Cyberduck vs WinSCP (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Cyberduck grades higher than WinSCP: 3.0 against 2.8 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
Cyberduck grades higher on platforms. They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan, features and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Cyberduck
Server and cloud storage browser for Mac and Windows
Free plan · from $10
Which one is for you
Pick Cyberduck if
- Fits if you move files to FTP, SFTP or S3 on a Mac or Windows PC
- Works for people who want one free client for several cloud drives
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want remote storage to show up as a disk in Finder or Explorer, because that is Mountain Duck, sold separately
- Not for you if you run Linux, iOS or Android, as the site lists none
- Watch out: free copies show a donation prompt after install and after updates until you register a key
- Watch out: the Mac App Store version is $23.99 and replaces the donation
Pick WinSCP if
- Fits if you move files to servers from a Windows PC and want scripts to repeat the job
- Works for people who keep folders in sync with a remote server
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use a Mac or Linux machine, as there is no version for either
- Not for you if you want a quiet website, since the site shows advertisements alongside its pages
- Too light for cloud-drive work like Google Drive or OneDrive, which the listing does not cover
- Watch out: it is run by volunteers and funded by donations, with help coming through the forum
How we grade them
| 3.0GPACyberduckVery good | 2.8GPAWinSCPGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AThe direct download is free and a donation of $10 or more removes the prompt, which is under 60% of what this category's cheaper quarter charges. The Mac App Store copy is $23.99. | AFree to download and use, with no paid plan. The site asks for optional donations from $19 to $249. |
| Free plan and trial | AFree to download and use with no cap listed. The cost is a donation prompt after installing or updating, until you register a key. | AThe full program, scripting interface included, is free with no cap and no trial clock. |
| Features | BFTP, SFTP, WebDAV, SMB, S3, Backblaze, Azure and the main cloud drives, with connection profiles and Cryptomator vaults. Mounting remote storage as a disk is the separate Mountain Duck. | BSFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, WebDAV and S3, two interface styles, batch scripting, directory sync and a built-in editor. The listing shows no gap in the core transfer job. |
| Ease of use | CNo rating on record. You add each server or account yourself, though the vendor publishes profiles that cut the typing. | CNo store rating is on record. Each server needs its own connection details, and the scripting side is a command line. |
| Platforms and integrations | CMac and Windows desktop apps and a command-line version. The site lists no Linux, iPhone or Android app. | DWindows only. The listing says Mac and Linux users need another client, and there is no phone or web version. |
| Best for | moving files to servers and cloud storage on Mac or Windows | free SFTP and scripted file transfers on Windows |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: Cyberduck and WinSCP. How we grade
Where they differ
- WinSCP is open source, according to its own site.
- Cyberduck also covers file sharing.
- WinSCP also covers workflow automation and file sync.
In commonFree planWindowsFile management
At a glance
| Cyberduck | WinSCP | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free |
| Starts at | Free; $10 minimum donation for a registration key | Free |
| Free plan | The direct download is free; it shows a donation prompt after installing or updating. | Free to download and use; the site asks for optional donations from $19 to $249. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Made by | iterate GmbH | WinSCP |
| Price read from | cyberduck.io | winscp.net |
| Checked | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
Cyberduck
- Free copies show a donation prompt after install and after updates until a key is registered.
- Mac and Windows only; the site lists no Linux, iOS or Android app.
- Mounting remote storage as a local disk is a separate product, Mountain Duck.
WinSCP
- Windows only; Mac and Linux users need another client.
- The site shows advertisements alongside its pages.
- Funded by volunteers and donations, with support through the forum.
Key features
Cyberduck
- Many storage types
- Connects to FTP, SFTP, WebDAV and SMB servers, plus Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, Azure, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box and OneDrive.
- Connection profiles
- The vendor publishes connection profiles for popular hosting and storage providers so setup needs fewer manual settings.
- SFTP key support
- SFTP supports public key and two-factor authentication, and it can read settings from an existing OpenSSH configuration.
- Cryptomator vaults
- Creates client-side encrypted vaults that are interoperable with Cryptomator, for use on any server or cloud storage.
- Share links and versions
- For services such as Nextcloud and ownCloud, creates share links and lets you view and revert earlier file versions.
- Command-line companion
- A command-line version and the separate Mountain Duck app, which mounts remote storage as a disk, are listed on the site.
WinSCP
- Many protocols
- Transfers over SFTP and SCP via SSH, plus FTP, FTPS, WebDAV and S3, all from one interface.
- Two interface styles
- Explorer and Commander layouts, with drag and drop, URL and shortcut integration with Windows.
- Scripting and automation
- Batch file scripting, a command-line interface and a .NET assembly cover unattended jobs.
- Directory synchronization
- Synchronize folders in semi- or fully automatic ways; version 6.7 adds syncing two local directories.
- Built-in editor and PuTTY integration
- Edit remote files in an integrated text editor, share site settings with PuTTY and use the Pageant agent.
- Portable operation
- Can run from removable media using a configuration file instead of registry entries.
Plans
Cyberduck
Direct download$0
Free to download and use. A donation prompt appears after installing or updating.
Contributor$10
minimum donation, paid once
A donation of at least $10 gets a personal registration key that turns off the donation prompt.
Mac App Store$23.99
one-time purchase
The store version for Mac, sold in place of a donation. Requires macOS 10.13 or later.
WinSCP
Free$0
Full application, including the scripting interface; optional donations are suggested on the site.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, Cyberduck or WinSCP?
As of Nov 13, 2026, Cyberduck starts at Free; $10 minimum donation for a registration key, and WinSCP is free.
Which has a free plan, Cyberduck or WinSCP?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both Cyberduck and WinSCP have a free plan.
Which platforms do Cyberduck and WinSCP run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only Cyberduck lists a macOS app. Both list a Windows app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.