In this guide, we round up the top ftp server free options which IT pros consider in 2025, with quick snapshots of features, license nuances, and protocol support—Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), File Transfer Protocol Secure (FTPS), and Secure Copy Protocol (SCP)—so you can pick what’s going to work best for your specific needs and situation.
We start with SolarWinds Free SFTP/SCP Server, then cover nine solid free ftp server windows alternatives. You’ll see who each tool is best for, what “free” actually means, and the capabilities that matter whether you’re standing up a test environment or running in production.
Comparison Table
| Product | Sweet Spot | License Conditions or Limitations | Key Features | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SolarWinds Free SFTP/SCP Server | Best for network device file moves | Free, Windows only 4 GB per file limit | SFTP and SCP Windows service IP allowlisting Concurrent transfers | Simple, policy-friendly device file transfer |
| FileZilla Server | Best for open-source stacks | Free under GNU Affero General Public License (GNU AGPL) Commercial use allowed | FTP and FTPS User groups Logging built-in Graphical User Interface (GUI) manager | Ubiquitous, no-cost FTPS |
| Microsoft IIS FTP Service | Best for Windows and IIS integration | Subject to Microsoft licensing terms | FTPS support IIS Manager Windows auth PowerShell friendly | Included with Windows Server |
| OpenSSH (Windows) SFTP Server | Best for built-in SFTP | Free BSD-style license Feature-on-demand in Windows | SFTP only Key auth Service mode Scriptable ops | No-cost, OS-integrated SFTP |
| SFTPGo | Best for hybrid storage | GNU AGPL license Enterprise edition optional | SFTP FTPS HTTPS Web admin Cloud backends Event hooks | One server, many storage backends |
| Core FTP Server (Free/Edition 1) | Best for mixed protocols | Free edition feature limits Licensed tiers lift limits | SFTP and FTPS HTTPS access Access rules Windows service | Multi-protocol on a budget |
| Rebex Tiny SFTP / Tiny FTP | Best for dev testing | Free for commercial use Single user per tiny server | Portable app One-click run Key auth TLS support | Instantly spin up a test endpoint |
| freeFTPd | Best for quick setups | Freeware Maintenance cadence uncertain | FTP FTPS SFTP Simple setup Service mode Basic users | “Good enough” quick lab transfers |
| Smallftpd | Best for lightweight FTP | Freeware Older project status | FTP only Passive hostname Lightweight app Simple config | Tiny footprint for simple jobs |
| Core FTP Mini SFTP Server | Best for ad-hoc SFTP | Freeware SFTP-only mini build | Portable tool SFTP only Quick start Minimal config | One-file SFTP for emergencies |
| Wing FTP Server (Free edition) | Best for non-commercial labs | Free, non-commercial after trial Feature limits apply | FTP, HTTP, FTPS, HTTPS, and SFTP over SSH2 Web admin Mobile apps Quota controls | Capable trial that scales later |
As of September 2025
Top 10 free alternatives for FTP Server software for Windows in 2025
SolarWinds Free SFTP/SCP Server
What is it?
SolarWinds® Free SFTP and SCP Server is a lightweight Windows service for secure file transfers. It’s designed for network teams, server admins, and anyone who needs a dependable way to move configurations, firmware, backups, and build artifacts using Secure File Transfer Protocol or Secure Copy Protocol without extra complexity.
You install it (you’ll get this free ftp server online in a jiffy), set the service to Automatic, and it quietly does its job behind the scenes. It works well on a jump host, a small utility virtual machine (VM), or a lab bench, and it plays nicely with PowerShell scripts, change windows, and standard Windows monitoring, so you can keep transfers predictable.
It’s focused on the day-to-day tasks most admins run: staging device images, collecting logs, exchanging files with tools, and automating routine pushes and pulls. There’s no database or portal to rebrand. Start it, allowlist the right IPs, and get back to the rest of your ticket queue.
Because it’s so simple, it’s very intuitive and since it’s Windows-native, it benefits from the patching, credentials, and auditing you’re already running—that’s part of the attraction of this particular free ftp server software. When you need more governance, partner portals, or deep automation, you can graduate to one of the chargeable SolarWinds Serv-U® file transfer platforms without having to re-learn everything.
