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What is linscp
linscp moves files between your computer and servers over SFTP, SCP, FTP, WebDAV and S3, on Linux and Windows.
linscp is a graphical file transfer client for Linux and Windows. A proven transfer engine and a native Qt 6 interface give you the same program and the same settings on both systems.
What you can do with it
Section titled “What you can do with it”- Browse a server’s files next to your own, and copy them in either direction.
- Keep a list of servers in the Site Manager, with passwords, keys and per-site options.
- Edit a remote file in place: linscp downloads it, opens an editor and uploads each save.
- Compare two directories and bring them in line, or watch a local folder and mirror its changes to the server.
- Queue transfers and let them run in the background while you keep working.
- Automate all of this with
linscp-cli, a console client for scripts that use the same language as WinSCP scripts.
Protocols
Section titled “Protocols”| Protocol | Runs over | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| SFTP | SSH | Most Linux and BSD servers; the default |
| SCP | SSH | Old or minimal SSH servers without SFTP |
| FTP, FTPS | FTP, optionally with TLS | Web hosting, legacy systems |
| WebDAV | HTTP or HTTPS | Nextcloud and other web file shares |
| S3 | HTTPS | Amazon S3 and compatible object stores |
Choosing a protocol explains the trade-offs.
The two programs
Section titled “The two programs”linscpis the window you work in. It offers two layouts: Commander, with your files on the left and the server on the right, and Explorer, with the server only. See the tour of the interface.linscp-cliis for terminals and scripts. It reads the same stored sites as the window, so a site you set up once works in both. See scripting with linscp-cli.
Platforms and status
Section titled “Platforms and status”linscp runs on 64-bit Linux and on Windows 10 and 11 (x64). Every release so far is a pre-release: the core is mature, but the interface around it is new. Back up your settings before you try it on a setup you depend on.
linscp is free software under the GNU GPL, version 3, created and maintained by Eduardo Correia. It is a young, independent project funded by its users; see support linscp.
Its transfer engine comes from WinSCP, with thanks; the WinSCP authors are not involved in linscp. linscp and WinSCP lists what the two share and where they differ.
Next steps
Section titled “Next steps”- Install it: on Linux or on Windows.
- Make your first connection.