CompleteFTP

CompleteFTP is a secure file server and managed file transfer platform for organizations moving files across on-premises and cloud systems. It is best suited to teams that need several transfer protocols, identity integrations and workflow controls on a Windows server. Its free edition gives basic FTP and FTPS a low-cost entry point, while more demanding deployments require a per-server paid license.

Overview

The product combines file-transfer protocols with cloud-storage connections, authentication options, automation and administrative tools. That breadth makes it a flexible fit for mixed environments, but capabilities are divided by edition: SFTP starts at Standard, browser-based file management at Professional, and Linux hosting and high availability at Enterprise MFT.

Licenses are purchased per server, never expire, and include 12 months of technical support and upgrades. The fully functional trial lasts 30 days and can switch among all four editions, giving teams a way to assess higher-tier capabilities before choosing a license.

Key features

Transfers, storage and identity

CompleteFTP supports FTP, FTPS, SFTP, SCP, HTTP, HTTPS and SSH, with the available protocols dependent on edition. It connects to Amazon S3, Azure file shares, Google Cloud Storage, SharePoint and OneDrive folders, making it useful when transfers span local servers and cloud repositories.

Authentication options include Active Directory, LDAP, external databases, SAML single sign-on and custom .NET or JSS extensions. Standard adds Windows users, Professional adds Active Directory users, and Enterprise MFT adds custom authentication. The progression offers a route to more tailored identity setups, but teams needing those features must budget for the corresponding tier.

Security, automation and administration

Security controls include TLS 1.3, AES-256, encryption at rest, native PGP, SSH keys, two-factor authentication and strong password policies. IP filtering, automatic banning, granular permissions, filename blocking and auditing and logging support tighter operational oversight. These controls are valuable for sensitive transfers, but CompleteFTP is not directly PCI DSS certified or FIPS-140 certified; it can support PCI DSS requirements and operate in FIPS-compliant environments.

Event notifications, scheduled and process triggers, email alerts, PowerShell, batch, FTP scripting and CompleteAgent support automated workflows. Administrators also get a REST AdminAPI, CLI, mobile-friendly web administration and an MCP server for AI-assisted administration. Professional and Enterprise MFT add a browser-based file manager for uploads, downloads, organization and sharing.

Enterprise MFT adds multiple sites, clustering, load balancing and failover. Those capabilities make it the relevant edition for resilient, multi-site deployments; smaller installations may not need to pay for that level of infrastructure.

Pricing

CompleteFTP uses a freemium model, with licenses billed once per server rather than as recurring subscriptions.

• Free — free: FTP and FTPS, a virtual file system, unlimited users and non-Windows users. It is the practical starting point for basic transfers, but omits SFTP, Windows users and remote administration.
• Standard — $369, paid once: Free features plus SFTP, Windows users, auto-banning and remote administration. It suits teams that need secure SFTP transfers and basic administration without the Professional tier's sharing and identity additions.
• Professional — $749, paid once: Standard features plus Active Directory users, SCP, HTTP/HTTPS, email and process events, CompleteBox file-sharing and advanced file permissions. It fits organizations needing broader protocol support, richer automation or browser-based file management.
• Enterprise MFT — $1,699, paid once: Professional features plus multiple sites, clustering, a multi-protocol gateway, custom authentication, custom file systems and custom events. It is the choice for high-availability or extensively tailored deployments, and the only edition available for Linux.

All editions are available on Windows. The Linux installer has no GUI, so Linux administrators should be prepared to work without a graphical installer. Each paid license includes 12 months of support and upgrades, and the license itself does not expire.

Platforms

CompleteFTP supports Windows across all editions, along with Linux, self-hosted, web and API platforms. Linux is restricted to Enterprise MFT, a significant constraint for organizations standardizing on Linux hosts. The Linux installer has no graphical interface.

Who it's for

CompleteFTP is a strong fit for organizations that need a self-hosted transfer server with multiple protocols, cloud-storage integrations, configurable authentication and automated workflows. The free edition works for basic FTP/FTPS use; Standard is a sensible step when SFTP or remote administration is needed. Teams requiring browser-based file sharing, clustering or Linux hosting should assess Professional or Enterprise MFT respectively.

It is a weaker fit when formal certification is a procurement requirement: it is not directly PCI DSS or FIPS-140 certified. Linux-first teams should also account for the Enterprise MFT-only restriction and text-based installer.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free edition supports unlimited users, making it a credible starting point for basic FTP/FTPS service.
• Pros: Paid tiers add protocols, identity options, automation and administration tools, so deployments can scale capabilities by edition.
• Pros: Cloud integrations and high-availability features cover both hybrid storage and multi-site needs.
• Cons: Linux requires the highest-priced edition, and its installer has no GUI.
• Cons: Compliance-sensitive buyers cannot treat the product as directly PCI DSS or FIPS-140 certified.
• Cons: Key capabilities such as SFTP, file sharing and clustering are gated behind paid tiers.

Alternatives

Compare managed file transfer software if you want to consider the broader category. Waarp R66 is a free alternative with a free plan and web, Windows and Linux platforms. goTransfer is another freemium option with a free plan, but its listed platform is Windows.

JSCAPE Managed File Transfer is a paid alternative supporting Linux, macOS, web and Windows. Files.com may suit teams preferring a paid service with a monthly plan: its Starter plan is $199 a month, billed monthly, and includes 10 Full Users, 50 System Users, two outbound connections and 1 TB monthly storage. Progress MOVEit Transfer is another paid product with a free trial and support for Android, API, iOS, self-hosted, web and Windows.

Serv-U FTP Server offers a paid plan at $55 a month, billed annually, with 250 user accounts and 100 concurrent sessions. Serv-U Managed File Transfer Server is a paid option at $335 a month, per server, per month. SFTPPlus is a paid alternative at $1,900, paid once, billed as a pay-once license per installation inside one operating system.

Verdict

Choose CompleteFTP if you need a configurable file-transfer server with a free FTP/FTPS starting point and a path to broader protocols, automation and high availability. Its per-server licenses never expire, and the edition ladder is clear. Look elsewhere if Linux hosting below the top tier or direct PCI DSS or FIPS-140 certification is essential.