Security hygiene matters. The server supports encrypted protocols and gives you practical controls like IP allowlists, root directory isolation, and service-level logging. Keep the footprint small and predictable, pair it with standard host hardening, and you have a secure path to move the files that keep your environment humming.
The core idea is straightforward: provide a dependable transfer service that admins trust, with minimal moving parts and clear guardrails. You shouldn’t have to fight your file server or nurse it through reboots. It should stay out of the way until you need it, then make your job easier.
Runs As A Service
The server installs as a Windows service and can start automatically on boot. That helps it survive patch cycles, change windows, and unexpected reboots. You get persistent availability without logging in and launching a console every time you need to push a file across the network.
Concurrent Transfers
Handle multiple connections at once for staged device updates, parallel backups, or scripted workflows. The service model reduces session babysitting. Fire off your jobs and move on while the server quietly works through the queue and keeps your logs tidy for later review.
IP Allowlisting
Limit access to trusted hosts and networks to reduce noise and block unwanted probes. Define precise ranges for your jump boxes, orchestration tools, and partner hosts. Keep the footprint tight so only systems with a real reason to connect ever see an open door.
Simple Configuration
Configuration stays intentionally lean: pick a root path, add users or keys, and set your basic policies. There’s very little to memorize. The design emphasizes repeatable setups so you can document once, clone the pattern on the next host, and be confident it will behave the same.
Advanced Capabilities
Script-friendly Design
Administrators often automate transfers with PowerShell or Windows Task Scheduler. The server plays well with scripted jobs that pull configurations nightly, push firmware during maintenance windows, or gather logs after incident response. Logs remain machine-readable so you can parse outcomes and raise alerts when something misbehaves.
Root Isolation Controls
Map users to distinct root directories to prevent accidental cross-pollination. Keep each device class, team, or business unit inside its own lane. That improves cleanliness and helps reduce the risk of overwriting the wrong files when multiple automation pipelines hit the same service.
Lightweight Logging
The service records connection attempts and transfers so you can reconstruct timelines and measure throughput. Keep logs locally, ship them with your normal agent, or tail them during a change. The goal is enough visibility to troubleshoot, without the weight of a full analytics stack on a simple utility box.
Firewall-friendly Behavior
Because it uses standard Secure Shell ports for Secure File Transfer Protocol and Secure Copy Protocol, it fits existing firewall rules. Pair it with host-based firewalls and intrusion prevention as you would any Windows service. Clear, narrow port usage helps your change requests move faster.
Resource Awareness
The server keeps resource usage modest so it can share a small VM with other admin utilities. CPU and memory demands remain predictable, which helps on constrained hosts and lets you schedule transfers during off-peak hours without surprising the rest of the workload on the machine.
Operational Guardrails
A practical single-file size limit keeps the free utility focused on device work, configuration files, and mid-sized artifacts. For very large transfers that demand audits, approvals, and workflows, the SolarWinds managed platform is built to handle them with the governance you need.
Event-driven Hooks
If you want to chain actions, you can point external scripts at log events and trigger follow-up tasks like checksum validation, ticket updates, or notifications. Keep the utility clean while still connecting it to the operational fabric your teams already trust.
Standard Authentication
Use strong passwords or key-based authentication, depending on your policy. Keys help reduce password fatigue and make automation safer. Either way, align the configuration with your enterprise standards so the server behaves like every other well-managed Windows service in your fleet.
Windows Integration
Because it’s a native Windows service, you can manage it with familiar tools: Services, Event Viewer, Performance Monitor, and Group Policy for hardening. That lowers the learning curve and lets operations teams fold it into their normal runbooks, including change approvals, emergency maintenance, and monthly health checks.
SIEM Friendly
Ship logs to the security information and event management (SIEM) platform you already use. Parse connection attempts, successes, and failures to enrich detections. Use alerts to flag unexpected source addresses or unusual transfer volumes so you can investigate quickly without adding another silo of telemetry.
Resilience Patterns
While the free utility does not include clustering, you can improve resilience with practical patterns: keep a warm standby, use virtualization snapshots before maintenance, and script service checks with automatic restarts. These habits reduce the blast radius of mistakes and make scheduled changes less stressful.
Compliance Alignment
The clean separation between operator privileges and user access makes it easier to respect separation of duties. Keep server configuration restricted, use key-based accounts for automation, and retain logs per policy. Those steps help audit teams verify the file exchange layer behaves predictably under control.
