Best SFTP Cloud Service for Secure File Transfers in 2025

If you need to transfer files securely and reliably, SFTP is still the best way to do it, but not all SFTP services are created equal. 

Some offer seamless cloud integration, some are packed with automation features, and others are built for high-speed, enterprise-level transfers. In fact, there are niche solutions to cater to most use cases, right down to lightweight executables that don’t even require installation. 

Whether you're looking for a fully managed solution, compliance with regulations like HIPAA and GDPR, or API-driven automation, the right SFTP service can make a big difference in how efficiently and securely your business handles file transfers.

This guide takes a close look at the best SFTP cloud services available today, breaking down their security, automation, compliance, scalability, and ease of use, so you can find the one that fits your needs.

How we evaluated

To bring you an accurate and useful comparison, we evaluated these SFTP services based on:

• Security and compliance: Encryption standards, regulatory adherence (HIPAA, GDPR, SOC 2, ITAR), access controls, and audit logging.
• Automation and integrations: Workflow automation, API capabilities, webhook support, and cloud integrations.
• Scalability and performance: Speed, storage capacity, high-availability configurations, and multi-user access.
• Ease of use and management: UI/UX design, onboarding complexity, permission management, and administrative controls.
• Reliability and support: Uptime guarantees, backup capabilities, customer support quality, and system monitoring.

Let’s break down each cloud SFTP provider with a deeper analysis of its strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases.

1. SFTP To Go: Best SFTP cloud service–fully managed

Overview

SFTP To Go takes the hassle out of managing SFTP servers, offering a fully managed, cloud-native solution built on AWS. No infrastructure to maintain, no manual configurations, just secure, scalable, and automated file transfers that work seamlessly. 

You get a clean, modern web interface, powerful automation features, and real-time support—making it one of the most reliable and easy-to-use options out there.

It combines secure storage, API automation, real-time webhooks, and compliance controls into a streamlined, cloud-based environment, making it ideal for businesses that need reliability without the complexity.

Along with expert 24/7 support, SFTP To Go is one of the very few cloud SFTP services that allows for 15 users or credentials on their Mini plan, up to unlimited credentials on their Custom plans. There are a range of options to suit any sized enterprise, affordably.

Security and compliance

✅ End-to-end encryption (at rest and in transit)

✅ HIPAA, GDPR, DORA, and SOC2 compliance

✅ Detailed audit logs and activity tracking built-in

✅ Role-based access control and granular permissions

Automation and integrations

✅ REST API and webhook support for full automation

✅ Real-time event triggers (upload/download/delete)

✅ Direct Amazon S3 integration for seamless storage workflows

✅ Native support for SFTP and FTPS for legacy system integration

Scalability and performance

✅ Scales effortlessly via AWS infrastructure

✅ Multi-user support with protocol flexibility (SFTP, FTPS, HTTPS)

✅ Handles high-volume transfers with low latency

Ease of use and management

✅ Clean web UI for admins and non-technical users

✅ Mobile responsive web UI

✅ Manage users, roles, and files in minutes

✅ API-first platform for deeper automation

Reliability and support

✅Built-in high availability and durability (files replicated across multi-AZs) 

✅Optional backup and file versioning

✅ Real-time monitoring and alerts

✅ 24/7 chat support included on all plans

User interface and experience

One of the best things about SFTP To Go is how genuinely easy it makes everything. The interface is thoughtfully designed so anyone from a seasoned developer to someone with zero IT background can manage secure file transfers without any headaches. Little touches like being able to quickly download multiple files as a zipped archive or effortlessly filter through credentials make everyday tasks feel smooth. It’s the polar opposite of wrestling with an old-school server interface.

The web portal makes it easy to set up users, manage access, view file history, and configure automation—all without needing devops or IT teams involved. It’s designed for clarity and control, with powerful functionality accessible to both developers and non-technical admins. The platform also offers API-first management, allowing businesses to automate user creation, track transfer activity, and trigger workflows via REST API.

Unlike traditional SFTP services, its UI allows users to send secure file-sharing links without requiring recipient login credentials. 

