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# FileZilla vs SmartFTP Comparison - What are their main differences?

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FileZillaSmartFTP[+ Add Product](#)

Reviews

**FileZilla** [

4.5/5(767)

](https://www.g2.com/products/filezilla/reviews#reviews)

**SmartFTP** [

4/5(21)

](https://www.g2.com/products/smartftp/reviews#reviews)

Pricing

**FileZilla**
No pricing available

**SmartFTP**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**FileZilla**
1 month

Based on 59 responses

**SmartFTP**
Not enough reviews yet

Return on Investment

**FileZilla**
12 months

Based on 45 responses

**SmartFTP**
Not enough reviews yet

Perceived Cost

**FileZilla**
$$$$$

**SmartFTP**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**FileZilla**
11%

**SmartFTP**
Not enough reviews yet

Pros & Cons

**FileZilla**
[
Ease of Use (10)
](https://www.g2.com/products/filezilla/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1743536&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
File Transfer (10)
](https://www.g2.com/products/filezilla/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1742679&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Outdated Interface (6)
](https://www.g2.com/products/filezilla/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1743046&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Security Issues (6)
](https://www.g2.com/products/filezilla/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1743334&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

**SmartFTP**
Not enough data

Ratings

Meets Requirements

**FileZilla**

9.1

9.1695

**SmartFTP**

8.5

8.518

Ease of Use

**FileZilla**

8.8

8.8698

**SmartFTP**

8.4

8.418

Ease of Setup

**FileZilla**

9.0

9.0147

**SmartFTP**

9.7

9.75

Ease of Admin

**FileZilla**

8.8

8.8124

**SmartFTP**

9.7

9.75

Quality of Support

**FileZilla**

8.3

8.3445

**SmartFTP**

7.1

7.117

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**FileZilla**

8.7

8.793

**SmartFTP**
Not enough data

Product Direction (% positive)

**FileZilla**

8.1

8.1683

**SmartFTP**

5.5

5.518

Features

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)[Hide 11 FeaturesShow 11 Features](javascript:void(0);)

8.8

127

8.5

5

Management

File Management

9.4

108

9.7(won by 0.3)

5

Synchronization

8.9(won by 1.2)

101

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.7

5

Scheduling

8.3(won by 0.6)

83

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.7

5

Performance

8.9(won by 0.9)

110

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

8.0

5

Functionality

File Transfer

9.4(won by 0.1)

115

9.3

5

Language Support

8.8(won by 0.5)

77

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

8.3

5

File Backup

8.7(won by default)

90

Not enough data

Mobile Support

7.5(won by default)

57

Not enough data

Security

Encryption

8.8(won by default)

89

Not enough data

Authentication

9.1(won by default)

98

Not enough data

Access Control

9.1(won by default)

90

Not enough data

User Insights

Reviewers' Company Size

[![FileZilla](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_816854961e0fdefd2810e97e959c72f1/filezilla.png "FileZilla")](https://www.g2.com/products/filezilla/reviews)

FileZilla

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

53.1%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

29.0%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

17.9%

[![SmartFTP](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_42f24dd73da5e33d47dece80f685ffdf/smartftp.png "SmartFTP")](https://www.g2.com/products/smartftp/reviews)

SmartFTP

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

71.4%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

19.0%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

9.5%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

53.1%

71.4%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

29.0%

19.0%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

17.9%

9.5%

Reviewers' Industry

[![FileZilla](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_816854961e0fdefd2810e97e959c72f1/filezilla.png "FileZilla")](https://www.g2.com/products/filezilla/reviews)
FileZilla

Information Technology and Services

19.8%

Computer Software

12.7%

Internet

5.3%

Marketing and Advertising

4.8%

Design

2.8%

Other

54.6%

[![SmartFTP](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_42f24dd73da5e33d47dece80f685ffdf/smartftp.png "SmartFTP")](https://www.g2.com/products/smartftp/reviews)
SmartFTP

Leisure, Travel & Tourism

14.3%

Computer Networking

14.3%

Renewables & Environment

9.5%

Law Practice

9.5%

Computer Software

9.5%

Other

42.9%

FAQs

## FileZilla vs SmartFTP FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between FileZilla vs SmartFTP?

FileZilla stands out for its higher G2 rating, broader reviewer base, and stronger support sentiment compared to SmartFTP.

| [FileZilla](https://www.g2.com/products/filezilla/reviews) | [SmartFTP](https://www.g2.com/products/smartftp/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.5/5 (766 reviews) | 4.0/5 (21 reviews) |
| Small-Business | Small-Business |
| 9.0 | 9.7 |
| 8.3 | 7.1 |
| Ease of Use (8 all-time mentions) | — |

### How do the pricing models of FileZilla and SmartFTP compare?

FileZilla is perceived as the stronger value, with reviewers consistently praising its free offering and cost-effectiveness.

- **FileZilla:** Reviewers highlight that FileZilla is free and open-source, making it a cost-saving solution for individuals and small businesses.
- **SmartFTP:** Reviewers note that SmartFTP is not free, with several mentioning that its price is high relative to its features and that the division into Professional/Ultimate/Enterprise tiers can be confusing.
- **Switching reasons:** Recent reviews indicate that cost and value are key reasons for choosing FileZilla over paid alternatives like SmartFTP.

