The Top 10 Managed File Transfer Solutions

JSCAPE by Redwood is a secure, compliant managed file transfer (MFT) solution that supports any platform, protocol, or environment. The admin console includes over 100 no-code or low-code workflow automation templates, REST APIs, and integrations to help you save time and manual effort while moving or automating files and processes. JSCAPE also provides an overview of your file transfer operations from a single, unified view, with real-time alerts and notifications to ensure any issues are quickly identified and resolved. The platform is trusted by over 1,000+ companies globally, serving both mid-market and enterprise customers. 

JSCAPE MFT Features 

• Supports any environment, including on-prem, cloud, hybrid, and SaaS
• Share/receive files of all sizes, including an Outlook integration for sharing large email attachments
• Low/no-code automation templates to reduce manual effort when developing process automations
• Supports compliance needs like HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, SOX and more
• Fast deployment, with 24/7 expert support and onboarding assistance
• Built-in integrations with Google, Microsoft, AWS, IBM, CyberArk, DropBox, and Box for cloud storage and credential vaults

Plans and pricing: Request a customized pricing quote from the JSCAPE team directly, as costs can vary depending on setup preferences (i.e., high availability, environment choice, preferred support package, etc.)

Expert Insights’ Comments: JSCAPE offers a comprehensive platform for managed file transfer services. It’s a strong solution for teams prioritizing support for all secure protocols and file teams, with no file size limitations for self-hosted environments. The platform prioritizes compliance, especially for teams in the healthcare, government, retail, and finance sectors. Pre-built automation workflows, 24/7 support, and load balancing capabilities (which ensures continual performance) are significant benefits of this platform. Overall, JSCAPE is a strong managed file transfer option to consider for teams of all sizes.

Axway is an enterprise data integration provider headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Their API management, B2B integration, and file transfer solutions help over 11,000 organizations globally to move and integrate their data across a range of technologies. Axway offers five API-powered file transfer solutions: SecureTransport, Transfer CFT, Flow Manager, Syncplicity, and Operational Intelligence. SecureTransport is their classic file transfer and data movement product.

Axway SecureTransport Features:

• Supports multiple file transfer protocols, including FTP, SFTP, FTPS, and HTTPS
• End-to-end controls and real-time visibility of data during transfer, and encryption of data at rest and in transit
• Alerts notify admins of technical or business-related issues
• Comprehensive audit trails and reporting on all transfers
• REST-API integration with existing file transfer processes and IT infrastructure, including third-party and custom-built applications
• Integration with Axway Flow Manager for self-service capabilities, with the ability for end users to create new services and subscribe partners, as well as manage file transfers
• On-premises, cloud, hybrid, and managed deployment options, with containerized deployment to minimize downtime during updates and upgrades

Plans And Pricing: Pricing is available from Axway upon request.

Expert Insights’ Comments: Axway SecureTransport offers efficient, secure file sharing, which is easy to manage via a user-friendly, central admin console. The solution can be used standalone or integrated with the other tools in Axway’s MFT suite for workflow automation, predictive analytics, and activity monitoring. Axway also offers enhanced integrations that provide app-to-app data flows. We recommend Axway SecureTransport to larger enterprises looking for a fast, secure file transfer solution.

Headquartered in California, Box is an intelligent content management platform that enables individuals and businesses to replace legacy ECM tools with modern solutions for secure collaboration, document management, content workflows, portals, and e-signatures. This listing focuses mainly on the file sharing functionality within the wider Box platform.

Box Features:

• Enables file sharing (of all file types) directly from Box or through a link sent via email, without the recipient needing a Box account
• Seven user permission levels, link expiration policies, and restriction policies
• FIPS 104-2 certified, with AES 256-bit encryption at rest and in transit
• Over 1,500 integrations with collaboration tools such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce, and Slack
• “File Request” enables users to ask co-workers and stakeholders for data
• Previews for over 120 file formats
• Compatible with desktop, laptop, iOS, and Android devices
• Centralized cloud storage with automatic syncing for version control

Plans And Pricing: Box offers four business packages. Business ($20/user/month) offers the above features, with a single file upload limit of 5GB and unlimited storage. Business Plus ($33/user/month) increases the upload limit to 15GB, adds advanced search filters, and custom data/metadata templates. Enterprise ($47/user/month) further increases the upload limit to 50 GB, is HIPAA/FedRAMP compliant, and adds content portals with Box Hubs, document watermarking, 2FA, and password policy enforcement. Enterprise Plus (custom pricing) adds an upload limit of 150 GB, along with enhanced support, AI-powered document insights, and intelligent Hubs. These prices reflect monthly billing; Box offers a 25% discount for annual billing.

