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The best SFTP clients for Mac, Windows and Linux

Updated October 7, 2026 · 8 min read

SFTP is the file transfer you get for free once you already have SSH. It runs over the same encrypted connection, so if you can reach a server on port 22 you can usually browse its filesystem too, without opening another port or learning another protocol.

The client you use to browse that filesystem makes a real difference. Some SFTP apps are dedicated two-pane explorers; others fold file browsing into the SSH client so you never leave the terminal window. This guide compares the well-known options and explains when an integrated, dual-pane SFTP view beats a standalone app.

What an SFTP client is, and what it is not

SFTP is not FTP with a padlock. It is a subsystem of SSH: the same host key verification, the same authentication, a different channel. That matters because you do not have to configure anything new on the server, and your existing keys and jump hosts work as-is.

An SFTP client is simply a program that speaks that subsystem and gives you an interface for it. The interface might be a command line, a single-pane window, or a two-pane layout that shows your local folder beside the remote one.

What to look for in an SFTP client

  • Dual-pane workflowlocal and remote side by side, with a clear sense of direction
  • Drag and dropplus upload and download queues that show progress and let you retry
  • Permissionschange chmod, including recursive changes, without dropping to a shell
  • File operationscreate folders, rename, and delete recursively
  • Previewopen or inspect a file before you download it
  • SSH integrationreuse the hosts, keys and jump chains you already configured
  • Price and storageone-time versus subscription, and where your credentials live

The best SFTP clients at a glance

ClientPlatformsPrice modelBest for
TerminalXmacOS, Windows, LinuxOne-timeDual-pane SFTP inside a local-first SSH client
FileZillamacOS, Windows, LinuxFree, open sourceA familiar cross-platform two-pane transfer
CyberduckmacOS, WindowsFree (donationware)Quick browsing of many cloud and server targets
TransmitmacOSPaid licenseA polished native Mac file transfer app
WinSCPWindowsFree, open sourceWindows users who want deep SFTP options
TermscpmacOS, Windows, LinuxFree, open sourceA keyboard-driven terminal file explorer

Well-known SFTP clients by price model and best fit. Prices change — confirm on the vendor's site.

Most SSH clients also expose a built-in sftp command, which is enough for a one-off transfer.

Dedicated SFTP apps

Standalone clients are built around file transfer, and it shows. They tend to have richer queues, resumable transfers, and bookmarks for the locations you visit most. If moving files is most of what you do, a dedicated app is a reasonable choice.

  • FileZillathe default free choice on all three desktops, with a familiar two-pane layout
  • Cyberducka friendly browser-style client that also speaks to cloud storage
  • Transmita native Mac app known for speed and polish
  • WinSCPa Windows workhorse with scripting, syncing and careful defaults
  • Termscpa terminal-based explorer for people who never want to leave the keyboard

TerminalX: dual-pane SFTP inside an SSH client

TerminalX takes the integrated route. The same app that holds your SSH sessions also gives you a dual-pane file manager, so you can drop a config file onto a server and return to the shell without opening a second program. It reuses the hosts, keys and jump chains you already set up, which is the real advantage of an integrated view.

The file pane covers the everyday operations: list and preview files, create folders, rename, change chmod, delete recursively, and upload or download with visible progress. It sits next to the terminal, so a transfer and the command that follows it happen in one window.

  • Dual-pane local and remote browsing
  • Rename, chmod (including recursive) and recursive delete
  • Upload and download with progress
  • Runs on macOS, Windows and Linux from a one-time license

TerminalX keeps everything in a local encrypted vault, so SFTP credentials stay on your machine rather than in a vendor account.

Permissions and chmod without the guesswork

Most file-transfer mistakes are permission mistakes. A web directory that will not serve a page is usually a mode problem, and a private key that is world-readable will be rejected by the server outright. A good client makes permissions visible and editable rather than hiding them behind a shell command.

Look for a client that shows the current mode and lets you change it, and that supports recursive changes when you are fixing a whole tree. For anything unusual, the octal notation — 644, 755, 600 — is worth learning, and it is explained in our SSH glossary.

Dedicated app or integrated client?

  • Pick a dedicated appif file transfer is your main job, you need heavy queues, or you manage several storage backends
  • Pick an integrated clientif you transfer files as part of server work and want one window for shell and files
  • Pick the command lineif transfers are scripted or occasional and you already know sftp and scp

Frequently asked questions

Is SFTP the same as FTP?

No. SFTP runs over an SSH connection and inherits SSH's encryption and host verification. FTP is a separate, older protocol that sends credentials in the clear unless you add TLS. If a server already offers SSH, use SFTP.

Do I need a separate SFTP client if I have an SSH client?

Not always. Many SSH clients include a file-browsing pane, and every SSH install ships an sftp command. A dedicated client only adds value if you need richer transfer queues, resumable transfers or extra backends.

What does chmod 600 mean, and why does it matter?

600 means the owner can read and write, and nobody else has any access. Private SSH keys usually need that mode; if they are readable by others, the SSH client refuses them. A client that shows and edits permissions saves you a trip to the shell.

Can I use SFTP through a jump host?

Yes, if your client supports jump hosts. SFTP is a channel on the SSH connection, so once the connection is routed through the bastion, file transfers follow the same path. TerminalX reuses the jump hosts you configured for SSH.

Is there a free way to browse files over SSH?

Yes. The built-in sftp command is free everywhere, and FileZilla, WinSCP, Cyberduck and Termscp are free options. TerminalX is a paid, one-time purchase — $9 during launch, then $19, then $29 — with a 14-day refund.

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