Who it’s for

• Businesses needing cloud SFTP and secure file sharing and storage without infrastructure maintenance
• Teams requiring API-driven automation & webhook notifications
• Global enterprises handling compliant file transfers in regulated industries like healthcare and finance
• Remote or hybrid teams looking for solutions with both local and web-portal access options.

2. Files.com 

Overview

Files.com is a secure file transfer and cloud storage platform that supports multiple file transfer protocols, including SFTP, FTPS, WebDAV, and Amazon S3. 

It combines automated file workflows, compliance tools, and cloud integrations, making it ideal for organizations that require secure, centralized file management with flexibility across different environments. However, it’s not exactly beginner friendly. 

Security and compliance

✅ Encryption in transit and at rest

✅ HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2 compliance

✅ Role-based access controls with extensive audit logs

✅ MFA and SSO support out of the box

Automation and integrations

✅ Powerful automation engine for workflows and file routing

✅ Connects to Google Drive, Dropbox, and other cloud storage

✅ Supports API, CLI, and webhooks

Scalability and performance

✅ Multi-protocol support lets you manage internal and external transfers

✅ Built-in cloud storage for offloading large volumes

✅ Handles mid to large-scale file volumes reliably

Ease of use and management

✅ Centralized interface with drag-and-drop tools

✅ Admins can manage users, storage, and permissions in one place

❌ Can be overwhelming for teams without technical staff

Reliability and support

✅ Highly available, cloud-hosted architecture

✅ Monitoring, reporting, and support available

❌ Some plans limit access to live support or advanced analytics

User interface and experience

Files.com has clearly spent time perfecting its user experience, especially if you juggle files across several cloud providers. The drag-and-drop interface feels immediately familiar and works smoothly even for large uploads. 

However, it's clear the platform was built with power-users in mind, as simpler tasks can sometimes feel a bit buried beneath extensive customization options. Still, if you regularly bounce between Dropbox, Google Drive, or AWS S3, Files.com’s centralized setup saves a ton of hassle.

Who it’s for

• Businesses using multiple file transfer protocols
• Organizations managing compliance-heavy workflows
• Teams requiring cloud storage & SFTP integration

3. Progress ShareFile

Overview

ProgressShareFile brings together secure file sharing, SFTP, and enterprise collaboration tools—all in one cloud-based platform. If you're a Microsoft 365-heavy team or work with sensitive documents that need e-signatures, ShareFile fits well. But if you're looking for deep automation or technical flexibility, it’s a bit more closed off.

Security and compliance

✅ AES 256-bit encryption for data at rest and in transit

✅ HIPAA, GDPR, and SOC 2 compliance-ready

✅ Role-based access controls and granular permissions

✅ Multi-factor authentication and secure document delivery

✅ Integrated e-signatures for regulated workflows

Automation and integrations

✅ Supports automated SFTP transfers and secure file requests

✅ Integrates deeply with Microsoft 365, Outlook, and Teams

✅ API available for extending functionality

❌ Limited support for infrastructure integration and custom pipelines

Scalability and performance

✅ Cloud-hosted with scalable infrastructure

✅ Handles large user bases and file volumes with ease

✅ Built-in document tracking and secure link sharing

❌ Not designed for ultra-high-volume or backend integration use cases

Ease of use and management

✅ Business-focused UI with drag-and-drop file management

✅ Centralized user and permission management

✅ External file requests without needing recipient accounts

✅ Client portals and branded interfaces

❌ Devs may find it limited compared to API-first platforms

Reliability and support

✅ Backed by Progress infrastructure and SLAs

✅ Support available depending on plan

✅ Admin dashboards with file activity tracking

❌ Advanced monitoring tools and real-time alerts are limited

User interface and experience

Progress ShareFile feels tailor-made for teams that rely heavily on Microsoft 365. If your work revolves around secure document sharing, approvals, and signatures, it’s a real time-saver. The integration is seamless enough that you'll rarely notice you're jumping between platforms. 

