FTP 101 – Part 17: Pros and Cons of SCP vs. SFTP
Published {$created} by Carsten Blum
In the last article, we introduced SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) as a quick, secure way to transfer files over SSH. But while SCP is fast and simple, it also comes with important limitations compared to SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol).
In this tutorial, we’ll look at the pros and cons of SCP, how it stacks up against SFTP, and where its weaknesses show — particularly in logging, access control, and error reporting.
Before starting this tutorial, you need an account with ftpGrid, which is a simple process outlined in our getting started with FTP/SFTP guide. If your are in doubt if managed FTP/SFTP hosting is for you, you can read our guide to ftpGrid's managed hosting.
Advantages of SCP
SCP still has a few benefits that make it attractive in certain use cases:
Speed: For single, large file transfers, SCP can be faster than SFTP because it doesn’t process as much metadata.
Simplicity: The syntax is straightforward — like using the
cpcommand, but over SSH.Ubiquity: SCP has been around for decades and is available by default on most Unix-like systems.
Automation-friendly: Great for quick scripts or cron jobs that just need to push/pull files.
Disadvantages of SCP Compared to SFTP
Despite its simplicity, SCP falls short in several critical areas:
No directory management: You can’t list, rename, or browse directories as with SFTP.
Limited error handling: Error messages are often vague or unhelpful.
No resume support: Interrupted transfers cannot be resumed where they left off.
Weaker logging: SCP provides almost no detailed logs of transfer operations.
Minimal access control: Fine-grained permission handling isn’t built into the protocol.
SCP vs. SFTP: Which Should You Use?
Feature | SCP | SFTP |
|---|---|---|
Protocol Base | SSH | SSH |
File Management | Copy only | Full management (list, rename, etc.) |
Resume Transfers | No | Yes |
Logging | Very limited | Detailed event logging |
Access Control | Minimal (OS-level only) | Fine-grained via server config |
Error Reporting | Weak | Strong |
Best Use Case | Quick one-off transfers | Ongoing file management & automation |
The Bottom Line
SCP is a solid choice if you just need to move files quickly and don’t care about logging, error handling, or access controls. But for most business workflows, SFTP is far more powerful and flexible. That’s why at ftpGrid, we support both — so you can use SCP for speed when you need it, and SFTP for reliable, managed workflows with detailed logging and security controls.
To dig deeper into FTP/SFTP read all about ftpGrid features and signup using our quick onboarding guide.