Expert Insights’ Comments: The file sharing functionality within Box’s wider content management platform is highly secure and delivered via a modern, intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Besides file sharing, Box offers a wide suite of content management features backed by modern workflows, enterprise-grade AI, and unlimited storage, all of which come together to enable remote teams to collaborate easily. We recommend Box as a strong solution for any sized business looking for MFT as part of a wider suite of collaboration tools.

Citrix is a digital workspace provider, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that specializes in solutions to empower hybrid or remote work. ShareFile is Citrix’s cloud storage, file sharing, and collaboration platform, which enables businesses to store their data and share it internally and externally.

Citrix ShareFile Features:

• Compatible with desktops, laptops, and mobile devices
• AES 256-bit encryption of data at rest, TLS encryption of data in transit
• Two-factor authentication, SAML integration for single sign-on, password policies enforcement
• Customizable policies enable admins to control who can access and view data
• Complete workflow audit trails
• Secure document portal for file sharing, eliminating the need for email attachments
• Automated routing, approvals, and legally binding e-signature collection to help streamline projects in line with compliance requirements
• Remote wipe for removing data from lost or stolen devices, data expiration policies, and optional passcodes for accessing data

Plans And Pricing: ShareFile is available via three packages. Standard ($50/user/month) offers file storage, sync, and share, with a mobile app and unlimited client clusters. Advanced ($80/user/month) adds Outlook and Gmail plugins, advanced collaboration features, and advanced security. Premium ($122/user/month) adds e-signatures and custom workflows. This pricing reflects monthly billing; Citrix offers a 10% discount for annual billing.

Expert Insights’ Comments: ShareFile offers extensive in-built security functionality that makes it easier for organizations to ensure their files are reaching their intended recipients, be they internal users or external stakeholders and clients. The platform’s client authentication and e-signature support, as well as its strong encryption of data at rest and in transit, makes it suitable for any sized organization working with highly sensitive data, such as those in the legal, finance, or healthcare industries.

Headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, Cleo is a software company that specializes in B2B data communications and secure file transfer, both of which are delivered via the Cleo Integration Cloud (CIC). The Cleo Integration Cloud Managed File Transfer (CIC MFT) solution enables businesses to share data easily between internal systems and with external partners and stakeholders.

CIC MFT Features:

• Native support for 18 protocols for file transfer (inc. STP/S, HTTP/S, Cleo Jetsonic), infrastructure (AMQP, IBM MQ, and Kafka), and security (ICAP, LDAP, and SAML)
• FIPS 140-2, Drummond, and Odette certified
• System and data health monitoring—with a library of pre-built reporting templates—provide end-to-end visibility into data transfer activity
• Centralized log aggregation, incident tracking, and partner-level monitoring and alerts to notify admins of any security issues or failed transfers
• Schedule automation (including event-based scheduling) for regular transfers
• Multi-level user access with support for single sign-on via SAML or LDAP integration
• PGP and XM encryption handling

Plans And Pricing: The Cleo Integration Cloud is available via four packages: Express, for up to 25 connections; Essentials, for up to 40 connections; Business, for up to 100 connections; and Premium, for 1,000+ connections. Pricing is available from Cleo upon request.

Expert Insights’ Comments: CIC MFT enables businesses to centralize and standardize their file transfer processes across a wide range of protocols. The solution supports 12 different file transfer protocols, as well as offering a range of security and infrastructure integrations for more streamlined management. Its flexible packaging makes Cleo suitable for any sized organization, but we recommend this solution particularly for businesses that regularly need to share large volumes of data externally.