On the flip side, if you’re looking to heavily automate file transfers or build intricate workflows, ShareFile might leave you wanting more technical flexibility. It shines brightest when used as part of everyday business processes rather than developer-heavy tasks.

Who it’s for

• Enterprises needing secure file transfers with collaboration tools
• Microsoft 365 users looking for seamless integration
• Organizations handling sensitive document transactions

4. Sharetru

Overview

Sharetru is all about compliance. It’s purpose-built for businesses in regulated industries—think defense contractors, healthcare providers, and finance. It supports secure file transfer over SFTP in a dedicated cloud environment with custom security policies. But be prepared: with great compliance comes a higher price and more complexity.

Security and compliance

✅ HIPAA, GDPR, ITAR, and PCI DSS support

✅ Full audit logging and access monitoring

✅ Configurable security controls per user or group

✅ MFA, IP whitelisting, and password policy management

✅ Dedicated infrastructure for added isolation

Automation and integrations

✅ Scheduled SFTP transfers with automated reports

✅ API access for system integration

✅ File notifications and delivery confirmations

❌ No real-time webhook support

❌ No out-of-the-box integrations with external platforms

Scalability and performance

✅ Built for reliability with dedicated cloud hosting

✅ Supports multiple users and transfer workloads

✅ Scales vertically with account tiers

❌ Not designed for hyper-dynamic scale or multi-protocol routing

❌ Not hosted on major IaaS providers (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), which may raise concerns around scalability, redundancy, or vendor consolidation

Ease of use and management

✅ Admin panel designed for security and compliance control

✅ Role-based access and granular user settings

✅ File portals and branded domains

❌ Interface prioritizes control over usability

❌ Can be overwhelming for small teams without technical support

Reliability and support

✅ SLA-backed uptime guarantees

✅ Detailed reporting and data retention features

✅ US-based support and compliance assistance

✅ Daily backups and redundancy built in

User interface and experience

Sharetru provides a straightforward, security-focused web portal where administrators can manage users, monitor file transfers, and configure security settings. With Sharetru, it's clear compliance and security aren't afterthoughts. This makes it fantastic if you're in healthcare, finance, or defense, where audit logs and strict security controls are mandatory. 

But don’t expect a lot of hand-holding. The interface isn’t the most intuitive, and you'll probably need to spend some quality time with the documentation before feeling comfortable. Once you’re past that initial curve, though, it's reassuring how much fine-grained control you actually have.

Who it’s for

• Businesses in regulated industries (healthcare, defense, finance)
• Organizations requiring strict access controls and logging
• Companies needing dedicated SFTP hosting with compliance tools

5. AWS Transfer Family 

Overview

AWS Transfer Family brings SFTP (plus FTPS and FTP) into the AWS cloud with zero infrastructure to manage. It's perfect for teams already deep in AWS, letting you plug directly into S3, manage access with IAM, and trigger actions with Lambda. But outside the AWS ecosystem? You’ll probably hit a wall.

Security and compliance

✅ Native integration with AWS IAM and VPC security controls

✅ Encryption at rest (via S3) and in transit (TLS)

✅ Supports HIPAA and other AWS-aligned compliance frameworks

✅ Full audit logging via CloudTrail

✅ Fine-grained access control with IAM policies

Automation and integrations

✅ Event-driven automation with Lambda, Step Functions, SNS

✅ Serverless automation that scales with traffic

✅ Seamless S3 workflows and storage tiering

✅ CLI and SDK access for scripting and automation

❌ No built-in UI or webhook functionality for non-AWS workflows

Scalability and performance

✅ Auto-scales with transfer volume

✅ High availability via multi-AZ deployment

✅ Supports large-scale data ingestion to S3

✅ Built to handle spikes without manual intervention

Ease of use and management

✅ Managed entirely through AWS Console, CLI, or API

✅ IAM-based user management and policy control

❌ Initial setup is complex and resource intensive

❌ Requires expensive developer and DevOps resources to add proper functionality and maintain long-term usefulness

Reliability and support

✅ Backed by AWS infrastructure with regional redundancy

✅ Integrated monitoring via CloudWatch and SNS

✅ SLA-backed reliability with detailed reporting

✅ Support quality depends on AWS support tier

❌ High baseline cost just to activate, even before any data is transferred

User interface and experience

AWS Transfer Family is managed entirely through the AWS Management Console, CLI, or API. While it lacks a traditional web-based interface for file transfers, AWS users will find it deeply integrated into their existing cloud workflows, allowing administrators to manage transfers, user permissions, and automation through IAM and S3 policies.

