SFTP File Provider vs S3 Client
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SFTP File Provider
Access and manage files on remote SFTP servers directly from your device. Seamlessly integrate with the iOS Files app to browse cloud or home network storage. Offers password or key pair login options for secure access.
- Access SFTP servers
- Integrates with Files app
- Password login
- Key pair login (Pro)
- Unlimited servers (Pro)
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Use SFTP to access files and folders in the cloud or on the home network, served by the SSH/Secure File Transfer Protocol. SFTP provides the connection, making the remote files available for the rest of the phone: for all apps that are using the standard iOS file selector, including the Files app itself. After installing SFTP, open the app, and add your remote servers. Then, from the Files app, go to Browse/Locations and enable the new location provider called "SFTP". The free version connects to one server and logs in with a password. SFTP Pro adds an unlimited number of servers and the key pair login. SFTP Pro is a one-time purchase, not a subscription.
S3 Client
Access and manage your S3-compatible cloud storage directly from your device's file system. Seamlessly integrate with services like AWS, Backblaze, and MinIO, with files available on demand and automatic synchronization.
- Direct access via Files app and Finder
- Automatic file synchronization
- Support for AWS, Backblaze, MinIO, and more
- Uploads via system share sheet
- Generate pre-signed sharing links
- Supports encryption (SSE-C, AES-GCM)
- Shortcuts automation integration
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Access your S3 storage directly from the Files app, Finder, and other applications on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Developed by the creator of Working Copy, this application provides seamless integration with S3-compatible storage services. Once configured, S3 buckets appear alongside other cloud storage providers, with files available on demand. Files are downloaded as needed and automatically synchronized back to S3 when modified. The app supports a wide range of S3-compatible services, including AWS S3, BackBlaze B2, CloudFlare R2, DigitalOcean Spaces, MinIO, and others. Files and directories can be uploaded through the system share sheet on iOS and the Services menu on macOS. The app remembers preferred upload destinations for different file types, streamlining file management. Pre-signed sharing links can be generated directly from Finder and the Files app, allowing temporary access to files for up to seven days. Support for server-side encryption with customer-provided keys (SSE-C) and client-side AES-GCM encryption compatible with the Amazon S3 Encryption Client. Comprehensive support for Shortcuts automation enables operations such as listing, downloading, uploading, and moving files. The app is free to use with a single server. A Pro Unlock is required for multiple servers, available as a one-time purchase or a monthly subscription, with access shared across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. A one-week free trial allows users to evaluate Pro features before purchase.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: S3 Client at 4.8 against SFTP File Provider's 2.9. S3 Client also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (79% vs 50%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. SFTP File Provider sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and S3 Client sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
S3 Client holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 57 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of SFTP File Provider's written reviews are positive against 79% of S3 Client's.
SFTP File Provider ships an update every 2 months, S3 Client every 9 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.
| Parameter | SFTP File Provider | S3 Client |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.9 (14 ratings) | 4.8 (57 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 79.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 14 | 57 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 9 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 63 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Akos Polster | Anders Borum ApS |
Customer experience
SFTP File Provider
S3 Client
Bugs and requests
SFTP File Provider
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
S3 Client
Reported bugs
17 issues- Files renamed randomly
- High CPU usage
- Stopped working in iOS 26
- Can't set permissions
- Fails to load S3 buckets properly
Show 12 moreShow fewer
- Duplicating root folders
- Folders missing
- Failing to upload
- No image/video thumbnails
- EXIF option unreliable
- No SSE-C encryption/decryption support
- Does not support IAM policy roles
- Short-lived keys needed
- App locks up Files app
- Requires reboot
- Issues with S3 Minio
- Update issues with older macOS
Requested features
14 requests- Support for WebDAV servers
- Support for Google OAuth for GCS
- Synchronous feature to backup photos automatically
- Configurable AWS endpoint for non-.com endpoints
- Allow import/export of configuration
Show 9 moreShow fewer
- Show number of files in a directory
- Option to clear app cache
- Support for SSE-C encryption/decryption
- Support for IAM policy roles
- Support for S3 buckets with short-lived keys
- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard
- Duplicate Settings option for iOS
- Support for public dataset anonymous configuration
In-app purchases
SFTP File Provider
- Coffee$0.99
- SFTP Pro$6.99
S3 Client
- S3 Files Pro Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
- Lifetime S3 Pro$14.99
Questions
Is SFTP File Provider free?
Is S3 Client free?
Which has better reviews, SFTP File Provider or S3 Client?
Do SFTP File Provider or S3 Client have ads?
Which is updated more often, SFTP File Provider or S3 Client?
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