SFTPPlus MFT Server vs MOVEit Transfer
This comparison covers the SFTPPlus MFT server licence and self-managed MOVEit Transfer.
SFTPPlus MFT Server
- First year
- $2,375
- Following years
- $475
Licensing
- Perpetual licenceThe cost model assumes a perpetual software purchase with an annual support renewal. Confirm the term offered in the MOVEit quote. Details
- Yes
- Included cold disaster recovery instanceSFTPPlus MFT includes a cold recovery instance. The MOVEit bundle used for this estimate includes disaster recovery. Details
- Yes
- Development and testing instancesSFTPPlus MFT includes development and pre-production use. Confirm separate non-production rights in a MOVEit quote. Details
- Yes
- Unlimited file transfer usersSFTPPlus MFT has no user licence cap. MOVEit Transfer licences can specify a user band, including an unlimited band. Details
- Yes
Runtime and deployment
- Windows ServerRun the file transfer service on Windows Server. Details
- Yes
- Linux, Docker, and KubernetesRun the server on Linux or in Linux containers. MOVEit Transfer requires Windows Server. Details
- Yes
- MacOSRun the server application on macOS, rather than just connect from a Mac client. Details
- Yes
- Self-managed cloud deploymentInstall the application on your own cloud virtual machines. Details
- Yes
- No external database or IIS requirementSFTPPlus MFT includes its web service and configuration storage. MOVEit Transfer uses IIS and a supported SQL database. Details
- Yes
File transfer protocols
- FTPAccept connections from legacy clients using plain FTP, when enabled by the administrator. Details
- Yes
- FTPSAccept FTP connections secured with TLS. Details
- Yes
- SFTPAccept file transfers over SSH. Details
- Yes
- Legacy SCP protocolAccept the original SCP wire protocol. MOVEit supports SFTP and the SFTP-based SCP2 client, but rejects legacy SCP sessions. Details
- Yes
- HTTPS web clientUpload, download, and manage files from a browser. Details
- Yes
- AS2 receive and processSFTPPlus MFT Server receives AS2 messages and returns delivery receipts. MOVEit Transfer stores incoming AS2 messages, but requires separately licensed MOVEit Automation to process them. Details
- Yes
- WebDAV serverExpose files through the WebDAV protocol over HTTP or HTTPS. Details
- Yes
- Azure Blob as the server filestoreMOVEit Transfer can store its managed files in Azure Blob. The SFTPPlus MFT server licence uses filesystem storage; its client licence can transfer files to Azure Blob but does not expose it as a server filestore. Details
- No
Administration and integration
- Web administrationManage users, access rules, and file transfer settings from a browser. Details
- Yes
- Command-line administrationSFTPPlus MFT provides admin-shell. Details
- Yes
- Complete configuration in one readable text fileSFTPPlus MFT keeps configuration in an INI file. MOVEit Transfer uses database settings and its configuration utility. Details
- Yes
- HTTP APIIntegrate file operations and administration with other applications. SFTPPlus MFT uses HTTP file APIs and JSON-RPC administration; MOVEit API access is a licence option. Details
- Yes
Automation
- File activity email notificationsNotify people when relevant file activity occurs. Details
- Yes
- Custom actions on transfer eventsSFTPPlus MFT can run commands, rename files, and call webhooks through event handlers. Equivalent custom workflow processing requires MOVEit Automation. Details
- Yes
- PGP encryption and signature processingProcess OpenPGP files after upload or download. MOVEit Transfer's encrypted filestore is a separate capability from PGP processing. Details
- Yes
Security and identity
- LDAP and Active DirectoryAuthenticate users through an existing directory. Details
- Yes
- OpenID Connect SSOUse providers such as Entra ID and Okta for browser sign-in. MOVEit added OpenID Connect support in version 2025.1. Details
- Yes
- SAML SSOMOVEit Transfer supports SAML identity providers. SFTPPlus MFT uses OpenID Connect for browser SSO. Details
- No
- RADIUS authenticationAuthenticate through an existing RADIUS service. Details
- Yes
- SSH public key and TLS client certificate authenticationAuthenticate supported file transfer clients using keys or certificates. Details
- Yes
- Multi-factor authenticationRequire an additional factor for supported interactive logins, including authenticator app codes. Details
- Yes
- Transparent storage encryptionMOVEit Transfer encrypts its managed filestore and decrypts files for authorized access. SFTPPlus MFT supports PGP file processing, but has no equivalent encrypted storage backend. Details
- No
Other features
- Users, groups, and folder permissionsGive each user or group access to the files they need. Details
- Yes
- File retention policiesAutomatically remove files when their configured retention period ends. Details
- Yes
- Ad hoc file sharingSend files as secure packages to recipients without creating permanent accounts for them. MOVEit's Ad Hoc Transfer feature is a licence option. Details
- No
- Multi-tenant operationMOVEit can separate organizations, their administrators, and policies within one installation. SFTPPlus MFT provides users and groups, without an equivalent organization hierarchy. Details
- No
High availability and audit
