Free SFTP Server for Windows: Best Options and How to Set One Up

Christian Sahala Free Resources 5 min read

If you need a free SFTP server for Windows, you may not need to install third-party software at all. Windows 10, Windows 11, and supported Windows Server releases include OpenSSH as an optional Windows feature, giving you an SFTP server through the sshd service. Microsoft recommends its in-box OpenSSH implementation for most users.

For a personal, non-commercial Windows computer, Bitvise SSH Server Personal Edition is another option if you prefer a dedicated graphical application. Its free Personal Edition is restricted to personal, non-commercial use.

Quick comparison

Option	Free?	Best for	Main consideration
Windows OpenSSH	Yes	Most Windows users	Requires some configuration
Bitvise SSH Server Personal Edition	Yes, for qualifying personal use	Users who want a Windows-focused GUI	Not free for organizational/commercial use
Bitvise Standard Edition	Trial	Business and advanced deployments	Requires a license after the evaluation period

For most users, start with Windows OpenSSH. It avoids installing another server product and is directly supported by Microsoft.

How to Set Up a Free SFTP Server on Windows

1. Check whether OpenSSH Server is installed

Open Settings → System → Optional Features and look for OpenSSH Server.

Alternatively, open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

Get-WindowsCapability -Online | Where-Object Name -like 'OpenSSH*'

Microsoft documents OpenSSH Server for Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2019, 2022, and 2025.

2. Install OpenSSH Server

If it is not installed, run PowerShell as Administrator:

Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name OpenSSH.Server~~~~0.0.1.0

Then start the SSH server:

Start-Service sshd

To make it start automatically when Windows boots:

Set-Service -Name sshd -StartupType 'Automatic'

Microsoft's installation process also creates an inbound Windows Firewall rule for the OpenSSH server, using TCP port 22.

3. Connect using SFTP

From another computer with an SFTP client, use:

sftp username@server-ip

For example:

sftp [email protected]

The standard SSH/SFTP port is 22 unless you configure the server to use another port.

Windows OpenSSH includes both sshd, the server component, and sftp, the Secure File Transfer Protocol component.

What is the Best Free SFTP Server for Windows

1. Windows OpenSSH — best overall

Windows OpenSSH is the first option to try.

It is Microsoft's supported OpenSSH implementation and is available as a Windows feature on supported versions. It provides SFTP over SSH without requiring a separate commercial server application.

Choose it if you:

Already use Windows 10, Windows 11, or supported Windows Server
Want a free solution
Are comfortable with PowerShell or basic Windows administration
Need standard SFTP access rather than a specialized graphical management interface

Its main disadvantage is that configuration is less beginner-friendly than some dedicated Windows SFTP applications.

2. Bitvise SSH Server — best GUI-oriented option

Bitvise SSH Server provides SFTP, SCP, SSH, and other functionality specifically for Windows.

The important qualification is licensing: Bitvise Personal Edition is free for genuine personal, non-commercial users. Organizations and commercial users need the appropriate paid edition.

That makes Bitvise particularly interesting for someone who wants a more dedicated Windows administration experience but does not need it for business use.

SFTP Server vs. SFTP client

This distinction causes a lot of confusion.

An SFTP server waits for incoming connections and provides access to files on the Windows computer.

An SFTP client connects to an existing SFTP server.

For example:

Your Windows PC
      │
      │  SFTP connection
      ▼
SFTP server
      │
      ▼
Remote computer/client

If you want another computer to upload files to your Windows PC, you need an SFTP server.

If your Windows PC only needs to connect to someone else's SFTP server, you need an SFTP client instead.

Bitvise, for example, provides separate SSH Server and SSH Client products; its client is free for use in organizations, while the server's free Personal Edition has substantially different licensing conditions.

Is SFTP the Same as FTP

No.

SFTP runs over SSH and is designed for secure file transfer. FTP is a different protocol and does not provide the same encrypted connection by default.

FTPS is also different: it uses FTP with TLS/SSL encryption.

If your requirement specifically says SFTP, install an SFTP-capable server rather than simply installing an FTP server.

What Port does a Windows SFTP Server Use

The default OpenSSH port is TCP 22.

Microsoft's Windows OpenSSH installation creates the OpenSSH-Server-In-TCP firewall rule for inbound port 22.

If clients cannot connect, check:

The sshd service is running.
Windows Firewall permits the configured SSH port.
The client is using the correct IP address.
The username and authentication method are correct.
If connecting over the internet, the router/firewall is correctly configured.

Do not expose an SFTP server directly to the internet without considering authentication, account permissions, firewall rules, logging, and other security controls.

Which Free SFTP Server Should You Use

Use Windows OpenSSH if you want the simplest no-cost solution supported directly by Microsoft.

Use Bitvise SSH Server Personal Edition if you are a qualifying personal, non-commercial user and prefer its Windows-oriented administration tools.

For a business or organizational deployment, don't assume that a product's "free" edition permits that use. Bitvise explicitly requires its Standard Edition for organizational and commercial use.

FAQ

Does Windows have a free SFTP server?
Yes. Supported Windows versions can use Microsoft's OpenSSH Server feature, which provides SFTP functionality through SSH.

Is OpenSSH free on Windows?
The OpenSSH feature is available as part of supported Windows installations rather than requiring a separate paid SFTP server license. Microsoft distributes and services its Windows OpenSSH implementation through Windows Update.

Is Bitvise SSH Server free?
Bitvise offers a free Personal Edition for genuine personal, non-commercial use. Commercial and organizational use requires a paid edition.

Can I use Windows as an SFTP server without installing third-party software?
Yes. On supported Windows versions, you can install and enable the built-in OpenSSH Server feature.

What is the easiest free SFTP server for Windows?
For most users, Windows OpenSSH is the best starting point because it is built into supported Windows versions and is supported by Microsoft. Users who prioritize a graphical Windows administration experience may prefer Bitvise for eligible personal use.