SFTP & FTP Sync Tool Comparison: Local to Remote Sync for Mac

What's the best SFTP sync tool for Mac? That depends on whether you need a scheduled local-to-remote transfer, two-way folder synchronization, a reusable manual sync or access to remote files through Finder.

We tested six established macOS options with SFTP To Go: FreeFileSync, GoodSync, Transmit 5, ChronoSync, Mountain Duck and ForkLift. They don't all solve the same problem. GoodSync, ChronoSync and FreeFileSync are dedicated file synchronization tools. Transmit and ForkLift are file transfer clients with sync functions. Mountain Duck mounts remote storage and keeps selected files available locally.

This comparison explains those differences and looks at automation, supported sync directions, conflict and deletion handling, security, ease of use and cost. It focuses primarily on SFTP because SFTP encrypts authentication and file transfers over SSH. FTPS support is noted where relevant.

Key criteria for our SFTP / FTP sync tool comparison

Here's what we considered when comparing Mac SFTP sync software.

How easy is each Mac SFTP client to set up and use?

A tool should make it reasonably simple to add an SFTP connection, choose the local and remote folders and understand what will change before a synchronization runs. Products intended for advanced backup and automation naturally require more configuration than manual file transfer clients.

Can it automate local-to-remote SFTP synchronization?

Automation can mean several different things, so we separated:

• Native schedules and unattended jobs
• macOS scheduling through tools such as Automator, Calendar or cron
• Local file-change triggers
• Background uploads from a mounted remote drive
• Reusable sync configurations that still require a click

These aren't equivalent. A tool may react quickly to a change in a local Mac folder but still need to poll the SFTP server to discover a change made remotely.

Which synchronization directions does it support?

We checked for one-way upload or download, mirror synchronization and state-aware two-way sync. Two-way synchronization is useful when people edit both copies, but it also needs clear conflict and deletion handling.

How much control does it provide?

Useful controls include include/exclude rules, file comparisons, schedules, bandwidth limits and decisions about overwriting, deleting or retaining files.

How does it handle conflicts, deletions and earlier file versions?

This matters whenever both sides can change. We looked for previews, conflict handling and ways to retain replaced or deleted files. Synchronization is not automatically a backup: if deletions are propagated, a deleted local file may also disappear from the remote folder.

How does it perform with remote SFTP storage?

Performance depends on file count, file size, network latency, server location and the number of parallel operations. Our assessment is therefore practical rather than a universal speed benchmark.

Which SFTP security options does it support?

All six tools support SFTP, which protects credentials and file data in transit over SSH. Where supported by both the client and server, SSH public key authentication avoids using a reusable SFTP password. Security also depends on server-side permissions, network restrictions, logging and encryption at rest, which a desktop sync client doesn't provide by itself.

With SFTP To Go, you can connect an SFTP client on port 22 using a username and password or supported SSH key. Each credential can be restricted to an assigned home directory and permissions.

How much does it cost?

Prices and license terms change, so the comparison focuses on the current pricing model rather than using price as part of the ranking. Check the vendor's site before purchasing, particularly if the software will be used for business rather than personal work.

Where do SFTP To Go File Automations fit?

The Mac apps in this guide move or synchronize files between a local folder and SFTP To Go. SFTP To Go's native file automations handle a different stage of the workflow: what happens to a file within SFTP To Go after it arrives, is downloaded or is deleted, or when a schedule runs. The file automations documentation explains the available triggers, filters, schedules and actions.

For example, a Mac sync tool can upload files to /incoming, after which an SFTP To Go automation can decrypt a PGP-encrypted file, move it into a processing folder and send a webhook. Other actions include copying, renaming or deleting files, PGP encryption, creating a file or folder, delays and email, Slack or Microsoft Teams notifications.

This doesn't replace Mac-to-SFTP synchronization. It complements it by keeping routine file processing inside the managed file transfer environment after the desktop client has delivered the file.

A summary of our SFTP Mac sync tool comparison

Local Mac to remote SFTP sync / FTP sync tools: 6-review countdown

#6 - FreeFileSync

• Overview: FreeFileSync is free, open-source synchronization software for macOS, Windows and Linux. It can synchronize local folders with SFTP and FTP/FTPS storage and supports two-way, mirror and custom synchronization variants.
• Strengths: It offers previews, filters, multiple folder pairs, configurable comparisons, deletion handling and file versioning. This is considerably more than a basic manual uploader, particularly for a free tool.

