Managed file transfer (MFT) software offers enhanced security and features compared to traditional file transfer protocols. MFT tools encrypt your files using robust protocols like Open PGP and AES before transmission, ensuring data confidentiality.
MFT addresses the limitations of protocols like FTP and SFTP by providing a more reliable and feature-rich solution for transferring compliance-protected, sensitive, or high-volume data. With increasing data security regulations, MFT solutions have seen a rise in adoption.
MFT software facilitates quick and secure file transfers, and provides features like detailed audit logs for compliance purposes, and automation of repetitive file transfer tasks. Companies in regulated industries such as banking, trading, healthcare, telecommunications, and insurance rely on MFT to meet their critical data transfer needs.
There are plenty of MFT software in the market, and it is important to choose the right one for your business. To help you with that, Geekflare has shortlisted the following software.
Cleo Integration Cloud (CIC MFT)
There are many secure MFT solutions on the market, but CIC MFT is one of the top picks when it comes to seamlessly connecting to partners & infrastructure and integrating with complex automated processes.
CIC MFT is an award-winning secure managed file transfer software that provides extensive features and functionality to secure your file transfer environment and govern your trading partner community. CIC MFT was built to be easy for you to use. The platform provides complete protocol support, security, end-user authentication/ single sign-on, and visibility/ dashboards/reporting.
CIC MFT is built to scale with your business needs. The technology handles deployments from small businesses all the way to multi-billion-dollar enterprises without a hiccup. Other notable platform features include:
- Secure access control via LDAP
- Antivirus and content scanning through ICAP
- Authorization (OAuth 2.0), authentication (SAML), encryption, and certificate management
- Perimeter layer security with bidirectional proxy architecture
- Reporting, audit trails, and visibility dashboards
When it comes to service options, businesses can choose from self-service, managed services, or a blended approach – ensuring complete flexibility and control over their MFT strategy.
Stonebranch
Best for real-time event-driven MFT integrated with hybrid IT automation.
Stonebranch takes a distinct approach to file transfers. Instead of treating transfers as isolated tasks, Stonebranch integrates policy-driven file transfers into your business workflows. It works on-premises, cloud or hybrid environments.
At the core of this solution is the Universal Data Mover (UDM). Serving as a component of the Universal Agent, UDM allows enterprises to orchestrate their entire data supply chain. It monitors for data availability in real-time and uses event-based triggers to initiate business processes.
For external workflows, the Universal Data Mover Gateway automates and secures the flow of business-critical data between your organization and external partners, vendors, and suppliers.
Features
- Event-driven triggers to initiate transfers the moment data becomes available.
- Orchestrate file transfers across any environment including legacy mainframes and cloud.
- Gain full visibility with central monitoring and SLA tracking.
- Detailed audit trails and role-based access control (RBAC) to meet strict regulatory and compliance standards.
If your organization needs to modernize legacy systems, Stonebranch is a top-tier contender. It is ideal for DevOps and IT Ops teams.
JSCAPE
JSCAPE by Redwood is the easy-to-use, secure MFT (managed file transfer) solution that redefines flexibility and security for modern digital landscapes.
With support for any platform, protocol, and environment, JSCAPE simplifies file transfers, ensuring high availability and meeting stringent security and compliance requirements. It accommodates various deployment options, including MFTaaS, on-premises and cloud hybrid environments.
JSCAPE’s feature roadmap offers a proactive approach to evolving digital threats, emphasizing ongoing enhancement and adherence to the latest security standards.
JSCAPE acknowledges the dynamic nature of security, ensuring continuous innovation and vigilance and keeping defenses strong against evolving threats and vulnerabilities.
JSCAPE’s built-in library of 100+ no-code/low-code workflow automation templates, REST APIs, and off-the-shelf integrations provide experts with the tools to deliver automated file transfer operations at scale.
Features
- Platform Support: Windows, MacOS, Linux and Solaris.
- Protocol Support: FTP/S, SFTP, AS2, HTTP/S, OFTP2, TFTP, WebDAV, AFTP, Agent, DropZones and Ad-hoc/On-demand.
- Integrations: Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, AWS, Dropbox, Box, Microsoft Azure and Redwood Software.
- Compliance: HIPAA, PHI, PII, GDPR, PCI DSS, SOX, GLBA, SOC 2, ISO27001 and FIPS-140-2.
- Security Features: DMZ streaming with reverse proxy, Active Directory, LDAP, SSO/SAML and 2FA.
- Customer Support: 24/7 top-tier support with near 5-star reviews on major review platforms, white-glove onboarding, and extensive online resources.
JSCAPE’s managed file transfer solution is designed to protect organizations while driving operational efficiencies with its robust file transfer automation capabilities.
IBM Sterling File Gateway
Best for high-volume and scalability.
IBM Sterling File Gateway consolidate all internet-based file transfers onto secure edge-based platform. IBM Sterling is popular for managing high-volume flow of B2B data between your enterprise and your external network of partners and customers.
Recently, IBM has modernized this solution with IBM Certified Containers. This shift reduces installation and patching times from hours to minutes. Additionally, IBM has addressed cost concerns by introducing affordable pricing models, including both perpetual and subscription licensing options.
