Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

WinSCP VS rsync

Compare WinSCP VS rsync and see what are their differences

WinSCP logo WinSCP

WinSCP is an open source free SFTP client and FTP client for Windows.

rsync logo rsync

rsync is a file transfer program for Unix systems. rsync uses the "rsync algorithm" which provides a very fast method for bringing remote files into sync.
  • WinSCP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-12
  • rsync Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-31

WinSCP features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    WinSCP offers an intuitive graphical interface that makes it easy for users of all skill levels to navigate and perform file transfers.
  • Supports Multiple Protocols
    WinSCP supports a variety of protocols including SFTP, FTP, FTPS, SCP, and WebDAV, making it versatile for different use cases.
  • Free and Open-Source
    WinSCP is free to use and open-source under the GNU General Public License, which enables transparency and community-driven development.
  • Integration with Windows
    The software integrates well with the Windows operating system, offering features like drag-and-drop file transfer, and context menu integration.
  • Automation Capabilities
    With support for scripting and task automation, WinSCP allows for automated file transfers and operations, increasing productivity.
  • Portable Version Available
    A portable version of WinSCP is available, allowing users to use the software without installation, useful for on-the-go scenarios.

Possible disadvantages of WinSCP

  • Limited to Windows
    WinSCP is a Windows-only application, which limits its usability for users on other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
  • Complexity for Advanced Tasks
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, performing advanced tasks can be complex and may require a learning curve.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Some users have reported occasional crashes or stability issues, especially when dealing with large file transfers.
  • No Built-in Scheduler
    Unlike some other FTP clients, WinSCP does not come with a built-in scheduler for automated transfers, requiring external solutions or scripting.
  • Limited Support for Cloud Storage Services
    WinSCP has limited native support for modern cloud storage services, which may be a drawback for users who rely on those platforms.
  • Command Line Interface Can Be Intimidating
    While powerful, the command line interface can be intimidating for users who are not familiar with terminal commands.

rsync features and specs

  • Efficient Data Transfer
    Rsync uses a delta-transfer algorithm which allows it to update files by only sending the differences between the source and destination, greatly reducing the amount of data transferred.
  • Bandwidth Throttling
    Rsync provides an option to limit the bandwidth used during the transfer, helping to manage network resources and avoid congestion.
  • Compression
    Rsync supports compression of data during transfer, which can further reduce the amount of data sent over the network.
  • Secure Transfer
    Rsync can utilize SSH for secure data transfer, adding a layer of encryption to protect data as it moves between systems.
  • Versatile
    Rsync can be used for a variety of tasks such as backups, mirroring, and synchronization, making it a versatile tool for different data management needs.
  • Preserves File Attributes
    Rsync preserves file permissions, timestamps, ownerships, and symbolic links during the transfer, ensuring that all file attributes remain intact.
  • Widely Supported
    Rsync is available on most Unix-like operating systems and there are ports available for Windows, making it accessible across different platforms.
  • Open Source
    Rsync is free and open-source software, allowing anyone to use, modify, and distribute it without licensing fees.

Possible disadvantages of rsync

  • Complex Syntax
    The rsync command line options can be complex and difficult to master, especially for users who are not familiar with command-line interfaces.
  • Initial Setup
    Setting up rsync for the first time can be cumbersome, particularly when dealing with SSH keys, excluding files, and setting up cron jobs for automation.
  • Resource Intensive
    During large data transfers, rsync can be resource-intensive, consuming a considerable amount of CPU and RAM, which might affect system performance.
  • Limited Incremental Backup Support
    Rsync's incremental backup feature is somewhat limited and less sophisticated compared to dedicated backup solutions, requiring additional scripting for effective implementation.
  • Remote File System Compatibility
    Rsync may encounter issues with certain remote file systems that have different characteristics or limitations, such as differing maximum file path lengths or unsupported special characters.
  • No Native GUI
    Rsync does not have a native graphical user interface (GUI), which may make it less accessible to users who prefer or require a visual interaction.
  • No Built-in Scheduling
    Rsync lacks built-in scheduling capabilities, necessitating the use of external tools like cron (Linux/Unix) or Task Scheduler (Windows) to automate scheduled tasks.

