Cyberduck is a free, open-source file transfer client for macOS and Windows that browses remote servers and cloud storage from one desktop window. It uploads, downloads, edits, synchronizes and shares files on FTP and SFTP servers, WebDAV shares and services such as Amazon S3, Dropbox or Google Drive. It is released under the GPL. A donation key turns off the donation prompt. The app is also sold through the Mac App Store and Microsoft Store.
Servers and cloud services it reaches
On the server side Cyberduck covers FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, SMB and Nextcloud or ownCloud. For object storage it connects to Amazon S3 and S3-compatible providers, Google Cloud Storage, Microsoft Azure, OpenStack Swift, Backblaze B2, Wasabi, DRACOON, Files.com, Spectra BlackPearl and iRODS. File-sync services include OneDrive, SharePoint, Dropbox, Google Drive and Box.
Connection profiles add preconfigured providers to the protocol menu, so you only need to enter credentials.
Opening connections and keeping bookmarks
A connection starts from the Open Connection dialog, from the Quick Connect field in the toolbar, or from a saved bookmark. Quick Connect accepts a host name, user@host or a full URL. Recent servers stay in a History list, and Bonjour lists SFTP, FTP and WebDAV services on the local network.
Bookmarks store the protocol, server, user name, starting path and download folder, plus a private key for SFTP or the time zone and encoding for FTP. Dragging a bookmark out of Cyberduck creates a .duck file that opens the connection on either Mac or Windows. When Cyberduck detects other installed clients such as FileZilla, WinSCP or Transmit, it offers to import their bookmarks. Cyberduck keeps passwords in the macOS Keychain or Windows Credential Manager.
Working in the file browser
Remote folders appear as a flat list or an expandable outline. On S3, WebDAV, Azure and Dropbox, copying a file runs on the server without downloading it first. You can also drag files between two browser windows connected to different servers.
The search field filters the current listing and searches subfolders when you press Return, with * and ? wildcards. The space bar opens a Quick Look preview. The Info window edits permissions, lists file versions, calculates folder sizes and sets up Amazon CloudFront or Akamai distributions.
Editing remote files
Cyberduck opens a remote file in an external editor chosen by file type, or in a fixed default editor set in Preferences. Cyberduck downloads the file to a temporary location, and each save in the editor uploads it back to the server.
For FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, SMB and OpenStack Swift, which have no versioning of their own, Cyberduck can keep earlier versions of edited files in a hidden folder next to them. You can restore these versions from the Info window.
Transfer queue and file conflicts
Uploads and downloads run in a Transfers window that keeps its list after the app closes, so you can restart unfinished jobs. Several files can transfer in parallel up to a set limit. A bandwidth cap stops large jobs from slowing other traffic, and interrupted transfers resume on FTP, SFTP, WebDAV and S3.
When a file already exists at the destination, Cyberduck can ask each time, overwrite it, skip it or resume it. It can also compare checksums or dates and skip identical files, or add a timestamp to one of the names. A regular-expression filter keeps items such as version-control folders out of transfers.
Folder synchronization
Synchronize compares a remote folder with a local one by modification date and, where the server provides it, by checksum. Before anything moves, Cyberduck shows a preview marking each file for download, upload or creation. You can uncheck any item to leave it alone. Three directions are available:
- Mirror transfers in both directions and replaces the older copy with the newer one.
- Only Download fetches files that are missing, newer or different on the server.
- Only Upload sends files that are missing, newer or different on the local side.
Synchronization relies on the option that preserves modification dates.
Sharing links
For FTP, SFTP and WebDAV servers with a configured web address, Cyberduck copies the HTTP URL of a file. On cloud services it creates share links. These include time-limited signed URLs on S3, Azure and Swift, and optionally password-protected links on Nextcloud, ownCloud, Dropbox and DRACOON. It also creates shared links on Box, OneDrive, SharePoint and Google Drive. Some of these also accept upload requests, letting others drop files into a folder.
Cryptomator vaults
Cyberduck creates and opens Cryptomator vaults on any connected storage, without the separate Cryptomator app. A vault encrypts file contents as well as file and folder names on the client before upload, so the provider only stores scrambled data. Vaults unlock with a passphrase. You can save the passphrase so they open on connection. Because encryption happens locally, files cannot be moved into a vault on the server side.
Command line and Mountain Duck
Cyberduck CLI brings the same connections to the command line on Linux, macOS and Windows for scripted or scheduled transfers. Mountain Duck, a separate product, handles mounting storage as a drive.