AWS Transfer Family slots perfectly into your workflow if, and only if, you’re already deep in the AWS ecosystem. It’s powerful, flexible, and endlessly configurable through AWS services like Lambda or IAM. But here’s the kicker: it doesn’t offer a standard web UI to manage files, meaning you'll be using command-line or custom-built tools. 

So while it's incredibly potent for existing AWS users, those new to AWS might find themselves quickly overwhelmed or wishing for a simpler entry point.

Who it’s for

• Organizations using AWS as their primary cloud environment
• Businesses needing scalable, cloud-native file transfers
• Teams requiring seamless integration with AWS storage and automation

6. GoAnywhere MFT 

Overview

GoAnywhere MFT is a managed file transfer solution built for enterprises that need full control over their data and security. It supports both on-premise and cloud-hosted deployments, offering automation, compliance tools, and multi-protocol support. 

While powerful, it requires IT expertise to set up and manage, so it’s not nearly as cut and dried as fully managed alternatives.

Security and compliance

✅ Strong encryption, access control, and 2FA

✅ Full audit logging and security policy configuration

✅ Compliance-ready for HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, and more

Automation and integrations

✅ Drag-and-drop workflow automation

✅ API, CLI, and script-based integrations

✅ Support for multiple protocols (SFTP, FTPS, SCP, HTTPS, AS2)

Scalability and performance

✅ Enterprise-grade scalability with clustering and load balancing

✅ Supports high-volume and high-frequency file flows

❌ Scaling the self-hosted option requires manual infrastructure planning and configuration, as it isn't automated or abstracted by the platform itself

Ease of use and management

✅ Centralized admin interface for job and user management

❌ Workflow builder reduces coding but still assumes technical users

❌ Self-hosting adds complexity to deployment and updates, though this is not an issue with their managed solution

Reliability and support

✅ Reliable with proper infrastructure maintenance

❌ Support depends on tier and contract

User interface and experience

GoAnywhere MFT is a Swiss army knife of file transfers, there’s almost nothing it can’t handle. But that power comes at a cost: it’s complex. You’ll need someone technical to set things up and keep it running smoothly (or a team of technical someones) especially with self-hosted deployments. 

Still, its visual automation builder softens the blow, letting you drag-and-drop workflows without extensive scripting. If you’re willing to invest the initial effort, it rewards you with unmatched flexibility.

Who it’s for

• Enterprises with complex file transfer needs
• Organizations requiring compliance-driven solutions
• IT teams managing multi-protocol file transfer automation

7. JSCAPE MFT 

Overview

JSCAPE MFT is an enterprise-grade managed file transfer platform with serious depth. It supports nearly every transfer protocol you can think of and includes a visual workflow builder, high availability, clustering, and flexible deployment options (on-prem or cloud). But, once again, all that flexibility comes at the cost of complexity.

JSCAPE is probably better known for its on-premises offerings, but they offer MFT solutions as well.

Security and compliance

✅ Encryption in transit and at rest

✅ Role-based access control and multi-factor authentication

✅ Full audit logs and session tracking

✅ Supports HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, and more

✅ Custom security policies and access rules

Automation and integrations

✅ Drag-and-drop workflow automation

✅ Event-driven file triggers

✅ API access for scripting and integrations

✅ Native integrations with databases, cloud storage, and ERPs

Scalability and performance

✅ Clustering and load balancing for large-scale deployments

✅ High-volume transfer support

✅ Multi-protocol support (SFTP, FTPS, SCP, AS2, HTTP/S, WebDAV, etc.)

