The best SFTP server and tools for secure file transfer

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is one of the most popular protocols for transferring files. In the past few years, security versions of FTP called SFTP and FTPS have appeared. FTPS is File Transfer Protocol Secure, transferring data through an encrypted TLS tunnel. On the other hand, SFTP is not really an FTP server, instead it is an SSH server but capable of understanding FTP commands.

As a result, SFTP prevents the transfer of unencrypted and simultaneous login information, it also creates a unique identifier, which must be retransmitted from the client to complete the data transfer. Thanks to these measures, you can rest assured that transferring files with SFTP will be very safe.

Now that you have figured out what part of SFTP, look at some of the best SFTP servers for the safest file transfer.

1. SolarWinds SFTP / SCP Server

SolarWinds, one of the leading names in the field of network management software, provides a free SFTP / SCH server, ensuring reliable and secure online file transfer.

Consider some of its important features and capabilities:

1. Allows multiple devices to transfer files at the same time.
2. Users have the option to allow a specific range or range of IPs.
3. Run as a Windows service.
4. Use the highest security and reliability standards.
5. Can transfer files up to 4GB in size.
6. Due to these features, SolarWinds is ideal for securely transferring OS images, updating configuration and other firmware-related files.

Price : 100% FREE!

Official download : SolarWinds SFTP / SCP Server can be downloaded here.

2. FreeFTP

FreeFTP is an open source SFTP and FTPS server supports the creation of arbitrary users.

FreeFTP comes with the following features:

1. It can be installed as a system service, when needed.
2. Comes with a quick setup process for Windows.
3. When installed as a system service, it is always ready to meet your needs all the time.
4. Has graphical application support.
5. Allow remote port forwarding.

Price : Free to use.

Official download : FreeFTP can be downloaded here.

3. Bitvise SSH Server

Bitvise SSH server is a powerful application to safely transfer files.

Here are some of its features:

1. Support secure remote access via console as well as through GUI.
2. Keep a record of daily, monthly and yearly usage statistics.
3. Provide the fastest file transfer speed, although the actual speed depends on the resources of the customer.
4. It complies with HIPAA.
5. Kerberos 5 exchange support has enabled GSSAPI and Kerberos NTLM 5 user authentication.
6. Help users create virtual accounts supported by the identity of one or more Windows accounts.
7. Users can choose to configure bandwidth limits for uploading and downloading.
8. The terminal subsystem uses complex techniques to display the best results.
9. The Bvterm protocol provides a full range of Windows console features.
10. Easy to set up and configure
11. Ideal for Windows environment, because it starts working immediately after installation. No configuration is required for the Windows environment.
12. There is an option to restrict access to specified accounts.
13. Unlimited number of users can connect.
14. The number of concurrent connections depends only on the resources of the system.
15. No need to specify account settings for each individual Windows account.
16. Provides tunneling of secure TCP / IP connections.
17. Provides safe file transfer through both SFTP and SCP server.
18. BVshell helps to restrict file system access to specific directories.
19. Can be configured to forward messages to a telnet server.
20. All settings can be configured with a script or via a text file.
21. Support multi / slave configuration settings, where slaves can be configured to synchronize their settings, host keys and cache passwords with a master.
22. Admin can authorize multiple users, each user can be granted limited access to certain resources.

Price : The cost of each license is $ 99.99 / year (about VND 2,300,000). In addition, access time can be upgraded to two years for an additional amount of $ 19.95 (VND 460,000) for each installation and three years for an additional payment of $ 39.90 (920,000 VND). for each install.

Official download : Free trial for 30 days. You can download the full-featured Bitvise SSH server here.

4. Rebex SFTP Server

The Rebex SFTP server is a minimalist server, but it is highly configurable and customizable. It is designed primarily for a Windows environment.

