Alternative & Comparison · Open-source client
Ultra Explorer vs Cyberduck
Ultra Explorer puts your clouds and servers side by side, copies directly between them and automates the rest with scheduled synchronizations, search and space analysis.
Ultra Explorer is a dual-pane client for 39 cloud and server providers, built on rclone. You see the source and the destination at the same time, every transfer goes through a durable queue with history, and Pro adds multi-storage search, space analysis and scheduled synchronizations. Cyberduck, a free client for macOS and Windows, opens one connection per window.
Ultra Explorer
Free, Pro or Lifetime
Free plan includes full dual-pane file management across 40+ clouds, durable transfers, and Docker container. Pro upgrade unlocks Disk Space Analyzer, Synchronizations, and Global Search.
Cyberduck
Free (donations); paid on the Mac App Store and Microsoft Store
Two storages side by side instead of one server per window.
Feature-by-Feature Matrix
| Feature / Capability | Ultra Explorer | Cyberduck |
|---|---|---|
| Technology stack Compiled native core: fast startup, low memory use | Rust + Tauri | Java |
| Storages supported Clouds, S3 object storage, SFTP/SMB/WebDAV servers and local disks | 42 via rclone | 20+ |
| Dual-pane explorer Source and destination shown side by side | Included in Free | No |
| Search across several storages at once Any number of storages in parallel, with filters and presets | Pro module | No |
| Synchronization Update or Mirror, preview before running, deletion limit, schedules | Pro module | On demand, with preview |
| Disk space analysis Local disks and clouds, largest files, breakdown by type | Pro module | No |
| Encryption Files and names encrypted on your machine with rclone Crypt | Included in Free | Via Cryptomator |
| Self-hosted web version For a Synology, QNAP, TrueNAS or Unraid NAS | Included in Free | No |
| Platforms Desktop and server | macOS, Windows, Linux, Docker | macOS, Windows (CLI on Linux) |
Why switch from Cyberduck to Ultra Explorer
- 1 Two panes
Source and destination side by side
Cyberduck shows one server per window. Ultra Explorer puts two storages next to each other, with tabs and drag and drop between them.
- 2 Scheduled
Saved, scheduled synchronizations
Cyberduck synchronizes a folder on demand. Ultra Explorer Pro saves synchronization jobs and runs them on an interval, daily or weekly.
- 3 Docker
A web version for your NAS
Ultra Explorer also runs as a Docker web app on your server or NAS. Cyberduck is a desktop app only.
Under the Hood Architecture
Cyberduck vs Ultra Explorer Architecture
Cyberduck Architecture
Desktop app with a Java core and native interfaces on macOS and Windows. Each connection opens in its own browser window, with a separate transfers window.
Ultra Explorer Rust & Svelte 5
Rust core driving a bundled rclone, shared by a Tauri desktop app (macOS, Windows, Linux) and a self-hosted web server (Docker). Transfers, history and synchronization jobs are stored in SQLite.
Technical Verdict For moving data between storages every day, two panes and a durable queue save time that a single-window client cannot.
Honest Pros & Cons
CyberduckFree (donations); paid on the Mac App Store and Microsoft Store
Cyberduck Limitations
- One storage per window: source and destination are not side by side
- No graphical version for Linux
- No disk space analysis
Ultra ExplorerRecommended
Ultra Explorer Strengths
- Find a file without knowing where it is: one search across all your storages in parallel (Google Drive, OneDrive, NAS, local disks…)
- Two storages side by side, with tabs and drag and drop
- Direct copies between two clouds
- Pro: search across all your storages, space analysis and scheduled synchronizations
Trade-offs & Considerations
- Younger product with a smaller community
When to choose Ultra Explorer
Choose Ultra Explorer if you move files between storages every day and want both sides on screen, scheduled synchronizations or a web version on your NAS.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ultra Explorer vs Cyberduck
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Install Ultra Explorer and add your storages: sign in to your clouds or enter your server details. If you already use rclone, import your rclone.conf in Settings. Your files stay where they are; Ultra Explorer works directly with your existing accounts.
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Yes. Search (Pro) scans every storage you pick in parallel, for example Google Drive, OneDrive, your NAS and your computer, and lists every match in one place. Filter by name, extension, modification date or size, then open or move the file straight from the results.
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Yes. In Settings, import a plain or encrypted rclone.conf file. Ultra Explorer shows a preview, then replaces its configuration with the imported one; sections for providers it does not list are kept.
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Free covers the dual-pane explorer, every storage, transfers and folder totals. Pro (monthly, yearly or lifetime) adds multi-storage search, space analysis and scheduled synchronizations.
Try Ultra Explorer for free
Download Ultra Explorer for macOS, Windows, Linux, or deploy on your NAS via Docker.