AWS Transfer Family
AWS Transfer Family is a managed file transfer service supporting SFTP, FTPS, and FTP endpoints, with files stored in Amazon S3 or Amazon EFS. It supports thousands of concurrent users with access controls, and custom identity providers can apply authentication, authorization, and per-user controls. Managed workflows automate processing after file uploads, but require an SFTP, FTPS, or FTP endpoint and cannot be purchased separately. SFTP connectors move files to or from remote SFTP servers, using S3 as the source or destination. The service also offers managed AS2 messaging for exchanging EDI documents and browser access to S3 for authenticated users. Endpoints can use up to three Availability Zones without an additional multi-AZ charge. Resources can be deployed with CloudFormation templates or the Transfer Family Terraform module; integrations include AWS B2B Data Interchange and Step Functions. Billing depends on enabled protocols and usage, including data transfers, messages, workflows, connector calls, and web app units. One web app unit supports up to 250 unique sessions per five-minute period. Web app uploads and downloads have no web app data charge, though S3 requests and bandwidth remain chargeable.
Who it is for
AWS Transfer Family suits organizations moving files between users, applications, and AWS storage, including those exchanging EDI documents or processing uploads through workflows. It supports regulated data transfers involving PCI, PII, or HIPAA-regulated data.
What is good
- Supports SFTP, FTPS, FTP, and managed AS2.
- Stores information in Amazon S3 or Amazon EFS.
- Supports thousands of concurrent users with access controls.
- Endpoints can use three Availability Zones without an extra multi-AZ charge.
What to know first
- Charges depend on enabled protocols and usage.
- Managed workflows require a supported file-transfer endpoint.
- Web app units support up to 250 unique sessions per five-minute period.
- S3 requests and bandwidth remain chargeable for web apps.
Verdict
AWS Transfer Family combines supported file-transfer protocols with S3 or EFS storage, workflows, connectors, and browser access. Its usage-based billing and endpoint requirement for workflows are important considerations when planning a setup.
AWS Transfer Family plans and pricing
All plansCompared on file transfer services
- Free plan
- No
- Max file size
- 50 GB
- API access
- Yes