Some of its main features are:

1. It is multi-user SFTP / SCP server.
2. Support SSH remote shell.
3. Use high security algorithms such as Elliptic Curve Cryptography or ECC to ensure that files are transferred securely and securely.
4. Installation is very simple. Just download, extract and run the .exe file. No installation needed.
5. Settings can be configured and changed at any time to match the option.
6. Compatible with all popular SFTP clients such as WinSCP, FIleZilla client, Bitvise SSH client, FlashFXP, SmartFTP, FTP Voyager, Axway Secure Client and more.
7. There is an optional support for legacy algorithms.
8. It can run as a Windows service.
9. Management can be done via the command line interface.
10. Support SSH forwarding.
11. Works well on Microsoft Windows Server 2012 or later, Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Windows 8.1 and Microsoft Windows 7 with .NET Framework 4.5.

Price: To receive a quote, enter your email address on https://labs.rebex.net/SftpServer. Details of the license will be sent to your account.

Official download : A 30-day free trial can be downloaded from https://labs.rebex.net/sftpServer/

5. Cerberus FTP Server

Cerberus FTP Server is a secure Windows file server, with FTP, SFTP, FTPS and HTTPS capabilities. Although this tool has existed since 2001, the first stable release was on April 23, 2018.

Its features include,

1. Support Active Directory, LDAP, FTPS, SFTP, HTTPS, secure SSL encryption, two-factor authentication and IP restrictions.
2. Comply with many industry standards such as HIPAA and FIPS 140-2.
3. Advanced reporting tools provide a glimpse of statistics and performance at any time.
4. Comprehensive auditing helps users track availability and performance.
5. Comes with a client application to transfer files.
6. Provide notification via email.
7. Provides multiple options for event support and automation.
8. File storage policy is customizable.

Price : Cerberus FTP Server has 4 versions - Personal, Standard, Professional and Enterprise. The Personal version costs $ 89 (2,100,000 VND), the Standard version costs $ 299 (nearly 7,000,000 VND), the Professional version is $ 599 (nearly 14,000,000 VND) and the Enterprise version is $ 1,499 (about VND35,000,000).

Personal Standard Professional Enterprise Maximum number of connections is 20 Maximum number of connections is 50 There is no limit on the number of connections There is no limit on the number of connections Supporting users and groups Webmaster SSH2 SFTP HTTPS / Web client Detailed log Public key authentication Event support Support full FIPS 140-2 IPv6 message via FTP Integrated Active Directory Policy to keep FTP files with TLS / SSL LDAP integration Account requirements web API control Soap Support CRL and CA Ad hoc file sharing Auto limit Certificate of client certificate Advanced statistics and reports Copy server

You can buy Personal, Standard, Professional and Enterprise versions here.

Official download: You can download a free trial version: 32-bit, 64-bit.

6. CompleteFTP

CompleteFTP is a highly customizable and integrated Windows SFTP server. It provides the features you expect from an SFTP server, such as Windows and non-Windows users (local or AD), virtual file system, user-friendly administration interface and submission. Responsive web file manager (from version 12), but also added some new capabilities such as:

1. Expand custom file system (.NET or Javascript).
2. Expand custom authentication (.NET or Javascript).
3. Process triggers are available and notified via email.
4. Proxy / port assigns protocol translation
5. Remote FTP / SFTP servers can be mounted as virtual directories.
6. Web application hosting (server-side Javascript).
7. Client file sharing CompleteBox file.
8. Real-time configuration synchronization.

Prices range from $ 0 to $ 999 (nearly 23,000,000 VND). The Enterprise version can be tried for 30 days and can be switched to the free version with just one click.

In short, SFTP servers can safely transfer files using the FTP protocol. The above servers are one of the best servers available on the market today.Quantrimang recommends that you download one of the above SFTP Server software and test them in your network / infrastructure. Each of these servers has a certain set of features and different prices.

Many people's favorite choices will definitely be FREE Solarwinds SFTP Server. You can download it at the link above 100% for free and use it whenever you want!

See more:

1. Instructions for setting up individual FTP Server with FileZilla
2. Instructions for setting up and managing FTP Server on Windows 10
3. Step by step instructions How to set up W2K VPN server