Cyberduck — Cross-Platform Cloud Storage and File Transfer Client

Introduction

Cyberduck is a versatile file transfer client that connects to virtually any remote storage service. Whether you need to manage files on an SFTP server, sync content to Amazon S3, or browse a WebDAV share, Cyberduck provides a unified interface with strong encryption support via its companion tool Cryptomator.

What Cyberduck Does

• Connects to FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Google Cloud, Azure, B2, and 20+ providers
• Browses, uploads, downloads, and synchronizes files and folders
• Encrypts files client-side with Cryptomator vault integration
• Generates pre-signed and temporary URLs for shared access
• Provides a CLI companion (duck) for scripting and automation

Architecture Overview

Cyberduck is written in Java with native platform bindings for macOS (Cocoa) and Windows (Win32). It uses a modular connection framework where each cloud provider is implemented as a separate protocol plugin. The transfer engine supports multi-segment parallel transfers, retry logic, and bandwidth throttling. Cryptomator integration encrypts files transparently before upload.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Install from cyberduck.io, Homebrew Cask, or Chocolatey
• Bookmark connections for quick access with stored credentials
• Use connection profiles to configure custom S3-compatible endpoints
• Integrate with system keychain for secure credential storage
• CLI tool 'duck' enables scripted uploads and downloads in CI/CD

Key Features

• Supports 20+ cloud and file transfer protocols in one client
• Transparent client-side encryption with Cryptomator vaults
• Parallel multi-segment transfers with bandwidth throttling
• CLI companion (duck) for automation and shell scripting
• Free and open source under GPL license

Comparison with Similar Tools

• FileZilla — FTP-focused with fewer cloud integrations; Cyberduck covers S3, Azure, and more
• WinSCP — Windows-only; Cyberduck runs on both macOS and Windows
• Transmit — macOS-only and paid; Cyberduck is free and cross-platform
• rclone — CLI-only for cloud sync; Cyberduck adds a graphical interface
• Mountain Duck — same team, mounts cloud storage as a drive; Cyberduck is the transfer client

FAQ

Q: Is Cyberduck free? A: Yes. Cyberduck is GPL-licensed and free to download. The App Store version includes a small contribution fee.

Q: Does it support S3-compatible storage like MinIO? A: Yes. Create a custom connection profile pointing to your S3-compatible endpoint.

Q: Can I encrypt files before uploading? A: Yes. Cyberduck integrates with Cryptomator to create encrypted vaults on any cloud provider.

Q: Is there a command-line version? A: Yes. The 'duck' CLI supports the same protocols and can be used in scripts and CI pipelines.

Sources

• https://github.com/iterate-ch/cyberduck
• https://cyberduck.io