Top Flow Alternatives: Discover Your Next Favorite FTP/SFTP Client
Flow has long been a go-to choice for many web developers and users needing a powerful, fast, and reliable FTP + SFTP client. Known for its unparalleled speed, deep URL integration, unique Droplets feature, and robust editing capabilities, Flow has set a high bar. However, the software landscape is vast, and various reasons might lead you to seek a Flow alternative. Perhaps you need a cross-platform solution, a free open-source option, or a client with specific features not offered by Flow. Whatever your needs, there are excellent alternatives available that can match or even exceed Flow's capabilities for your workflow.
Best Flow Alternatives
Whether you're looking for a free solution, multi-platform compatibility, or specific advanced features, this list of Flow alternatives will help you find the perfect fit for your file transfer needs.
FileZilla
FileZilla is a powerful and widely-used FTP-client, making it a strong Flow alternative. It's designed for ease of use and offers extensive features while remaining fast and reliable. Available on Freemium, Open Source platforms including Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD, and PortableApps.com, FileZilla provides features like ad-free experience, dedicated server hosting, and robust support for SFTP, making it a versatile choice for many users.
WinSCP
WinSCP is a highly popular free and Open Source SFTP and FTP client specifically for Windows. It excels at copying files between local and remote computers and also supports FTPS, SCP, and WebDAV. As a Flow alternative, WinSCP offers an easy-to-use interface and a rich feature set including file-sync, directory sync, scripting, command-line support, Windows Explorer integration, and robust support for SFTP and SSH, making it a comprehensive solution for Windows users.
Cyberduck
Cyberduck is a libre (free and open-source) FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Backblaze B2, Azure & OpenStack Swift browser available for Mac and Windows. It's an excellent Flow alternative for those who need broad cloud storage integration beyond just FTP/SFTP. Key features include support for FTP and SFTP, cloud browsing, Openstack swift integration, S3 storage support, Dropbox and Google Drive integration, file sharing, and secure file sharing.
Forklift
ForkLift is designed to be a fast and powerful file manager for the Mac, making it a strong commercial Flow alternative for macOS users. It seamlessly connects to FTP or SFTP servers, manages Amazon S3 accounts, and even mobile devices. Features include support for FTP and SFTP, mounting FTP drives, built-in archiver, dual pane support, directory sync, file management, live preview, and a night mode/dark theme.
Transmit
Transmit is a highly regarded commercial file transfer app for Mac, offering a beautiful interface and robust performance, making it a premium Flow alternative. It supports every major cloud storage provider in addition to FTP and SFTP. Its features include support for SFTP, FTP, file-sync, file transfer, mounting FTP drives, and SSL, providing a comprehensive and aesthetically pleasing solution for macOS users.
FireFTP
FireFTP is a free, secure, and open-source cross-platform FTP client that integrates directly with Mozilla Firefox (and other Gecko-based browsers like Waterfox and Pale Moon). It provides easy and intuitive access to FTP servers. As a unique Flow alternative, its strength lies in its browser integration and open-source nature, offering a straightforward FTP solution for users who prefer an add-on based approach.
SmartFTP
SmartFTP is a commercial FTP (File Transfer Protocol), FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, SSH, and Terminal client for Windows. It allows for seamless file transfers between your local machine and remote servers. As a Windows-specific Flow alternative, SmartFTP boasts robust file transfer capabilities and support for a wide array of protocols, making it a versatile choice for professional users.
Jungle Disk
Jungle Disk is a leading provider of online storage software and services, leveraging Amazon S3 and Rackspace infrastructure to offer easy-to-use and cost-effective solutions. Available as Freemium for Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, iPhone, and iPad, it's a Flow alternative focusing more on cloud storage and backup rather than direct FTP/SFTP client features. Its main feature is robust support for Amazon S3 and general cloud storage.
DPLOY
DPLOY is an FTP/SFTP deployment tool built in Node.js, making it a free and Open Source Flow alternative particularly useful for developers using Git. It intelligently uploads only the latest changes by comparing the version on your server with your Git repository. Available for Mac, Windows, Linux, BSD, and Node.JS, DPLOY simplifies the deployment process with its focus on SFTP support and integration with version control.
With a diverse range of options, from free and open-source solutions like FileZilla and WinSCP to powerful commercial tools like Forklift and Transmit, you're sure to find a Flow alternative that perfectly aligns with your specific needs, operating system, and budget. Explore these options to find the best fit for your file transfer and development workflows.