Faro

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

What Faro is

Faro is a free, MIT-licensed desktop client for file transfers, remote shells and storage across servers and cloud services. It supports SFTP, FTP, FTPS, SSH, S3-compatible storage, Azure Blob, Google Cloud Storage, WebDAV and HTTP(S), and connects to Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive and Box through browser-based OAuth. File tools include dual-pane browsing, drag-and-drop transfers, directory and continuous folder sync, and editing remote files in a local editor. It can explore disk usage, compare directories across backends and search fleets by name or content. The standalone faro-cli reuses saved GUI profiles for file operations, sync, diff, search and command execution. Faro's Agent Bridge can expose authenticated sessions to Claude Code or other MCP agents through a localhost service; it requires session opt-in, prompts for approval on each command by default and records an audit log. HTTP(S) sources are read-only. Builds are unsigned, and macOS builds are not notarized, so first launch requires operating-system-specific steps.

Who it suits

Faro suits people managing files, shells and storage across multiple servers or cloud services. Its CLI and Agent Bridge may also suit users who want command-line operations or agent access.

What it does well

Supports a broad range of transfer and storage protocols.
Includes directory and continuous folder sync.
CLI reuses saved GUI profiles.
Agent Bridge defaults to per-command approval and keeps an audit log.

What to know first

HTTP(S) sources are read-only.
Builds are unsigned.
macOS builds are not notarized.

Limits

HTTP(S) sources are read-only: Faro permits browsing and downloading but refuses uploads, renames, and deletes. No paid plans or usage limits are stated.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free and open source	No paid plans or usage limits stated	Free

As github.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open Faro’s GitHub page.
Download the installer for macOS, Windows, or Linux.
Complete the operating system-specific first-launch steps for the unsigned build.
Connect to a supported server or storage backend, or authorize a cloud drive through browser-based OAuth.
Use the desktop client or standalone faro-cli with saved GUI profiles.

Verdict

Faro combines file management across server and cloud backends with shell access and optional agent integration. Note the read-only HTTP(S) support and unsigned builds before choosing it.

Questions

How much does Faro cost?

Faro is free and open source under the MIT license. Its listed plan is free.

Which operating systems does Faro support?

Faro is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux. The maker lists a universal macOS DMG, Windows x64 EXE or MSI, and Linux x64 AppImage, DEB, or RPM installers.

Which protocols and cloud drives does Faro support?

Protocols include SFTP, FTP, FTPS, SSH, S3-compatible storage, Azure Blob, Google Cloud Storage, WebDAV, and HTTP(S). Cloud drive connections include Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, and Box.

Can Faro edit or upload files from HTTP(S) sources?

No. HTTP(S) sources allow browsing and downloading; uploads, renames, and deletes are refused.

How does Faro connect cloud drives?

It uses browser-based OAuth authorization. For cloud drives, the flow uses loopback and PKCE OAuth, stores only the refresh token in the operating system keychain, and does not see the user’s password.

Are Faro builds signed?

The maker says builds are unsigned and macOS builds are not notarized, so first launch requires operating system-specific steps.

Facts from Faro's own pages

Agent Bridge controls: The Agent Bridge uses a per-launch bearer token, requires session opt-in, prompts for approval on each command by default, and records an audit log. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
AI integration: Its Agent Bridge exposes authenticated Faro sessions to Claude Code or other MCP agents through a localhost service. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
CLI: The standalone faro-cli reuses saved GUI profiles and supports file operations, sync, diff, search, and command execution across supported backends. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Cloud drives: It connects to Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, and Box using browser-based OAuth authorization. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Credential handling: For cloud drives, Faro uses loopback and PKCE OAuth, stores only the refresh token in the operating system keychain, and does not see the user’s password. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Downloads: The maker lists macOS universal DMG, Windows x64 EXE or MSI, and Linux x64 AppImage, DEB, or RPM installers. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
File management: Features include dual-pane browsing, drag-and-drop transfers, directory sync, continuous folder sync, and editing remote files in a local editor. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
File synchronization: Yes · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
License and intended use: Faro is MIT-licensed and described as a desktop companion for hands-on file transfer, shells, and ad hoc work across machines. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Notable limit: HTTP(S) sources are read-only: Faro allows browsing or downloading, while refusing uploads, renames, and deletes. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Supported platforms: cross-platform · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
Product: Faro is a desktop client for file transfer, remote shells, and storage across servers and cloud services. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Protocol coverage: multi-protocol · github.com, 20 Sept 2026
Protocols: It supports SFTP, FTP, FTPS, SSH, S3-compatible storage, Azure Blob, Google Cloud Storage, WebDAV, and HTTP(S). · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Release status: The maker says builds are unsigned and macOS builds are not notarized, so first launch requires operating system-specific steps. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Remote agent security: Faro Agent uses a Noise handshake with X25519 and ChaCha20-Poly1305, pins peer keys after pairing, and applies the controlled machine’s execution and file access policy. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Search and comparison: It includes disk usage exploration, directory diff across backends, and fleet search by name or content. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Support: The maker directs users to its Discord community for setup help and feedback. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Transfer automation: Yes · github.com, 20 Sept 2026

Where Faro stands on Freedom251

FTP and SFTP clients#7 of 36