The Cyberduck Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Cyberduck in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Cyberduck
The Insider’s Guide
Server and cloud storage browser for Mac and Windows
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from Cyberduck’s own pages.
Made by iterate GmbH · checked Nov 12, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Cyberduck’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Cyberduck’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 12, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 83 of the 96 other desktop utilities we grade
Cyberduck is a file transfer client for Mac and Windows. It connects to FTP, SFTP, WebDAV and SMB servers and to cloud storage such as Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive. The software is free to download; the vendor asks for donations and sells copies through the Mac App Store and Windows Store.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Cyberduck, taken from its own pages and our grades.
You add each server or account yourself, though the vendor publishes profiles that cut the typing.
- 1
Best for moving files to servers and cloud storage on Mac or Windows
It nags for a donation after install and after every update until you register a key, and mounting a server as a disk is a separate product.
- 2
What it costs
Paid plans start at Free; $10 minimum donation for a registration key.
- 3
There is a free plan
The direct download is free; it shows a donation prompt after installing or updating.
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
macOS and Windows.
- 5
Many storage types
Connects to FTP, SFTP, WebDAV and SMB servers, plus Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, Azure, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box and OneDrive.
- 6
Connection profiles
The vendor publishes connection profiles for popular hosting and storage providers so setup needs fewer manual settings.
- 7
SFTP key support
SFTP supports public key and two-factor authentication, and it can read settings from an existing OpenSSH configuration.
- 8
A 3.0 GPA, above 83 of 96
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
Nothing Cyberduck does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 5 things listed below take a company.
Cyberduck at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from Free; $10 minimum donation for a registration key
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows
- Made by
- iterate GmbH
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
The report card
Best for moving files to servers and cloud storage on Mac or Windows
Cyberduck is a browser for FTP, SFTP, S3 and about a dozen cloud services, and the direct download costs nothing. It nags for a donation after install and after every update until you register a key, and mounting a server as a disk is a separate product.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | The 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. |
| Free plan and trial | A | Free to download and use with no cap listed. The cost is a donation prompt after installing or updating, until you register a key. |
| Features | B | FTP, 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. |
| Ease of use | C | No rating on record. You add each server or account yourself, though the vendor publishes profiles that cut the typing. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Mac and Windows desktop apps and a command-line version. The site lists no Linux, iPhone or Android app. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Cyberduck is for
- 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
Who it is not for
- 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
Good to know
Good for
- Mac and Windows users who move files to FTP, SFTP or S3 servers
- People who want a no-cost client for several cloud services
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$10
To start. There is a free plan too
Cyberduck has a free plan. Paid plans start at Free; $10 minimum donation for a registration key.
Free to download and use with no cap listed.
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.
The free plan
The direct download is free; it shows a donation prompt after installing or updating.
Read from cyberduck.io on Nov 12, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: macOS and Windows
Server and cloud storage browser for Mac and Windows. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: file sharing, file management.
Mounting remote storage as a disk is the separate Mountain Duck.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
What it works with
- Amazon S3
- Backblaze B2
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- OneDrive
- Box
- Nextcloud
- Cryptomator
Cyberduck is made by iterate GmbH.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
83/96
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
Cyberduck's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 83 of the 96 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 10.
It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 53 of 96) and worst on ease of use (C, above 4).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 97 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. Cyberduck’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 24 of 96
- AFree plan and trialAbove 53 of 96
- BFeaturesAbove 69 of 96
- CEase of useAbove 4 of 96
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 62 of 96
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Nothing Cyberduck does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 5 things listed below take a company.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 83 of the 96 other desktop utilities we grade.
What you could not
- A file manager working directly on your disk.
- Storing and serving files for other people.
- A real app for macOS and Windows. Something home-made would be a web page.
- It plugs into other products, Amazon S3, Backblaze B2 and Google Drive among them.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Cyberduck’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Transmit, ForkLift, Commander One and Path Finder
The 4 tools Cyberduck is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.2GPA
Transmit
Free trial · from $45 one-time
Mac file transfer app for servers and cloud storage.
- Cyberduck has a free plan. Transmit does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Cyberduck lists a Windows app.
- Transmit can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.6GPA
ForkLift
Free trial · from $19.95 one-time
Dual-pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS.
- Cyberduck has a free plan. ForkLift does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Cyberduck lists a Windows app.
- ForkLift can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.4GPA
Commander One
Free plan · from $29.99 one-time
Dual-panel file manager and FTP client for Mac.
- Only Cyberduck lists a Windows app.
- Commander One can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Cyberduck also covers file sharing.
- 2.2GPA
Path Finder
Free trial · from $2.95/mo
Dual-pane file manager for Mac, built as a Finder alternative.
- Cyberduck has a free plan. Path Finder does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Cyberduck lists a Windows app.
- Cyberduck also covers file sharing.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Cyberduck free?
Cyberduck has a free plan. The direct download is free; it shows a donation prompt after installing or updating.
How much does Cyberduck cost?
Cyberduck lists 3 plans. Direct download: $0.
What platforms does Cyberduck work on?
Cyberduck is available on macOS and Windows.
Does Cyberduck have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Cyberduck is listed for macOS and Windows.
Does Cyberduck have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 12, 2026. Cyberduck is listed for macOS and Windows.
Is Cyberduck open source?
Cyberduck is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 12, 2026.
What does Cyberduck integrate with?
Cyberduck's listing names Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, Nextcloud and Cryptomator.
Who makes Cyberduck?
Cyberduck is made by iterate GmbH.
What are the alternatives to Cyberduck?
The closest alternatives to Cyberduck in our directory are Transmit, ForkLift, Commander One and Path Finder.
How does Cyberduck compare with other desktop utilities?
Cyberduck's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 83 of the 96 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 10.
Could I make my own version of Cyberduck?
Nothing Cyberduck does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 5 things listed below take a company.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Cyberduck’s own pages on Nov 12, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 12, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Cyberduck's own pages on 12 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by iterate GmbH. Prices change, so check cyberduck.io before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
5,038
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
5,038
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Cyberduck, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/cyberduck
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Cyberduck: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 12, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/cyberduck
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/cyberduck/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after Cyberduck, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 97 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- LocalSend Insider's GuideOpen-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud3.2 GPA
- Ninite Insider's GuideInstalls and updates many Windows apps at once3.2 GPA
- PeaZip Insider's GuideFree file archiver for Linux, macOS and Windows3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Cyberduck’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Cyberduck is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by iterate GmbH. Prices and plans change: check cyberduck.io before you buy.