Cyberduck vs FileZilla
Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial
Cyberduck
Free, open-source file browser for servers and cloud storage on Mac and Windows, from FTP to S3.
FileZilla
The long-running free, open-source FTP, FTPS and SFTP client for Windows, macOS and Linux.
The short answer
Pick Cyberduck if you want one free app for servers and cloud storage alike, including S3, Backblaze B2, Azure, Google Drive and Dropbox, with built-in Cryptomator encryption, on Mac or Windows. Pick FileZilla if you mainly use FTP or SFTP, want a two-pane layout with a transfer queue, or need Linux support. The biggest difference is that Cyberduck covers cloud services for free, while FileZilla reserves them for its paid Pro edition.
Cyberduck or FileZilla: our take
FileZilla is the classic two-pane client for FTP, FTPS and SFTP, showing local files on one side and the server on the other. It includes a transfer queue, a Site Manager, drag and drop, directory comparison, speed limits, filename filters and resumable transfers over 4 GB. Cyberduck keeps connection settings as bookmarks and handles FTP, SFTP, WebDAV and SMB along with Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, OpenStack Swift, Microsoft Azure, OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox and Nextcloud. Files can be edited in your preferred local editor and saved straight back, and you can create share links or browse previous versions where the service supports it.
Both are free and open source under the GPL, but they monetise differently. FileZilla's paid Pro edition is required for cloud storage protocols such as S3, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and WebDAV. Cyberduck includes those services in the free version, shows a donation prompt that a registration key removes, and sells a paid Mac App Store version. Mounting services as drives in Finder or Explorer needs its separate paid sibling, Mountain Duck.
Platforms and security set them apart too. FileZilla runs on Windows, Linux, BSD and macOS; Cyberduck runs on macOS and Windows, with no Linux GUI. Cyberduck supports client-side encryption with Cryptomator vaults, so files stay encrypted on any server. FileZilla stores saved passwords unencrypted unless you set a master password, its interface looks dated, and its default Windows installer has historically bundled third-party offers.
For designers, developers and admins who juggle cloud buckets and drives as well as servers, especially on a Mac, Cyberduck is the more versatile free tool. For people who mainly push files to web hosts over FTP or SFTP, need Linux, or prefer a side-by-side view with a queue, FileZilla is still a solid choice.
Which should you pick?
Choose Cyberduck if…
- Developers and designers who move files between many servers and cloud storage services
- Covers FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3 and major cloud drives in one app
- Cryptomator client-side encryption built in
Choose FileZilla if…
- Web developers and hosting customers who need a free, familiar FTP or SFTP client
- You need Linux, which Cyberduck doesn't list
- Free and open-source on all major desktops
- Supports FTP, FTPS and SFTP with resumable transfers
About each app
What is Cyberduck?
Cyberduck is a free, open-source client for browsing and transferring files on remote servers and cloud storage. One app handles FTP, SFTP, WebDAV and SMB along with Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, OpenStack Swift, Microsoft Azure, OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox and Nextcloud, so it is popular with developers, designers and admins who juggle several services. Bookmarks keep connection settings, files can be edited in your preferred local editor and saved straight back, and you can create share links or browse previous versions where the service supports them. It also supports client-side encryption with Cryptomator vaults, so files stay encrypted on any server. It runs on macOS and Windows, is licensed under the GPL, and is free to download, with a donation prompt that a registration key removes; a paid Mac App Store version is also available. The same developer sells Mountain Duck, which mounts these services as drives in Finder and Explorer.
What is FileZilla?
FileZilla is the classic desktop client for moving files to and from servers over FTP, FTP over TLS (FTPS) and SFTP. Its two-pane layout shows local files on one side and the server on the other, with a transfer queue, a Site Manager for saved connections, drag and drop, directory comparison, speed limits, filename filters and resumable transfers of large files. It is free and open-source under the GPL, runs on Windows, Linux, BSD and macOS, and is often the first tool web developers and hosting customers are told to install. A paid FileZilla Pro edition adds cloud storage protocols such as Amazon S3, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and WebDAV, and the project also offers a free FileZilla Server for Windows. On the downside, the interface looks dated, the default Windows installer has historically bundled third-party offers (a plain download is available), and it stores saved passwords unencrypted unless you set a master password.
