11 Best Automated FTP & SFTP Software [Free/Paid]

SmartFTP – Provides adequate security/encryption

SmartFTP is another top-rated automated FTP software specially designed to facilitate file transfer between Windows computers via the Internet. The software supports various Windows versions, ranging from Windows XP to Windows 10.

Besides, SmartFTP is primarily built to provide adequate security/encryption, to ensure files are not tampered with, in any way, during transfer. Also, the software hosts a set of “enhancement” features, which ensure that files are transferred without any form of hassle. This is achieved, basically, by automating certain aspects of the transfer process.

SmartFTP offers different versions for download (Version 5/8/9), depending on your Windows version. Hence the available versions of this tool can run on Windows 11, 10, or older versions like Windows 8, 7.

Hence this program offers useful features plus great support regarding FTP service for users who need to perform such tasks in everyday life.

Some of the key features of SmartFTP include:

• Proxy Servers and firewall (HTTP, SOCK S5, etc.)
• Remote editing, file synchronization, and Backup
• Transfer queue/scheduling
• Universal Plug & Play support
• NAT firewall, custom commands, URL watcher, and advanced GUI
• Industry-standard compliance (FIPS 140-2, 186-4, and HIPAA 5010)
• Integrations with Google Drive, One Drive, and many more.

⇒ Get SmartFTP

FileZilla – Best free app

FileZilla, in terms of affordability, is the best free automated FTP software in the market. It is a versatile FTP solution that can be employed to optimize file transfer across different computers (Windows, Mac, and others).

Besides, FileZilla hosts a dedicated open-source server, known as “FileZilla Server”, from where files can be downloaded easily. Also, it is flexibly built to integrate seamlessly with popular cloud storage services like Dropbox, MS OneDrive, Google Cloud, Google Drive, and more.

Lastly, FileZilla is an open-source free automated FTP software; hence, its license is offered free of charge, under GNU General Public License (GPL).

Other worth mentioning aspects involves an intuitive and easy UI or support for multiple devices like Windows, Linux, and Mac.

Notable security and automation features of FileZilla include:

• User-friendly GUI and multilingual support
• Cross-platform compatibility
• Synched directory
• Remote file editing & searching
• File filters, and adjustable speed limits
• SSL/TLS support, auto-resume, proxy support, site manager, transfer queue, and more.

⇒ Get FileZilla

CompleteFTP – Highly customizable

CompleteFTP is a durable FTP client software for Windows, which offers free services to its users. It hosts one of the most intuitive platforms, obtainable in the industry. Hence, file sharing, uploads, and download operations require only basic tech skills to execute effectively.

This automated FTP software is packed with different sets of powerful protocol/security, integration, administration, and automation features, which make the software a truly “complete” FTP solution.

CompleteFTP is proprietary licensed software with four major editions – Free, Standard, Professional, and Enterprise. While the Free edition offers free licenses, other editions require paid user licenses.

Therefore you should use this program to provide effective file transfer between computers. Also, you can try it for 30 days before making your final decision.

Some of the key features of CompleteFTP include:

• Unlimited automatic users
• File permission
• Virtual file system
• Multi-protocol gateway
• Custom commands
• Industry-class cryptography
• Auto-banning, activity audit, SSL generator, performance charts, remote admin, Zip file compression, process triggers, and more.

⇒ Get CompleteFTP

Sysax – Inbuilt automation wizard

Sysax is a specially designed automated FTP software that comes with an inbuilt automation wizard, which facilitates seamless transfer/sharing of files between remote computers. It supports a wide range of transfer protocols, including FTP, SFTP, SSL/TLS, and more.

This program guarantees faster file transfer services and simplifies the tiring process of manually transferring data.

Plus, this software is available for Windows Vista after testing the reliability and security of this operating system. It also allows choosing from the Windows servers 2008 and 2012.

Thus, many satisfied users recommended this software as a secure FTP service with great maintenance support over time.

Some of the key features of Sysax’s automated FTP software include:

• Status monitoring
• Task (transfer) scheduler
• FTP scripting (automation wizard)
• Comprehensive logs
• Email notifications
• File compressor, SSL certificate, admin support, and more.

