FileZilla vs WinSCP

Updated October 2026 · AppBreakup editorial

FileZilla

The long-running free, open-source FTP, FTPS and SFTP client for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Open source

Visit FileZilla FileZilla profile

WinSCP

Free, open-source SFTP, SCP, S3 and FTP client for Windows, with scripting and folder sync.

Open source

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The short answer

Pick WinSCP if you are on Windows, work with Linux servers over SFTP or SCP, and want scripting and command-line automation. Pick FileZilla if you need a free FTP and SFTP client that runs on Windows, macOS and Linux alike. Both are free and GPL-licensed; the biggest difference is that WinSCP is a Windows-only power tool, while FileZilla is a cross-platform all-rounder.

FileZilla or WinSCP: our take

FileZilla is the classic desktop client for FTP, FTPS and SFTP. Its two-pane layout shows local files beside the server, with a transfer queue, a Site Manager for saved connections, drag and drop, directory comparison, speed limits, filename filters and resumable transfers of files over 4 GB. WinSCP supports SFTP, SCP, FTP and FTPS, WebDAV and Amazon S3, with either a two-pane Commander layout or an Explorer-style view, an integrated editor for remote files and folder synchronisation. It integrates with PuTTY for SSH sessions and can import saved sites from other clients.

Both are free and open source. FileZilla is licensed under the GPL and runs on Windows 8.1 and later, Linux, BSD and macOS; a zip version can run from a USB stick. A paid FileZilla Pro edition adds cloud storage protocols such as S3, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and WebDAV. WinSCP is licensed under GPL v3 or later, is free for any use including business, and has a portable version; a paid Microsoft Store edition exists mainly to support development. It does not cover consumer cloud drives like Google Drive or Dropbox.

Automation is WinSCP's strongest suit. A scripting language, command-line options and a .NET and COM library let admins build repeatable transfers into batch jobs and PowerShell scripts. FileZilla is aimed more at interactive use. Each has drawbacks: WinSCP is Windows-only with a utilitarian interface, while FileZilla's interface looks dated, its 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.

Windows admins and developers who manage Linux servers, especially those who want to script transfers, will get more out of WinSCP. Anyone who needs the same tool on Mac, Linux and Windows, or mainly uses FTP with a web host, will find FileZilla the practical choice.

Choose FileZilla if…

Web developers and hosting customers who need a free, familiar FTP or SFTP client
You need macOS and Linux, which WinSCP doesn't list
Free and open-source on all major desktops
Supports FTP, FTPS and SFTP with resumable transfers

Choose WinSCP if…

Windows admins and developers who move files to Linux servers and want to script it
SFTP, SCP, FTP, WebDAV and S3 in one free client
Scripting, command line and .NET library for automation

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.

What is WinSCP?

WinSCP is the standard free file transfer client on Windows for people who work with Linux servers. It speaks SFTP, SCP, FTP/FTPS, WebDAV and Amazon S3, and offers either a two-pane Commander layout or an Explorer-style view. An integrated text editor lets you change remote files directly, and it can keep local and remote folders synchronised. Its strongest suit is automation: a scripting language, command-line options and a .NET and COM library let admins build repeatable transfers into batch jobs and PowerShell scripts. It integrates with PuTTY for SSH sessions and can import saved sites from other clients, and a portable version runs without installation. WinSCP is developed by Martin Přikryl, licensed under the GPL version 3 or later, and free for any use, including business; a paid Microsoft Store edition exists mainly as a way to support development. It is Windows-only, so Mac and Linux users need other tools.

Side by side

Attribute	FileZilla	WinSCP
Pricing	Open source	Open source
Open source	Yes	Yes
Self-hostable	No	No
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Best for	Web developers and hosting customers who need a free, familiar FTP or SFTP client	Windows admins and developers who move files to Linux servers and want to script it
Status	Active	Active

Verified facts, compared

Facts both apps publish, checked on each vendor's own site.

Fact	FileZilla	WinSCP
Protocols	FTP, FTPS, SFTP	SFTP, SCP, S3, FTP