SFTPPlus MFT Server vs AWS Transfer Family SFTP
Compare SFTPPlus MFT Server with an AWS Transfer Family SFTP endpoint backed by S3.
SFTPPlus MFT Server (single VM)
- First year
- ~$2,630
- Following years
- ~$730
Licensing
- Hosting included in the estimatePer year. The SFTPPlus MFT estimate includes one Linux EC2 instance, a 30 GB disk, and one public IPv4 address. AWS manages the Transfer Family infrastructure. Details
- ~$250
- SFTP charge per year (already included in estimate)Per year. The SFTPPlus MFT Server licence includes SFTP. AWS charges $0.30 per hour while its SFTP endpoint is enabled, or $2,628 for 8,760 hours. Details
- $0
- Data transfer chargePer year. SFTPPlus MFT has no software fee per GB. AWS adds $0.04 per GB uploaded or downloaded over SFTP, on top of normal S3 and network charges. Details
- $0
- Perpetual licenceSFTPPlus MFT licences remain usable without renewal. AWS charges for endpoint hours and data transferred. Details
- Yes
- Licence portabilityMove an SFTPPlus MFT licence between operating systems, clouds, and your own servers. Transfer Family is an AWS service. Details
- Yes
- Included non-production instancesSFTPPlus MFT includes development, pre-production, and cold disaster recovery licences. Enabled AWS test endpoints incur charges. Details
- Yes
Runtime and deployment
- Software as a ServiceAWS operates and patches the transfer infrastructure. With SFTPPlus MFT, your team operates the host and installs updates. Details
- No
- Windows ServerInstall SFTPPlus MFT on Windows VMs, including EC2. AWS Transfer Family has no Windows server software to install. Details
- Yes
- Linux, Docker & KubernetesDeploy SFTPPlus MFT on Linux or in containers. Transfer Family endpoints run in AWS-managed infrastructure. Details
- Yes
- Any cloud deploymentRun SFTPPlus MFT in AWS, another cloud, or your own data centre using the same product. Details
- Yes
- Migration to another cloud or on-premiseReuse SFTPPlus MFT configuration, application users, and automation after updating paths and connections. Leaving Transfer Family requires a replacement transfer service. Details
- Yes
- Customer-controlled software updatesChoose when to install SFTPPlus MFT releases and test compatibility with existing systems. AWS controls service updates. Details
- Yes
File transfer protocols
- Multiple protocols on one serverThe SFTPPlus MFT Server licence includes SFTP, FTP, FTPS, HTTPS, WebDAV, and AS2 receiving. The AWS configuration compared here enables only SFTP. Details
- Yes
- SFTP serverAccept uploads and downloads over SSH using standard SFTP clients. Details
- Yes
- Custom SSH algorithms configurationBoth offer compatibility options. SFTPPlus MFT allows individual algorithm configuration; AWS offers predefined security policies, including older policies. Details
- Yes
- SCPSupport the SCP protocol for existing clients and scripts. AWS Transfer Family supports SFTP but does not provide SCP. Details
- Yes
- FTP with TLS (FTPS)The SFTPPlus MFT Server licence includes explicit FTPS. FTPS is outside the AWS SFTP-only configuration and would incur another protocol charge. Details
- Yes
- End-user HTTPS web clientThe SFTPPlus MFT Server licence includes browser uploads and downloads. AWS Transfer Family web apps are separate resources and are not included here. Details
- Yes
- WebDAV serverThe SFTPPlus MFT Server licence provides WebDAV file access. An AWS SFTP endpoint does not serve WebDAV. Details
- Yes
- SMB and Windows sharesSFTPPlus MFT accesses shares through its host operating system. Transfer Family does not use SMB shares as its storage backend. Details
- Yes
- Native Amazon S3 accessAWS stores files directly in S3. Native S3 transfers remain on the SFTPPlus MFT roadmap. Details
- No
- Storage outside S3 or EFSSFTPPlus MFT uses local disks and mounted storage. This AWS endpoint stores files in S3; EFS is an alternative backend outside this estimate.
