SFTPPlus MFT vs Google Cloud FTP

This comparison covers the SFTPPlus MFT server with full protocols and Google Cloud FTP.
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SFTPPlus MFT Server (single VM)

First year
$2,987.61
Following years
$1,087.61

Licensing

Hosting cost (already included in estimate)Annual Google Cloud hosting in Iowa (us-central1), using Linux E2 custom VMs with 2 vCPUs, 4 GB RAM, a 50 GB balanced Persistent Disk, and a public IPv4 address per VM. The two-VM estimate includes a load balancer. Shared file storage and usage charges are extra. Hosting is paid separately to Google and is already included in the header totals. Details
$612.61
PerpetualSFTPPlus MFT has a perpetual production licence. Cloud FTP is billed for server uptime and data transferred. Details
Yes
Licence portabilityMove an existing SFTPPlus licence between Google Cloud, other clouds, and your own servers. Cloud FTP is a Google Cloud service. Details
Yes
Included non-production instancesSFTPPlus includes development, pre-production, and cold disaster recovery licences. Cloud FTP pricing does not list a separate free testing endpoint allowance. Details
Yes
Product data transfer chargeSFTPPlus has no software fee per GB. Cloud FTP charges $0.04 per GB for both uploads and downloads, in addition to $0.30 per server hour. Storage and network charges can apply to either deployment. Details
$0

Runtime and deployment

Software as a ServiceGoogle operates Cloud FTP. With SFTPPlus, your team manages the server software and its host infrastructure. Details
No
Windows ServerInstall SFTPPlus on Windows Server. Cloud FTP has no server software to install on your Windows machines, though Windows SFTP clients can connect to it. Details
Yes
Linux, Docker & KubernetesDeploy SFTPPlus on Linux, in Docker, or in Kubernetes. Cloud FTP runs as a managed Google service. Details
Yes
Any cloud deploymentSFTPPlus runs on Google Cloud, Azure, AWS, and your own infrastructure. Cloud FTP runs within Google Cloud. Details
Yes
Migration to another cloud or on-premiseReuse the SFTPPlus configuration, including application users, services, and automation, after updating paths and external connections. Moving away from Cloud FTP requires another SFTP service and new service-specific configuration. Details
Yes

File transfer protocols

Multiple protocols on one serverSFTPPlus provides SFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, HTTPS, AS2, and WebDAV services in one installation. Cloud FTP provides an SFTP endpoint. Details
Yes
SFTPAccept encrypted file transfers from standard SFTP clients over SSH. Details
Yes
FTPAccept legacy FTP connections. Despite its name, Cloud FTP documents SFTP access, without an FTP endpoint. Details
Yes
FTP with TLS/SSL (FTPS)Accept FTP connections protected by TLS. Cloud FTP provides SSH-based SFTP access, without an FTPS endpoint. Details
Yes
End-user HTTP/S Web ClientSFTPPlus includes a browser file client for transfer users. Google's Cloud Storage console is a separate tool with its own IAM access requirements, not a web client for Cloud FTP users. Details
Yes
AS2The SFTPPlus server licence receives AS2 messages. Sending AS2 messages requires a client licence. Cloud FTP does not provide AS2. Details
Yes
WebDAVProvide file access over WebDAV. This protocol is not part of the Cloud FTP endpoint. Details
Yes
Native Google Cloud Storage integrationCloud FTP reads and writes bucket objects directly. SFTPPlus lists a native Google Cloud Storage connector on its roadmap; an operating system mount is an external integration. Details
No
Outgoing SFTP, FTPS, and HTTPS transfersA SFTPPlus client licence adds scheduled uploads, downloads, and retries against remote servers. Cloud FTP accepts transfers initiated by external clients. Details
Optional client licence
Azure Blob, Azure Files, and SharePoint connectorsSFTPPlus client locations can transfer files through these services' APIs. Cloud FTP's storage backend is Google Cloud Storage. Details
Optional client licence

Administration and integration

Dedicated Web administrationSFTPPlus includes a dedicated Web Manager. Details
Yes
Command-line administrationSFTPPlus includes admin-shell. Google provides gcloud storage ftp commands, currently documented under the alpha command group even though Cloud FTP is generally available. Details
Yes
Configuration formatSFTPPlus stores its configuration in an INI file. Details
INI file
HTTP Control APISFTPPlus offers a JSON-RPC administration API. Cloud FTP provides a REST API for server and user management. Details
Yes

