SFTPPlus MFT vs Cleo Harmony

This comparison covers the combined SFTPPlus MFT server and client licence and Cleo Harmony 6.0.
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SFTPPlus MFT

First year
$4,750
Following years
$950

Licensing

Published list pricesSFTPPlus MFT publishes licence and support prices. Cleo directs Harmony buyers to sales; the reviewed pages do not provide a price list. Details
Yes
Perpetual licenceSFTPPlus MFT licences are perpetual. Harmony usage rights last for the term specified in the order agreement; confirm whether the proposed offer is perpetual or a subscription. Details
Yes
Complete protocols licenceSFTPPlus includes all supported protocols for each licensed role. Cleo licences can restrict protocols, hosts, mailboxes, and optional features. Details
Yes
Unlimited users and trading partnersSFTPPlus MFT imposes no licence limit on users or partners. Harmony licences can set host, mailbox, and protocol allowances; confirm the proposed capacity. Details
Yes
Development and testing instancesSFTPPlus MFT includes an individual development instance and a shared testing or pre-production instance. Harmony instance rights depend on the order agreement; equivalent included rights were not confirmed. Details
Yes
Included cold disaster recovery instanceSFTPPlus includes a cold recovery instance. Cleo documents a backup licence role, but inclusion and price need confirmation in the quote. Details
Yes

Runtime and deployment

Windows ServerBoth support installation as a Windows service on supported Windows Server versions. Details
Yes
LinuxBoth support deployment on Linux. Check each product's requirements for the distribution and release you use. Details
Yes
Docker and KubernetesBoth support Docker and Kubernetes. Harmony 6.0 requires an Enterprise licence and external repositories for configuration and runtime data. Details
Yes
MacOSSFTPPlus supports macOS on Apple Silicon. macOS is absent from the Harmony 6.0 supported operating system list. Details
Yes

File transfer protocols

SFTPBoth accept SFTP connections and initiate automated SFTP transfers. Details
Yes
Legacy SCPSFTPPlus supports the SCP protocol over SSH. The Harmony 6.0 guide documents SFTP, without confirming SCP support. Details
Yes
FTP and FTPSBoth support FTP and FTP secured with TLS for server and client transfers. Details
Yes
HTTPS web clientBoth let users upload, download, and manage files from a browser. Confirm Cleo Portal entitlements in the quote. Details
Yes
AS2Both send and receive AS2 business documents with delivery receipts. SFTPPlus does not charge per AS2 partner; check Cleo's mailbox allowance. Details
Yes
WebDAVSFTPPlus provides WebDAV server and client support. A native WebDAV implementation was not confirmed in the Harmony 6.0 guide. Details
Yes
AS4Harmony supports AS4 messaging for business partners that require it. SFTPPlus MFT implements AS2 but does not implement AS4.
No
AS3Harmony supports AS3 business document exchange over FTP. SFTPPlus supports AS2, without an AS3 implementation.
No
OFTP2Harmony supports Odette FTP version 2 for partner networks that require it, including automotive exchanges.
No
MLLPHarmony supports sending and receiving HL7 messages using MLLP. SFTPPlus can transfer HL7 files through its file protocols but does not implement MLLP.
No
RosettaNet and ebXMLHarmony documents RNIF and ebXML message exchange. SFTPPlus does not implement these business messaging protocols.
No
Oracle Database transfersBoth can send and receive file content through Oracle. SFTPPlus maps existing tables with configured SQL; Harmony's database payload interface uses its own incoming and outgoing tables through JDBC. Details
Yes
Direct Oracle mapping to existing tablesSFTPPlus maps rows to files using SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements, without PL/SQL stored procedures. Harmony's documented payload interface requires applications to exchange data through Cleo's tables. Details
Yes
SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and DB2 payload storageCleo lists these databases alongside Oracle for its database integration. SFTPPlus's native database transfer location is specific to Oracle. Details
No
IBM MQBoth exchange file content with IBM MQ queues. SFTPPlus includes the MQ C Client and manages TLS certificates in its vault. Cleo's MQ host documentation specifies separate connector licensing. Details
Yes
SMB and Windows sharesBoth can use network shares as transfer locations. Cleo provides an SMB connector. Details
Yes
SharePoint OnlineBoth support SharePoint Online transfer locations. Harmony provides a SharePoint connector with certificate-based application authentication. Details
Yes
Azure Blob StorageBoth provide Azure Blob Storage integration. Harmony includes an AzureBlob connector in its documented connector set. Details
Yes
Azure Files and Exchange OnlineSFTPPlus includes Azure Files and Microsoft Graph access to Exchange Online attachments. Equivalent native Harmony connectors were not confirmed in the reviewed guide. Details
Yes
Amazon S3 connectorHarmony provides an S3 connector. SFTPPlus MFT lists native S3 support on its roadmap. Details
No
Google Cloud Storage connectorHarmony provides a Google Cloud Storage bucket connector. Native Google Cloud Storage support remains on the SFTPPlus MFT roadmap. Details
No

