NixSCP

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NixSCP vs. WinSCP: what is added, changed and not ported

NixSCP follows WinSCP closely. Here is everything that is different.

NixSCP is a C++/Qt 6 port of WinSCP's GPL source code. It keeps WinSCP's interface, keyboard shortcuts, scripting and WinSCP.ini format, so WinSCP's documentation applies to most of it; the Help buttons and F1 in NixSCP open those pages. This page lists what is different. NixSCP is not affiliated with or endorsed by WinSCP.

What NixSCP adds

FeatureSummaryPrice
Native Linux appQt 6, Wayland and X11, GNOME, KDE Plasma and XFCE, desktop Trash, your terminal, sftp:// linksFree
Windows buildThe same app for Windows 10 and 11, as an installer or portable zipFree
Agent AccessAI agents use saved SSH sites without getting passwords or keysFree
MCP servernixscp --mcp for Claude Code and other MCP clientsFree
TunnelsSaved SSH port forwards per siteFree
Release checkA notice about new versions; no automatic installsFree
Cloud syncEnd-to-end encrypted sync of sites, passwords, settings and open tabsPro, free in beta
Local encryptionThe whole configuration encrypted with the NixSCP passwordPro, free in beta
TeamsShared, end-to-end encrypted site foldersPro, free in beta

What works differently

  • Configuration is always an INI file in WinSCP's format (~/.config/nixscp/nixscp.ini, %APPDATA%\NixSCP on Windows). Registry settings come in through a .reg export. Values NixSCP does not use are kept, so nothing is lost going WinSCP → NixSCP → WinSCP.
  • Console client: nixscp-cli instead of winscp.com, with the same script commands, switches and exit codes.
  • Authentication agent: ssh-agent on Linux instead of Pageant.
  • Local files: Linux paths, permissions and Trash instead of drive letters, Windows attributes and the Recycle Bin.
  • Master password: compatible with WinSCP; with NixSCP Pro, the NixSCP password encrypts the whole file instead, and exports are either encrypted backups or plain WinSCP files.
  • Updates: a notice about new GitHub releases instead of WinSCP's updater.

What is not ported

  • The Explorer interface (NixSCP has the Commander interface).
  • Encryption of files stored on the server ("Encrypt new files").
  • Local-to-local synchronization.
  • WinSCP extensions, and the .NET assembly and COM library; use nixscp-cli scripts instead.
  • Windows integration: registry storage, shell extensions, jump lists, installer maintenance switches.
  • A few settings without a Linux equivalent, such as clearing the archive attribute; their values are preserved in the file.

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Questions or problems? See the FAQ, open an issue on GitHub or write to hello@codewizdev.com.