Automation

Event SupportSFTPPlus event handlers react to transfer activity. Cloud Storage can publish object events to Pub/Sub for separately configured consumers. Details
Yes
Email NotificationSFTPPlus event handlers send email alerts. Cloud FTP has no built-in email workflow; a separate notification service can process storage events or logs. Details
Yes
Folder Automation EventsSFTPPlus can monitor local folders and trigger actions. Cloud FTP does not monitor your local folders; Cloud Storage events can trigger external processing of bucket objects. Details
Yes
PGP encryption and validationSFTPPlus encrypts, decrypts, signs, and verifies OpenPGP files internally. Details
Yes

Security and identity

SSH public-key authenticationBoth products accept SSH public keys. Cloud FTP permits up to ten public keys per user. Details
Yes
SFTP password authenticationSFTPPlus accepts passwords as well as SSH keys. Cloud FTP users authenticate with public keys. Details
Yes
LDAP and Active DirectorySFTPPlus can authenticate transfer users against LDAP or Active Directory. Cloud FTP's documented user model uses public keys and a mapped Google service account. Details
Yes
Entra ID, Okta, and Google SSOSFTPPlus supports these providers for HTTPS services, including Web Client and Web Manager. Cloud FTP public-key login is distinct from Google identity authentication used to administer cloud resources. Details
HTTPS services
RADIUSSFTPPlus can delegate transfer-user authentication to RADIUS. Cloud FTP's public-key user model has no RADIUS connector. Details
Yes
CRL & CA SupportSFTPPlus validates TLS client certificates using configured certificate authorities and revocation lists. Cloud FTP uses SSH public keys rather than TLS client certificates. Details
Yes
IP access restrictionsSFTPPlus filters source IP addresses. External Cloud FTP servers support allowed CIDR ranges. Details
Yes
Configurable SFTP login auto-banningSFTPPlus can automatically block sources after authentication failures. Google's published server configuration documents IP allowlists but does not document a comparable administrator-configurable banning policy. Details
Yes
Per-user Google IAM storage accessCloud FTP maps each transfer user to a service account with bucket IAM permissions. SFTPPlus has no native per-user Google IAM storage delegation; access through a mounted bucket follows the mount's credentials. Details
No
Provider-managed SSH host keysGoogle manages Cloud FTP server host keys. With SFTPPlus, your team manages the server keys and their replacement. Details
No

Other features

Virtual directoriesSFTPPlus exposes selected paths within a user's home folder. Cloud FTP supports up to ten bucket or prefix mappings per user, with a flat structure for the logical directory mappings. Details
Yes
Users & GroupsSFTPPlus application users can inherit settings from groups. Cloud FTP configures individual SFTP users, credentials, and directory mappings; its storage permissions use service accounts and IAM. Details
Yes
User configuration portabilityMove SFTPPlus application accounts and access rules with the deployment, including their keys and required external connections. Cloud FTP users depend on Google resources and service accounts. Details
Yes
Password PoliciesDefine password complexity, reuse, and expiry rules in SFTPPlus. Cloud FTP does not use SFTP passwords, so password policies do not apply to its transfer users. Details
Yes
File Retention PoliciesSFTPPlus can delete files according to age. Google Cloud Storage lifecycle rules can delete or change the storage class of bucket objects independently of Cloud FTP. Details
Yes
Ad Hoc File SharingPublic sharing links are on the SFTPPlus roadmap. Google Cloud Storage tools can create expiring HTTPS signed URLs for uploaded objects, outside the SFTP session. Details
No
User self password changeSFTPPlus users can change passwords through enabled self-service methods. Cloud FTP users use SSH keys rather than passwords. Details
Yes
Storage outside Google Cloud StorageSFTPPlus can store files on local disks or mounted network filesystems. Cloud FTP provides access to Cloud Storage buckets. Details
Yes
File size limitSFTPPlus has no product-imposed file size cap; storage, protocol, and administrator limits still apply. Cloud FTP has a fixed 750 GB limit per transfer. Details
No product cap
Non-container storageStore data on block storage or other methods without requiring a dedicated container.
Yes
Concurrent sessions per serverSFTPPlus does not impose a licence cap; actual capacity depends on resources and configuration. Cloud FTP has a fixed limit of 500 concurrent sessions per server. Details
Unlimited