Administration and integration

Web administrationConfigure and monitor both applications from a browser. Details
Yes
Command-line administrationSFTPPlus provides admin-shell. Cleo provides Harmonyc commands to inspect and change configuration and run actions. Details
Yes
HTTP APISFTPPlus exposes file, authentication, and event APIs. Cleo provides REST APIs for transfers and configuration; the interfaces are not identical. Details
Yes
Configuration in one text file, without databaseSFTPPlus keeps settings in one INI file. Harmony stores configuration across XML and properties files and uses an embedded database for newer logs and reports. Its external SQL database is optional. Details
Yes
Configuration as codeSFTPPlus supports declarative INI deployments. Harmony supports XML import and export, commands, and APIs; its container deployment also uses YAML configuration for Kubernetes. Details
Yes
Built-in configuration promotionSFTPPlus can manage configuration variants through a separately licensed cluster controller. Cleo provides import, export, and synchronization; a comparable variant promotion interface was not confirmed. Details
Cluster licence

Automation

Scheduled client transfersBoth automate transfers with schedules, file polling, and retries. Details
Yes
Server-to-server streamingSFTPPlus can stream between supported remote locations without storing the complete file locally. Equivalent general remote-to-remote streaming was not confirmed for Harmony. Details
Yes
Event-driven actionsBoth can trigger processing and notifications after file or system events. Cleo lists JavaScript Actions as enabled by default for Harmony. Details
Yes
Compress and decompress filesBoth provide archive processing, including ZIP compression and extraction. Details
Yes
PGP file processingBoth encrypt, decrypt, sign, and verify file content using OpenPGP. Details
Yes
EDI content trackingCleo's File Tracker extracts EDI, XML, or text fields for transfer tracking when licensed. SFTPPlus records transfer events but does not include an EDI document tracking application. Details
No

Security and identity

LDAP and Active DirectoryBoth authenticate users through LDAP directories, including Active Directory. Details
Yes
OpenID Connect SSOSFTPPlus supports OpenID Connect web sign-in with providers such as Entra ID and Okta. Native OpenID Connect was not confirmed in the Harmony guide. Details
Yes
SAML SSOHarmony provides licensed SAML single sign-on for Portal or administration. SFTPPlus MFT uses OpenID Connect for web single sign-on and does not provide SAML. Details
No
RADIUS authenticationSFTPPlus supports RADIUS, including RSA SecurID. A built-in Harmony RADIUS integration was not confirmed in the reviewed guide. Details
Yes
Multi-factor authenticationSFTPPlus supports additional factors for interactive web, SFTP, and FTP logins. Cleo documents TOTP authentication for Portal users; confirm Portal entitlements and required login methods. Details
Yes
IP allow lists and automatic blockingBoth provide IP filtering and protection against repeated failed logins. Cleo lists IP Filter as enabled by default for Harmony. Details
Yes

Other features

Ad hoc sharing linksCleo Portal can create anonymous links and manage sharing permissions when the relevant sharing features are licensed. SFTPPlus lists account-free sharing on its roadmap. Details
No
Web password change and recoverySFTPPlus supports password changes after login. Cleo also documents recovery through a personal link sent by email. Details
Password change only
Built-in transfer graphs and reportsCleo provides transfer graphs and reports for configured VersaLex pools. SFTPPlus delivers structured events and logs for reporting through external tools. Details
No

High availability and audit

Centralized cluster configurationSFTPPlus uses a separately licensed cluster controller. Cleo manages multiple installations through VersaLex pools and synchronization; additional instance entitlements need a quote. Details
Yes
Shared cluster settingsBoth can synchronize configuration between installations. Their storage and synchronization designs differ. Details
Yes
Client transfer failoverBoth support fallback processing on another instance. Cleo documents automatic activation of the scheduler, router, and outbound database payload on a backup when production goes offline. Details
Yes
Centralized audit trailSFTPPlus forwards node events to its controller or external monitoring. Cleo supports replicated logs and consolidated transfer reporting. Details
Yes

