FileZilla vs Transmit (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, FileZilla grades higher than Transmit: 2.8 against 2.2 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
FileZilla grades higher on value for money, the free plan and platforms. Transmit grades higher on features. They get the same grade on ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
FileZilla
Free FTP, FTPS and SFTP client, with a paid Pro tier for cloud storage
Transmit
Mac file transfer app for servers and cloud storage
Which one is for you
Pick FileZilla if
- Fits if you only need a free graphical FTP or SFTP client for uploading site files
- Works for people who already have a server login and want a queue that resumes after a drop
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you want to reach Amazon S3, Google Drive or OneDrive, which needs FileZilla Pro
- Not for you if you need a phone or web version, as it runs only on computers
- Watch out: Pro prices are in euros as 'starting at', with no billing period shown, and the FAQ calls it a subscription
- Watch out: the Pro command-line tool is Windows only, and FileZilla Server is a separate product
Pick Transmit if
- Fits if you manage files on web servers or S3 buckets from a Mac
- Works for freelancers who want a one-time purchase
Look elsewhere if
- Skip it if you use Windows or Linux, as it is Mac only
- Tight if you want free, since the trial lasts 7 days
- Watch out: it needs macOS 13.0 or later
- Watch out: the free upgrade from Transmit 4 applies only to purchases made after about June 1, 2017
How we grade them
| 2.8GPAFileZillaGood | 2.2GPATransmitFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AThe client is free and open source with no price. Pro starts at 12,99 € but is only for cloud storage, and the page shows no billing period. | B$45 once, under two years of what this category's middle subscription costs. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe free client does the whole FTP, FTPS and SFTP job with no cap on it. A 7-day trial applies only to Pro bought through the Microsoft Store or App Store. | CThe download is the full app for 7 days, and the listing doesn't say a card is needed. There is no free plan. |
| Features | CQueue, resume, Site Manager and master password. The gap is on the listing itself: cloud storage connections and settings sync are Pro only, and the Pro command-line tool is Windows only. | BDual panes, many server types, folder sync, Panic Sync, batch rename and keys. Nothing in the listing is missing from the job. |
| Ease of use | CNo store rating is on record. You still have to enter server addresses and logins for every site before you can move a file. | CNo rating on record. You add each server or cloud account yourself. |
| Platforms and integrations | CWindows, Mac and Linux, but nothing for phones or the web. Pro connects to cloud services, which the free client does not. | DMac only, on macOS 13.0 or later. No Windows, Linux or phone version. |
| Best for | free FTP and SFTP transfers on Windows, Mac and Linux | moving files to servers and S3 on a Mac |
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: FileZilla and Transmit. How we grade
Where they differ
- FileZilla is open source, according to its own site.
- Transmit can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Transmit also covers file sharing.
At a glance
| FileZilla | Transmit | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free trial |
| Starts at | 12,99 € for FileZilla Pro (starting at; billing period not shown) | $45 one-time |
| Free plan | The free client handles FTP, FTPS and SFTP; cloud storage needs FileZilla Pro. | None |
| Free trial | 7-day trial when bought through the Microsoft Store or App Store | The download is the full app and works for 7 days. |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | FileZilla Project | Panic Inc. |
| Price read from | filezillapro.com | panic.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 12, 2026 |
Worth knowing
FileZilla
- Pro prices are shown in euros as "starting at" with no billing period; confirm at checkout.
- Cloud storage connections are in FileZilla Pro only, not the free client.
- The Pro command-line tool is Windows only, and FileZilla Server is a separate product.
- The vendor's own project pages block automated reads, so the free-client facts come from its wiki.
Transmit
- Runs on macOS 13.0 or later only; there is no Windows or Linux version.
- The free download stops working after 7 days without a purchased unlock code.
- A free upgrade from Transmit 4 applies only to purchases made after about June 1, 2017.
Key features
FileZilla
- FTP, FTPS and SFTP
- The free client connects to traditional servers and NAS devices over these three protocols.
- Cloud storage in Pro
- Pro reaches Amazon S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Backblaze B2, Azure and WebDAV, among others.
- Transfer queue
- Queue files for transfer, then stop and resume at will; transfer speed can be adjusted.
- Site Manager
- Organize sites and bookmarks; Pro can also synchronize Site Manager data across installations.
- Master password
- Stored passwords can be protected with a master password.
Transmit
- Dual-pane browsing
- Shows local and remote files side by side so you can drag items between them.
- Many server types
- Handles FTP, SFTP, WebDAV and Amazon S3, plus Backblaze B2, Box, Google Drive, Dropbox, Azure and Rackspace Cloud Files.
- File Sync
- Mirrors folders in one click, including local-to-local and remote-to-remote sync, with selectable files.
- Panic Sync
- Syncs your saved servers between your Macs so server addresses do not need retyping.
- Batch rename and tags
- Includes batch rename, a Get Info sidebar, a Places bar and file tags.
- Secure keys
- Generates and manages keys in the app, with 2-factor login and YubiKey support listed.
Plans
FileZilla
FileZilla Client$0
Free and open source for Windows, Linux and macOS; FTP, FTPS and SFTP only.
Pro, single device12,99 €
starting at; billing period not shown
Adds cloud services; one device, sold per operating system. The FAQ calls it a subscription.
Pro + CLI24,99 €
starting at; billing period not shown
Pro for one Windows device plus the command-line tool for automation.
Pro, multiple devices29,99 €
starting at; billing period not shown
For one user on up to 3 devices across Windows, macOS and Linux.
Transmit
Transmit 5$45
one-time purchase, per copy plus tax
Keep the app permanently with an unlock code. Quantity discounts apply to volume licenses.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, FileZilla or Transmit?
As of Nov 13, 2026, FileZilla starts at 12,99 € for FileZilla Pro (starting at; billing period not shown), and Transmit starts at $45 one-time.
Which has a free plan, FileZilla or Transmit?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only FileZilla has a free plan. Transmit does not, though it has a free trial.
Which platforms do FileZilla and Transmit run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only FileZilla lists Windows and Linux apps. Both list a macOS 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.