Alternative to FTP: The Top Secure Alternatives to FTP

TL;DR

Basic FTP lacks security, compliance, and efficiency features that enterprises need today. Here are the top secure alternatives:

Alternative Options:

• FTPS: Secure upgrade to FTP using SSL/TLS encryption
• SFTP: Uses secure shell encryption, often called “secure-FTP”
• AS2: Server-to-server automated transfers, mainly for EDI messages
• HTTPS: Secure HTTP version for web-based file transfers

Best Alternative – IBM Aspera:

• Uses proprietary FASP technology for maximum speed transfers
• Delivers higher performance than FTP without impacting other network traffic
• Includes built-in security with OpenSSL encryption and integrity verification
• Works even during extreme network congestion with intelligent rate control

Bottom line: While FTPS, SFTP, AS2, and HTTPS provide security improvements over basic FTP, IBM Aspera offers the best combination of speed, security, and reliability. PacGenesis (IBM Gold Partner) helps businesses implement Aspera as the superior FTP alternative for enterprise file transfer needs.

File Transfer Protocol, FTP, refers to a method to transfer files between devices over a network. Originally used as a way for users to communicate and exchange information between two devices, it is now commonly used to store files in the cloud.

Basic FTP lacks many of the security, compliance, and efficiency features that most enterprises need to protect their content and data in today’s fast-paced world. When you add the requirements of highly regulated industries, the data exchange environment is increasingly challenging to manage.

As file transfer needs become more complex, it’s time to look for an FTP alternative that will help you better manage your data and content.

Top 5 FTP Alternatives: Complete Comparison of Secure File Transfer Solutions

FTP Alternative	Security	Speed/Performance	Setup Complexity	Best Use Case	Key Limitations
FTPS (FTP Secure)	SSL/TLS encryption	Limited by TCP throughput on high-latency networks	Moderate – requires SSL certificates	Upgrading existing FTP server infrastructure	Complex firewall configuration, multiple ports
SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)	SSH encryption with credential protection	Limited by TCP throughput and latency	Moderate – requires SSH keys or passwords	Secure FTP replacement for most use cases	Performance degrades on long-distance transfers
AS2 (Applicability Statement 2)	Certificate-based with audit trails	Moderate – designed for document exchange	Complex – requires trading partner agreements	EDI and B2B automated file sharing	Not suitable for ad-hoc file transfers
HTTPS	SSL/TLS encryption	Good for small files, poor for large transfers	Easy – works through standard firewalls	Web-based file sharing and downloads	Not designed for FTP for file transfers at scale
IBM Aspera (FASP)	Built-in OpenSSL encryption with integrity checks	Up to 1000x faster – unaffected by latency or packet loss	Easy – works with existing infrastructure	Enterprise managed file transfer (MFT) at scale	Requires Aspera client and server licenses

Critical Distinctions for FTP Alternative for Business:

• Security: All alternatives encrypt data; only Aspera maintains maximum throughput while doing so
• Performance: FTPS and SFTP remain limited by TCP protocol; Aspera overcomes these limitations
• Compliance: AS2 provides audit trails for regulated industries; Aspera offers comprehensive MFT features
• Ease of Use: HTTPS works through firewalls easily; SFTP simplifies from multi-port FTP; Aspera adds intelligence
• Enterprise Scale: Only Aspera qualifies as a complete secure file transfer solution that replace FTP for global operations

File Transfer Protocol over SSL/TLS (FTPS)

FTSP is the secure upgrade to FTP. It is an extension of FTP that supports Transport Layer Security (TLS) and the now defunct Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). It allows businesses to connect with their trading partners, users, and customers securely. Sent files are exchanged through FTPS and authenticated by FTPS supported applications with options such as client certificates and server identities.

SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)

SFTP is a secure file transfer protocol that uses secure shell encryption to provide a high level of security for sending and receiving files. Similar to FTPS, it uses AES and other algorithms to secure data as it travels between different systems. It provides several methods to fulfill the authentication of a connection like user IDs and passwords, SSH keys, or a combination of these.

SFTP has become a replacement for FTP and is often described as secure-FTP, even if that is incorrect.

Applicability Statement 2 (AS2)

This file transfer protocol supports fully-automated, server-to-server file transfers. It is used primarily for two or more parties who transact with each other and require paper-free transfers that ensure message integrity, security, and reliability. While capable of transmitting almost any type of data over the internet, AS2 is mostly associated with the transmission of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) messages. 