High availability and audit

Server ReplicationThe two-VM SFTPPlus option includes a cluster controller licence for configuration synchronization. Shared file storage and a load balancer are separate infrastructure. Google operates the Cloud FTP endpoint without customer-managed replica configuration. Details
No
Provider-managed server maintenanceGoogle maintains Cloud FTP infrastructure and recommends client retries for connections interrupted by upgrades. SFTPPlus deployments require your team to install updates and maintain the hosts.
No
Detailed LogsSFTPPlus records transfers, authentication, and administrative activity. Google documents Cloud FTP administration audit logs and Cloud Storage audit logs for the underlying file operations; configure the required Data Access logging. Details
Yes
SQL Database CaptureSFTPPlus can retain audit activity in SQLite. Cloud FTP logs use Cloud Logging; capture in a SQL database requires a separate export or integration. Details
Yes

Support

Phone & EmailSFTPPlus standard support includes phone and email assistance. Google Basic Support covers billing and self-service resources; technical assistance requires a paid Customer Care plan. Details
Yes
On-call supportSFTPPlus standard support includes two scheduled out-of-hours events per year. Google offers Planned Event Support as an additional service for eligible support plans. Details
Yes
24/7/365 Severity 1 SupportContinuous critical-incident coverage requires extended SFTPPlus support. Google Enhanced and Premium Support include 24/7 responses for high- and critical-impact issues. Details
Extended support
Remote support and troubleshootingSFTPPlus offers remote troubleshooting sessions. Google technical troubleshooting is available through its paid support plans. Details
Yes
Onboarding and configuration assistanceSFTPPlus standard support provides installation and configuration advice where practical; substantial implementation work is consultancy. Google assistance depends on the Customer Care plan and any advisory services purchased. Details
Yes
Migration supportSFTPPlus support can advise on moving deployments, with substantial migration work quoted as consultancy. Google migration assistance depends on the support or consulting engagement. Details
Yes

SFTPPlus MFT Server with load balancer

First year
$5,244.22
Following years
$2,204.22

Licensing

Hosting cost (already included in estimate)Annual Google Cloud hosting in Iowa (us-central1), using Linux E2 custom VMs with 2 vCPUs, 4 GB RAM, a 50 GB balanced Persistent Disk, and a public IPv4 address per VM. The two-VM estimate includes a load balancer. Shared file storage and usage charges are extra. Hosting is paid separately to Google and is already included in the header totals. Details
$1,444.22
PerpetualSFTPPlus MFT has a perpetual production licence. Cloud FTP is billed for server uptime and data transferred. Details
Yes
Licence portabilityMove an existing SFTPPlus licence between Google Cloud, other clouds, and your own servers. Cloud FTP is a Google Cloud service. Details
Yes
Included non-production instancesSFTPPlus includes development, pre-production, and cold disaster recovery licences. Cloud FTP pricing does not list a separate free testing endpoint allowance. Details
Yes
Product data transfer chargeSFTPPlus has no software fee per GB. Cloud FTP charges $0.04 per GB for both uploads and downloads, in addition to $0.30 per server hour. Storage and network charges can apply to either deployment. Details
$0

Runtime and deployment

Software as a ServiceGoogle operates Cloud FTP. With SFTPPlus, your team manages the server software and its host infrastructure. Details
No
Windows ServerInstall SFTPPlus on Windows Server. Cloud FTP has no server software to install on your Windows machines, though Windows SFTP clients can connect to it. Details
Yes
Linux, Docker & KubernetesDeploy SFTPPlus on Linux, in Docker, or in Kubernetes. Cloud FTP runs as a managed Google service. Details
Yes
Any cloud deploymentSFTPPlus runs on Google Cloud, Azure, AWS, and your own infrastructure. Cloud FTP runs within Google Cloud. Details
Yes
Migration to another cloud or on-premiseReuse the SFTPPlus configuration, including application users, services, and automation, after updating paths and external connections. Moving away from Cloud FTP requires another SFTP service and new service-specific configuration. Details
Yes