- Yes
Administration and integration
- Dedicated web administrationThe AWS Management Console is used to configure the transfer service, without a separate console and login for file transfers. Details
- Yes
- Command-line administrationBoth provide command-line administration for repeatable deployment and maintenance. Details
- Yes
- Configuration as codeSFTPPlus MFT uses an INI file. AWS offers CloudFormation templates and service APIs. Details
- Yes
- Configuration formatReuse the SFTPPlus INI configuration when deploying or migrating to another cloud. Details
- INI file
- HTTP control APIBoth provide APIs for managing their transfer configuration. Details
- Yes
Automation
- Event-driven actionsSFTPPlus MFT Server event handlers react to uploads and downloads. AWS managed workflows and event integrations require additional configuration. Details
- Yes
- Email notificationsSFTPPlus MFT sends notifications through SMTP. AWS can route events to notification services configured separately. Details
- Yes
- Run existing local programsSFTPPlus MFT can invoke executables and scripts on its host. Transfer Family custom workflow steps invoke Lambda functions. Details
- Yes
- Built-in PGP decryptionSFTPPlus MFT Server can decrypt uploaded files. AWS offers a separately charged managed-workflow decrypt step, which is not configured in this example. Details
- Yes
- Built-in PGP encryption and signature validationSFTPPlus MFT Server encrypts, signs, and verifies files using event handlers. An AWS SFTP endpoint alone does not perform these operations. Details
- Yes
Security and identity
- LDAP and Active DirectorySFTPPlus MFT connects directly to directories. AWS can use AWS Managed Microsoft AD or a custom identity provider, beyond the service-managed users priced here. Details
- Yes
- Built-in RADIUS connectorSFTPPlus MFT includes RADIUS authentication. Transfer Family requires a custom identity integration for RADIUS. Details
- Yes
- Password authentication without external providersSFTPPlus accepts passwords as well as SSH keys. Details
- Yes
- Password and SSH key authenticationBoth can require a key and password for the same SFTP login. AWS needs a custom identity provider and PUBLIC_KEY_AND_PASSWORD; its service-managed users use keys only.
- Yes
- Source IP restrictionsSFTPPlus MFT provides application and per-user IP rules. AWS VPC endpoints use security groups; custom identity providers can also validate the source address. Details
- Yes
- Built-in configurable login auto-banningSFTPPlus MFT blocks addresses after repeated failures. AWS requires identity-provider logic or additional security services for equivalent configurable rules. Details
- Yes
Other features
- Virtual directoriesBoth map user-visible folders to storage locations. AWS logical directories can expose selected paths across multiple S3 buckets. Details
- Yes
- Users and groupsSFTPPlus MFT manages application users and groups. AWS service-managed SFTP users have SSH keys, IAM roles, and optional session policies. Details
- Yes
- Portable application usersMove SFTPPlus MFT application accounts with the configuration, keys, and certificates. AWS user and access definitions are tied to AWS services. Details
- Yes
- File retention policiesSFTPPlus MFT deletes files using age and retention rules. S3 lifecycle policies can expire objects stored by Transfer Family. Details
- Yes
- Web password changeSFTPPlus MFT application users can change passwords through its Web Client. This AWS configuration has no end-user web app and uses SSH keys. Details
- Yes
High availability and audit
- Managed availability across multiple zonesAWS provides redundant transfer infrastructure. The priced SFTPPlus MFT VM is a single instance; clustering needs additional licences, hosts, storage design, and a load balancer. Details
- No
- Managed automatic scalingAWS scales its transfer infrastructure. SFTPPlus MFT can integrate with cloud or Kubernetes scaling, which your team must configure and operate. Details
- No
- Transfer activity and audit logsBoth record transfer activity. SFTPPlus MFT includes searchable local logs; AWS uses CloudWatch, with CloudTrail for API activity. Details
- Yes
- Local log/audit without cloud APIsSFTPPlus MFT writes audit events to files or embedded DB on its host for existing monitoring tools. AWS uses configured cloud logging destinations. Details
- Yes
Support