- Multiple active server nodesSFTPPlus MFT uses a cluster licence and an external load balancer. MOVEit Transfer supports a separately licensed web farm. Details
- Cluster licence
- File and administrator activity logsRecord file operations and administrative changes for troubleshooting and audit review. Details
- Yes
- Cryptographically chained audit recordsMOVEit Transfer detects changes to its audit records with a chain of hashes. SFTPPlus MFT can send logs to external audit systems, but does not provide this built-in tamper check. Details
- No
- Built-in transfer reportsMOVEit provides predefined and customizable reports. SFTPPlus MFT provides searchable logs and configurable event reports, without an equivalent report designer. Details
- Logs and event reports
Support
- Phone and email supportAvailable with the relevant support contract. Details
- Yes
- Updates with active maintenanceReceive supported product updates while the applicable maintenance agreement remains active. Details
- Yes
- Extended support coverageSFTPPlus MFT offers extended coverage separately. MOVEit offers Extended and Mission Critical support plans beyond its standard business-hours support. Details
- Add-on
- Implementation and training servicesBoth vendors offer assistance for deployment projects and administrator training. Details
- Add-on
MOVEit Transfer
- First year
- ~$10,400
- Following years
- ~$2,100
Licensing
- Perpetual licenceThe cost model assumes a perpetual software purchase with an annual support renewal. Confirm the term offered in the MOVEit quote. Details
- Yes
- Included cold disaster recovery instanceSFTPPlus MFT includes a cold recovery instance. The MOVEit bundle used for this estimate includes disaster recovery. Details
- Yes
- Development and testing instancesSFTPPlus MFT includes development and pre-production use. Confirm separate non-production rights in a MOVEit quote. Details
- Separate licence
- Unlimited file transfer usersSFTPPlus MFT has no user licence cap. MOVEit Transfer licences can specify a user band, including an unlimited band. Details
- Depends on user band
Runtime and deployment
- Windows ServerRun the file transfer service on Windows Server. Details
- Yes
- Linux, Docker, and KubernetesRun the server on Linux or in Linux containers. MOVEit Transfer requires Windows Server. Details
- No
- MacOSRun the server application on macOS, rather than just connect from a Mac client. Details
- No
- Self-managed cloud deploymentInstall the application on your own cloud virtual machines. Details
- Yes
- No external database or IIS requirementSFTPPlus MFT includes its web service and configuration storage. MOVEit Transfer uses IIS and a supported SQL database. Details
- No
File transfer protocols
- FTPAccept connections from legacy clients using plain FTP, when enabled by the administrator. Details
- Yes
- FTPSAccept FTP connections secured with TLS. Details
- Yes
- SFTPAccept file transfers over SSH. Details
- Yes
- Legacy SCP protocolAccept the original SCP wire protocol. MOVEit supports SFTP and the SFTP-based SCP2 client, but rejects legacy SCP sessions. Details
- No
- HTTPS web clientUpload, download, and manage files from a browser. Details
- Yes
- AS2 receive and processSFTPPlus MFT Server receives AS2 messages and returns delivery receipts. MOVEit Transfer stores incoming AS2 messages, but requires separately licensed MOVEit Automation to process them. Details
- no (requires separate Automation product)
- WebDAV serverExpose files through the WebDAV protocol over HTTP or HTTPS. Details
- No
- Azure Blob as the server filestoreMOVEit Transfer can store its managed files in Azure Blob. The SFTPPlus MFT server licence uses filesystem storage; its client licence can transfer files to Azure Blob but does not expose it as a server filestore. Details
- Yes
Administration and integration
- Web administrationManage users, access rules, and file transfer settings from a browser. Details
- Yes
- Command-line administrationSFTPPlus MFT provides admin-shell. Details
- No
- Complete configuration in one readable text fileSFTPPlus MFT keeps configuration in an INI file. MOVEit Transfer uses database settings and its configuration utility. Details
- No
- HTTP APIIntegrate file operations and administration with other applications. SFTPPlus MFT uses HTTP file APIs and JSON-RPC administration; MOVEit API access is a licence option. Details
- API option
Automation
- File activity email notificationsNotify people when relevant file activity occurs. Details
- Yes
- Custom actions on transfer eventsSFTPPlus MFT can run commands, rename files, and call webhooks through event handlers. Equivalent custom workflow processing requires MOVEit Automation. Details
- no (requires Automation)
- PGP encryption and signature processingProcess OpenPGP files after upload or download. MOVEit Transfer's encrypted filestore is a separate capability from PGP processing. Details
- no (requires Automation)
Security and identity
- LDAP and Active DirectoryAuthenticate users through an existing directory. Details
- Yes
- OpenID Connect SSOUse providers such as Entra ID and Okta for browser sign-in. MOVEit added OpenID Connect support in version 2025.1. Details
- Yes
- SAML SSOMOVEit Transfer supports SAML identity providers. SFTPPlus MFT uses OpenID Connect for browser SSO. Details
- Yes