File transfer protocols

Multiple protocols on one serverSFTPPlus provides SFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, HTTPS, AS2, and WebDAV services in one installation. Cloud FTP provides an SFTP endpoint. Details
Yes
SFTPAccept encrypted file transfers from standard SFTP clients over SSH. Details
Yes
FTPAccept legacy FTP connections. Despite its name, Cloud FTP documents SFTP access, without an FTP endpoint. Details
Yes
FTP with TLS/SSL (FTPS)Accept FTP connections protected by TLS. Cloud FTP provides SSH-based SFTP access, without an FTPS endpoint. Details
Yes
End-user HTTP/S Web ClientSFTPPlus includes a browser file client for transfer users. Google's Cloud Storage console is a separate tool with its own IAM access requirements, not a web client for Cloud FTP users. Details
Yes
AS2The SFTPPlus server licence receives AS2 messages. Sending AS2 messages requires a client licence. Cloud FTP does not provide AS2. Details
Yes
WebDAVProvide file access over WebDAV. This protocol is not part of the Cloud FTP endpoint. Details
Yes
Native Google Cloud Storage integrationCloud FTP reads and writes bucket objects directly. SFTPPlus lists a native Google Cloud Storage connector on its roadmap; an operating system mount is an external integration. Details
No
Outgoing SFTP, FTPS, and HTTPS transfersA SFTPPlus client licence adds scheduled uploads, downloads, and retries against remote servers. Cloud FTP accepts transfers initiated by external clients. Details
Optional client licence
Azure Blob, Azure Files, and SharePoint connectorsSFTPPlus client locations can transfer files through these services' APIs. Cloud FTP's storage backend is Google Cloud Storage. Details
Optional client licence

Administration and integration

Dedicated Web administrationSFTPPlus includes a dedicated Web Manager. Details
Yes
Command-line administrationSFTPPlus includes admin-shell. Google provides gcloud storage ftp commands, currently documented under the alpha command group even though Cloud FTP is generally available. Details
Yes
Configuration formatSFTPPlus stores its configuration in an INI file. Details
INI file
HTTP Control APISFTPPlus offers a JSON-RPC administration API. Cloud FTP provides a REST API for server and user management. Details
Yes

Automation

Event SupportSFTPPlus event handlers react to transfer activity. Cloud Storage can publish object events to Pub/Sub for separately configured consumers. Details
Yes
Email NotificationSFTPPlus event handlers send email alerts. Cloud FTP has no built-in email workflow; a separate notification service can process storage events or logs. Details
Yes
Folder Automation EventsSFTPPlus can monitor local folders and trigger actions. Cloud FTP does not monitor your local folders; Cloud Storage events can trigger external processing of bucket objects. Details
Yes
PGP encryption and validationSFTPPlus encrypts, decrypts, signs, and verifies OpenPGP files internally. Details
Yes

Security and identity

SSH public-key authenticationBoth products accept SSH public keys. Cloud FTP permits up to ten public keys per user. Details
Yes
SFTP password authenticationSFTPPlus accepts passwords as well as SSH keys. Cloud FTP users authenticate with public keys. Details
Yes
LDAP and Active DirectorySFTPPlus can authenticate transfer users against LDAP or Active Directory. Cloud FTP's documented user model uses public keys and a mapped Google service account. Details
Yes
Entra ID, Okta, and Google SSOSFTPPlus supports these providers for HTTPS services, including Web Client and Web Manager. Cloud FTP public-key login is distinct from Google identity authentication used to administer cloud resources. Details
HTTPS services
RADIUSSFTPPlus can delegate transfer-user authentication to RADIUS. Cloud FTP's public-key user model has no RADIUS connector. Details
Yes
CRL & CA SupportSFTPPlus validates TLS client certificates using configured certificate authorities and revocation lists. Cloud FTP uses SSH public keys rather than TLS client certificates. Details
Yes
IP access restrictionsSFTPPlus filters source IP addresses. External Cloud FTP servers support allowed CIDR ranges. Details
Yes
Configurable SFTP login auto-banningSFTPPlus can automatically block sources after authentication failures. Google's published server configuration documents IP allowlists but does not document a comparable administrator-configurable banning policy. Details
Yes
Per-user Google IAM storage accessCloud FTP maps each transfer user to a service account with bucket IAM permissions. SFTPPlus has no native per-user Google IAM storage delegation; access through a mounted bucket follows the mount's credentials. Details
No
Provider-managed SSH host keysGoogle manages Cloud FTP server host keys. With SFTPPlus, your team manages the server keys and their replacement. Details
No

