FTPS vs SCP

Developers should use FTPS when transferring files over networks where security is a concern, such as in financial, healthcare, or government applications that handle sensitive data meets developers should learn scp when they need to securely copy files in environments where ssh is already configured, such as deploying code to servers, backing up data, or transferring configuration files in devops workflows. Here's our take.

FTPS

Nice Pick

Developers should use FTPS when transferring files over networks where security is a concern, such as in financial, healthcare, or government applications that handle sensitive data

Pros

• It is particularly useful for automating secure file uploads/downloads in applications, integrating with legacy systems that require FTP, and complying with data protection regulations like GDPR or HIPAA that mandate encrypted transmissions
• Related to: ftp, sftp

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

SCP

Developers should learn SCP when they need to securely copy files in environments where SSH is already configured, such as deploying code to servers, backing up data, or transferring configuration files in DevOps workflows

Pros

• It is particularly useful for automation scripts, remote server management, and scenarios where GUI-based tools are unavailable or inefficient, offering a simple and reliable method for file transfers with minimal setup
• Related to: ssh, sftp

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. FTPS is a protocol while SCP is a tool. We picked FTPS based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

FTPS wins

Based on overall popularity. FTPS is more widely used, but SCP excels in its own space.