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ForkLift vs Transmit
Which is the better file transfer for Mac in 2026?
We compared ForkLift and Transmit across 5 key factors including price, open-source status, and community adoption. Both ForkLift and Transmit are excellent file transfer. Read our full breakdown below.
ForkLift
Finder replacement and FTP, SFTP, WebDAV and Amazon s3 client
Free
VS
Transmit
File transfer application
Free
Our Verdict
Both ForkLift and Transmit are excellent file transfer. ForkLift is better for users who prefer polished experiences, while Transmit excels for those who value established ecosystems.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ForkLift | Transmit |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Monthly Installs | N/A | N/A |
| GitHub Stars | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Other | Other |
Quick Install
ForkLift
brew install --cask forkliftTransmit
brew install --cask transmitLearn More
In-Depth Overview
What is ForkLift?
ForkLift is a powerful dual-pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS, developed by BinaryNights. Since its initial release, ForkLift has been designed as a Finder replacement that goes far beyond what Apple's default file browser offers. ForkLift 4, the current major version, features a dual-pane interface with synchronized browsing, multi-rename with regular expression support, a built-in terminal, archive browsing (zip, tar, gz, bz2, rar, 7z), directory comparison and synchronization, app deletion that removes associated files, and full Git integration showing repository status in the file browser. As a file transfer client, ForkLift supports FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, Google Drive, Rackspace Cloud Files, SMB, NFS, and AFP. It can mount remote servers as local drives, allowing you to browse remote file systems as if they were attached storage. ForkLift also includes a Disklet feature for creating virtual drives from frequently accessed remote locations. The application is distributed through BinaryNights' website and the Mac App Store at a one-time price of $29.95, making it one of the most cost-effective dual-purpose file management tools available.
What is Transmit?
Transmit is a premium macOS file transfer application developed by Panic Inc., widely regarded as the gold standard for FTP/SFTP clients on any platform. Since 1999, Transmit has been continuously refined into the fastest, most polished file transfer client available for macOS. Transmit 5 supports FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Backblaze B2, Rackspace Cloud Files, DreamObjects, and Microsoft Azure. Its dual-pane interface is specifically designed for file transfer operations—local files on the left, remote server on the right, with drag-and-drop between them. Transmit's transfer engine uses multi-threaded connections for benchmark-leading speeds. Unique features include DockSend (drag files to the Dock icon for automatic upload), server-to-server transfers, Panic Sync for connection syncing across devices, and a refined favorites system called Places. Transmit is a one-time purchase at $45 from Panic's website or the Mac App Store.
Detailed Feature Comparison
Local File Management
CriticalForkLiftExcellent
ForkLift is fundamentally a file manager, offering dual-pane browsing, archive extraction and creation, multi-rename with regex, directory comparison with visual diffs, app uninstalling that removes leftover files, Quick Look support, and a built-in terminal. It effectively replaces Finder for power users.
TransmitLimited
Transmit's local pane shows the local file system for transfer purposes, but it is not designed as a Finder replacement. It doesn't offer archive browsing, multi-rename, app uninstalling, or the local file management features that ForkLift provides. It's a transfer client, not a file manager.
Verdict: ForkLift is a full-featured Finder replacement while Transmit focuses purely on file transfers.
File Transfer Speed
HighForkLiftGood
ForkLift handles file transfers efficiently and supports multi-connection uploads. Its transfer engine is reliable and well-optimized, though it doesn't match Transmit's benchmark-leading performance for bulk operations with many simultaneous connections.
TransmitExcellent
Transmit's transfer engine is the fastest on macOS, using multi-threaded connections, intelligent queueing, and connection pooling. Panic has spent years optimizing transfer performance, and benchmarks consistently show it outperforming all competitors including ForkLift.
Verdict: Transmit is measurably faster for file transfers, especially bulk operations.
Remote Volume Mounting
HighForkLiftExcellent
ForkLift can mount remote servers as local drives, allowing you to browse SFTP, FTP, S3, and WebDAV servers in Finder or any application as if they were connected drives. The Disklet feature creates persistent virtual drives from remote locations. This seamless integration is incredibly useful for workflows that require treating remote files as local.