Other features

Virtual directoriesSFTPPlus exposes selected paths within a user's home folder. Cloud FTP supports up to ten bucket or prefix mappings per user, with a flat structure for the logical directory mappings. Details
Yes
Users & GroupsSFTPPlus application users can inherit settings from groups. Cloud FTP configures individual SFTP users, credentials, and directory mappings; its storage permissions use service accounts and IAM. Details
Yes
User configuration portabilityMove SFTPPlus application accounts and access rules with the deployment, including their keys and required external connections. Cloud FTP users depend on Google resources and service accounts. Details
Yes
Password PoliciesDefine password complexity, reuse, and expiry rules in SFTPPlus. Cloud FTP does not use SFTP passwords, so password policies do not apply to its transfer users. Details
Yes
File Retention PoliciesSFTPPlus can delete files according to age. Google Cloud Storage lifecycle rules can delete or change the storage class of bucket objects independently of Cloud FTP. Details
Yes
Ad Hoc File SharingPublic sharing links are on the SFTPPlus roadmap. Google Cloud Storage tools can create expiring HTTPS signed URLs for uploaded objects, outside the SFTP session. Details
No
User self password changeSFTPPlus users can change passwords through enabled self-service methods. Cloud FTP users use SSH keys rather than passwords. Details
Yes
Storage outside Google Cloud StorageSFTPPlus can store files on local disks or mounted network filesystems. Cloud FTP provides access to Cloud Storage buckets. Details
Yes
File size limitSFTPPlus has no product-imposed file size cap; storage, protocol, and administrator limits still apply. Cloud FTP has a fixed 750 GB limit per transfer. Details
No product cap
Non-container storageStore data on block storage or other methods without requiring a dedicated container.
Yes
Concurrent sessions per serverSFTPPlus does not impose a licence cap; actual capacity depends on resources and configuration. Cloud FTP has a fixed limit of 500 concurrent sessions per server. Details
Unlimited

High availability and audit

Server ReplicationThe two-VM SFTPPlus option includes a cluster controller licence for configuration synchronization. Shared file storage and a load balancer are separate infrastructure. Google operates the Cloud FTP endpoint without customer-managed replica configuration. Details
Yes
Provider-managed server maintenanceGoogle maintains Cloud FTP infrastructure and recommends client retries for connections interrupted by upgrades. SFTPPlus deployments require your team to install updates and maintain the hosts.
No
Detailed LogsSFTPPlus records transfers, authentication, and administrative activity. Google documents Cloud FTP administration audit logs and Cloud Storage audit logs for the underlying file operations; configure the required Data Access logging. Details
Yes
SQL Database CaptureSFTPPlus can retain audit activity in SQLite. Cloud FTP logs use Cloud Logging; capture in a SQL database requires a separate export or integration. Details
Yes

Support

Phone & EmailSFTPPlus standard support includes phone and email assistance. Google Basic Support covers billing and self-service resources; technical assistance requires a paid Customer Care plan. Details
Yes
On-call supportSFTPPlus standard support includes two scheduled out-of-hours events per year. Google offers Planned Event Support as an additional service for eligible support plans. Details
Yes
24/7/365 Severity 1 SupportContinuous critical-incident coverage requires extended SFTPPlus support. Google Enhanced and Premium Support include 24/7 responses for high- and critical-impact issues. Details
Extended support
Remote support and troubleshootingSFTPPlus offers remote troubleshooting sessions. Google technical troubleshooting is available through its paid support plans. Details
Yes
Onboarding and configuration assistanceSFTPPlus standard support provides installation and configuration advice where practical; substantial implementation work is consultancy. Google assistance depends on the Customer Care plan and any advisory services purchased. Details
Yes
Migration supportSFTPPlus support can advise on moving deployments, with substantial migration work quoted as consultancy. Google migration assistance depends on the support or consulting engagement. Details
Yes