Support

Phone and emailBoth provide phone and email assistance under their support contracts. Details
Yes
Scheduled on-call supportSFTPPlus standard support includes two scheduled out-of-hours events per year. Confirm equivalent planned coverage with Cleo. Details
Yes
24/7 support availableSFTPPlus offers extended support contracts. Cleo offers support packages with 24/7 coverage for specified incident severities. Details
Add-on
Onboarding and configuration assistanceBoth offer help with configuration and deployment. Cleo's guide requires training and a support subscription to work with a technical support analyst. Details
Yes
Dedicated professional servicesBoth offer consultancy and implementation services under separate arrangements. Details
Add-on

Cleo Harmony

First year
~$60,000
Following years
~$10,000

Licensing

Published list pricesSFTPPlus MFT publishes licence and support prices. Cleo directs Harmony buyers to sales; the reviewed pages do not provide a price list. Details
No
Perpetual licenceSFTPPlus MFT licences are perpetual. Harmony usage rights last for the term specified in the order agreement; confirm whether the proposed offer is perpetual or a subscription. Details
Confirm with vendor
Complete protocols licenceSFTPPlus includes all supported protocols for each licensed role. Cleo licences can restrict protocols, hosts, mailboxes, and optional features. Details
No
Unlimited users and trading partnersSFTPPlus MFT imposes no licence limit on users or partners. Harmony licences can set host, mailbox, and protocol allowances; confirm the proposed capacity. Details
No
Development and testing instancesSFTPPlus MFT includes an individual development instance and a shared testing or pre-production instance. Harmony instance rights depend on the order agreement; equivalent included rights were not confirmed. Details
No
Included cold disaster recovery instanceSFTPPlus includes a cold recovery instance. Cleo documents a backup licence role, but inclusion and price need confirmation in the quote. Details
No

Runtime and deployment

Windows ServerBoth support installation as a Windows service on supported Windows Server versions. Details
Yes
LinuxBoth support deployment on Linux. Check each product's requirements for the distribution and release you use. Details
Yes
Docker and KubernetesBoth support Docker and Kubernetes. Harmony 6.0 requires an Enterprise licence and external repositories for configuration and runtime data. Details
Enterprise licence
MacOSSFTPPlus supports macOS on Apple Silicon. macOS is absent from the Harmony 6.0 supported operating system list. Details
No

File transfer protocols

SFTPBoth accept SFTP connections and initiate automated SFTP transfers. Details
Yes
Legacy SCPSFTPPlus supports the SCP protocol over SSH. The Harmony 6.0 guide documents SFTP, without confirming SCP support. Details
No
FTP and FTPSBoth support FTP and FTP secured with TLS for server and client transfers. Details
Yes
HTTPS web clientBoth let users upload, download, and manage files from a browser. Confirm Cleo Portal entitlements in the quote. Details
Yes
AS2Both send and receive AS2 business documents with delivery receipts. SFTPPlus does not charge per AS2 partner; check Cleo's mailbox allowance. Details
Yes
WebDAVSFTPPlus provides WebDAV server and client support. A native WebDAV implementation was not confirmed in the Harmony 6.0 guide. Details
No
AS4Harmony supports AS4 messaging for business partners that require it. SFTPPlus MFT implements AS2 but does not implement AS4.
Yes
AS3Harmony supports AS3 business document exchange over FTP. SFTPPlus supports AS2, without an AS3 implementation.
Yes
OFTP2Harmony supports Odette FTP version 2 for partner networks that require it, including automotive exchanges.
Yes
MLLPHarmony supports sending and receiving HL7 messages using MLLP. SFTPPlus can transfer HL7 files through its file protocols but does not implement MLLP.
Yes
RosettaNet and ebXMLHarmony documents RNIF and ebXML message exchange. SFTPPlus does not implement these business messaging protocols.
Yes
Oracle Database transfersBoth can send and receive file content through Oracle. SFTPPlus maps existing tables with configured SQL; Harmony's database payload interface uses its own incoming and outgoing tables through JDBC. Details
Yes
Direct Oracle mapping to existing tablesSFTPPlus maps rows to files using SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE statements, without PL/SQL stored procedures. Harmony's documented payload interface requires applications to exchange data through Cleo's tables. Details
No
SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and DB2 payload storageCleo lists these databases alongside Oracle for its database integration. SFTPPlus's native database transfer location is specific to Oracle. Details
Yes
IBM MQBoth exchange file content with IBM MQ queues. SFTPPlus includes the MQ C Client and manages TLS certificates in its vault. Cleo's MQ host documentation specifies separate connector licensing. Details
Yes
SMB and Windows sharesBoth can use network shares as transfer locations. Cleo provides an SMB connector. Details
Yes
SharePoint OnlineBoth support SharePoint Online transfer locations. Harmony provides a SharePoint connector with certificate-based application authentication. Details
Yes
Azure Blob StorageBoth provide Azure Blob Storage integration. Harmony includes an AzureBlob connector in its documented connector set. Details
Yes
Azure Files and Exchange OnlineSFTPPlus includes Azure Files and Microsoft Graph access to Exchange Online attachments. Equivalent native Harmony connectors were not confirmed in the reviewed guide. Details
Not confirmed
Amazon S3 connectorHarmony provides an S3 connector. SFTPPlus MFT lists native S3 support on its roadmap. Details
Yes
Google Cloud Storage connectorHarmony provides a Google Cloud Storage bucket connector. Native Google Cloud Storage support remains on the SFTPPlus MFT roadmap. Details
Yes