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)

HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP, which is the primary protocol used to send data between a web browser and a website. It is encrypted in order to increase the security of data transfer. This is important when users transmit sensitive data like bank account information, email services, or health insurance information. It has become incredibly popular and used for all manner of secure communications, including for the transfer of files.

Is There Something Better Than FTP?

Yes, multiple alternatives to FTP provide significantly better security, performance, and manageability than standard FTP. The best FTP replacement depends on your specific requirements, but modern file transfer solutions address FTP’s critical weaknesses: lack of encryption, transmitting credentials in plain text, complex firewall configuration, and poor throughput on high-latency networks. Organizations seeking an alternative to FTP should evaluate solutions based on security requirements, file sizes, transfer distances, and whether they need comprehensive managed file transfer (MFT) capabilities.

Among secure FTP alternatives, SFTP and FTPS represent evolutionary improvements that add encryption to FTP’s basic client and server architecture. Both use secure FTP protocols that protect data in transit, preventing the credential exposure and plain text transmission vulnerabilities that make standard FTP unacceptable for modern cybersecurity requirements. However, these FTP alternatives inherit TCP’s fundamental performance limitations. When transferring large files across long distances or high-latency networks, both SFTP and FTPS suffer dramatic throughput degradation that bandwidth upgrades cannot fix. The TCP protocol’s acknowledgment requirements and congestion control mechanisms severely limit transfer speeds regardless of available network capacity.

For organizations requiring an FTP alternative for business that combines security with breakthrough performance, IBM Aspera represents a fundamentally superior approach. Rather than adding encryption to FTP’s TCP-based architecture, Aspera’s FASP protocol reimagines file transfer from the ground up. FASP maintains maximum throughput even on high-latency international connections where SFTP and FTPS would crawl. This makes Aspera the top FTP alternative for enterprises transferring large media files, scientific datasets, or any high-volume file sharing scenarios where time matters. When evaluating whether there’s something better than FTP, organizations should consider not just secure alternatives, but file transfer solutions that eliminate TCP’s performance constraints entirely.

The choice of FTP replacement also depends on operational requirements beyond pure file transfer. Some organizations need managed file transfer (MFT) platforms that provide automated workflows, detailed audit trails for compliance, integration with business processes, and centralized management of file sharing across multiple partners and locations. While SFTP can serve as a simple secure FTP alternative, it lacks the workflow automation and audit capabilities that MFT solutions provide. Aspera includes comprehensive MFT features alongside its performance advantages, making it suitable for replacing FTP in complex enterprise environments where file transfer solutions must integrate with existing infrastructure, support multiple use cases, and provide the visibility and control that IT teams require.

Why is FTP No Longer Used?

FTP is no longer used in security-conscious organizations because it transmits credentials and data in plain text without encryption, creating unacceptable cybersecurity risks. When an FTP client connects to an FTP server, the username and password travel across the network in readable form—anyone with packet capture tools can intercept these credentials. Similarly, file contents transfer without protection, exposing sensitive business information to interception. Regulatory frameworks including PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and SOX explicitly prohibit transmitting sensitive data through unencrypted protocols like FTP, forcing organizations to replace FTP with secure alternatives.

Beyond security vulnerabilities, FTP’s technical architecture creates operational challenges that modern alternatives solve. FTP requires complex firewall configurations because it uses both port 21 for control connections and dynamic ports for data transfer. This multi-port architecture complicates firewall rules and creates security risks where administrators must open port ranges rather than specific ports. The FTP protocol’s separation of control and data channels also causes problems with NAT traversal and makes FTP for file transfers unreliable across many network configurations. Organizations seeking to replace FTP find that secure FTP alternatives like SFTP simplify firewall management by operating on a single port (22) with encrypted connections that don’t expose credential information.

Performance limitations provide another reason FTP is no longer used for enterprise file transfers. FTP relies on TCP, which suffers severe throughput degradation on high-latency networks typical of international connections. TCP’s acknowledgment requirements mean that as latency increases, throughput collapses regardless of available bandwidth. An organization with a 1 Gbps connection might achieve only 50 Mbps actual throughput when using FTP for file transfers across continents. This TCP limitation affects not just basic FTP but also secure FTP alternatives like FTPS and SFTP, which add encryption but don’t solve the underlying throughput problem. Modern file transfer solutions like IBM Aspera overcome these limitations by implementing protocols optimized for long-distance, high-latency networks where TCP-based alternatives fail.

