WinSCP

WinSCP is a graphical file transfer client for Windows that connects to remote machines and storage services. It speaks SFTP and SCP over SSH, plain FTP and FTPS, WebDAV, and the S3 protocol, so one program covers everything from a Linux server to a cloud bucket. The window can be arranged either as a Commander-style pair of panes showing local and remote folders side by side, or as a single Explorer-style view of the remote system.

Beyond copying files, it handles the usual remote housekeeping: renaming, permissions, creating folders, and editing text files directly on the server through a built-in editor. Directory synchronisation compares a local folder against a remote one and can bring them into line manually, semi-automatically or on its own. Authentication covers passwords, keyboard-interactive prompts, public keys and Kerberos, and stored site details can be locked behind a master password.

For repeated work there is a command-line interface with batch scripting, plus a .NET assembly that lets transfers be driven from PowerShell or a custom application. WinSCP integrates with the surrounding desktop through drag and drop, jump lists and URL handling, shares saved sessions with PuTTY, and can use Pageant for key management. It also runs in portable mode, keeping its settings in a file rather than the registry.

Anyone who needs a dependable, no-cost tool for server file transfer on Windows will find it a good fit, particularly where scripted or scheduled uploads matter. It is Windows-only, and its interface is dense and utilitarian rather than polished, so people wanting a modern-looking client or a cross-platform one should look elsewhere.