Administration and integration

Web administrationConfigure and monitor both applications from a browser. Details
Yes
Command-line administrationSFTPPlus provides admin-shell. Cleo provides Harmonyc commands to inspect and change configuration and run actions. Details
Yes
HTTP APISFTPPlus exposes file, authentication, and event APIs. Cleo provides REST APIs for transfers and configuration; the interfaces are not identical. Details
Yes
Configuration in one text file, without databaseSFTPPlus keeps settings in one INI file. Harmony stores configuration across XML and properties files and uses an embedded database for newer logs and reports. Its external SQL database is optional. Details
No
Configuration as codeSFTPPlus supports declarative INI deployments. Harmony supports XML import and export, commands, and APIs; its container deployment also uses YAML configuration for Kubernetes. Details
Yes
Built-in configuration promotionSFTPPlus can manage configuration variants through a separately licensed cluster controller. Cleo provides import, export, and synchronization; a comparable variant promotion interface was not confirmed. Details
Via import and export

Automation

Scheduled client transfersBoth automate transfers with schedules, file polling, and retries. Details
Yes
Server-to-server streamingSFTPPlus can stream between supported remote locations without storing the complete file locally. Equivalent general remote-to-remote streaming was not confirmed for Harmony. Details
No
Event-driven actionsBoth can trigger processing and notifications after file or system events. Cleo lists JavaScript Actions as enabled by default for Harmony. Details
Yes
Compress and decompress filesBoth provide archive processing, including ZIP compression and extraction. Details
Yes
PGP file processingBoth encrypt, decrypt, sign, and verify file content using OpenPGP. Details
Yes
EDI content trackingCleo's File Tracker extracts EDI, XML, or text fields for transfer tracking when licensed. SFTPPlus records transfer events but does not include an EDI document tracking application. Details
yes (licensed option)

Security and identity

LDAP and Active DirectoryBoth authenticate users through LDAP directories, including Active Directory. Details
Yes
OpenID Connect SSOSFTPPlus supports OpenID Connect web sign-in with providers such as Entra ID and Okta. Native OpenID Connect was not confirmed in the Harmony guide. Details
No
SAML SSOHarmony provides licensed SAML single sign-on for Portal or administration. SFTPPlus MFT uses OpenID Connect for web single sign-on and does not provide SAML. Details
yes (licensed option)
RADIUS authenticationSFTPPlus supports RADIUS, including RSA SecurID. A built-in Harmony RADIUS integration was not confirmed in the reviewed guide. Details
No
Multi-factor authenticationSFTPPlus supports additional factors for interactive web, SFTP, and FTP logins. Cleo documents TOTP authentication for Portal users; confirm Portal entitlements and required login methods. Details
Yes
IP allow lists and automatic blockingBoth provide IP filtering and protection against repeated failed logins. Cleo lists IP Filter as enabled by default for Harmony. Details
Yes

Other features

Ad hoc sharing linksCleo Portal can create anonymous links and manage sharing permissions when the relevant sharing features are licensed. SFTPPlus lists account-free sharing on its roadmap. Details
yes (licensed option)
Web password change and recoverySFTPPlus supports password changes after login. Cleo also documents recovery through a personal link sent by email. Details
Yes
Built-in transfer graphs and reportsCleo provides transfer graphs and reports for configured VersaLex pools. SFTPPlus delivers structured events and logs for reporting through external tools. Details
Yes