• Automation: FreeFileSync can save a configuration as a batch job. On macOS, that job can run through Calendar and Automator or cron. The bundled RealTimeSync tool can also launch a batch job after a monitored local directory changes. Because remote SFTP folders don't provide macOS filesystem notifications, use a schedule when changes made on the server also need to be discovered.
• Weaknesses: Automated Mac SFTP sync takes more setup than it does in GoodSync or ChronoSync. RealTimeSync also isn't the same as event-based monitoring of changes made remotely on the SFTP server.
• Best for: Users who want a capable free SFTP folder synchronization tool and don't mind configuring batch jobs or macOS scheduling.
• Ranking: 6th. FreeFileSync is capable, but its automation requires more macOS setup than the higher-ranked dedicated sync tools.
• Learn more: Comprehensive FreeFileSync guide

#5 - Transmit 5

• Overview: Transmit 5 is a polished macOS file transfer client for SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, S3 and several cloud services. Its Synchronize function updates one folder from another using a selected transfer direction. Transmit 6 is in public beta as of September 2026, while Transmit 5 is the stable release covered here.
• Strengths: Setup is quick, the interface is clean and each sync can compare files by modification date or size. You can delete orphaned destination files, follow symbolic links and skip items that match configured rules.

• Automation: Syncs can be started manually or scheduled with Apple's Automator. Panic warns that Automator can time out during some large upload or synchronization jobs, so test the exact workload before depending on it unattended.
• Weaknesses: Transmit selects one direction for each synchronization. It isn't a state-aware, bidirectional sync engine with the conflict and version-history controls found in dedicated synchronization tools.
• Best for: Mac users who want an excellent SFTP client for everyday file management and quick one-way folder updates, with optional Automator scheduling.
• Ranking: 5th because its synchronization is useful but deliberately narrower than GoodSync, ChronoSync or FreeFileSync.
• Learn more: Comprehensive Transmit 5 guide

#4 - ForkLift

• Overview: ForkLift 4 is a dual-pane macOS file manager and transfer client with support for SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3 and other remote connections. It can synchronize any two locations that it can open, including a local folder and a remote SFTP directory.
• Strengths: ForkLift supports left-to-right, right-to-left and two-way sync. Options cover subfolders, hidden items, additions, updates, orphan deletion, time offsets and exclusion filters. 

• Automation: You can save a configuration as a Synclet in the sidebar, making repeat jobs quick to run. A Synclet still requires a click; it isn't a native unattended schedule.
• Weaknesses: ForkLift doesn't provide the scheduling and extensive version-history controls of a dedicated backup and synchronization application. Current ForkLift releases also require a relatively recent macOS version, so check compatibility before buying it for an older Mac.
• Best for: Users who want a powerful Finder alternative, an SFTP client and flexible repeatable manual synchronization in one application.
• Ranking: 4th because its sync controls are strong for a file manager, but it isn't designed around unattended automation.
• Learn more: Comprehensive ForkLift guide

#3 - ChronoSync

• Overview: ChronoSync is a Mac backup and file synchronization application that supports local disks, network and cloud destinations, and SFTP server connections. It's built for repeatable, configurable tasks rather than occasional drag-and-drop transfers.
• Strengths: It supports one-way and two-way synchronization, scheduled tasks, trial synchronization before changes are applied and archives for replaced or deleted files. Scheduling can run at defined intervals and respond to supported events.

• Automation: ChronoSync provides a native scheduler and can run without keeping its main interface open. Filesystem-change triggers are useful for supported local locations, but remote SFTP changes may still need a scheduled scan rather than instantaneous server-side event detection.
• Weaknesses: Its extensive options create a steeper learning curve than Transmit, ForkLift or Mountain Duck. Some filesystem metadata and archiving behavior can also depend on what the SFTP server supports.
• Best for: Mac users who need scheduled SFTP backup or synchronization, detailed control and recoverable archives of changed files.
• Ranking: 3rd. It remains one of the strongest choices for advanced Mac synchronization, especially when scheduling and retention matter.
• Learn more: Comprehensive ChronoSync guide

#2 - Mountain Duck

• Overview: Mountain Duck mounts SFTP and other remote storage in Finder. Its Smart Synchronization mode caches files locally for offline access and uploads local changes in the background when a connection is available. Mountain Duck 5 also adds Integrated mode, which uses macOS File Provider integration for a cloud-drive-style experience.
• Strengths: You can browse remote SFTP files through Finder, keep selected files or folders offline and open them in ordinary Mac applications. Status icons show whether content is online-only, synchronized, pending or in error. 