- Technical support included in the estimateStandard SFTPPlus MFT support is included here. AWS Basic Support covers account and billing help; technical support plans cost extra. Details
- Yes
- Scheduled on-call supportSFTPPlus MFT standard support includes two scheduled out-of-hours events per year. AWS planned-event assistance depends on the support plan. Details
- Yes
- 24/7 technical supportContinuous SFTPPlus MFT support requires an extended contract. AWS paid support plans provide 24/7 technical contact. Details
- Extended paid contract
- Configuration and migration assistanceSFTPPlus MFT support includes configuration and migration guidance. AWS technical guidance depends on the purchased support plan. Details
- Yes
AWS Transfer Family (SFTP endpoint and S3)
- First year
- ~$2,700
- Following years
- ~$2,700
Licensing
- Hosting included in the estimatePer year. The SFTPPlus MFT estimate includes one Linux EC2 instance, a 30 GB disk, and one public IPv4 address. AWS manages the Transfer Family infrastructure. Details
- $0
- SFTP charge per year (already included in estimate)Per year. The SFTPPlus MFT Server licence includes SFTP. AWS charges $0.30 per hour while its SFTP endpoint is enabled, or $2,628 for 8,760 hours. Details
- $2,628
- Data transfer chargePer year. SFTPPlus MFT has no software fee per GB. AWS adds $0.04 per GB uploaded or downloaded over SFTP, on top of normal S3 and network charges. Details
- $0.04 per GB
- Perpetual licenceSFTPPlus MFT licences remain usable without renewal. AWS charges for endpoint hours and data transferred. Details
- No
- Licence portabilityMove an SFTPPlus MFT licence between operating systems, clouds, and your own servers. Transfer Family is an AWS service. Details
- No
- Included non-production instancesSFTPPlus MFT includes development, pre-production, and cold disaster recovery licences. Enabled AWS test endpoints incur charges. Details
- No
Runtime and deployment
- Software as a ServiceAWS operates and patches the transfer infrastructure. With SFTPPlus MFT, your team operates the host and installs updates. Details
- Yes
- Windows ServerInstall SFTPPlus MFT on Windows VMs, including EC2. AWS Transfer Family has no Windows server software to install. Details
- No
- Linux, Docker & KubernetesDeploy SFTPPlus MFT on Linux or in containers. Transfer Family endpoints run in AWS-managed infrastructure. Details
- No
- Any cloud deploymentRun SFTPPlus MFT in AWS, another cloud, or your own data centre using the same product. Details
- No
- Migration to another cloud or on-premiseReuse SFTPPlus MFT configuration, application users, and automation after updating paths and connections. Leaving Transfer Family requires a replacement transfer service. Details
- No
- Customer-controlled software updatesChoose when to install SFTPPlus MFT releases and test compatibility with existing systems. AWS controls service updates. Details
- No
File transfer protocols
- Multiple protocols on one serverThe SFTPPlus MFT Server licence includes SFTP, FTP, FTPS, HTTPS, WebDAV, and AS2 receiving. The AWS configuration compared here enables only SFTP. Details
- No
- SFTP serverAccept uploads and downloads over SSH using standard SFTP clients. Details
- Yes
- Custom SSH algorithms configurationBoth offer compatibility options. SFTPPlus MFT allows individual algorithm configuration; AWS offers predefined security policies, including older policies. Details
- No
- SCPSupport the SCP protocol for existing clients and scripts. AWS Transfer Family supports SFTP but does not provide SCP. Details
- No
- FTP with TLS (FTPS)The SFTPPlus MFT Server licence includes explicit FTPS. FTPS is outside the AWS SFTP-only configuration and would incur another protocol charge. Details
- Not enabled
- End-user HTTPS web clientThe SFTPPlus MFT Server licence includes browser uploads and downloads. AWS Transfer Family web apps are separate resources and are not included here. Details
- No
- WebDAV serverThe SFTPPlus MFT Server licence provides WebDAV file access. An AWS SFTP endpoint does not serve WebDAV. Details
- No
- SMB and Windows sharesSFTPPlus MFT accesses shares through its host operating system. Transfer Family does not use SMB shares as its storage backend. Details
- No
- Native Amazon S3 accessAWS stores files directly in S3. Native S3 transfers remain on the SFTPPlus MFT roadmap. Details
- Yes
- Storage outside S3 or EFSSFTPPlus MFT uses local disks and mounted storage. This AWS endpoint stores files in S3; EFS is an alternative backend outside this estimate.
