SolarWinds Serv-U FTP Server
File transfer protocol (FTP) software
Data integration tools
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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$55 per server per month
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
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- Information technology and software
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- Energy and utilities
What is SolarWinds Serv-U FTP Server
SolarWinds Serv-U FTP Server is a Windows-based managed file transfer server that provides FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and HTTPS file transfer services. It is used by IT teams to host and control file exchanges with internal users, partners, and automated processes, typically from on-premises infrastructure. The product focuses on centralized administration, user and permission management, and operational controls such as logging and event-driven actions.
Multiple secure transfer protocols
Serv-U supports FTP, FTPS (TLS), SFTP (SSH), and HTTPS-based file transfers from a single server installation. This helps organizations standardize on one platform while meeting different partner and client requirements. It also enables encrypted transport options without requiring separate products for each protocol.
Granular user and access controls
The server provides user/group management and directory-level permissions to control who can access specific folders and operations. Administrators can apply policies such as password rules and account restrictions to align with internal security practices. These controls are useful when the same server supports multiple departments or external partners.
Administration, auditing, and automation hooks
Serv-U includes administrative tooling for configuration and ongoing operations, including logging for transfer activity and server events. It supports event-driven actions (for example, triggering commands or notifications based on transfer events) to integrate with scripts and operational workflows. This can reduce manual handling for routine file exchange processes.
Primarily Windows server deployment
Serv-U is designed around Windows server environments, which can be limiting for organizations standardizing on Linux-based infrastructure or containerized deployments. This may increase operational overhead if teams need to maintain a separate Windows footprint solely for file transfer services. It can also constrain certain modern DevOps patterns compared with more cloud-native options.
Not a full integration platform
While it can trigger scripts and support automated transfers, Serv-U does not provide broad data transformation, mapping, or connector ecosystems typical of dedicated data integration tools. Complex B2B integration scenarios often require additional middleware for schema translation, routing, and end-to-end orchestration. As a result, it fits best where the primary need is secure file transport rather than multi-system integration.
Limited collaboration and governance features
Compared with platforms that emphasize external collaboration, content sharing workflows, and advanced governance, Serv-U is more oriented to protocol-based transfer and server administration. Organizations needing features like rich recipient portals, extensive DLP controls, or business-user workflow may need complementary tools. This can lead to a split between IT-managed transfer services and business-facing file exchange requirements.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Serv-U File Transfer Protocol Server | $55 per server/month (billed annually) | FTP and FTPS support; Web & mobile client; Management console; Limits shown on SolarWinds compare page: up to 3 domains, up to 250 user accounts, up to 100 concurrent sessions; Fully functional 14-day free trial. |
Seller details
SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC
Austin, Texas, USA
1999
Private
https://www.solarwinds.com/
https://x.com/solarwinds
https://www.linkedin.com/company/solarwinds/
