SFTP and MFT are both related to transferring files securely. While they refer to different things, there is quite a bit of overlap between them, which can make it confusing when trying to determine the differences and which method is right for your use case.
In this article, we break down the differences between MFT and SFTP and how they relate to secure file transfer.
What is SFTP?
SFTP stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol, which is a protocol used to securely send files between two systems. At its most basic level, SFTP lets two systems--a local and remote host--communicate and transfer data between one another with powerful encryption that adds another layer of security to file transfers.
Essentially, SFTP is a secure channel between remote systems that allows them to transmit files between each other. Once the connection is established via authentication methods such as username/password and/or SSH keys, files can be freely transferred without risk of leakage or surveillance, making it ideal for sending critical or sensitive data.
A simple way to think of SFTP and other transfer protocols is that they're like plugs and outlets. In order to get the power (data) to flow through the cable and to the device, they have to have the same connectors.
Without the same connectors, the device simply won't work; even when the plugs are a very similar shape, such as the case with SFTP and FTP.
Is SFTP the same as FTP?
You may have heard of FTP (File Transfer Protocol), one of the original methods to transfer files. FTP was an easy way to transfer files to or from a local host. The problem? It was unencrypted, which became more of a problem as technologies advanced. Enter SFTP, or Secure File Transfer Protocol, the new go-to method for sending files safely over the internet. While they have a similar name, FTP and SFTP are actually two entirely separate protocols.
FTP is like driving a flatbed truck over an open bridge. While the bridge is functional, it's out in the open and not private, so anyone looking at it can see what's going across. And if it's valuable enough, they could plan for a way to intercept and take it.
SFTP on the other hand, is like an armored truck going through an unbreakable tunnel with an ID gate. Files travel through it safely while outsiders can't get a glimpse of what's inside, let alone break in and steal the files. On one side of the tunnel is the data platform (SharePoint, file server, etc.) and on the other is an SFTP server. The server is what facilaites the transfer; it unlockes the ID gate, then pushes or pulls files through safely.
The server's main purpose is to transfer files via SFTP. Traditionally, an SFTP server was also where the files were stored, but modern advancements allow some platforms to use cloud storage like Google Drive, Azure Blob, or AWS S3 as the storage endpoint.
For a more in-depth look into SFTP, see our article What is SFTP?
What is MFT?
MFT stands for Managed File Transfer, which is a platform that facilitates file transfers between different systems. An MFT platform not only transfers the files, it can also process files by performing actions like running workflows to download, rename, and move any files as they enter or exit the platform. The specific functions will depend on the platform, but think of MFT as a one-stop shop for all things related to transferring files.
If that sounds a bit vague, it's because it is. Unlike SFTP, there isn't a concrete definition of what managed file transfer is. The term is often attributed to Frank Kenney in 2008 to refer to a collection of solutions that work together for secure, automated file transfers. Since that's not a clear-cut definition, it's not always easy to compare solutions like for like.
We cover this in detail in What is Managed File Transfer, but for our purposes here, we'll define Managed File Transfer as a centralised platform for file transfers, one place to decide what to move, where to move, and how to move files.
To relate back to the electrical outlet analogy, there are many instances when the source and destination use different plug types. On their own, they can't work together, but add an adapter, and you'd never know they were incompatible.
This is the fundamental use case of Managed File Transfer.
How does Managed File Transfer (MFT) work?
MFTs do more than simply move data. In most cases, your MFT platform will be what you use to manage the entire file transfer process, not just moving the files between the source and destination.
One of the essential characteristics of an MFT platform is the ability to automate file transfers. Automating file transfers offers many advantages, such as faster processing, a lower likelihood of errors, and fewer IT resources required. MFTs allow organizations to do this at scale, so make sense for large numbers of transfers that need to happen regularly.
For the plug analogy, an MFT is like a universal travel adapter. You can plug anything into it, adjust the settings to what you need, and the device will still work. The differences between MFTs is how difficult and time-consuming it is to adjust these settings and how large, bulky, and expensive this adapter is.
The end result is that an MFT platform can completely automate secure file transfers between platforms that normally couldn't transfer files to each other at all.
How are MFT and SFTP related?
MFT and SFTP are both related to securely transfer files, but they are completely different cateagories. As mentioned above, SFTP is a transfer protocol, it's the technical method of file transmission.
On the other hand, MFT is platform or software that facilitates transfers. It isn't a method, but instead a hub that makes sure data can flow between endpoints.
You can probably see that comparing SFTP and MFT is like comparing oranges and tangerines; one is sometimes seen as part of the other, making it hard to directly compare. MFT can use the SFTP protocol as a method to transfer files, so SFTP can be part of MFT, but doesn't necessarily have to be.
While MFT will almost always include SFTP, it also has support for other transfer protocols such as FTP, SCP, and Rsync. This gives wider flexibility because a platform might only support one of these, but you can then move files between systems that support other ones. For instance, you can use MFT to pull files from a system that supports FTP connections only, then push to another system that supports SFTP only, using MFT as the bridge between the two.
A simple comparsion is like this:
SFTP is the method of transferring files, the how files are moved.
MFT is the hub for file transfers that handles the when, where, and what methods are used.
MFT vs SFTP: Which is better?
Since an Managed File Transfer platform can use the SFTP protocol and much more, it's inherently more powerful, versatile, and flexible than SFTP on its own. So why would you ever use a basic SFTP server over an MFT platform?
Typically, SFTP servers are the stronger choice in two categories: complexity and price.
Some MFT servers require reading through pages of documentation, going through complex onboarding, and configuring advanced infrastructure just to get started. They'll typically require stronger devices to power, and take some time to get up and running properly.
SFTP is built into most devices by default, and all you need to do is find out how to connect, which can be done using something like an SFTP client that has a graphical interface. When you have the connection details, you can get started in minutes. For simple file transfers that don't happen often, SFTP can be the easier option.
While MFT is much more capable, that capability comes at a price. Expect to pay several times more for MFT than for an SFTP server, sometimes 50x or more. When you need everything that comes with a managed file transfer platform, this is a good investment. But if you only need to move a couple of files every few days, you'll be paying a lot more to accomplish the task, and the extra benefits of MFT probably won't be useful to you anyway.
SFTP, on the other hand, can be set up much faster with minimal resources. Nowadays, it's even possible to have an instantly-deployed cloud SFTP that can be used minutes after sign up.
For small amounts of irregular file transfers, SFTP's simplicity and lower use mean it's still the preferred choice for many use cases. But for larger, more established businesses that exchange data with multiple partners, have a large amount of files to transfer, and/or want to automate file transfers and processing in one hub, MFT is the better fit.
However, some modern platforms can give the best of both worlds: you get the benefits of MFT without the complexity and cost drawbacks. This is where Couchdrop comes in.
Try Couchdrop for a simpler MFT platform
With Couchdrop, you get enterprise-grade file transfer features without the enterprise-grade difficulties. Couchdrop connects to dozens of platforms and gives you both an SFTP server and an MFT platform, so you never have to choose between one or the other. All this without needing to write a line of code, set up virtual machines, or update config files. Couchdrop does it all for you.
Couchdrop works like a universal travel adapter that you can fit in your pocket. It's lightweight, simple, and gets the job done. You can plug anything into it, quickly adjust the settings to what you need in seconds, and the devices will just work.
Get the power of managed file transfer without enormous costs and fast and easy setup with Couchdrop. Try Couchdrop free for 14 days, with no credit card or demo required. Sign up now to get started.