms
- windows
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$16.95/mofirst paid tier About Core FTPVisit site - AndroidiOSmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - macOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 29.99 one-time
- Supported platforms
- macos
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$29.99/mofirst paid tier About Commander OneVisit site - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- cross-platform
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported protocols
- FTP, FTPS, FTPES, SFTP, WebDAV
- Supported platforms
- macOS, Windows
- Folder synchronization
- No
- SSH key authentication
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - macOS
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 29 one-time
- Supported platforms
- macos
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$4/mofirst paid tier About FetchVisit site - macOS
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 19.95 one-time
- Supported platforms
- macos
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$19.95/mofirst paid tier About ForkLiftVisit site - Windows
- Free plan
- No
- Supported platforms
- windows
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported protocols
- SFTP
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- SSH key authentication
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - macOS
- Free plan
- No
- Supported platforms
- macos
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$1.25/mofirst paid tier About Viper FTPVisit site - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 59.95 one-time
- Supported protocols
- SSH2, SFTP, SCP, FTPS, HTTPS, WebDAV, S3, FTP, HTTP
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Folder synchronization
- Yes
- SSH key authentication
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 58 one-time
- Supported platforms
- windows
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$58/mofirst paid tier About WS_FTP ProfessionalVisit site - Windows
- Free plan
- No
- Supported platforms
- windows
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- No
- Supported platforms
- windows
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported protocols
- FTP, SFTP, SCP
- Supported platforms
- web
- SSH key authentication
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which SFTP client software is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
Filestash is ranked #1 of 31 with a score of 8.0. CrossFTP is second and Xftp third.
How many of these have a free plan?
8 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Viper FTP has the lowest first paid tier we found: $1.25/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.