The shift away from FTP also reflects evolving requirements for managed file transfer (MFT) capabilities that basic FTP never provided. Organizations need audit trails documenting every file transfer for compliance purposes. They require automated workflows that trigger transfers based on business rules rather than manual FTP client operations. They need centralized management of file sharing across dozens or hundreds of trading partners rather than maintaining individual FTP server credentials for each relationship. While FTP served adequately when file transfer meant simple client-to-server uploads and downloads, modern business processes demand comprehensive file transfer solutions with security, automation, and visibility features. This is why organizations don’t just replace FTP with another protocol—they implement MFT platforms that address the complete range of enterprise file sharing requirements while eliminating FTP’s security, performance, and manageability shortcomings.

Can I Use SFTP Instead of FTP?

Yes, you can use SFTP instead of FTP, and for most organizations, SFTP represents the minimum acceptable FTP replacement for secure file transfers. SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) operates through encrypted SSH connections, protecting both credentials and file contents from interception. When an SFTP client connects to an FTP server configured for SFTP, authentication occurs within the encrypted tunnel—credentials never traverse the network in plain text as they do with standard FTP. This makes SFTP a secure FTP alternative that addresses FTP’s most critical vulnerability while maintaining familiar file transfer functionality that users understand.

The transition from FTP to SFTP simplifies network security architecture compared to other alternatives to FTP. SFTP operates exclusively on port 22, eliminating the complex firewall configurations that FTP requires with its separate control and data channels. System administrators can configure firewalls to allow SFTP connections through a single port without opening dynamic port ranges, reducing the attack surface and simplifying firewall audit requirements. Most modern FTP clients support SFTP, allowing organizations to replace FTP without retraining users or changing client software significantly. Popular tools like FileZilla, WinSCP, and command-line clients work with both FTP and SFTP, easing the migration path for organizations seeking to replace FTP with more secure alternatives.

However, organizations should understand that using SFTP instead of FTP solves security problems but doesn’t address performance limitations. Both FTP and SFTP rely on TCP, suffering identical throughput degradation on high-latency networks. A company replacing FTP with SFTP for international file transfers discovers that while security improves dramatically, transfer speeds remain poor across long distances. The encrypted SFTP connection adds marginal overhead compared to unencrypted FTP, but the fundamental throughput problem stems from TCP’s latency sensitivity, not encryption costs. This means SFTP works well as an FTP alternative for local or regional file sharing where latency remains low, but organizations requiring high-performance file transfer solutions across global networks need alternatives that overcome TCP limitations entirely.

When considering whether to use SFTP instead of FTP, organizations should also evaluate whether their requirements extend beyond basic secure file transfer. SFTP provides credential protection, encrypted file sharing, and simplified firewall management—essential security improvements. However, SFTP lacks comprehensive managed file transfer (MFT) features like automated workflows, detailed audit trails, file processing rules, and centralized partner management. Companies in regulated industries or those handling complex file sharing with multiple trading partners often need more than a secure FTP replacement—they need complete file transfer solutions with workflow automation and compliance features. While SFTP certainly represents a better alternative to FTP for security-conscious organizations, evaluating the full range of FTP alternatives including dedicated MFT platforms ensures the chosen solution addresses both immediate security concerns and longer-term operational requirements.

Is SCP More Secure Than FTP?

Yes, SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) is significantly more secure than FTP because SCP encrypts all data and credentials through SSH connections, while FTP transmits everything in plain text. Like SFTP, SCP operates over SSH port 22 and protects file transfers from interception, credential theft, and man-in-the-middle attacks. However, when comparing SCP to other secure FTP alternatives, SCP represents a basic file copying mechanism rather than a comprehensive file transfer protocol. SCP can securely copy files between a client and server or between two servers, making it more secure than FTP for ad-hoc file transfers, but it lacks the functionality and flexibility that enterprise file sharing requires.

The security advantages of SCP over FTP stem from SSH’s robust encryption and authentication framework. SCP uses the same credential protection mechanisms as SFTP—password-based authentication or, more securely, SSH key pairs that eliminate password transmission entirely. Unlike FTP where credentials pass across networks in plain text vulnerable to packet sniffing, SCP encrypts authentication within the SSH tunnel. File contents remain encrypted throughout transit, protecting sensitive business information from exposure. From a pure cybersecurity perspective, SCP and SFTP offer equivalent security levels because both leverage SSH encryption—either represents a vastly more secure FTP alternative than unencrypted FTP or even SSL/TLS-wrapped FTPS for organizations with stringent security requirements.