Analysis of WinSCP

Overall verdict

  • Overall, WinSCP is a highly regarded file transfer application for Windows, offering strong security features, easy-to-use interface, and extensive customization options, making it a top choice for users needing reliable file transfers.

Why this product is good

  • WinSCP is considered a good software due to its robust set of features that cater to both beginners and advanced users. It allows for secure file transfer via protocols like SFTP, SCP, and FTP. The graphical user interface is user-friendly and similar in style to Windows Explorer, making it intuitive to navigate. Additionally, it supports scripting and task automation for more advanced use cases. WinSCP is widely praised for its reliability, security features, and versatility in handling different file transfer needs.

Recommended for

    WinSCP is recommended for IT professionals, web developers, and system administrators who need a reliable and secure tool for transferring files. It's also suitable for individual users who prefer a free, open-source solution for their file transfer needs.

WinSCP videos

WinSCP review

More videos:

  • Review - WinSCP 5.1 - review by SoftPlanet
  • Review - Review hosting - webhostingpad - SFTP WinSCP FTP Client

rsync videos

Rsync Backup on Linux

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Properly Use Cloud Storage | Rsync Encrypt Tutorial
  • Review - Setup OpenMediaVault 5.0 beta NAS on Raspberry Pi 4: RPi4 NAS + Configure RSync with x2 shares OMV5

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to WinSCP and rsync)
FTP Client
100 100%
0% 0
File Sharing And Backup
0 0%
100% 100
File Transfer
100 100%
0% 0
File Sharing
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare WinSCP and rsync

WinSCP Reviews

10 Best PuTTY Alternatives To Try in 2024
If you’re on a Windows computer and want a safe way to transfer files, WinSCP is a great choice.
10 Best PuTTY Alternatives for SSH Remote Connection
The WinSCP is a Windows-based file transfer utility that allows free connecting and transfer of files remotely between Windows and Linux devices. The utility tool is an open-source product using the exclusive SCP protocol.
Source: www.tecmint.com
Top 12 BEST SSH Clients For Windows – Free PuTTY Alternatives
WinSCP is used for file transfers. It provides basic file manager functionality. It has scripting capabilities. This SFTP client and FTP client provide functionalities for copying a file between a local computer and remote servers. It makes use of FTP, FTPS, SCP, SFTP, WebDAV or S3 file transfer protocols.
10 Best FTP Clients for WordPress Users (Mac and Windows)
WinSCP isn’t an option for Mac or Linux users. It makes sense for those who want a strictly Windows-based FTP client. We like it mostly for the simplicity of the interface. If you only want the basic necessities, WinSCP looks like a good option for you.
Source: kinsta.com
7 Best FileZilla Alternatives to Use in 2022
WinSCP is one of the popular and best FTP Client used for Windows. To update files via a remote computer, use the SFTP via SSH client or as an FTP. There are command-line capabilities, an internal text editor to update the files remotely.
Source: techdator.net

rsync Reviews

Linux File Backup - 5 Best Softeware for Linux Desktop and Server
Rsync(secured URL: https://linux.die.net/man/1/rsync) is a famous software among Linux desktop users since it offers command-line system backup services. Besides featuring incremental backups, you can update the complete file directory tree inside the system. Even it is possible to protect file ownership, permissions, links, etc.
Source: www.easeus.com
The Best Free Backup Software and Why it is Difficult to Find One
Rsync is the very definition of bare-bones backup software. It is a backup tool that is made for Unix systems with the ability to operate it both via the graphic interface and the command line. It allows for its users to perform local and remote backups on multiple devices, including incremental backups. Rsync also has the capability to sync systems across the internet with...
Source: www.bacula.org
The Top 17 Free and Open Source Backup Solutions
Rsync is a command line Linux backup tool, but it also offers a graphical user interface. With this software, IT administrators are able to perform incremental backups, as well as local and remote backups. Rsync enables users to update their whole directory tree and file system. The solution is built for UNIX-like systems, and is recommended to users looking to locally back...
11 Best Linux Backup Solutions
Rsync is another feature-rich backup solution available for Linux. It allows for incremental backups, update whole directory tree and file system, both local and remote backups, preserve file permissions, ownership, links, privileges, automated scripts and much more. Rsync is a command-line tool but there GUI or frontends such as Grsync available. Rsync is very popular in...
25 Outstanding Backup Utilities for Linux Systems in 2020
It also has a graphical user interface called Grsync but one advantage with the rsync is that backups can be automated using scripts and cron jobs when used by experienced System Administrators on the command line.
Source: www.tecmint.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, WinSCP should be more popular than rsync. It has been mentiond 63 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

