Cyberduck is a free, open-source file transfer client built by Iterate GmbH for macOS and Windows. Rather than juggling separate apps for FTP servers and cloud buckets, it presents them all in one bookmark-driven browser window, complete with drag-and-drop uploads and inline editing of remote files. It has been actively developed since the early 2000s and remains a favorite among web developers, sysadmins and photographers who move files to remote servers or cloud storage every day.
Cyberduck vs FileZilla: Which Free Transfer Client Should You Pick
Both Cyberduck and FileZilla are free and open source, but they take different approaches. FileZilla favors a classic dual-pane file manager layout that many users find faster for bulk transfers, while Cyberduck leans on a single-pane bookmark browser with tighter macOS integration — Finder-style icons, Keychain-based password storage and Bonjour discovery of local servers. Cyberduck also natively understands more cloud storage backends out of the box, including Amazon S3, Backblaze B2 and Azure, which makes it the more convenient pick if your workflow already mixes traditional servers with cloud buckets.
Cyberduck Features
- Multi-Protocol Support — connect to FTP, FTP-SSL, SFTP and WebDAV servers alongside Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, Google Cloud Storage, Microsoft Azure and OpenStack Swift.
- Bonjour Discovery — automatically find FTP and SFTP servers advertised on the local network without typing an address.
- Edit With External Editor — open a remote file directly in your preferred text or image editor and have the change uploaded automatically on save.
- Bookmark Manager — save connection profiles with icons, notes and per-bookmark transfer settings for quick reconnects.
- Cryptomator Integration — mount and browse encrypted Cryptomator vaults stored on cloud services directly inside Cyberduck.
- Transfer Resume — pick interrupted uploads and downloads back up instead of restarting them.
- duck Command-Line Tool — script and automate transfers using Cyberduck's companion CLI, built on the same libraries.
- Keychain Integration — store server credentials securely in the macOS Keychain or Windows Credential Manager instead of a plain config file.
How to Install Cyberduck on macOS and Windows
- Open the official download page using the button on this page, which links straight to cyberduck.io.
- Choose your platform and download the macOS .zip or the Windows installer, or install via Homebrew Cask on macOS.
- Run the installer and drag the app into Applications on macOS, or follow the setup wizard prompts on Windows.
- Launch Cyberduck and click "Open Connection" to enter your server hostname, protocol and credentials.
- Save the connection as a bookmark so you can reconnect with one click next time.
Is Cyberduck really free?
Open Source. Cyberduck is released under the GPL, with its full source code publicly available; the desktop app is free to download and use, though the developers also sell polished builds through the Mac App Store and Microsoft Store as a way to support development.
How to download Cyberduck safely
Use the request button on this page and we will email you the current link for cyberduck.io — the publisher's own website — so you receive the authentic build. We do not host, mirror, patch or repackage this software in any way.
Avoid third-party "download manager" sites offering Cyberduck. They commonly wrap the genuine installer in their own bundler, which is how adware and browser hijackers get onto a machine that the user believed was clean.
Alternatives to Cyberduck
Other free file management & compression software worth comparing before you decide:
FileZilla
A free, open-source dual-pane FTP, FTPS and SFTP client.
WinSCP
A free, open-source SFTP, FTP and SCP client for Windows.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cyberduck really free?
Yes. Cyberduck is open-source software and the direct download from cyberduck.io is completely free. Paid App Store versions exist mainly as a convenience and donation option.
Does Cyberduck support Amazon S3 and other cloud storage?
Yes. Cyberduck can browse and manage Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, Google Cloud Storage, Microsoft Azure Blob Storage and OpenStack Swift buckets alongside traditional FTP/SFTP servers.
Can I edit files directly on the server with Cyberduck?
Yes. Right-click a remote file and choose "Edit With" to open it in an external application; Cyberduck re-uploads the file automatically when you save.
Is there a command-line version of Cyberduck?
Yes. Cyberduck ships a separate command-line tool called duck that shares its transfer engine, useful for scripted or automated transfers.
Does Cyberduck work on Linux?
No official Linux build exists. Cyberduck currently supports macOS and Windows only; Linux users typically rely on alternatives like FileZilla instead.
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