- No
Administration and integration
- Dedicated web administrationThe AWS Management Console is used to configure the transfer service, without a separate console and login for file transfers. Details
- No
- Command-line administrationBoth provide command-line administration for repeatable deployment and maintenance. Details
- Yes
- Configuration as codeSFTPPlus MFT uses an INI file. AWS offers CloudFormation templates and service APIs. Details
- Yes
- Configuration formatReuse the SFTPPlus INI configuration when deploying or migrating to another cloud. Details
- CloudFormation templates and service APIs
- HTTP control APIBoth provide APIs for managing their transfer configuration. Details
- Yes
Automation
- Event-driven actionsSFTPPlus MFT Server event handlers react to uploads and downloads. AWS managed workflows and event integrations require additional configuration. Details
- yes (via external service)
- Email notificationsSFTPPlus MFT sends notifications through SMTP. AWS can route events to notification services configured separately. Details
- yes (via external service)
- Run existing local programsSFTPPlus MFT can invoke executables and scripts on its host. Transfer Family custom workflow steps invoke Lambda functions. Details
- No
- Built-in PGP decryptionSFTPPlus MFT Server can decrypt uploaded files. AWS offers a separately charged managed-workflow decrypt step, which is not configured in this example. Details
- yes (via external service)
- Built-in PGP encryption and signature validationSFTPPlus MFT Server encrypts, signs, and verifies files using event handlers. An AWS SFTP endpoint alone does not perform these operations. Details
- No
Security and identity
- LDAP and Active DirectorySFTPPlus MFT connects directly to directories. AWS can use AWS Managed Microsoft AD or a custom identity provider, beyond the service-managed users priced here. Details
- Additional identity service
- Built-in RADIUS connectorSFTPPlus MFT includes RADIUS authentication. Transfer Family requires a custom identity integration for RADIUS. Details
- No
- Password authentication without external providersSFTPPlus accepts passwords as well as SSH keys. Details
- No
- Password and SSH key authenticationBoth can require a key and password for the same SFTP login. AWS needs a custom identity provider and PUBLIC_KEY_AND_PASSWORD; its service-managed users use keys only.
- yes (via custom identity provider, extra cost)
- Source IP restrictionsSFTPPlus MFT provides application and per-user IP rules. AWS VPC endpoints use security groups; custom identity providers can also validate the source address. Details
- Yes
- Built-in configurable login auto-banningSFTPPlus MFT blocks addresses after repeated failures. AWS requires identity-provider logic or additional security services for equivalent configurable rules. Details
- No
Other features
- Virtual directoriesBoth map user-visible folders to storage locations. AWS logical directories can expose selected paths across multiple S3 buckets. Details
- Yes
- Users and groupsSFTPPlus MFT manages application users and groups. AWS service-managed SFTP users have SSH keys, IAM roles, and optional session policies. Details
- Users and IAM policies
- Portable application usersMove SFTPPlus MFT application accounts with the configuration, keys, and certificates. AWS user and access definitions are tied to AWS services. Details
- No
- File retention policiesSFTPPlus MFT deletes files using age and retention rules. S3 lifecycle policies can expire objects stored by Transfer Family. Details
- Yes
- Web password changeSFTPPlus MFT application users can change passwords through its Web Client. This AWS configuration has no end-user web app and uses SSH keys. Details
- Not enabled
High availability and audit
- Managed availability across multiple zonesAWS provides redundant transfer infrastructure. The priced SFTPPlus MFT VM is a single instance; clustering needs additional licences, hosts, storage design, and a load balancer. Details
- Yes
- Managed automatic scalingAWS scales its transfer infrastructure. SFTPPlus MFT can integrate with cloud or Kubernetes scaling, which your team must configure and operate. Details
- Yes
