Transmit

Active

Country: United States (US)
Founded: 2003
Developer: Panic
Pricing: $45 one-time purchase (7-day free trial)
Open source: No
Platforms: macOS, iOS

Indexes

File Managers

Overview

Transmit is a file transfer application for macOS and iOS that supports uploading, downloading, and managing files on various servers including FTP, SFTP, Amazon S3, and multiple cloud services.¹⁶ It targets users needing reliable server file management, such as web developers and system administrators, with features like Panic Sync for site syncing across devices and enhanced transfer speeds.¹

Key Features

Multi-protocol support - Supports FTP, SFTP, SSL, TLS, Amazon S3, and 10+ cloud services for versatile server connections.¹²
Panic Sync - Syncs sites and favorites between multiple Macs and iOS devices.¹
Batch file operations - Enables batch renaming, tagging, copying, pasting, and selective syncing of files.¹
Places bar - Quick-access bar for favorite folders similar to browser bookmarks.¹
View options - List, column, and Cover Flow views with customizable columns for size, date, permissions, and invisible files.⁴
Security features - Supports two-factor authentication, secure key management, and hidden invisible files toggle.¹²
Transfer engine - Improved speed and intelligence for handling complex folder structures, up to 20 simultaneous transfers.¹³

Pricing

Plan	Price	Includes
Free Trial	Free	7-day full access to all features.
Standard	$35 (first week), then $45	Perpetual license for Transmit 5 on macOS.

Platforms & Requirements

Transmit runs on macOS with support for Intel and Apple Silicon via universal binary, and has an iOS companion app for mobile access.¹² Minimum requirements align with recent macOS versions; not all servers support maximum 20 simultaneous transfers.³ No Windows, Linux, or Android support.

Integrations & Ecosystem

Amazon S3 (v4 API)
SFTP/SSH
FTP/SSL/TLS
Linode Object Storage
Fortrabbit SFTP
Panic Sync for cross-device
Growl notifications
macOS Finder integration (default FTP client)

Alternatives

App	Difference
Cyberduck	Free, open-source alternative with similar S3 and cloud support but less macOS-native polish.
ForkLift	Dual-pane macOS file manager with built-in FTP/SFTP, emphasizing local-remote file operations.
FileZilla	Free, cross-platform FTP client lacking Transmit's cloud integrations and macOS-specific features.
ExpanDrive	Mounts cloud storage as local drives, broader protocol support but subscription-based.

Reputation

Transmit is widely regarded as a top macOS file transfer client for its speed, reliability, and deep OS integration, earning awards like an Apple Design Award.²¹⁰ Users praise features like directory searching, DockSend, and cloud support, though some note the one-time cost after trial and lack of cross-platform availability.¹² Criticisms are minor, focusing on server limitations for high-concurrency transfers.³

Sources (10)