- RADIUS authenticationAuthenticate through an existing RADIUS service. Details
- Yes
- SSH public key and TLS client certificate authenticationAuthenticate supported file transfer clients using keys or certificates. Details
- Yes
- Multi-factor authenticationRequire an additional factor for supported interactive logins, including authenticator app codes. Details
- Yes
- Transparent storage encryptionMOVEit Transfer encrypts its managed filestore and decrypts files for authorized access. SFTPPlus MFT supports PGP file processing, but has no equivalent encrypted storage backend. Details
- Yes
Other features
- Users, groups, and folder permissionsGive each user or group access to the files they need. Details
- Yes
- File retention policiesAutomatically remove files when their configured retention period ends. Details
- Yes
- Ad hoc file sharingSend files as secure packages to recipients without creating permanent accounts for them. MOVEit's Ad Hoc Transfer feature is a licence option. Details
- no (available as separate licence)
- Multi-tenant operationMOVEit can separate organizations, their administrators, and policies within one installation. SFTPPlus MFT provides users and groups, without an equivalent organization hierarchy. Details
- no (available as separate licence)
High availability and audit
- Multiple active server nodesSFTPPlus MFT uses a cluster licence and an external load balancer. MOVEit Transfer supports a separately licensed web farm. Details
- Web farm option
- File and administrator activity logsRecord file operations and administrative changes for troubleshooting and audit review. Details
- Yes
- Cryptographically chained audit recordsMOVEit Transfer detects changes to its audit records with a chain of hashes. SFTPPlus MFT can send logs to external audit systems, but does not provide this built-in tamper check. Details
- Yes
- Built-in transfer reportsMOVEit provides predefined and customizable reports. SFTPPlus MFT provides searchable logs and configurable event reports, without an equivalent report designer. Details
- Yes
Support
- Phone and email supportAvailable with the relevant support contract. Details
- Yes
- Updates with active maintenanceReceive supported product updates while the applicable maintenance agreement remains active. Details
- Yes
- Extended support coverageSFTPPlus MFT offers extended coverage separately. MOVEit offers Extended and Mission Critical support plans beyond its standard business-hours support. Details
- Add-on
- Implementation and training servicesBoth vendors offer assistance for deployment projects and administrator training. Details
- Add-on
Comparison criteria
MOVEit pricing is a budgeting estimate for one server with disaster recovery and an allowance for standard support. Separately licensed options are identified for each row.
This comparison covers software that accepts connections from file transfer clients, using the SFTPPlus MFT server licence and self-managed MOVEit Transfer. For scheduled transfers initiated by your system, see SFTPPlus MFT Client vs MOVEit Automation.
The MOVEit estimate starts with SHI's MOVEit Transfer with Disaster Recovery listing. The listed licence price is $8,330. We allow 25% of that price for annual support, giving rounded estimates of $10,400 for the first year and $2,100 for renewal.
The SFTPPlus MFT first-year price includes a $1,900 licence and $475 standard support.
Why choose SFTPPlus MFT
SFTPPlus MFT is a better fit when your server needs to run on Linux, macOS, or Kubernetes. It also runs on Windows without requiring IIS or an external configuration database. The INI configuration makes changes easy to review and reuse in automated deployments.
The server licence includes AS2 reception, WebDAV, and PGP processing. For example, an incoming SFTP upload can trigger signature verification and a webhook to a business application through event handlers. You do not need the client licence for those server event actions.
Published prices and the absence of user licence limits make costs easier to plan as partners are added. Development, pre-production, and cold recovery instances are included. Central configuration management and configuration variants are available with a separate cluster licence.
When MOVEit Transfer is a better fit
MOVEit Transfer offers an encrypted filestore and cryptographic checks on its audit log. These are useful when stored files must be encrypted by the application or administrators need a built-in way to detect audit record changes. SFTPPlus MFT PGP processing protects individual files, but does not provide the same transparent storage encryption or audit hash chain.
MOVEit's optional Ad Hoc Transfer and organization support suit deployments where people send packages to occasional recipients or several departments need separate administration. Its reporting tools and optional Gateway can also reduce the amount of surrounding software a team needs to integrate. These capabilities should be assessed alongside their licence costs.
Evidence and updates
Feature references include the MOVEit Transfer overview and licence options. The MOVEit API documentation explains API and command-line licensing. Features were checked on 13 September 2026. Please contact us if an edition or licence change affects this comparison.