FileZilla vs WinSCP (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, FileZilla and WinSCP share a 2.8 GPA, both have a free plan and their prices can't be set side by side, so the choice depends on whether you care more about platforms, where FileZilla grades higher, or features, where WinSCP does.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
They get the same grade on value for money, the free plan and 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
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 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
| 2.8GPAFileZillaGood | 2.8GPAWinSCPGood | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | AFree to download and use, with no paid plan. The site asks for optional donations from $19 to $249. |
| 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. | AThe full program, scripting interface included, is free with no cap and no trial clock. |
| 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. | 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 store rating is on record. You still have to enter server addresses and logins for every site before you can move a file. | CNo store rating is on record. Each server needs its own connection details, and the scripting side is a command line. |
| 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. | DWindows only. The listing says Mac and Linux users need another client, and there is no phone or web version. |
| Best for | free FTP and SFTP transfers on Windows, Mac and Linux | 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: FileZilla and WinSCP. How we grade
Where they differ
- WinSCP also covers workflow automation and file sync.
At a glance
| FileZilla | WinSCP | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free |
| Starts at | 12,99 € for FileZilla Pro (starting at; billing period not shown) | Free |
| Free plan | The free client handles FTP, FTPS and SFTP; cloud storage needs FileZilla Pro. | Free to download and use; the site asks for optional donations from $19 to $249. |
| Free trial | 7-day trial when bought through the Microsoft Store or App Store | None listed |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| Made by | FileZilla Project | WinSCP |
| Price read from | filezillapro.com | winscp.net |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 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.
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
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.
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
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.
WinSCP
Free$0
Full application, including the scripting interface; optional donations are suggested on the site.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, FileZilla or WinSCP?
As of Nov 13, 2026, FileZilla starts at 12,99 € for FileZilla Pro (starting at; billing period not shown), and WinSCP is free.
Which has a free plan, FileZilla or WinSCP?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both FileZilla and WinSCP have a free plan.
Which platforms do FileZilla and WinSCP run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only FileZilla lists macOS and Linux apps. 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.