Side by side
| Attribute | Cyberduck | FileZilla |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open source | Open source |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hostable | No | No |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Best for | Developers and designers who move files between many servers and cloud storage services | Web developers and hosting customers who need a free, familiar FTP or SFTP client |
| Status | Active | Active |
Cyberduck vs FileZilla pricing
Cyberduck: open source
- License: GPL-3.0 source
FileZilla: open source
We couldn't verify FileZilla's plan details on its own site yet, so we don't list them.
Platforms
| Platform | Cyberduck | FileZilla |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Linux |
Cyberduck facts
3 of 3 verified- License
- GPL-3.0
- Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
- “License: GPL-3.0 (GNU General Public License v3.0).”
- Client-side encryption
- Cryptomator vaults
- Checked Oct 25, 2026cyberduck.io(opens source in a new tab)
- “Client side encryption with Cryptomator interoperable vaults to secure your data on any server or cloud storage.”
- Protocols and services
- FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, B2, Azure, OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox
- Checked Oct 25, 2026cyberduck.io(opens source in a new tab)
- “for Mac and Windows with support for FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, OpenStack Swift, Backblaze B2, Microsoft Azure & OneDrive, Google Drive and Dropbox”
FileZilla facts
4 of 4 verified- Protocols
- FTP, FTPS, SFTP
- Checked Oct 25, 2026wiki.filezilla-project.org(opens source in a new tab)
- “Supports FTP, FTP over SSL/TLS (FTPS) and SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) Cross-platform.”
- Platforms
- Windows 8.1+, Linux, BSD, macOS
- Checked Oct 25, 2026wiki.filezilla-project.org(opens source in a new tab)
- “Runs on Windows (8.1 or later), Linux, *BSD, OSX”
- Large files
- Resume and transfer over 4 GB
- Checked Oct 25, 2026wiki.filezilla-project.org(opens source in a new tab)
- “Supports resume and transfer of large files >4GB”
- Portable use
- Zip version can run from USB
- Checked Oct 25, 2026wiki.filezilla-project.org(opens source in a new tab)
- “To create a portable installation of FileZilla on a USB stick”
Pros and cons of Cyberduck
- Covers FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3 and major cloud drives in one app
- Cryptomator client-side encryption built in
- Free and open-source
- No Linux GUI version
- Donation prompt unless you buy a key
- Mounting as a drive needs the separate paid Mountain Duck
Pros and cons of FileZilla
- Free and open-source on all major desktops
- Supports FTP, FTPS and SFTP with resumable transfers
- Site Manager, queue and directory comparison
- Dated interface
- Default Windows installer has bundled third-party offers
- Cloud storage protocols need the paid Pro edition
Other apps to consider
TransmitInstead of Cyberduck
More polished Mac interface with similar cloud coverage, one-time price.
rcloneInstead of Cyberduck
Command-line tool for syncing and moving files across dozens of cloud providers.
Files.comInstead of FileZilla
Hosted SFTP servers and automation if you're replacing your own FTP server.
Cyberduck vs FileZilla: common questions
Is Cyberduck better than FileZilla?
Pick Cyberduck if you want one free app for servers and cloud storage alike, including S3, Backblaze B2, Azure, Google Drive and Dropbox, with built-in Cryptomator encryption, on Mac or Windows. Pick FileZilla if you mainly use FTP or SFTP, want a two-pane layout with a transfer queue, or need Linux support. The biggest difference is that Cyberduck covers cloud services for free, while FileZilla reserves them for its paid Pro edition.
Is Cyberduck free?
Yes. Cyberduck is free, open-source software.
Is FileZilla free?
Yes. FileZilla is free, open-source software.
Is Cyberduck or FileZilla open source?
Both are open source.
Which platforms do Cyberduck and FileZilla support?
Cyberduck: macOS and Windows. FileZilla: Windows, macOS and Linux.