TransmitGood
Transmit supports mounting remote servers as volumes through macOS FUSE, but this functionality requires additional software and is not as seamlessly integrated as ForkLift's native mount system. The mounting feature works but isn't a primary focus of Transmit's design.
Verdict: ForkLift's native remote volume mounting is more seamless and doesn't require third-party software.
Git Integration
MediumForkLiftExcellent
ForkLift shows Git repository status directly in the file browser, with color-coded indicators for modified, untracked, and staged files. You can perform basic Git operations from the context menu. This integration makes ForkLift a useful companion for development work without needing to switch to a terminal.
TransmitLimited
Transmit does not include Git integration. It is focused on file transfer protocols and cloud storage, not version control. Developers who need Git visibility must use separate tools like their IDE, command line, or a dedicated Git client.
Verdict: ForkLift's Git integration adds significant value for developers.
Cloud Service Support
HighForkLiftGood
ForkLift supports Amazon S3, Google Drive, Rackspace Cloud Files, and WebDAV-based services. It covers the most common cloud storage needs but doesn't support as many services as Transmit. The S3 integration is solid with full bucket management capabilities.
TransmitExcellent
Transmit supports a broader range of cloud services: Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Backblaze B2, Rackspace Cloud Files, DreamObjects, Microsoft Azure, and WebDAV. The cloud integrations are polished with full management capabilities for each service.
Verdict: Transmit supports more cloud storage services with more polished integration.
Unique Features
MediumForkLiftExcellent
ForkLift's unique features include multi-rename with regex, archive browsing without extraction, app uninstalling, built-in terminal, directory comparison/sync, and Disklet virtual drives. These features make it a Swiss Army knife for file operations.
TransmitGood
Transmit offers DockSend for quick uploads, server-to-server transfers, batch renaming, and Panic Sync. These features are focused on making file transfers as efficient as possible.
Verdict: ForkLift offers more diverse functionality as a dual-purpose file manager and transfer client.
Price
HighForkLiftExcellent
ForkLift costs $29.95 as a one-time purchase, which is remarkable considering it replaces both a Finder replacement and an FTP client. This makes it one of the best values in Mac productivity software.
TransmitGood
Transmit costs $45 as a one-time purchase. While more expensive than ForkLift, the price reflects its premium transfer performance and Panic's reputation for quality. It's still a reasonable investment for professionals.
Verdict: ForkLift offers more functionality at a lower price point.
Who Should Choose Which?
1The Web Developer Deploying to Servers
Transmit
Transmit is purpose-built for file transfer and excels at uploading website files to remote servers. Its sync feature can compare your local project folder with the remote server and upload only changed files, dramatically speeding up deployment. The Panic Sync service stores your server connections encrypted in the cloud, so you have access to all your servers from any Mac. The polished interface makes managing dozens of client servers straightforward, and the deep integration with other Panic tools like Nova creates a cohesive web development workflow.
2The Power User Who Wants a Finder Replacement
ForkLift
ForkLift is a dual-pane file manager that replaces Finder for local file operations while also supporting remote connections. If you find yourself constantly moving files between folders, comparing directory contents, or batch-renaming files, ForkLift's dual-pane layout with keyboard shortcuts makes these tasks dramatically faster than Finder. The ability to mount remote servers as local drives means you can browse SFTP servers in the same interface you use for local files, without switching to a separate transfer application.
3The System Administrator Managing Many Servers
ForkLift
SysAdmins who connect to dozens of servers via SFTP and need to quickly browse, edit, and transfer configuration files benefit from ForkLift's dual-pane approach. You can have a local directory on one side and a remote server on the other, dragging files between them as naturally as moving files between local folders. The built-in terminal emulator means you can run commands on the remote server without switching to a separate SSH client, keeping your entire server management workflow in one window.
4The Design Agency Uploading Client Assets
Transmit
Design agencies frequently need to upload large batches of assets to client servers, CDNs, or cloud storage services. Transmit's support for Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Backblaze B2, Wasabi, and Azure alongside traditional FTP/SFTP makes it the most versatile option for agencies that work with clients using different hosting providers. The bandwidth throttling feature prevents large uploads from saturating the office internet connection.