Observability Hooks
Point your existing monitoring at the service, ports, and logs. Track process health, socket availability, and transfer times. A noisy check isn’t helpful, so tune thresholds to match real workloads. Aim for alerts that prompt action rather than a constant stream of warnings.
Deployment Templates
Once you like the pattern, capture it in infrastructure code or a golden image so you can reproduce the server reliably. Version the configuration, document the few decisions that matter, and keep the image fresh. Repeatability helps new teammates succeed without guesswork.
Hardening Checklist
Harden the host as you would any exposed service: patch promptly, limit inbound networks, disable unnecessary services, and prefer keys to passwords. Rotate credentials on a schedule. Review logs after change windows. The combination of small surface area and good hygiene produces a service you can trust.
Operational ownership
Decide who owns the endpoint, who approves new users, and how you decommission temporary accounts. These responsibilities often sit with the network team or a shared operations group. Clear ownership prevents drift and makes audits faster because everyone knows where to find answers.
Use Cases
Network Device Changes
Stage firmware, copy running configurations, and collect logs before and after change windows. The quiet background service keeps the transfer layer dependable so network engineers can focus on device commands and verification steps rather than nursing a fragile file server.
Server Patch Pipelines
Drop hotfixes or agent packages on a hardened host and let patch jobs pull what they need. Keep the file exchange on a controlled endpoint instead of sharing folders broadly, which helps reduce exposure while preserving speed.
Build and Release
Publish build artifacts from your continuous integration system to a predictable landing zone that downstream systems know about. Use key-based automation to reduce secrets sprawl and give your release engineers a clean handoff point during hectic deploys.
Partner Handoffs
When email attachments are not appropriate, stand up a narrow, auditable path partners can reach during a cutover. Give them a single destination, a short-lived account, and a clear policy so everyone stays aligned on what moves and when.
Incident Response Kits
Pre-stage tools and checklists on a jump host so responders can grab what they need even if other infrastructure is shaky. Keep credentials limited and rotate them after the event. The goal is speed without sacrificing control under pressure.
Log and Data Collection
Collect device logs on a predictable cadence so teams can troubleshoot trends instead of chasing one-off glitches. With a stable transfer layer, your monitoring and analytics tools spend less time waiting for data to show up.
Lab and Training
In sandboxes or classrooms, you need a forgiving file server that behaves predictably. Spin it up, set simple rules, and let learners focus on protocol concepts, not product quirks. If someone breaks something, you can rebuild the pattern quickly.
Air-gapped Workflows
For sensitive networks, place the server inside a controlled enclave and use approved mechanisms to move data across boundaries. The minimal footprint helps security teams review and bless the setup without weeks of design debates.
Temporary Migrations
During storage or platform migrations, you often need short-term landing zones. This utility provides a stable, low-overhead endpoint while primary systems move. When the project ends, you can retire the host without unwinding a complex application stack.
Field Operations
Remote technicians can exchange diagnostics or images over constrained links using automation-friendly, resume-able tasks. Keeping the service small and predictable helps in locations where you cannot spare much compute or babysit the process.
Configuration Backups
Many teams pair the server with scheduled jobs that pull device configurations daily. The pattern is simple, fast, and recoverable. When something changes unexpectedly, you have yesterday’s known good in hand. That shortens troubleshooting and helps validate change control processes with concrete, verifiable evidence.
Partner Transitions
During mergers, divestitures, or vendor switches, temporary file paths keep projects moving. Stand up a clean endpoint, set expectations on what moves, and tear it down when the wave passes. You avoid granting broad file shares while still giving teams a dependable pipeline for critical artifacts.
Support
You have several ways to get help: product documentation for step-by-step guidance, knowledge base articles for common scenarios, and the SolarWinds THWACK® community where thousands of practitioners share patterns that work in the real world. When you want an answer fast, community wisdom plus official guidance covers most situations.
If your requirements include service level agreements, audited workflows, multi-tenant portals, and integration support, our managed file transfer platform comes with formal support channels. You can keep the free utility for tactical jobs while leaning on the platform and our team for the bigger governance story.
Pricing
The Secure File Transfer Protocol and Secure Copy Protocol Server is free to download and use. There’s no per-user or per-connection licensing. It’s meant to give you a reliable transfer layer for the routine jobs that shouldn’t require a procurement cycle or an enterprise contract.
