While command-line tools like scp/sftp are powerful, many developers transitioning from desktop environments prefer graphical interfaces for file transfers. This is particularly true when:
- Managing multiple simultaneous transfers
- Visualizing directory structures
- Performing bulk operations
- Working with complex permission scenarios
1. WinSCP (Windows)
The gold standard for Windows users with excellent Amazon EC2 integration:
# Sample WinSCP script for automated transfers
option batch abort
option confirm off
open sftp://ec2-user@your-instance-public-dns/ -hostkey="ssh-rsa 2048 xx:xx:xx..."
put C:\local\path\* /home/ec2-user/remote/path/
exit
Key features:
- Dual-pane interface (local vs remote)
- Integration with PuTTY for SSH sessions
- Support for SCP, SFTP, and FTPS
- Scripting capabilities
2. FileZilla (Cross-platform)
The open-source favorite with straightforward EC2 configuration:
- Create new site in Site Manager
- Protocol: SFTP
- Host: your-ec2-public-dns
- Logon Type: Key file
- User: ec2-user (for Amazon Linux)
- Browse to select your .pem file
3. Cyberduck (Mac/Windows)
Excellent for macOS users with cloud storage integration:
# Cyberduck CLI (duck) example:
duck --username ec2-user --identity ~/.ssh/key.pem \
--upload sftp://ec2-xx-xx-xx-xx.compute-1.amazonaws.com/ \
/local/path /remote/path
For enhanced security, consider these EC2-specific settings:
# In /etc/ssh/sshd_config on your EC2 instance:
Match User ec2-user
PasswordAuthentication no
PubkeyAuthentication yes
X11Forwarding no
AllowTcpForwarding no
Permission errors: Ensure your key file has correct permissions:
chmod 400 your-key.pem
Connection timeouts: Verify security group inbound rules allow SSH (port 22) from your IP.
Authentication failures: Double-check the username (typically "ec2-user" for Amazon Linux, "ubuntu" for Ubuntu instances).
For teams managing multiple EC2 instances:
- Royal TS: Centralized credential management
- MobaXTerm: Tabbed interface with session management
- Termius: Cross-platform with team collaboration
While PuTTY remains a reliable choice for SSH connections, its command-line interface poses challenges for beginners managing file transfers between Linux servers. Modern GUI alternatives combine security with intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, particularly useful for Amazon EC2 instances.
1. WinSCP (Windows)
The most robust PuTTY alternative featuring:
- Dual-pane interface with local/remote file browsers
- SCP, SFTP, and FTPS protocols
- Integration with PuTTY for command-line access
- Session manager with EC2 instance presets
# Sample WinSCP scripting for automated transfers
option batch abort
option confirm off
open sftp://user:password@ec2-instance-ip/ -hostkey="ssh-rsa 2048 xx:xx:xx..."
put C:\local\path\* /remote/path/
exit
2. FileZilla Pro (Cross-Platform)
Adds SSH/SFTP support to the popular FTP client:
- Site Manager for EC2 instance profiles
- Drag-and-drop between local and remote systems
- Directory comparison tools
- Available on Linux via Flatpak
Cyberduck (Mac/Windows)
Open-source client with:
- Cloud storage integration (S3 buckets alongside EC2)
- Keychain password management
- Custom transfer speed throttling
MobaXTerm (Windows)
All-in-one toolkit featuring:
- Embedded X server for GUI applications
- Multi-tabbed interface
- Built-in terminal with sudo support
Typical GUI workflow for EC2 file transfer:
- Create new connection profile with EC2 instance details
- Authenticate using SSH keys (PPK format for Windows clients)
- Navigate local/remote directories in split view
- Drag files between panes or use queue for scheduled transfers
When GUI clients fail to connect:
# Verify EC2 security group rules
aws ec2 describe-security-groups --group-ids sg-xxxxxxxx --query "SecurityGroups[0].IpPermissions"
# Check SSH daemon configuration
sudo cat /etc/ssh/sshd_config | grep -i "PasswordAuthentication"
# Test basic connectivity
telnet ec2-instance-ip 22
Remember to configure your EC2 security groups to allow inbound SSH traffic (port 22) from your IP address before attempting connections.