ExaVault

ExaVault is a file-transfer appliance for organizations that want exchanges to run inside infrastructure they operate. It is best for teams with the capacity to deploy and administer a virtual appliance; it is not a hosted service that removes that operational burden.

Overview

Launched in 2009 and acquired by Files.com in 2022, ExaVault continues as a maintained self-hosted appliance after ExaVault Cloud was sunset. Its focus is teams running transfers in their own datacenter, VPC, or air-gapped network. Buyers seeking a hosted ExaVault service should look elsewhere.

Key features

FTP, SFTP, FTPS, and WebDAV support gives organizations several established ways to connect users and systems. A browser-based file manager combines user and group controls, folder permissions, share links, password protection, configurable link expiration, notifications, and activity records. These controls suit managed exchange workflows, though they do not eliminate the work of operating the underlying environment.

SAML, SCIM, Active Directory, and LDAP support authentication and account provisioning. Paid licensing adds SAML SSO, optional SCIM, SMS two-factor authentication, automatic SSL, automatic updates, and SIEM syslog export. Encryption in flight and audit logging are included, but encryption at rest depends on the customer's VM environment. Compliance for frameworks such as SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, FedRAMP, and FIPS also remains the customer's responsibility.

Pricing

The free edition costs nothing and does not expire. It includes the self-hosted appliance and self-serve support for up to 50 user accounts. That is a useful way for a smaller team to use the appliance without a license fee, but organizations exceeding the cap must move to paid licensing.

Paid costs $99 a month, billed per 50-user pack. It is required above 50 users and adds email and phone support, automatic updates, SAML SSO, optional SCIM, SMS two-factor authentication, automatic SSL, and SIEM syslog export. This tier fits teams needing those controls and business-hours assistance, though the pack-based pricing means larger user counts require additional licensing.

Enterprise costs $7,499 a year, billed per 50 users. It adds 24/7/365 support, managed SIEM integration assistance, and deployment and migration support; larger deployments are quoted on request. It is the option for organizations that need round-the-clock support or help with rollout, at a substantially higher annual commitment. There is no free trial.

Platforms

The appliance is offered for VMware vSphere, AWS Marketplace, Google Cloud Marketplace, and Microsoft Azure Marketplace. Hyper-V is supported by converting the VMware image. Its requirements—64-bit Intel CPU, four cores, 12 GB RAM, a 100 GB primary disk plus a data drive—make this a poor fit for constrained hardware; ARM processors are unsupported. A web interface is available, but the product is self-hosted rather than a hosted transfer service. API access is not available.

Who it's for

ExaVault is most compelling for organizations that need file transfer within infrastructure they control, including datacenters, VPCs, and air-gapped networks, and can take responsibility for deployment, encryption at rest, and compliance. Teams wanting managed hosting, API access, or a service that assumes those responsibilities should choose another approach.

Pros and cons

• Pros: FTP, SFTP, FTPS, and WebDAV cover varied transfer needs; identity integrations and granular file controls support administered sharing.
• Pros: A non-expiring free edition accommodates up to 50 users, making it possible to run the appliance without a paid license at that scale.
• Cons: Customers own VM-level encryption at rest and compliance posture, adding meaningful security and governance work.
• Cons: The 50-user free cap, hardware requirements, and absence of API access limit its fit for some growing or integration-heavy teams.

Alternatives

For a free Windows file-transfer client with open-source licensing, consider WinSCP; it supports SFTP, FTP, FTPS, SCP, WebDAV, and S3, but is a client rather than a self-hosted appliance. FileZilla Client is another free option for Linux, macOS, and Windows, with FTP, FTPS, and SFTP support.

SendSafely suits readers looking for a multi-platform freemium option with a free trial; its Basic plan is $10 a month for 250 MB/month and expiration controls. TransferNow offers a transfer-service alternative: its free tier allows 5 GB per transfer with seven days' availability, while the Starter plan is €3 a month billed for two years.

MASV is worth considering for pay-as-you-go transfers, with 15 GB free each month and usage billed at $0.25 per GB thereafter. Tresorit is an alternative for encrypted-link and storage needs across desktop and mobile platforms; its Basic plan includes 3 GB storage and a 500 MB maximum file size.

CrushFTP is another self-hosted option, with a Small Business plan at $70 a month under a perpetual license and yearly maintenance renewal after the first year. For enterprise managed file transfer, Kiteworks Managed File Transfer offers secure managed transfer as an add-on to its Enterprise package.

Browse more options in Secure File Transfer Software or File transfer services.

Verdict

Choose ExaVault if your team needs file transfer inside infrastructure it controls and can manage the appliance, security, and compliance responsibilities. Its maintained self-hosted deployment, protocol breadth, and 50-user free edition are strong reasons to consider it. Look elsewhere if you need hosted service, API access, or a provider to own encryption at rest and compliance work.