- Transfer activity and audit logsBoth record transfer activity. SFTPPlus MFT includes searchable local logs; AWS uses CloudWatch, with CloudTrail for API activity. Details
- yes (via CloudWatch and CloudTrail)
- Local log/audit without cloud APIsSFTPPlus MFT writes audit events to files or embedded DB on its host for existing monitoring tools. AWS uses configured cloud logging destinations. Details
- No
Support
- Technical support included in the estimateStandard SFTPPlus MFT support is included here. AWS Basic Support covers account and billing help; technical support plans cost extra. Details
- No
- Scheduled on-call supportSFTPPlus MFT standard support includes two scheduled out-of-hours events per year. AWS planned-event assistance depends on the support plan. Details
- Additional paid support plan
- 24/7 technical supportContinuous SFTPPlus MFT support requires an extended contract. AWS paid support plans provide 24/7 technical contact. Details
- Additional paid support plan
- Configuration and migration assistanceSFTPPlus MFT support includes configuration and migration guidance. AWS technical guidance depends on the purchased support plan. Details
- Additional paid support plan
Features and public USD prices checked on 12 September 2026. Contact us and we will update the page.
Comparison criteria
The SFTPPlus MFT estimate uses the Server licence. The AWS estimate includes only the SFTP endpoint, S3 storage, and sample SFTP traffic.
Hosting assumes 8,760 hours per year at on-demand Linux rates. Transfer 100 GB per month in total, counting both uploads and downloads, and retain an average of 30 GB in S3 Standard.
The AWS configuration excludes SFTP connectors, FTP and FTPS endpoints, web apps, and AS2. We have a separate AWS MFT comparison that covers the broader AWS offering and the SFTPPlus MFT Server and Client licences together.
Why choose SFTPPlus MFT Server over AWS Transfer Family SFTP?
SFTPPlus MFT is best when you need a complete self-contained file transfer platform, with dedicated Web Manager and Web Client interfaces. Administrators and users of SFTPPlus don't need access to AWS Console, so you can operate the file transfer solution without requiring full cloud administration access.
SFTPPlus MFT Server can use local folders and Windows shares, with event handlers that call existing programs and process files after transfer. This helps integrate with applications that already exchange files through a shared file system. You control the host, SSH algorithms, configuration, and update schedule, and can move the licence between clouds or your own servers.
The Server licence includes FTP, FTPS, WebDAV, AS2 receiving, and browser file access. It also includes PGP operations, application users, and direct LDAP or RADIUS integration. All these features are available at no extra cost.
You have all logs and notifications in a single place. You don't need to use other external cloud services to operate and monitor your file transfers.
Why choose AWS Transfer Family SFTP over SFTPPlus MFT Server?
AWS operates, patches, and scales the transfer infrastructure and provides availability across multiple zones. That is an advantage over the single SFTPPlus MFT VM priced here.
Your team still manages users, access rules, storage, and networking, with the AWS Console. There is no dedicated console for AWS MFT product.
AWS offers direct S3 storage with IAM permissions and logical directory mappings across buckets. Native S3 transfers remain on the SFTPPlus MFT roadmap. An AWS endpoint can therefore fit existing S3-based processing without adding a separate file server or moving files onto its disk.
There is no upfront software licence purchase. For short projects or endpoints enabled only during transfer windows, paying for enabled hours can cost less than the always-on annual example.
Evidence and updates
AWS service scope uses its endpoint and storage matrix, service-managed users, authentication options, and security policies. Automation and access details use managed workflows, logical directories, logging, and support plans.
SFTPPlus MFT features follow the linked Server licence, server product page, protocol, authentication, and support documentation.