⇒ Get Sysax automated FTP software

Auto FTP Manager – Complete tools for automation

With Auto FTP Manager it’s pretty easy to schedule and automate your file transfers. You can move files between any combination of FTP servers, and folders on your PC, Android mobile devices, and more. 

It comes with a simple wizard that helps you create Action Rules to define what files and folders are to be transferred. 

Automated Transfer Profiles can upload or download single files, entire folders, or synchronize two directories. 

And there is also advanced filtering of the files based on the file type, name, size, or modification date.

If something happened during the transfer, you could generate a transfer report when the transfer is completed to see which files were skipped, failed, or were subject to a conflict resolution.

Here are some of its key features:

• Easily backup or synchronize your sites through fully automated transfers
• Move the files between PC to FTP server, PC to PC, FTP server to FTP server, and more
• Automatically detect ASCII or Binary transfer mode
• Automatically transfer files based on their name, modification date, size, or file type
• Detect the time zone on the FTP server to preserve the modification date of the transferred file

⇒ Get Auto FTP Manager

Core FTP – Top security features

Core FTP is one of the most used automated SFTP software for Windows. It offers some of the best obtainable security and automation features in the industry. These features ensure that files are securely shared/transferred (via the internet) between remote computers.

Like most SFTP solutions, Core FTP supports all major transfer protocols, including SFTP, FTP, SSL/TLS, and more. Its powerful set of encryption/security features ensures that the integrity of every file (in transit) is not compromised, in any way.

Core FTP is available in two licensed editions: Free and Core FTP Pro. The free “LE” edition is offered for free, while the Pro edition is available by quote (custom pricing).

Thus, it provides reliable and trustful support to transfer files through FTP servers, also helping to update and maintain your website via FTP.

Basic features of Core FTP include:

• Transfer scheduling
• Zip support (file compression) and on-the-fly compression (MoDE-Z)
• Auto S/Key support
• Secure SFTP,
• Transfer start/stop/resume and Auto retry (of failed file transfer)
• Proxy servers, remote searching, and editing
• File permission, HIPAA compliance, and more

⇒ Get Core FTP

WinSCP – Best open-source tool

WinSCP is an open-source SFTP client software from Microsoft. And it is specifically designed for Microsoft’s Windows computers. Essentially, WinSCP is the ultimate tool for securely transferring files on Windows computers (via IP paths).

WinSCP is one of the computer programs under GNU General Public License terms; hence, it offers free services/licenses to its users.

It’s worth mentioning the software has a new version with new enhancements like improved SFTP support for VMS servers, stream interface in .NET assembly, or compatibility with Google Cloud Storage.

Therefore you can benefit from comprehensive features using this resourceful tool, capable of efficient file management. Also, the graphical UI provides simple transfer management to use.

This automated SFTP software incorporates the following key features:

• Task automation & scripting
• Remote commands
• Admin restrictions
• XML logging, timestamps, file encryption
• Intuitive GUI, text editor (integrated, background transfer
• Amazon S3 protocol, transfer resume, file encryption, transfer queue, file masking, master password, caching, and more

⇒ Get WinSCP

JaSFTP – Easy file transfer capabilities

JaSFTP is the designated SFTP software for Windows computers. It is built to ease the file transfer process, as it has the capacity to run thousands of file transfers. Hence, Windows users can easily run transfer, schedule backup, and/or synchronize folders with unparalleled convenience.

In addition, JaSFTP hosts a versatile set of features; on one hand, secures files during transfer, and on the other, automate the entire file-sharing/upload/download process. With this, you can securely move files about (across several computers) in hands-free mode, while running other operations.

Moreover, the facile user interface supports transfer actions, aiming to create tasks that can be scheduled and performed automatically.

Hence, it can automate file rename by scheduling SFTP processes between the PC and servers based on day or month if needed.

Coming to an end, among all the practical features, this software delivers automated support to anything related to managing file transfer operations.

⇒ Get JaSFTP

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and Secure/SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) constitute the standard methods of remotely transferring files across servers via the Internet.

With the recent development of special automation tools, both transfer protocols have been greatly enhanced, with file transfers now fully (or, in some cases, partially) automated.

In this article, we have listed five of the best automated FTP software, as well as an equal number of automated SFTP software. So, if you are looking for durable FTP/SFTP client software, the above-outlined tools are the best you can get.