As your needs mature, Serv-U Managed File Transfer adds centralized orchestration, web portals, approvals, retention policies, and detailed audit trails. You can test those capabilities in a trial. If the fit is right, move the appropriate jobs over while keeping the free server for simple utility tasks.
Download the free tool
Evaluate advanced Serv-U Managed File Transfer
FileZilla Server
Overview
FileZilla Server is the open source ftp server sibling of the popular client, focused on File Transfer Protocol Secure and classic FTP with a straightforward Windows installer and a familiar admin console. The free windows ftp server centers on FTPS over Transport Layer Security, plus user and group management, logging, and a simple configuration model most admins understand quickly. It’s a dependable way to stand up a no-cost FTPS endpoint for internal transfers, labs, or legacy workflows where FTP semantics still matter. You get a GUI you can teach easily and a service that runs quietly in the background. Note the SFTP server capability lives in commercial editions, so consider your protocol requirements before adopting the free tier. For many teams, FileZilla Server remains an easy, predictable standard for small Windows file exchange.
Key Features and Strengths
- Simple Windows install
- FTPS over Transport Layer Security
- User and group controls
- Logging and diagnostics
License Limitations
- Free under Affero General Public License (i.e. it’s an open source ftp server)
- Commercial use permitted under AGPL terms
Microsoft IIS FTP Service
Overview
If your stack already includes Internet Information Services, adding FTP is straightforward. The role integrates natively with Windows Server, supports FTPS for encrypted transfers, and aligns with Windows authentication for consistent account governance. Admins configure sites and permissions through IIS Manager or automate tasks with PowerShell, which keeps operational overhead low in Windows-centric shops. You can define passive port ranges, set SSL requirements, and tune logging for audits. It’s a strong choice when you want the FTP layer managed with the same policies and tooling as web applications and other Windows roles. While SFTP isn’t part of this service, IIS FTP shines for organizations standardizing on FTPS and tight Active Directory integration. For those with existing Windows licenses, it’s a pragmatic, low-friction option.
Key Features and Strengths
- FTPS configuration wizards
- Windows authentication options
- IIS Manager and PowerShell
- Firewall guidance for passive ports
License limitations
- Included with Windows Server roles
- Subject to Windows Server and Client Access License terms
OpenSSH (Windows) SFTP Server
Overview
OpenSSH brings the Secure Shell ecosystem to Windows as a feature on demand. Enable the OpenSSH Server, set the service to Automatic, and you have a robust SFTP endpoint with key-based authentication, familiar sshd_config options, and logs you can pipe into your monitoring. Admins appreciate the predictable behavior that mirrors Linux environments, which simplifies cross-platform automation and documentation. For hardened hosts, use key pairs, restrict users to specific directories, and record access attempts for audit trails. Because it’s part of the operating system feature set, you avoid extra installers and reduce drift. If your requirement is “modern, scriptable SFTP without a portal,” this is a clean fit. It’s especially handy for jump hosts, build servers, and lightweight partner exchanges.
Key Features and Strengths
- Native Windows optional feature
- Key or password authentication
- Standard SSHD configuration
- Well-known security model
License limitations
- Free, BSD-style license
- No extra server licensing beyond Windows
SFTPGo
Overview
SFTPGo is a modern, event-driven ftp server open source solution that consolidates SFTP, FTPS, HTTPS, and WebDAV under one roof. Admins get a web interface, per-user storage mapping, and a flexible backend model that reaches on-premises disks or cloud storage like Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) and Azure Blob. The Windows build runs as a service, and the configuration model supports rules, triggers, and web clients to make partner exchanges easier without scripting every edge case—this is an open source ftp server Windows admins will love. You can map different users to different storage, keep logs clean, and automate common lifecycle tasks. For teams exploring hybrid patterns, SFTPGo acts like a “one box” file exchange with control and visibility. The open-source license keeps costs down, while an enterprise tier exists for organizations that want support and advanced governance.
