Cyberduck vs FileZilla
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Cyberduck is an open‑source file transfer client that lets you browse and manage files on FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and a wide range of cloud services. It offers a simple graphical interface for uploading, downloading, and synchronizing data across servers and cloud storage. Available for macOS and Windows, Cyberduck supports bookmarks, transfer queues, and encryption, making it a reliable tool for developers, system administrators, and power users who need a versatile, cross‑platform solution.
FileZilla is a widely-used, open-source file transfer solution consisting of both a feature-rich client and a robust server. It enables users to securely and efficiently transfer files between their local computer and remote servers over the internet. Designed for speed and ease of use, FileZilla supports resume and transfer of large files, site management with a comprehensive manager, and network configuration wizards to simplify complex FTP setups.
- Free and open‑source
- Supports a wide range of protocols
- Simple, intuitive UI
- Cross‑platform for macOS and Windows
- Completely free and open-source software with no hidden costs
- Supports multiple secure protocols including SFTP and FTPS
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface with tabbed browsing
- Cross-platform compatibility across Windows, Mac, and Linux
- No native Linux package (requires manual install)
- Limited automation compared to command‑line tools
- No built‑in file versioning
- Bundled promotional software in the official installer requires careful unchecking
- Lacks advanced text editing capabilities compared to dedicated IDE plugins
- User interface can feel dated compared to modern cloud-sync apps
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Cyberduck
View all →Alternatives to FileZilla
View all →The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth clients are free, but FileZilla is the safer default for pure FTP/SFTP work and Linux users, while Cyberduck adds broader cloud protocol support at the cost of no native Linux package.
Key differences
- •FileZilla runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux; Cyberduck only provides native installers for Windows and macOS.
- •Cyberduck supports many cloud storage protocols (Amazon S3, Google Drive, Dropbox, Azure, WebDAV) that FileZilla does not.
- •Cyberduck includes client‑side encryption and bandwidth throttling; FileZilla lacks these advanced transfer controls.
- •FileZilla’s installer bundles promotional software that must be unchecked; Cyberduck’s installer is clean.
- •Cyberduck offers email support in addition to community forums; FileZilla relies solely on community forums.
Pricing & value
Both are free and open‑source with no hidden costs.
Ease of use / learning curve
Both have intuitive GUIs; FileZilla’s UI feels dated, Cyberduck’s UI is described as simple.
Features & depth
Cyberduck adds client‑side encryption, bandwidth throttling, and pause/resume; FileZilla lacks these.
Integrations & ecosystem
Cyberduck lists integrations with S3, Google Drive, Dropbox, Azure; FileZilla lists none.
Support
Cyberduck provides email support plus community forum; FileZilla only community forums.
Security & privacy
Both support SFTP/FTPS; Cyberduck additionally offers client‑side encryption for transfers.
Platform coverage
FileZilla runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux; Cyberduck lacks a native Linux package.
Choose Cyberduck if…
Developers/admins who need cloud storage protocols, encryption, and Windows/macOS support.
Choose FileZilla if…
IT pros needing reliable FTP/SFTP on Linux, Windows, or macOS without cloud storage.
Common questions
Is there any cost to use either client?
Both FileZilla and Cyberduck are free and open‑source.
Can I run the client on Linux?
FileZilla offers native Linux binaries; Cyberduck does not have a native Linux package.
Do they support cloud storage services like Amazon S3?
Cyberduck supports Amazon S3, Google Drive, Dropbox, Azure, etc.; FileZilla supports only FTP, FTPS, and SFTP.