High availability and audit

Centralized cluster configurationSFTPPlus uses a separately licensed cluster controller. Cleo manages multiple installations through VersaLex pools and synchronization; additional instance entitlements need a quote. Details
Yes
Shared cluster settingsBoth can synchronize configuration between installations. Their storage and synchronization designs differ. Details
Yes
Client transfer failoverBoth support fallback processing on another instance. Cleo documents automatic activation of the scheduler, router, and outbound database payload on a backup when production goes offline. Details
Yes
Centralized audit trailSFTPPlus forwards node events to its controller or external monitoring. Cleo supports replicated logs and consolidated transfer reporting. Details
Yes

Support

Phone and emailBoth provide phone and email assistance under their support contracts. Details
Yes
Scheduled on-call supportSFTPPlus standard support includes two scheduled out-of-hours events per year. Confirm equivalent planned coverage with Cleo. Details
Confirm with vendor
24/7 support availableSFTPPlus offers extended support contracts. Cleo offers support packages with 24/7 coverage for specified incident severities. Details
Add-on
Onboarding and configuration assistanceBoth offer help with configuration and deployment. Cleo's guide requires training and a support subscription to work with a technical support analyst. Details
Yes
Dedicated professional servicesBoth offer consultancy and implementation services under separate arrangements. Details
Add-on

Cleo prices are low-confidence budgeting assumptions in USD, not published prices or a vendor quote. Features reviewed on 14 September 2026. Contact us and we will update the page.

Comparison criteria ​

This comparison covers SFTPPlus MFT server and client together and Cleo Harmony 6.0 deployed in your own environment. Harmony belongs to Cleo's Private Cloud portfolio; capabilities advertised for the managed CIC Cloud Edition are outside this comparison. For deployments using Cleo VLTrader, see SFTPPlus MFT vs Cleo VLTrader.

Yes identifies a documented capability. No means native support or included licence rights were not established in the reviewed sources. Optional features depend on the purchased licences.

The SFTPPlus MFT price is $4,750 in the first year: $3,800 for perpetual server and client licences and $950 for annual standard support. Following years include $950 for support.

For initial planning, we assume a $50,000 perpetual licence for Harmony. We allow 20% of that licence cost for annual maintenance and support, giving $60,000 for the first year and $10,000 for following years. These are illustrative budgeting assumptions, not published Harmony prices, observed market prices, or a Cleo quote.

The estimate assumes the required protocol and connector options, including AS2, IBM MQ, Oracle payloads, browser access, SharePoint, and Azure Blob Storage. Confirm their inclusion, Enterprise container deployment, and non-production instance rights in the actual quote. Both products' totals exclude taxes, infrastructure, professional services, and active high availability deployments.

Why choose SFTPPlus MFT ​

SFTPPlus MFT is a good fit when you need a file transfer service that connects directly to existing Oracle tables. Its configured SQL queries can expose BLOB or CLOB content as files and write incoming files back with INSERT or UPDATE statements. You do not need PL/SQL stored procedures or a separate staging schema.

Harmony also supports Oracle file payloads, but its documented interface exchanges them through Cleo's VLSend, VLOutgoing, and VLIncoming tables.

SFTPPlus MFT handles IBM MQ, AS2, WebDAV, and its other supported endpoints through the same service. Its single INI configuration is easy to review in source control and reuse in automated deployments. Published prices and included non-production rights make the licence scope easier to budget.

SFTPPlus MFT also suits deployments that use OpenID Connect for web sign-in or RADIUS for authentication.

When Cleo Harmony is a better fit ​

Harmony supports AS4, AS3, OFTP2, MLLP, RosettaNet, and ebXML for partners that require those protocols. It also supports database payloads through SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, and DB2 alongside Oracle.

Harmony provides native Amazon S3 and Google Cloud Storage connectors, while those integrations remain on the SFTPPlus MFT roadmap.

It also offers licensed SAML single sign-on, document content tracking, transfer dashboards, and Portal sharing links. These can suit teams that need business document visibility and occasional file sharing alongside automated transfers. SFTPPlus MFT provides transfer auditing and authenticated web access; account-free sharing remains on its roadmap.

Feature references include the Harmony 6.0 guide, release notes, and licence agreement.