Alternative & Comparison · FTP client
Ultra Explorer vs FileZilla
Ultra Explorer handles FTP and SFTP too, and adds Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, S3 and 30+ other providers in its free version, with direct cloud-to-cloud copies.
Ultra Explorer connects 39 providers, from FTP and SFTP servers to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox and S3, all in the free version. Any two storages sit side by side, cloud to cloud included, and every conflict asks for your choice. FileZilla requires the paid FileZilla Pro for cloud storage and only transfers between your computer and one server.
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.
FileZilla
Free for FTP/SFTP; FileZilla Pro from €19.99/year for cloud storage
Clouds included for free, not behind a subscription.
Feature-by-Feature Matrix
| Feature / Capability | Ultra Explorer | FileZilla |
|---|---|---|
| Storages supported Clouds, S3 object storage, SFTP/SMB/WebDAV servers and local disks | 42 via rclone | FTP, FTPS, SFTP; clouds with Pro |
| Dual-pane explorer Source and destination shown side by side | Included in Free | Local pane + remote pane |
| Direct cloud-to-cloud copy Copy between two clouds without saving to your disk first | 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 | Directory comparison, no saved jobs |
| Disk space analysis Local disks and clouds, largest files, breakdown by type | Pro module | No |
| FTP, FTPS and SFTP Password or private-key authentication | Included in Free | Yes |
| Self-hosted web version For a Synology, QNAP, TrueNAS or Unraid NAS | Included in Free | No |
| Platforms Desktop and server | macOS, Windows, Linux, Docker | Windows, macOS, Linux |
Why switch from FileZilla to Ultra Explorer
- 1 No cloud subscription
Clouds included in Free
Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, S3 and the other providers are available without a subscription.
- 2 Cloud to cloud
Cloud to cloud
Copy straight from one cloud to another. FileZilla only transfers between your computer and a server.
- 3 Pro modules
Pro modules
Search across all your storages, analyze disk space and schedule synchronizations.
Under the Hood Architecture
FileZilla vs Ultra Explorer Architecture
FileZilla Architecture
C++ desktop app (wxWidgets) with a local pane and a remote pane. Transfers always run between your computer and one server.
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 If your work involves clouds, Ultra Explorer covers them for free and transfers directly between them.
Honest Pros & Cons
FileZillaFree for FTP/SFTP; FileZilla Pro from €19.99/year for cloud storage
FileZilla Limitations
- Cloud storages require the paid FileZilla Pro
- No direct transfer between two servers or two clouds
- The default Windows installer on the website can include third-party offers
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…)
- 39 providers plus Alias, Crypt and Combine, all in Free
- Direct copies between two clouds
- An explicit choice on every conflict: overwrite, skip, keep both or cancel
Trade-offs & Considerations
- Younger product with a smaller community
When to choose Ultra Explorer
Choose Ultra Explorer if cloud storages are part of your work and you need to move data between them without a FileZilla Pro subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ultra Explorer vs FileZilla
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Yes. FTP, FTPS and SFTP are among the providers, with password or private-key authentication for SFTP.
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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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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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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.