Key Features and Strengths
- Multiple protocols in a single package
- Per-user storage mapping
- Web admin and web client
- Triggers and event hooks
- Windows installer
License Limitations
- Open-source Affero General Public License
- Enterprise edition available with different terms
Core FTP Server (Free/Edition 1)
Overview
Core FTP Server supports SFTP, FTPS, HTTPS, and clear FTP with a Windows service mode, granular access rules, and a portable “mini” SFTP utility when you need an endpoint in a hurry. The admin console is approachable, making it useful for labs, pilot environments, and smaller partner exchanges. Expect limits in the free edition around users and connections, which paid licenses lift as you scale. The appeal is flexibility: stand up multiple protocol endpoints without juggling several products. If your team is budget-conscious but needs to test SFTP or FTPS alongside a simple HTTPS file drop, Core FTP Server offers a pragmatic starting point that can grow with demand, while keeping configuration overhead manageable for busy administrators.
Key Features and Strengths
- SFTP and FTPS
- HTTPS access option
- Windows service capable
- Access control rules
- “Mini” SFTP helper
License Limitations
- Free edition often limits users and connections
- Licensed versions lift limits
Rebex Tiny SFTP Server and Tiny FTP Server
Overview
Rebex “tiny” servers are portable executables you unzip and run, making them perfect when you need a server in under a minute. The SFTP tiny server is single-user by design, ideal for development, demos, and controlled handoffs that shouldn’t require standing up a full service. The Tiny FTP version supports TLS for quick FTPS tests or short-lived lab exercises. Because both tools are free for commercial use, teams often keep copies in a utilities folder for emergencies and experiments. You won’t get enterprise management features, but you will get speed, simplicity, and repeatable behavior that makes troubleshooting easier.
Key Features and Strengths
- Instant startup
- Single-file portability
- Key authentication for SFTP
- TLS options for FTP
- Simple, readable logs
License limitations
- Free, including commercial use
- Single user per tiny instance by design
Smallftpd
Overview
Smallftpd lives up to its name: a compact Windows FTP server for simple jobs. It supports a helpful passive-mode hostname feature for dynamic IP connections, which can simplify testing across networks. The executable is tiny, configuration is minimal, and you can stand it up quickly for labs, demos, or constrained virtual machines. As an older project, it’s best treated as a tactical utility rather than a long-term platform. When you need a predictable FTP endpoint with almost no overhead, Smallftpd fits neatly into a toolkit focused on speed and clarity.
Key Features and Strengths
- Tiny executable
- Passive hostname feature
- Multi-threaded
- Simple rule sets
License Limitations
- Freeware
- Project appears dormant based on public activity
Core FTP Mini SFTP Server
Overview
Core FTP Mini SFTP Server is the ultra-light companion to Core FTP Server. It’s a portable, SFTP-only utility you can launch on demand for ad-hoc transfers, quick partner tests, or scripted automation that needs a temporary endpoint. Because there’s almost no setup, it’s popular for troubleshooting and lab work where you want to isolate variables. Administrators appreciate the simplicity: a single file to run, a short configuration, and behavior that mirrors larger SFTP services for protocol testing. It isn’t a replacement for a managed platform, but it’s a reliable, fast option when the job is “stand up SFTP now.”
Key Features and Strengths
- One-file utility
- SFTP via SSH2
- Quick startup
- Minimal configuration
- Handy for labs
License Limitations
- Freeware
- Feature set intentionally minimal
Wing FTP Server (Free edition)
Overview
Wing FTP Server is a capable platform that scales through several editions. After a 30-day trial, you can continue with a free, non-commercial build that limits domains, users, and connections. Administrators get a web console, a web client, bandwidth and quota controls, and mobile apps that make user interactions straightforward. The design is approachable for small labs or partner tests, then extensible if your organization opts for licensed tiers offering richer protocol support and governance. Teams choose Wing when they want a polished experience out of the box and a clear path to more advanced features over time. For Windows environments exploring both FTP and web-based access, it’s a practical way to start without committing immediately.
Key Features and Strengths
- Cross-platform builds
- Web admin console
- HTTP web client
- Mobile apps for users
- Bandwidth and quota controls
License limitations
- Free, non-commercial after trial
- One domain, ten users, ten connections in free edition
As of October 2025
Product specifications and other information set forth herein have either been made accessible by suppliers, manufacturers, publications, or gathered from publicly available sources as of the date of this document. Although measures are taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, SolarWinds makes no representations or warranties as to the completeness or accuracy of the information and shall incur no liability for any errors or omissions.
