Terminology » Networking Basics » SFTP vs SCP: Key Differences Explained

SFTP vs SCP: Key Differences Explained

sftp scp file transfer protocol secure channel protocol data transfer

This article compares SFTP and SCP, highlighting their differences. Both SFTP and SCP utilize TCP port 22 and operate over SSH, ensuring comparable security levels. They also both support large file transfers without imposing file size limits.

Let’s delve into the specifics:

SpecificationsSFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)SCP (Secure Channel Protocol)
Full FormSecure File Transfer ProtocolSecure Channel Protocol
FunctionPerforms file access, file transfer, and file management functions.Primarily used for data transfer with protection against interception.
OperationsA file transfer protocol that uses SSH. Supports directory listing and file removal tasks.Cannot perform operations like listing remote directories or removing files; designed solely for file transfer.
Speed of File TransferSlower, as SFTP requires acknowledgment (ACK) for each packet.Faster.
Resumption of Interrupted File TransferSupported by SFTP command-line clients.Not supported.

Key Differences Summarized

In essence:

  • SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol): Provides a broader range of functionalities including file management (listing directories, deleting files) in addition to secure file transfer. It prioritizes reliability with its packet acknowledgment mechanism.

  • SCP (Secure Channel Protocol): Focuses solely on securely transferring files. It’s generally faster due to the lack of per-packet acknowledgements, but it lacks the file management features of SFTP.