5The Freelance Developer Working Across Protocols
ForkLift
ForkLift supports an exceptionally wide range of protocols including FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, Google Drive, Rackspace, and SMB network shares. If you work with a diverse set of clients who each use different hosting and storage solutions, ForkLift lets you connect to all of them through a single application. The ability to save connections as Favorites with custom labels keeps everything organized regardless of the underlying protocol.
6The Mac Purist Who Values Native Design
Transmit
Transmit is made by Panic, one of the most respected macOS developers in the Apple ecosystem. The application is a native Cocoa app with an interface that feels like it was designed by Apple themselves. Every animation, keyboard shortcut, and visual element follows macOS design conventions precisely. If you care about applications that feel at home on your Mac and respect the platform's design language, Transmit is the gold standard for file transfer clients.
7The Developer Who Needs Built-In File Comparison
ForkLift
ForkLift includes a built-in file comparison tool that can diff two directories and highlight files that are new, modified, or missing. This is invaluable when comparing a local development copy against a staging server or verifying that a deployment completed successfully. While Transmit offers a sync feature, ForkLift's visual comparison with color-coded differences gives you more confidence that your files are in the expected state.
Migration Guide
Forklift → Transmit
Recreate your ForkLift bookmarks as Transmit favorites. Note that you'll lose local file management features, volume mounting, Git integration, and the built-in terminal. You'll gain faster transfers, DockSend, and Panic Sync.
Transmit → Forklift
Recreate your Transmit favorites as ForkLift bookmarks. You'll gain local file management, volume mounting, and Git integration. You'll lose DockSend, server-to-server transfers, and Panic Sync. Some cloud services supported by Transmit may not be available in ForkLift.
Pro Tips
Consider your primary use case: if you mostly manage local files and occasionally transfer, ForkLift is more versatile. If transfers are your main activity, Transmit is more focused.
Final Verdict
Overall Winner
Depends on use case
9.0/10
Winner
8.8/10
Runner-up
ForkLift and Transmit are both excellent applications that represent the best of macOS software development. ForkLift is the better choice for users who want a single, versatile tool that replaces Finder and handles file transfers—it offers more functionality at a lower price. Transmit is the better choice for users whose primary workflow is file transfer and who demand the fastest, most polished transfer experience available. Neither is objectively better; they serve different primary needs with some overlap.
Bottom Line: Choose ForkLift for a Finder replacement with built-in FTP; choose Transmit for the fastest, most dedicated file transfer experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
ForkLift can replace Finder completely and handle most file transfer needs. However, for users who transfer files as their primary task, Transmit's optimized engine and unique features like DockSend and server-to-server transfers provide a better dedicated experience. ForkLift is a generalist that does many things well; Transmit is a specialist that does one thing exceptionally.
About the Author
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Related Technologies & Concepts
BinaryNightsPanic Inc.FinderCyberduckFileZillaAmazon S3DockSendDisklet
BinaryNights (Developer of ForkLift file manager.), Panic Inc. (Developer of Transmit file transfer client.), Finder (Apple's default macOS file manager that ForkLift aims to replace.), Cyberduck (Free open-source alternative to both tools.), FileZilla (Free cross-platform FTP client alternative.), Amazon S3 (Cloud storage supported by both applications.), DockSend (Transmit-exclusive drag-and-drop upload via Dock icon.), Disklet (ForkLift feature for creating virtual drives from remote locations.)
Related Topics
macOS File Managers
Applications that replace or enhance Finder for file browsing and management.
Premium Mac FTP Clients
Commercial file transfer applications designed for macOS professionals.
Finder Alternatives
Third-party file managers that offer more features than the default macOS Finder.
Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: Feb 15, 2026
Key Verified Facts
- ForkLift costs $29.95 as a one-time purchase.[cite-forklift-official]
- Transmit costs $45 as a one-time purchase.[cite-transmit-official]
- ForkLift supports mounting remote servers as local drives.[cite-forklift-official]
- 1ForkLift - File Manager and FTP/SFTP Client
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
- 2Transmit 5 by Panic
Accessed Feb 15, 2026
Research queries: ForkLift vs Transmit Mac 2026; ForkLift file manager review; Transmit 5 features