However, when organizations evaluate alternatives to FTP for enterprise use, SCP’s limitations become apparent compared to more comprehensive file transfer solutions. SCP operates as a simple copy command lacking features like resume capability for interrupted transfers, directory synchronization, or transfer verification. An SCP transfer that fails midway requires complete retransmission—there’s no mechanism to resume from the failure point. SCP also lacks the protocol features that allow progress monitoring, transfer rate control, or sophisticated error handling. For replacing FTP with a secure alternative capable of managed file transfer (MFT) workflows, SFTP provides substantially more functionality than SCP despite equivalent security. Organizations needing audit trails for compliance find SFTP more suitable because it maintains detailed transfer logs that SCP doesn’t natively provide.

Performance considerations further distinguish SCP from other secure FTP alternatives when evaluating file transfer solutions for enterprise deployment. Both SCP and SFTP suffer from TCP’s throughput limitations on high-latency networks, making neither ideal for global file transfers at scale. SCP adds no advantages over SFTP for overcoming these TCP constraints—both protocols remain limited by latency and packet loss in ways that dramatically reduce throughput on international connections. Organizations requiring an FTP alternative for business that combines security with breakthrough performance should evaluate solutions like IBM Aspera that provide SCP/SFTP-level security through encryption while maintaining maximum throughput through protocols optimized for long-distance networks. While SCP is indeed more secure than FTP and suitable for simple secure file copying, comprehensive enterprise file sharing requirements typically necessitate more capable file transfer solutions than either SCP or basic FTP can provide.

Key Takeaways:Essential Knowledge: Choosing the Right Alternative to FTP

Why Organizations Need FTP Alternatives

• Standard FTP transmits credentials and data in plain text, creating unacceptable cybersecurity risks
• FTP lacks encryption, regulatory compliance features, and audit trails required by modern security standards
• TCP-based FTP suffers poor throughput on high-latency networks, limiting performance for global file transfers
• Complex firewall requirements and multi-port architecture create security vulnerabilities in FTP server configurations
• Organizations must replace FTP to meet compliance requirements including PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, and SOX

Top 5 FTP Alternatives Comparison

• FTPS: Adds SSL/TLS encryption to FTP but retains complex firewall configuration and TCP throughput limitations
• SFTP: Most common secure FTP replacement using SSH encryption on single port 22 for simplified firewall management
• AS2: Automated server-to-server file sharing with audit trails, primarily for EDI and B2B document exchange
• HTTPS: Web-based secure file transfer suitable for browser uploads/downloads but not enterprise-scale operations
• IBM Aspera: Complete MFT solution combining maximum security with breakthrough performance through FASP protocol

Understanding Secure FTP Alternatives

• SFTP and FTPS both encrypt data in transit, protecting credentials and file contents from interception
• Secure FTP alternatives eliminate plain text transmission but don’t necessarily solve throughput problems
• SFTP operates on port 22 with SSH encryption; FTPS uses ports 21 and 990 with SSL/TLS certificates
• Both SFTP and FTPS remain limited by TCP protocol, suffering throughput degradation on high-latency connections
• Organizations can use SFTP instead of FTP for immediate security improvements without performance optimization

Security and Compliance Considerations

• All modern FTP alternatives provide encryption protecting credentials from exposure during authentication
• SCP is more secure than FTP, offering encryption equivalent to SFTP but with fewer protocol features
• Managed file transfer (MFT) solutions provide audit trails documenting file sharing for compliance requirements
• Firewall configuration simplifies with single-port protocols like SFTP compared to multi-port FTP architecture
• Cybersecurity frameworks mandate encrypted file transfer, making unencrypted FTP unacceptable for sensitive data

Performance and Throughput Limitations

• FTP, FTPS, and SFTP all rely on TCP, suffering identical throughput collapse on high-latency networks
• Latency impacts TCP-based file transfer solutions regardless of available bandwidth or encryption overhead
• Organizations replacing FTP with SFTP gain security but experience same poor throughput on international transfers
• TCP’s acknowledgment requirements and congestion control severely limit performance across long distances
• File transfer solutions optimized for performance must overcome TCP limitations through alternative protocols

