What is the Difference Between SFTP and SCP?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) and SCP (Secure Copy) are both secure file transfer protocols that use SSH for encryption and authentication. However, there are some key differences between them:
- Functionality: SFTP is more advanced and offers a wider range of file operations, such as viewing directories, deleting files, and more. SCP, on the other hand, is simpler and primarily focused on copying files between hosts.
- Speed: SCP generally offers faster transfer speeds, especially on high-latency networks, due to its more efficient transfer algorithm.
- Resuming Transfers: SFTP allows resuming interrupted file transfers, while SCP does not.
- Compatibility: SFTP is supported on various platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. SCP is primarily supported on Unix-based systems.
- Interactivity: SFTP works on an interactive mode (session), while SCP works on a non-interactive mode.
In summary, SFTP is more versatile and offers better file management capabilities, while SCP is simpler and faster for basic file transfers. The choice between SFTP and SCP depends on your specific file transfer requirements and needs.
Comparative Table: SFTP vs SCP
Here is a table comparing the differences between SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) and SCP (Secure Copy Protocol):
| Characteristic | SFTP | SCP |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | Secure File Transfer Protocol (FTP over SSH) | Secure Copy Protocol |
| Transfer Mode | Transfers files and directories between hosts | Transfers files and directories between hosts |
| Interactivity | Interactive mode, supports file management (e.g., create, delete, list files) | Non-interactive, limited to file transfers |
| Commands | Offers more commands for file management | Limited set of commands, focused on file transfers |
| Security & Authentication | Uses SSH protocol for encryption and authentication | Uses SSH protocol for encryption and authentication |
| Transfer Speed | Can be slower than SCP for file transfers | Sometimes faster than SFTP for file transfers |
Both SFTP and SCP are secure file transfer protocols that use SSH for encryption and authentication. However, SFTP is more interactive and offers a wider range of file management capabilities, while SCP is more limited and focused on file transfers. SFTP can be slower than SCP for file transfers, but both are considered secure and reliable protocols for transferring files over a network.