FileZilla is the free client everyone has used at some point. DockBird is what you reach for when you want the same job done by a native Mac app with Quick Look, Keychain and a design that matches the rest of your desktop.
| DockBird | FileZilla | |
|---|---|---|
| Native macOS app | Yes, Swift and SwiftUI | No, cross-platform toolkit |
| Two-pane layout | Yes | Yes |
| Drag and drop with Finder | Yes | Partial |
| Quick Look for remote files | Yes | No |
| SFTP | Yes | Yes |
| FTP / FTPS | Yes | Yes |
| WebDAV / Nextcloud | Yes | Pro version |
| Amazon S3 and compatible | Yes, 9 presets plus custom endpoints | Pro version |
| Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive | No | Pro version |
| Sync / mirror folders | No | Directory comparison |
| Pricing | One-time purchase after a 7-day trial | Free; FileZilla Pro is paid |
| Analytics or telemetry | Two anonymous signals, off with one switch | See FileZilla’s privacy policy |
FileZilla details are taken from public product information as of September 2026 and may change. FileZilla is a product of Tim Kosse and contributors, which is not affiliated with DockBird. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
FileZilla is free, mature and everywhere. Its interface, though, is a cross-platform one, and on macOS that means no Quick Look, non-standard shortcuts and a look that has not changed much in fifteen years.
DockBird is macOS-only by design. Space previews a remote file, ⌘I opens Get Info, ⌘⌫ deletes, drags go to and from Finder, and passwords live in the Keychain. S3-compatible storage and WebDAV are included rather than reserved for a Pro edition.
DockBird is free for 7 days. If FileZilla suits you better, we would rather you use it than pay for the wrong tool.
macOS 15 Sequoia or later. Apple silicon and Intel.