ExaVault is a corporate file transfer provider headquartered in San Ramon, California. Their web-based Cloud FTP platform enables businesses to securely share data internally, and with clients, vendors, and third-party systems.

ExaVault Cloud FTP Features:

• Support for FTP/FTP-s/SFTP/FTP-SSL protocols
• User- and group-level activity notifications alert admins when a file is moved, copied, or deleted
• Central web-based console for file sharing with custom branding
• Comprehensive activity logging and audit logs
• Granular permissions configuration, including user permissions (e.g., limit sharing, read only), global permissions (e.g., IP restrictions, require 2FA), and share permissions (e.g., password protection, delivery receipts)
• Ability to enforce multi-factor authentication for all users logging into the web app

Plans And Pricing: ExaVault is available via three plans, for which pricing is available upon request. Starter offers 1 TB usage and a daily API request limit of 50,000. Power offers 5 TB usage, a daily API request limit of 250,000, and adds scheduled sync, webhooks, custom SMTP, 2FA for users, custom SSL certificates, GPG/PGP encryption, while/backlisting, the option to add passwords to share links, SSO via IAM integration, advanced permissions, image watermarks, and custom notifications. Premier offers 10 TB usage, a daily API request limit of 2,000,000, and adds SSO via custom integration, full 24/7 support, HIPAA/HITECH BAAs, and audit assistance.

Expert Insights’ Comments: ExaVault Cloud FTP is a highly intuitive file sharing platform that makes it easy to set up two-way file transfer between internal users and clients. We recommend ExaVault for SMBs that need to share data with external clients and customers. The platform’s core offering includes granular permissions for file sharing and access, and comprehensive audit logs. For users that need advanced security and compliance features, we recommend choosing the Power or Premier package.

Headquartered in Minnesota, Fortra (formerly HelpSystems) is a cybersecurity provider that offers a comprehensive range of products across data security, workload and infrastructure automation, identity and access management, and compliance. GoAnywhere MFT is Fortra’s file transfer service, which enables businesses to move data securely and in line with compliance requirements.

Fortra GoAnywhere MFT Features:

• Workflow and automation features minimize the need for custom scripts and unsecure file transfer processes
• Automatic failover for disaster recovery
• Supports server-to-server, user-to-system, and person-to-person file transfers
• Addresses security controls for GDPR, PCI-DSS, HIPAA/HITECH, FISMA, NIST, CDR, PIPEDA, CCPA, and PDPA compliance
• Full audit trails and reporting on user events and file activity
• FIPS-certified encryption, IP black/whitelisting, AES 256-bit encryption for disk files, and password/SSH key/SSL certificate authentication for SFTP, FTPS, and HTTPS connections
• User- and group-level permissions, with granular admin permissions
• Active session viewing with the ability to terminate user sessions
• On-prem, cloud, and hybrid deployment

Plans And Pricing: GoAnywhere MFT is available via eight packages. The Starter Bundle, Core Server Bundle, and Collaboration Bundle offer core MFT functionality for smaller organizations. The Premium and Enterprise packages offer a more extensive feature set with added collaboration and automation features, for larger organizations with broader MFT requirements. The PeSIT Express, PeSIT Premium, and EDI Enterprise packages offer specialized features for organizations using the PeSIT protocol. Pricing is available from Fortra upon request.

Expert Insights’ Comments: GoAnywhere MFT is a comprehensive file transfer service that’s accessible to organizations of all sizes, thanks to its flexible packaging options. Its built-in security features and granular permissions, monitoring, and audit functionality make GoAnywhere MFT particularly well-suited to businesses that regularly transfer sensitive data, and need to prove compliance with strict federal and industry data protection standards.

IBM Security is a leading cybersecurity provider, headquartered in New York, that offers a broad range of solutions to help organizations improve, manage, and secure their IT infrastructure, analytics, and software development processes. Aspera is IBM’s file transfer and streaming software, which enables businesses to transfer large volumes of data at scale.

