Best SFTP Server Software for Secure File Transfers

If you need an SFTP server, start with OpenSSH for a small setup on Linux or Windows. Choose Bitvise when Windows administration controls matter, SolarWinds SFTP/SCP Server for a simple free Windows service with a 4 GB file limit, or SFTPGo when you need cross-platform user management, a web console, or cloud storage backends. These picks reflect current vendor documentation and intended use; they are not a lab performance ranking.

What SFTP does—and how it differs from FTPS

SFTP transfers files through the SSH protocol. Authentication, commands, and file data travel inside the encrypted SSH connection. A typical server listens on TCP port 22, although administrators can configure another port. FTPS is FTP secured with TLS, a different protocol with separate control and data connections; it can need additional firewall configuration. Plain FTP encrypts neither credentials nor file contents. Confirm which protocol your partner requires before installing a server: SFTP and FTPS are not interchangeable.

For the protocol distinction, see the RFC Editor’s specification for FTP secured with TLS and the OpenSSH server configuration manual.

Best SFTP server software

1. OpenSSH Server: best for an existing Linux or Windows host

OpenSSH is the straightforward choice when you already manage a server through SSH. On Linux, install the distribution’s OpenSSH server package if it is not present; the SFTP subsystem is provided through the SSH daemon, so you do not need to deploy an FTP server just to accept SFTP connections. Its configuration is file-based, which suits admins comfortable with service accounts, permissions, and terminal tools.

Windows 10 (build 1809 and later), Windows 11, and supported Windows Server releases can use Microsoft’s OpenSSH Feature on Demand. Windows Server 2025 includes the component by default. Microsoft documents installation, starting the sshd service, and checking its inbound firewall rule. This route keeps the server close to Windows account and file-permission controls, but it has less of a guided management interface than dedicated Windows products. Start with Microsoft’s OpenSSH setup guide.

2. Bitvise SSH Server: best for Windows administration features

Bitvise provides a Windows-focused SSH server with SFTP support and a graphical control panel. It is a fit for teams that want more guided account and access management than a basic OpenSSH configuration. Bitvise offers a free Personal Edition only for an individual’s non-commercial use; organizational or commercial use requires a license. Its official pricing page currently lists a per-installation license at $99.95, before applicable tax, so confirm the current Bitvise SSH Server pricing and license terms before purchasing. See the Bitvise SSH Server feature overview.

3. SolarWinds SFTP/SCP Server: best for simple, free Windows transfers

SolarWinds offers a free Windows SFTP/SCP utility that runs as a service, accepts concurrent transfers, and can restrict incoming connections to specified IP addresses or ranges. The vendor lists a 4 GB maximum file size. That makes it useful for routine network-device backups and smaller administrative transfers, but a poor match for larger files or managed file-transfer workflows. Check the SolarWinds SFTP/SCP Server feature list and download page for current details.

4. SFTPGo: best for cross-platform user and storage management

SFTPGo is a flexible option for Linux, Windows, and container deployments. Its open-source edition includes an administrative web interface, REST API, and support for multiple storage backends, including local filesystems and cloud storage. It can expose other protocols as well as SFTP, so enable only the services your users need. The open-source edition uses the AGPLv3 license; SFTPGo also sells a separately licensed Enterprise edition with commercial support and additional features. Review the SFTPGo project and license and its official edition and deployment information before adopting it.

Which SFTP server should you choose?

• Choose OpenSSH if the host already runs Linux or Windows OpenSSH and you are comfortable configuring accounts and permissions.
• Choose Bitvise for Windows when a dedicated control panel and vendor-managed server features justify a paid organizational license.
• Choose SolarWinds for a basic free Windows SFTP/SCP service when the 4 GB file limit and simpler feature set fit.
• Choose SFTPGo when you need one server across platforms, a web administration interface, virtual users, or local and cloud storage options.

Security checks before allowing connections

Encryption protects traffic in transit, but server configuration still determines what an authenticated user can reach. Before making a service available across a network:

• Create dedicated transfer accounts and grant access only to the directories and operations each user needs. Avoid sharing an administrator login.
• Prefer SSH public-key authentication where clients support it. If you disable password authentication, first confirm every required client can connect with a key and keep a tested recovery path.
• Allow the SFTP port through the host and network firewalls only from expected partner addresses or a VPN where practical. Do not expose extra FTP, FTPS, or web services unless they are required.
• Keep the server and operating system updated, review authentication and transfer logs, and test uploads and downloads using a non-administrator account.

For most single-host deployments, OpenSSH is enough. Move to a dedicated product when its account management, user isolation, storage integrations, or support model solves a real requirement.