WinSCP mentions (63)

  • Microsoft CTO: "Thoughts on OpenAI" (2019)
    > I don't know a single techie person who uses Windows (other than for gaming) I'd say that Windows actually has some nice software, like MobaXTerm: https://mobaxterm.mobatek.net/ which in my eyes is better than Remmina or pretty much anything I've found on nix, short of just running the same thing on Wine. WinSCP is also pretty cool, albeit nothing particularly special: https://winscp.net/eng/index.php PowerToys... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • How to Setup a Minecraft Server on Ubuntu: A Step-by-Step Guide
    You may choose to download the files locally and then upload them to your server using another client like WinSCP or FileZilla, but the simplest way would be to use wget with the download link as below:. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Beyond WinSCP: Updating Servers with C# and DevExpress in DevOps🚀
    In this article, we will explore a DevOps approach that goes beyond conventional file transfer tools like WinSCP. Check here for how to set up WinSCP. Our focus will be on leveraging the capabilities of C# and the DevExpress Framework to not only update servers efficiently but also to orchestrate a seamless and automated deployment process. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Best secure and encrypted cloud service?
    For a secure cloud storage setup, I use Cryptomator, accessible at https://cryptomator.org/, on my Android device, and Mountain Duck, available at https://mountainduck.io/, on my desktop. This configuration enables me to choose my own storage provider on a pay-as-you-go basis. My preferred storage provider is S3, mainly because it facilitates easy backup of cloud files on my NAS or via tools such as WinSCP, which... Source: about 2 years ago
  • I made a miyoogamelist and image exporter for Launchbox
    Download and install [Python](https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.6.3/python-3.6.3.exe) Choose All Users and add it to your Path Open cmd, and type 'pip install Pillow' Download the attached file and edit it accordingly (specify your LaunchBox folder, desired output folder and platforms) Run 'python launchbox\_retropie\_export.py' Transfer the files to your Pi using... Source: about 2 years ago
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rsync mentions (15)

  • Down the Rabbit Hole of creating a Home Lab
    Rsync - Fast file copying and syncing. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Researchers have identified a total of 6 vulnerabilities in rsync
    Does this apply to the GPL or BSD codebase? There are (now) two rsync codebases. GPL: https://rsync.samba.org/ BSD: https://www.openrsync.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Which synchronization tool are you using together with the pCloud Crypto Folder?
    Rsync can be used to synchronize a local disk to the pCloud drive p. Works similarly as the Sync option of the pCloud Drive app. May be useful if one prefers a bulk upload once a day over a continuous synchronization. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Advanced Backup and Disaster Recovery Strategies
    Tools that can be used to handle this include Rsync, Duplicati, Cohesity. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Use rsync to Sync a Node Project to Dropbox and Ignore the node modules Folder
    To overcome this issue, you can use rsync, a powerful command-line tool for synchronizing files and directories, along with a bash script that excludes the node_modules folder and also filter out anything in a .gitignore file that you specify. In this article, I'll guide you through the process of setting up and using this bash script to sync your Node.js project while ignoring the node_modules folder. - Source: dev.to / about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing WinSCP and rsync, you can also consider the following products

FileZilla - FileZilla is an FTP, or file transfer protocol, client. It lets individuals transfer single files or batches to a web server. For many years, FTP was the standard for website design. Read more about FileZilla.

Duplicati - Free backup software to store backups online with strong encryption. Works with FTP, SSH, WebDAV, OneDrive, Amazon S3, Google Drive and many others.

Cyberduck - A libre FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Backblaze B2, Azure & OpenStack Swift browser.

FreeFileSync - FreeFileSync is a free open source data backup software that helps you synchronize files and folders on Windows, Linux and macOS.

Forklift - The most advanced dual pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS.

GoodSync - GoodSync provides highly reliable file backup and synchronization for both individuals and businesses.

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