Google Cloud FTP

First year
$2,628 + usage
Following years
$2,628 + usage

Licensing

Hosting cost (already included in estimate)Annual Google Cloud hosting in Iowa (us-central1), using Linux E2 custom VMs with 2 vCPUs, 4 GB RAM, a 50 GB balanced Persistent Disk, and a public IPv4 address per VM. The two-VM estimate includes a load balancer. Shared file storage and usage charges are extra. Hosting is paid separately to Google and is already included in the header totals. Details
Included in endpoint charge
PerpetualSFTPPlus MFT has a perpetual production licence. Cloud FTP is billed for server uptime and data transferred. Details
No
Licence portabilityMove an existing SFTPPlus licence between Google Cloud, other clouds, and your own servers. Cloud FTP is a Google Cloud service. Details
No
Included non-production instancesSFTPPlus includes development, pre-production, and cold disaster recovery licences. Cloud FTP pricing does not list a separate free testing endpoint allowance. Details
No
Product data transfer chargeSFTPPlus has no software fee per GB. Cloud FTP charges $0.04 per GB for both uploads and downloads, in addition to $0.30 per server hour. Storage and network charges can apply to either deployment. Details
$0.04 per GB

Runtime and deployment

Software as a ServiceGoogle operates Cloud FTP. With SFTPPlus, your team manages the server software and its host infrastructure. Details
Yes
Windows ServerInstall SFTPPlus on Windows Server. Cloud FTP has no server software to install on your Windows machines, though Windows SFTP clients can connect to it. Details
No
Linux, Docker & KubernetesDeploy SFTPPlus on Linux, in Docker, or in Kubernetes. Cloud FTP runs as a managed Google service. Details
No
Any cloud deploymentSFTPPlus runs on Google Cloud, Azure, AWS, and your own infrastructure. Cloud FTP runs within Google Cloud. Details
No
Migration to another cloud or on-premiseReuse the SFTPPlus configuration, including application users, services, and automation, after updating paths and external connections. Moving away from Cloud FTP requires another SFTP service and new service-specific configuration. Details
No

File transfer protocols

Multiple protocols on one serverSFTPPlus provides SFTP, SCP, FTP, FTPS, HTTPS, AS2, and WebDAV services in one installation. Cloud FTP provides an SFTP endpoint. Details
No
SFTPAccept encrypted file transfers from standard SFTP clients over SSH. Details
Yes
FTPAccept legacy FTP connections. Despite its name, Cloud FTP documents SFTP access, without an FTP endpoint. Details
No
FTP with TLS/SSL (FTPS)Accept FTP connections protected by TLS. Cloud FTP provides SSH-based SFTP access, without an FTPS endpoint. Details
No
End-user HTTP/S Web ClientSFTPPlus includes a browser file client for transfer users. Google's Cloud Storage console is a separate tool with its own IAM access requirements, not a web client for Cloud FTP users. Details
No
AS2The SFTPPlus server licence receives AS2 messages. Sending AS2 messages requires a client licence. Cloud FTP does not provide AS2. Details
No
WebDAVProvide file access over WebDAV. This protocol is not part of the Cloud FTP endpoint. Details
No
Native Google Cloud Storage integrationCloud FTP reads and writes bucket objects directly. SFTPPlus lists a native Google Cloud Storage connector on its roadmap; an operating system mount is an external integration. Details
Yes
Outgoing SFTP, FTPS, and HTTPS transfersA SFTPPlus client licence adds scheduled uploads, downloads, and retries against remote servers. Cloud FTP accepts transfers initiated by external clients. Details
No
Azure Blob, Azure Files, and SharePoint connectorsSFTPPlus client locations can transfer files through these services' APIs. Cloud FTP's storage backend is Google Cloud Storage. Details
No

Administration and integration

Dedicated Web administrationSFTPPlus includes a dedicated Web Manager. Details
no (requires cloud console)
Command-line administrationSFTPPlus includes admin-shell. Google provides gcloud storage ftp commands, currently documented under the alpha command group even though Cloud FTP is generally available. Details
Yes
Configuration formatSFTPPlus stores its configuration in an INI file. Details
Google Cloud API resources
HTTP Control APISFTPPlus offers a JSON-RPC administration API. Cloud FTP provides a REST API for server and user management. Details
Yes

