# WinSCP review (2026): is it any good? > Free open-source SFTP, FTP, S3 and WebDAV client for Windows Checked Nov 13, 2026 ยท graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA. WinSCP is an open-source file transfer client and basic file manager for Windows. It copies files between a local computer and remote servers over SFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, WebDAV and S3. Beyond the graphical interface it offers batch scripting, a command-line interface and directory synchronization. It is free to download. - **Category:** Desktop Utilities - **Made by:** WinSCP - **Website:** https://winscp.net/eng/index.php - **Runs on:** Windows - **Who should skip it:** Skip it if you use a Mac or Linux machine, as there is no version for either. - **Facts last checked:** Nov 13, 2026 ## Pricing As of Nov 13, 2026, WinSCP is free to use. - **Pricing model:** Free - **Free plan:** Free to download and use; the site asks for optional donations from $19 to $249. - **Free trial:** None listed. | Plan | Price | What you get | | --- | --- | --- | | Free | $0 | Full application, including the scripting interface; optional donations are suggested on the site. | Read from https://winscp.net/eng/docs/introduction on Nov 13, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with WinSCP before buying. ## Key features - **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. ## Good for - Windows users who move files over SFTP or SCP - Admins who script recurring transfers - Anyone who wants a free, open-source client ## Worth knowing - 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. ## ToolGPA grades **GPA: 2.8 out of 4**, graded Nov 13, 2026. WinSCP is a free file transfer client for Windows covering SFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, WebDAV and S3, with scripting and folder sync on top. It runs only on Windows, and the site carries advertisements. - **Value for money: A.** Free to download and use, with no paid plan. The site asks for optional donations from $19 to $249. - **Free plan and trial: A.** The full program, scripting interface included, is free with no cap and no trial clock. - **Features: B.** SFTP, 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: C.** No store rating is on record. Each server needs its own connection details, and the scripting side is a command line. - **Platforms and integrations: D.** Windows only. The listing says Mac and Linux users need another client, and there is no phone or web version. These are ToolGPA's own grades. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from WinSCP's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews. ## Where it stands among desktop utilities - WinSCP's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 116 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 37. - It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 107 of 186) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0). - WinSCP has no paid plan. - On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 2.0 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price. The category's chart of price against score: https://toolgpa.com/charts/utilities ## Keep it, or make your own? **Keep it.** WinSCP is free, so making your own would save you nothing. And it is not the kind of software a weekend replaces. - You could not: Connections to other products, each kept working as those products change. - You could not: Files kept in step across devices without losing one. - You could not: A file manager working directly on your disk. - You could not: A real app for Windows. Something home-made would be a web page. - You could not: The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job. A judgement by ToolGPA from this listing, by rules that are the same for every tool. Nothing was built to test it. ## Works with PuTTY, Pageant **Tags:** File management, Open source, Workflow automation, File sync ## Alternatives - [FileZilla](https://toolgpa.com/tools/filezilla): Free FTP, FTPS and SFTP client, with a paid Pro tier for cloud storage. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/filezilla-vs-winscp) - [Cyberduck](https://toolgpa.com/tools/cyberduck): Server and cloud storage browser for Mac and Windows. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/cyberduck-vs-winscp) - [Transmit](https://toolgpa.com/tools/transmit): Mac file transfer app for servers and cloud storage. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/transmit-vs-winscp) - [Mountain Duck](https://toolgpa.com/tools/mountain-duck): Mounts server and cloud storage as a drive on Mac and Windows. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/mountain-duck-vs-winscp) - [ForkLift](https://toolgpa.com/tools/forklift): Dual-pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS. [Compare](https://toolgpa.com/compare/forklift-vs-winscp) ## Sources The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Nov 13, 2026: - https://winscp.net/eng/index.php - https://winscp.net/eng/docs/introduction - https://winscp.net/eng/downloads.php Page: https://toolgpa.com/tools/winscp Listed by ToolGPA (toolgpa.com).