Client and Server Architecture

• FTP client software connects to FTP server for file transfers—both client and server must support same protocol
• SFTP requires SSH-capable servers and clients supporting SSH File Transfer Protocol
• Most modern FTP clients (FileZilla, WinSCP, Cyberduck) support multiple protocols including FTP, FTPS, and SFTP
• Transitioning to FTP alternatives typically requires server upgrades but maintains familiar client interfaces
• Managed file transfer platforms centralize client and server management across multiple protocols

Enterprise File Transfer Solutions

• Simple FTP replacement addresses security but doesn’t provide comprehensive MFT capabilities
• Enterprise file sharing requires automation, workflow management, partner onboarding, and centralized control
• Managed file transfer (MFT) platforms go beyond protocol-level alternatives to FTP with business process integration
• Organizations need file transfer solutions supporting high-volume transfers, multiple partners, and compliance reporting
• Top FTP alternatives for business combine security, performance, automation, and manageability in unified platforms

IBM Aspera as the Superior FTP Alternative

• Aspera’s FASP protocol maintains maximum throughput regardless of latency, unlike TCP-based alternatives
• Built-in OpenSSL encryption provides security equivalent to SFTP while delivering up to 1000x better performance
• FASP overcomes TCP limitations through UDP-based protocol with sophisticated reliability and congestion control
• Aspera qualifies as complete managed file transfer (MFT) platform rather than simple protocol replacement
• Organizations replace FTP with Aspera to address security, performance, and enterprise workflow requirements simultaneously

Decision Framework for FTP Alternatives

• For basic security improvements with minimal change: Use SFTP as immediate FTP replacement
• For B2B document exchange with trading partners: Evaluate AS2 for automated file sharing with audit trails
• For web-based file upload/download: HTTPS provides encrypted alternative through standard browsers
• For enterprise-scale global transfers: Only Aspera delivers security, performance, and MFT features comprehensively
• Assess requirements for throughput, latency tolerance, audit trails, workflow automation, and compliance before choosing

Implementation Considerations

• Replacing FTP requires evaluating both security requirements and performance needs across geographies
• Organizations must consider firewall configuration complexity when selecting from alternatives to FTP
• Training users on new FTP client software remains minimal—most clients support multiple protocols
• Migration planning should account for credential management, particularly when implementing SSH keys for SFTP
• Enterprise file transfer solutions require infrastructure planning for servers, storage, and network capacity

Cost and Resource Implications

• Open-source FTP alternatives like SFTP provide secure FTP replacement with minimal licensing costs
• Commercial MFT platforms including Aspera require licensing but deliver comprehensive enterprise capabilities
• Hidden costs in TCP-based alternatives include poor throughput requiring expensive bandwidth that doesn’t improve performance
• Aspera’s superior throughput reduces transfer times, improving productivity and reducing bandwidth waste
• Total cost of ownership should consider security risks, compliance violations, and productivity losses from slow transfers

Understanding the landscape of alternatives to FTP enables informed decisions about file transfer solutions appropriate for organizational requirements. While SFTP serves as a practical secure FTP replacement addressing immediate security concerns, comprehensive evaluation of FTP alternatives reveals that different solutions address different needs. Organizations seeking FTP alternative for business must balance security requirements, performance demands, compliance obligations, workflow automation needs, and cost considerations. IBM Aspera stands out among secure FTP alternatives by combining maximum security with breakthrough performance and comprehensive MFT capabilities, making it the optimal choice for enterprises requiring global file sharing at scale without compromising on security, speed, or manageability.

IBM Aspera

Using a proprietary technology – the Fast, Adaptive, Secure Protocol (FASP) – to deliver data, IBM Aspera software moves files at maximum speed utilizing the available bandwidth. It delivers higher performance than FTP and other alternatives without impacting other crucial business traffic. Even during periods of extreme network congestion, the rate control makes sure there is a timely acquisition and distribution of high-priority files.

Aspera also includes built-in security for data transfers using the standard OpenSSL toolkit. It provides secure authentication of the transfer endpoints, on-the-fly encryption, and integrity verification for each transmitted datagram.

Implement IBM Aspera with PacGenesis

PacGenesis is an IBM Gold Business Partner, allowing us to help businesses focus on scalable data transfer and workflow solutions for their needs. IBM Aspera is a secure, strong alternative to FTP, allowing you to securely transfer data anywhere. With its complete portfolio of software products and technologies, it provides businesses from a variety of industries with the highest level of performance for every file transfer and use case. Contact us today to better identify your high-speed transfer needs and set up an evaluation.
To learn more about PacGenesis, follow @PacGenesis on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn or contact us at pacgenesis.com.

512-766-8715