• File handling: If both a cached file and its server copy change, Mountain Duck creates a renamed conflicting copy. It doesn't merge the changes, so the user must compare and resolve them.
• Weaknesses: Mountain Duck is primarily a mounted-drive and offline-access tool, not a conventional folder-pair synchronizer. It offers less control over sync direction, schedules and mirror rules than GoodSync, ChronoSync or FreeFileSync.
• Best for: Users who want an SFTP server to behave more like a drive in Finder, with selected remote files available offline and edits uploaded automatically.
• Ranking: 2nd for access and convenience. If your actual requirement is scheduled folder replication or carefully controlled two-way synchronization, a dedicated sync tool is a better fit.
• Learn more: Comprehensive Mountain Duck guide

#1 - GoodSync

• Overview: GoodSync is a dedicated file synchronization and backup application for macOS and other platforms. It supports local storage, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, cloud services and GoodSync's own device-to-device protocol.
• Strengths: GoodSync supports one-way backup and state-aware two-way synchronization. It can propagate changes and deletions, detect conflicts, preserve previous or multiple file versions, run parallel operations and apply detailed filters and job rules.

• Automation: Jobs can run on a schedule, periodically, when folders become available or when supported local filesystems report a change. Direct file-change monitoring is supported for local Mac disks and GoodSync Connect locations, but not as a native remote-change event feed from an ordinary SFTP server. Use a timer or schedule when the SFTP side may change independently.
• Weaknesses: The number of options can be excessive for a simple occasional upload. Licensing also differs between personal and business use, so choose the appropriate edition.
• Best for: Users who need reliable, unattended local-to-SFTP jobs, two-way synchronization and detailed control over conflicts, deletions and retained versions.
• Ranking: 1st for comprehensive automated folder-pair synchronization. It offers the strongest overall combination of automation and file-handling controls in this group.
• Learn more: Comprehensive GoodSync guide

In summary

The best SFTP sync software for Mac depends on the workflow:

1. GoodSync: Best overall for configurable, automated one-way or two-way synchronization between a Mac and an SFTP server.
2. Mountain Duck: Best for mounting SFTP storage in Finder and keeping selected files available offline.
3. ChronoSync: Best for advanced Mac backup, scheduling and archiving with an SFTP destination.
4. ForkLift: Best for repeatable manual one-way or two-way sync inside a powerful file manager.
5. Transmit 5: Best for polished file transfers and straightforward one-way folder updates.
6. FreeFileSync: Best free option, with two-way sync, versioning and automation through batch jobs, RealTimeSync or macOS scheduling.

For business workflows, think beyond the desktop client. The sync tool controls how files move between the Mac and the remote folder. SFTP To Go provides the managed SFTP endpoint, encrypted storage, credentials, directory permissions and activity records. Its native file automations can then process a file after it enters the service.

A practical workflow could look like this:

Mac folder → automated SFTP upload → SFTP To Go /incoming → PGP decrypt → move to /ready → webhook

So, the Mac application handles local synchronization, while SFTP To Go handles repeatable file-level processing in the managed environment. For integrations that require validation, transformation or updates to other applications, the final webhook can pass control to an external service or integration platform.

If your file synchronization needs extend beyond a local Mac and SFTP server, Power Automate can connect SFTP with SharePoint for controlled inbound and outbound file workflows:

• Start by learning how to connect Power Automate to SFTP for SharePoint workflows.
• Follow the complete process to automate SharePoint-to-SFTP file uploads.
• For the reverse workflow, learn how to automate incoming SFTP-to-SharePoint file transfers.

Learn more about automating SFTP workflows or connect to SFTP To Go from any standard SFTP client.

Frequently asked questions