### What are the best alternatives to FileZilla and SmartFTP?

The top three alternatives to FileZilla and SmartFTP are WinSCP, GoAnywhere MFT, and Cerberus FTP Server.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [FileZilla](https://www.g2.com/products/filezilla/reviews) | 4.5/5 (766 reviews) | Small-Business | Free and open-source, praised for cost-effectiveness | Ease of Use (8 all-time mentions) |
| [SmartFTP](https://www.g2.com/products/smartftp/reviews) | 4.0/5 (21 reviews) | Small-Business | Not free, reviewers cite high cost for features | — |
| [WinSCP](https://www.g2.com/products/winscp/reviews) | 4.6/5 (231 reviews) | Enterprise | — | — |
| [GoAnywhere MFT](https://www.g2.com/products/goanywhere-mft/reviews) | 4.6/5 (456 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | — |
| [Cerberus FTP Server](https://www.g2.com/products/cerberus-ftp-server/reviews) | 4.7/5 (43 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | — |

### Which File Transfer Protocol (FTP) features should I prioritize when comparing FileZilla and SmartFTP?

Buyers comparing FileZilla and SmartFTP should prioritize ease of use, security, cross-platform compatibility, cost, and support quality.

- **Ease of Use:** FileZilla: 8 all-time mentions; SmartFTP: Ease of Use score 8.4
- **Security:** FileZilla: 5 all-time mentions; SmartFTP: Reviewers cite encryption and secure protocols
- **Cross-platform Compatibility:** FileZilla: 4 all-time mentions; SmartFTP: Reviewers note lack of Linux/macOS support
- **Cost:** FileZilla: Free and open-source, praised for cost-effectiveness; SmartFTP: Reviewers cite high cost
- **Support Quality:** FileZilla: Quality of Support score 8.3; SmartFTP: Quality of Support score 7.1

### What are the pros and cons of FileZilla vs SmartFTP?

FileZilla's headline strength is ease of use and cost-effectiveness, while SmartFTP is noted for its protocol support and Windows integration.

- **FileZilla strengths:** Ease of Use (8 all-time mentions), File Transfer (8), Speed (7), Easy Setup (5), File Sharing (5), Reliability (5), Secure File Transfer (5), Security (5), Cross-platform Compatibility (4), Integrations (3)
- **FileZilla trade-offs:** Outdated Interface (6), Security Issues (5), Technical Issues (3), Limited Functionality (2)
- **SmartFTP strengths:** Reviewers highlight protocol support (Amazon S3, WebDAV, SFTP), file encryption, and a Windows-native interface
- **SmartFTP trade-offs:** Reviewers cite high cost, lack of Linux/macOS support, and confusing tier structure

### Is FileZilla or SmartFTP better for small businesses?

FileZilla is the better fit for small businesses, with a larger small-business reviewer base and stronger sentiment on ease of use and value.

- **FileZilla:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers consistently praise its free cost, ease of setup, and reliability for small teams.
- **SmartFTP:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers note it is suitable for very small businesses but cite cost and platform limitations as drawbacks.

### Which File Transfer Protocol (FTP) platform has better integrations?

FileZilla is favored for integrations, with reviewers citing its compatibility with automation tools and cloud storage.

- **FileZilla:** Integrates with automation tools and supports cloud storage connections such as Google Drive and Amazon S3, with 3 all-time mentions of integrations.
- **SmartFTP:** Reviewers mention integration with Amazon S3 and Google Drive, but no all-time mention count is available.

### How do FileZilla and SmartFTP compare on customer support?

FileZilla scores higher on Quality of Support (8.3 vs 7.1), indicating a stronger support experience according to G2 reviewers.

- **FileZilla:** Reviewers describe support as helpful, with many relying on the Wiki and community resources; some note limited direct support but overall satisfaction is high.
- **SmartFTP:** Reviewers report mixed experiences, with some citing slow or unhelpful support and others noting adequate assistance for setup and troubleshooting.

### Which is easier to implement, FileZilla or SmartFTP?

SmartFTP has a higher Ease of Setup score (9.7 vs 9.0), but both products are rated highly for implementation by reviewers.

- **FileZilla:** Reviewers consistently praise its quick installation and straightforward configuration, with many citing ease of setup as a key benefit.
- **SmartFTP:** Reviewers note that setup is quick and easy, with a user-friendly interface that simplifies initial configuration.

Alternatives

**FileZilla Alternatives**

 ![WinSCP](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_b61201ff6c77d6665ef360b523d06e47/winscp.gif "WinSCP")

[
WinSCP
](/products/winscp/reviews)

 ![GoAnywhere MFT](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/3035052d6bfeb5a52ef3d5aa9204586d/goanywhere-mft.svg "GoAnywhere MFT")

[
GoAnywhere MFT
](/products/goanywhere-mft/reviews)

 ![Cerberus FTP Server](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/020b100a67b07a365df2785f2c71b82b/cerberus-ftp-server.svg "Cerberus FTP Server")

[
Cerberus FTP Server
](/products/cerberus-ftp-server/reviews)

 ![CuteFTP](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/3035052d6bfeb5a52ef3d5aa9204586d/cuteftp.svg "CuteFTP")

[
CuteFTP
](/products/cuteftp/reviews)

**SmartFTP Alternatives**

 ![WinSCP](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_b61201ff6c77d6665ef360b523d06e47/winscp.gif "WinSCP")

[
WinSCP
](/products/winscp/reviews)

 ![CuteFTP](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/3035052d6bfeb5a52ef3d5aa9204586d/cuteftp.svg "CuteFTP")

[
CuteFTP
](/products/cuteftp/reviews)

 ![Progress ShareFile](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/0f72809916b93e221e68872730635739/progress-sharefile.svg "Progress ShareFile")

[
Progress ShareFile
](/products/progress-sharefile/reviews)

 ![Progress MOVEit](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/5b00e6dcd9914c9bcd5d86a4aeac7af2/progress-moveit.svg "Progress MOVEit")

[
Progress MOVEit
](/products/progress-moveit/reviews)

## FileZilla vs SmartFTP

- Reviewers felt that FileZilla meets the needs of their business better than SmartFTP.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that FileZilla is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of FileZilla over SmartFTP.