Automation

Event SupportSFTPPlus event handlers react to transfer activity. Cloud Storage can publish object events to Pub/Sub for separately configured consumers. Details
Via Cloud Storage and Pub/Sub
Email NotificationSFTPPlus event handlers send email alerts. Cloud FTP has no built-in email workflow; a separate notification service can process storage events or logs. Details
No
Folder Automation EventsSFTPPlus can monitor local folders and trigger actions. Cloud FTP does not monitor your local folders; Cloud Storage events can trigger external processing of bucket objects. Details
No
PGP encryption and validationSFTPPlus encrypts, decrypts, signs, and verifies OpenPGP files internally. Details
No

Security and identity

SSH public-key authenticationBoth products accept SSH public keys. Cloud FTP permits up to ten public keys per user. Details
Yes
SFTP password authenticationSFTPPlus accepts passwords as well as SSH keys. Cloud FTP users authenticate with public keys. Details
No
LDAP and Active DirectorySFTPPlus can authenticate transfer users against LDAP or Active Directory. Cloud FTP's documented user model uses public keys and a mapped Google service account. Details
No
Entra ID, Okta, and Google SSOSFTPPlus supports these providers for HTTPS services, including Web Client and Web Manager. Cloud FTP public-key login is distinct from Google identity authentication used to administer cloud resources. Details
no for SFTP login
RADIUSSFTPPlus can delegate transfer-user authentication to RADIUS. Cloud FTP's public-key user model has no RADIUS connector. Details
No
CRL & CA SupportSFTPPlus validates TLS client certificates using configured certificate authorities and revocation lists. Cloud FTP uses SSH public keys rather than TLS client certificates. Details
No
IP access restrictionsSFTPPlus filters source IP addresses. External Cloud FTP servers support allowed CIDR ranges. Details
Yes
Configurable SFTP login auto-banningSFTPPlus can automatically block sources after authentication failures. Google's published server configuration documents IP allowlists but does not document a comparable administrator-configurable banning policy. Details
Not documented
Per-user Google IAM storage accessCloud FTP maps each transfer user to a service account with bucket IAM permissions. SFTPPlus has no native per-user Google IAM storage delegation; access through a mounted bucket follows the mount's credentials. Details
Yes
Provider-managed SSH host keysGoogle manages Cloud FTP server host keys. With SFTPPlus, your team manages the server keys and their replacement. Details
Yes

Other features

Virtual directoriesSFTPPlus exposes selected paths within a user's home folder. Cloud FTP supports up to ten bucket or prefix mappings per user, with a flat structure for the logical directory mappings. Details
yes (limit to 10)
Users & GroupsSFTPPlus application users can inherit settings from groups. Cloud FTP configures individual SFTP users, credentials, and directory mappings; its storage permissions use service accounts and IAM. Details
Users with IAM-backed storage access
User configuration portabilityMove SFTPPlus application accounts and access rules with the deployment, including their keys and required external connections. Cloud FTP users depend on Google resources and service accounts. Details
No
Password PoliciesDefine password complexity, reuse, and expiry rules in SFTPPlus. Cloud FTP does not use SFTP passwords, so password policies do not apply to its transfer users. Details
No
File Retention PoliciesSFTPPlus can delete files according to age. Google Cloud Storage lifecycle rules can delete or change the storage class of bucket objects independently of Cloud FTP. Details
yes (via Cloud Storage lifecycle rules)
Ad Hoc File SharingPublic sharing links are on the SFTPPlus roadmap. Google Cloud Storage tools can create expiring HTTPS signed URLs for uploaded objects, outside the SFTP session. Details
yes (via external tools)
User self password changeSFTPPlus users can change passwords through enabled self-service methods. Cloud FTP users use SSH keys rather than passwords. Details
No
Storage outside Google Cloud StorageSFTPPlus can store files on local disks or mounted network filesystems. Cloud FTP provides access to Cloud Storage buckets. Details
No
File size limitSFTPPlus has no product-imposed file size cap; storage, protocol, and administrator limits still apply. Cloud FTP has a fixed 750 GB limit per transfer. Details
750 GB
Non-container storageStore data on block storage or other methods without requiring a dedicated container.
No
Concurrent sessions per serverSFTPPlus does not impose a licence cap; actual capacity depends on resources and configuration. Cloud FTP has a fixed limit of 500 concurrent sessions per server. Details
500