✅ Can be deployed in hybrid environments

Ease of use and management

✅ Web-based admin UI with visual workflow builder

✅ Centralized user and job management

❌ Requires technical onboarding and configuration

❌ Complexity can overwhelm small teams without IT support

Reliability and support

✅ High availability with built-in failover

✅ Logging and real-time monitoring

❌ Support tier depends on licensing

❌ Steep learning curve without guided implementation

User interface and experience

JSCAPE MFT is impressive for its sheer breadth of supported protocols and automation features. Yet it’s not always approachable for casual users. 

Expect a learning curve and potentially a bit of frustration upfront, but once your IT team has built out workflows and got the hang of its visual tools, it’s a powerhouse that comfortably handles enterprise-level file transfers across almost any scenario you can imagine.

Who it’s for

• Enterprises with multi-protocol file transfer needs
• Organizations requiring on-premise or hybrid deployments
• IT teams managing high-volume, secure file transfers

8. Rebex Tiny SFTP Server 

Overview

This one’s a bit different and not a cloud SFTP solution, as it has no integrations or storage, but we’re including it here because it suits certain unique use cases, and it’s cute. Rebex Tiny SFTP Server is the definition of minimal. 

It’s free, Windows-only, and designed for single-user development or test environments. You drop it into a folder, run the EXE, and you're done. No frills, no install process, and no UI, just a basic SFTP server for when you need one fast.

This one may have a bunch of cons in terms of suitability for enterprise applications, but it’s meant to be tiny, executable, and therefore ideal for certain unique use cases, that’s why it’s on our list. 

Security and compliance

✅ Encryption in transit (SFTP over SSH)

❌ No built-in compliance features

❌ Passwords stored in plain text

❌ No access control beyond a single user

Automation and integrations

✅ Scriptable with basic configuration files

❌ No API or webhook support

❌ No integrations or third-party compatibility

Scalability and performance

✅ Works fine for lightweight dev use

❌ Single-user only

❌ No clustering, load balancing, or multi-session capabilities

Ease of use and management

✅ Launch-and-go executable, no installation

✅ Simple config for quick setup

❌ No GUI or user management features

❌ Limited error handling or file tracking

Reliability and support

✅ Stable for dev/test scenarios

❌ No official support—use community forums or docs

❌ No backups, monitoring, or recovery tools

User interface and experience

Rebex Tiny SFTP Server does not offer a graphical user interface (GUI); instead, it operates as a command-line executable. Users can configure settings via a simple configuration file and run the server instantly.

Rebex Tiny SFTP Server doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not, and honestly, that’s what makes it lovable. It’s the kind of tiny tool you keep handy for quick testing or simple transfers. There’s literally no learning curve; you drop it in, click, and go. 

Sure, it’s barebones, no UI, minimal configuration, and security features that definitely won’t pass regulatory muster. Yet as a fast, temporary fix, it’s exactly what it needs to be: tiny, efficient, and reliable for simple tasks.

Who it’s for

• Developers needing a lightweight SFTP server for testing
• Small businesses with minimal file transfer needs
• Organizations requiring a temporary SFTP setup

Best SFTP cloud service: comparison of extra features 

The following table compares a range of additional features that we find useful, particularly for big-industry enterprises like healthcare, financial services, retail, and media.

Conclusion

Choosing the right SFTP cloud service ultimately depends on your specific needs, whether that's security, automation, compliance, or cloud integration.

If you're looking to completely avoid managing infrastructure while gaining strong automation and compliance features, SFTP To Go is a perfect solution. For teams who need full control or on-premise options, GoAnywhere MFT and JSCAPE MFT are flexible alternatives.

For niche scenarios, like user-friendly file-sharing via Files.com or ShareFile, compliance-first hosting with Sharetru, or a straightforward, lightweight testing solution like Rebex Tiny, there’s a solution to meet any use case.

Ultimately, the right choice of SFTP service should transform secure file transfers from an IT hassle into a seamless, integrated part of your business workflow.

Cloud FTP with maximum security and reliability

SFTP To Go offers managed cloud storage service - highly available, reliable and secure. Great for companies of any size, any scale.