IBM Aspera Features:

• Built around IBM’s own secure file transfer protocol, Aspera FASP (Fast, Adaptive, and Secure Protocol)
• Eliminates bottlenecks and utilizes all available bandwidth to maximize transfer speed and minimize latency
• Supports the transfer of any size data to, from, and between globally dispersed on-prem data centers and public or private clouds
• In-built backup and replication of big data repositories
• Streaming features enable error-free transport of big data and live video, such as medical images
• Workflow automation enables quicker processing of video and big data files, API integrations and a library of 200+ plugins such as transcoding, ad insertion, and virus scanning
• On-prem and cloud deployment options

Plans And Pricing: Aspera pricing is available from IBM upon request.

Expert Insights’ Comments: Aspera is a robust managed file transfer tool that enables businesses to share large volumes of data across large distances, at speed. We recommend IBM Aspera as a strong solution for mid-size to larger enterprises with geographically dispersed offices, that need to be able to share (or live stream) large files and video media with as little latency as possible.

Kiteworks, formerly Accellion, is a file transfer and email data communication provider headquartered in San Mateo, California. Their flagship MFT solution enables businesses to securely share large amounts of data in line with industry compliance requirements. The solution also increases productivity through a streamlined file sharing processes.

Kiteworks MFT Features:

• Graphical management dashboard enables admins to manage, monitor, and recover file transfers for data entering and leaving the organization
• Reporting on all actions carried out on files, with alerting on suspicious file modifications
• Visual workflow builder with a library of 2,000+ connectors and functions makes it easy for admins to create workflows without any code
• Automatic file scanning with antivirus and data loss prevention to prevent data leaks, and all system components are enclosed in a virtual appliance for added security
• Granular security policy controls help meet compliance requirements for HIPAA and PCI-DSS
• AES 256-bit encryption of data at rest (on the Kiteworks server) and in transit
• Integrations with Microsoft 365 and Outlook enable businesses to build secure file transfer into their existing collaboration suites
• Hosted/managed, cloud, and on-prem deployment options
• ISO 27001 certified, and FIPS 140-2 Level 1 and FedRAMP validated

Plans And Pricing: Pricing is available from Kiteworks upon request.

Expert Insights’ Comments: Kiteworks enables admins to streamline their file sharing activities by setting up workflows with no coding experience necessary, and easily scheduling transfers. As well as helping streamline file shares, Kiteworks offers a great deal of in-built security functionality, with comprehensive audit trails, granular security policies, and strong encryption. Because of this, we recommend Kiteworks to businesses that need to regularly share large amounts of sensitive data, such as those in the healthcare and finance industries.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, SolarWinds is a leading IT software provider that specializes in IT service management, cybersecurity, and network observation solutions. Serv-U is SolarWinds’ file transfer solution, which comprises two FTP server options: File Transfer Server and Managed File Transfer Server.

SolarWinds Serv-U MFT Server Features:

• Supports FTP, SFTP, FTPS, and HTTP/S protocols for transfers over IPv4 and IPv6 networks
• Intuitive, peer-to-peer file sharing via the end-user web console and mobile app, which feature a drag-and-drop interface
• FIPS 140-2 validated encryption
• Logs all activities performed on files, with a record of the user that performed each action
• Centralized, browser-based admin console from which admins can manage automation, track file server configuration, monitor user sessions in real-time, and access activity logs
• LDAP integration for user authentication and single sign-on
• User, group, server, and domain level permissions for file transfers
• On-premises software deployment, with a web-based management portal
• In-built security features include concurrent session limits, request reverse DNS, and anti-hammering to prevent brute force attacks

Plans And Pricing: Pricing for Serv-U MFT Server starts at $3,192 per server, with support for unlimited concurrent sessions.

Expert Insights’ Comments: Serv-U MFT Server is a comprehensive, intuitive file transfer tool that’s easy for both end users and admins to use. As well as offering a user-friendly interface, the platform offers a wealth of in-built security tools with granular policy configuration in addition to its support for multiple file transfer protocols over IPv4 and IPv6 networks. This makes it a suitable solution for organizations looking for a MFT platform that will enable them to prove compliance with HIPAA, PCI-DSS, FISMA, or SOX.