High availability and audit

Server ReplicationThe two-VM SFTPPlus option includes a cluster controller licence for configuration synchronization. Shared file storage and a load balancer are separate infrastructure. Google operates the Cloud FTP endpoint without customer-managed replica configuration. Details
Yes
Provider-managed server maintenanceGoogle maintains Cloud FTP infrastructure and recommends client retries for connections interrupted by upgrades. SFTPPlus deployments require your team to install updates and maintain the hosts.
Yes
Detailed LogsSFTPPlus records transfers, authentication, and administrative activity. Google documents Cloud FTP administration audit logs and Cloud Storage audit logs for the underlying file operations; configure the required Data Access logging. Details
no (only via external Cloud Audit)
SQL Database CaptureSFTPPlus can retain audit activity in SQLite. Cloud FTP logs use Cloud Logging; capture in a SQL database requires a separate export or integration. Details
No

Support

Phone & EmailSFTPPlus standard support includes phone and email assistance. Google Basic Support covers billing and self-service resources; technical assistance requires a paid Customer Care plan. Details
Additional paid support plan
On-call supportSFTPPlus standard support includes two scheduled out-of-hours events per year. Google offers Planned Event Support as an additional service for eligible support plans. Details
Additional paid support plan
24/7/365 Severity 1 SupportContinuous critical-incident coverage requires extended SFTPPlus support. Google Enhanced and Premium Support include 24/7 responses for high- and critical-impact issues. Details
Enhanced or Premium Support
Remote support and troubleshootingSFTPPlus offers remote troubleshooting sessions. Google technical troubleshooting is available through its paid support plans. Details
Additional paid support plan
Onboarding and configuration assistanceSFTPPlus standard support provides installation and configuration advice where practical; substantial implementation work is consultancy. Google assistance depends on the Customer Care plan and any advisory services purchased. Details
Additional paid support plan
Migration supportSFTPPlus support can advise on moving deployments, with substantial migration work quoted as consultancy. Google migration assistance depends on the support or consulting engagement. Details
Additional paid support plan

Features and USD prices checked on 8 September 2026. See Comparison criteria for pricing assumptions and the scope of each feature. Contact us and we will update the page.

Comparison criteria ​

SFTPPlus figures include software licences, standard support, and one year of estimated hosting with 2 vCPUs, 4 GB RAM, and 50 GB storage per VM. Google figures cover a continuously running endpoint, with transfer usage, storage, and technical support extra.

Hosting assumes 8,760 hours per year at on-demand Linux rates in Iowa (us-central1), with no commitment or Spot discount. Each e2-custom-2-4096 VM has 2 vCPUs, 4 GB RAM, and a 50 GB balanced Persistent Disk.

Why choose SFTPPlus MFT over Google Cloud FTP? ​

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 Google Cloud Console, so you can operate the file transfer solution without requiring full cloud administration access.

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.

SFTPPlus MFT suits workflows that need several transfer protocols, existing user directories, or built-in file processing. Partners can use SFTP, FTPS, HTTPS, or AS2 while your team manages users and services through Web Manager. Event handlers can send notifications, dispatch files, or run OpenPGP processing after a transfer.

You can deploy on Google Cloud and later move to another cloud or your own servers using the same licence and configuration format. Your team remains responsible for hosting, updates, capacity planning, and availability. SFTPPlus has no product fee per GB and no licence limit on file size or concurrent connections, although infrastructure and configuration still limit actual capacity.

Why choose Google Cloud FTP over SFTPPlus MFT? ​

Google Cloud FTP suits teams that need simple SFTP access directly to Cloud Storage. Google operates the server and manages its SSH host keys.

SFTPPlus currently lists native Cloud Storage access on its roadmap; the existing GKE deployment example uses a filesystem mount.

Google Cloud FTP provides internal endpoints using Private Service Connect. These features suit environments already organized around Google Cloud storage and access policies.

There is no upfront Cloud FTP licence purchase, and stopping the endpoint between transfer windows can reduce uptime charges.