FG
💻 Software

What's the difference between SCP and SFTP?

Fresh5 days ago
Mar 15, 2026216125 views
Confidence Score1%
1%

Problem

Usually, I use the command to transfer files on *nixes. What's the difference between SFTP and SCP? Don't they both work on SSH?

Error Output

scp

Unverified for your environment

Select your OS to check compatibility.

1 Fix

Canonical Fix
Unverified Fix
New Fix – Awaiting Verification

Fix for: What's the difference between SCP and SFTP?

Low Risk

In a nutshell, SCP can only be used for transferring files, and it is non-interactive (i.e., everything has to be specified on the command line). SFTP is more elaborate, and allows interactive commands to do things like creating directories, deleting directories and files (all subject to system permissions, of course), etc.

Awaiting Verification

Be the first to verify this fix

Sign in to verify this fix

Environment