Features
- Reduces the complexity of managing multiple protocols and improves security at the network edge.
- Utilizing IBM Certified Containers allows for seamless upgrades, updates, and rollbacks.
- Ensures scalability for mission-critical processes that cannot afford downtime.
- The Control Center Director provides a unified view to manage fresh installs and monitor the health of your file transfer network from one location.
IBM Sterling is the industry standard for organizations with massive-scale B2B networks such as banking, retail, and logistics. If your main pain points are managing thousands of external partners and ensuring 100% uptime, IBM can handle it.
GoAnywhere
GoAnywhere is a secure managed file transfer software that enables file transfers between persons and servers. Users can run it on Windows, Linux, IBM i OS, and AIX and have centralized control over the whole process.
This tool can perform bulk file transfers according to enterprise requirements by load balancing. Its features like an intuitive interface and complete workflow are sufficient for your organizational needs.
To ensure complete flexibility, GoAnywhere offers multiple deployment options. Moreover, you can integrate it with different cloud and web apps your organization uses. As a disaster recovery measure, this tool offers active-active automatic failover.
GoAnywhere is part of FORTRA which has another MFT software for Windows environemnt, called Globalscape EFT.
Progress MOVEit
Using MFT software Progress MOVEit, organizations can minimize enterprise mobility-related risks. This comes with the necessary features, such as central access controls, data encryption, and tracking.
All these attributes ensure that your organizational file transfer complies with SLA and becomes operationally reliable. Furthermore, using its collaboration capability feature, users can transfer files with internal and external users.
Progress MOVEit supports advanced automated workflow without scripting. This platform infrastructure also offers a customized solution for mobile device management if your company has many mobile device users who take part in file transfer.
MOVEit offers 30-day free trial, good to take before making a decision.
Diplomat MFT
If your company is looking for a reliable MFT solution that can reduce the time and effort in file transfer, Diplomat MFT is the tool you are looking for. It allows you to transfer files with HTTP, HTTPS, email, and SMB servers among people connected through a local network.
This platform can be easily integrated with your day-to-day business processes. Also, you can automate your file transfer and have control over it if you use this MFT software. Therefore, there will be less business risk.
Other vital features of this tool include PGP encryption, report, alert notification, process automation, and auditing.
Diplomat MFT pricing starts from $1149/yearly.
Arc
Arc is a modern MFT software that lets you implement file-sharing strategies and centrally manage the processes. The robust and scalable platform supports the drag-and-drop feature, making file sharing simple and quick.
Thanks to its full logging & auditing, you can enjoy real-time visibility into all the file transfers happening in your organization. Arc MFT also supports different data privacy regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI.
It helps you get rid of manual file sharing and instead move to an automatic and scheduled workflow using conditional logic, webhooks, and API management. Moreover, it uses AES, Open PGP, and secure DMZ to fully secures data transfer.
Axway
Axway offers a reliable and secure managed file transfer solution, especially for the healthcare, finance, and manufacturing industries. This platform facilitates file sharing between companies, employees, partners, and applications.
Besides putting you in control of the file transfer needs of your organization, it also complies with the regulations such as HIPAA, PCI, DSS, and GDPR.
Serv-U
SolarWinds Serv-U MFT server is a secure file transfer solution to protect data exchnage within or outside an organization. It supports SFTP, FTPS and HTTPS to transfer files over encrypted channels.
The platform focuses on automation and administrative efficiency. It features a centralized dashboard to monitor real-time activity and automate routine tasks through event-driven triggers.
Serv-U MFT integrates with Active Directory and LDAP systems to sync user accounts and manage permissions. It utilizes FIPS 140-2 cryptography and meet regulatory standards like PCI DSS and HIPAA.
Serv-U pricing starts from $335 per server per month. You can take 14-day free trial.
Other MFT Software
Kiteworks
SFTPGo
MFT vs. Other File Sharing Options
- MFT vs. FTP: MFT solutions offer secure encryption. Geekflare do not recommend FTP as it does not encrypt your file in transit or at rest.
- MFT vs. FTPS: It is better to choose MFT over FTPS as the latter needs both private and public key authentication in terms of decryption.
- MFT vs. SFTP: In SFTP, the client setup and key management are more complicated than in MFT.
- MFT vs. HTTP: Unlike MFT, HTTP protocol is also not recommended because it does not offer an encryption facility.
MFT Solutions Benefits
- Visibility: MFT offers operational visibility through detailed transfer logs, allowing for the identification of bottlenecks, potential data loss, and proactive issue resolution, ensuring compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
- Security: MFT provides a robust preventive security strategy, enforcing strong authentication and authorization protocols to prevent unauthorized access, and real-time monitoring of file transfers to detect and respond to security threats.
- Budget-Friendly: MFT solutions offer flexible licensing and modular features, allowing you to tailor the software to your specific needs and budget, while also decreasing costs through automation of manual file transfer processes.
Conclusion
Managed file transfer solutions are necessary to ensure security and stay ahead of the competitors, especially for companies with complicated file sharing requirements or multiple external stakeholders. These also play a significant role in a company’s success.
As business networks continue to expand globally that need quality service, only dedicated tools can offer the right kind of secure managed file transfer service.
