CompleteFTP vs IBM Sterling File Gateway comparison

EnterpriseDT and IBM are both solutions in the Managed File Transfer (MFT) category. EnterpriseDT is ranked #22, while IBM is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.1. EnterpriseDT holds a 1.2% mindshare in MFT, compared to IBM’s 6.9% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of EnterpriseDT users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 85% of IBM users who would recommend it.

CompleteFTP

Read 1 CompleteFTP review

341 Views
334 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

IBM Sterling File Gateway

Read 19 IBM Sterling File Gateway reviews

2,772 Views
2,717 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

CompleteFTP

IBM Sterling File Gateway

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between CompleteFTP and IBM Sterling File Gateway based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Fortra, BMC, IBM and others in Managed File Transfer (MFT).

To learn more, read our detailed Managed File Transfer (MFT) Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Managed File Transfer (MFT)

February 2026

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Helped 884,933 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

CompleteFTP

Ranking in Managed File Transfer (MFT)

22nd

Average Rating

9.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

IBM Sterling File Gateway

Ranking in Managed File Transfer (MFT)

3rd

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2026, in the Managed File Transfer (MFT) category, the mindshare of CompleteFTP is 1.2%, up from 0.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of IBM Sterling File Gateway is 6.9%, down from 11.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Managed File Transfer (MFT) Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
IBM Sterling File Gateway	6.9%
CompleteFTP	1.2%
Other	91.9%

Managed File Transfer (MFT)

Featured Reviews

it_user375522

Director, Information Systems/IT Manager/IT Specialist at a translation and localization position with 501-1,000 employees

There are a number of security options that allow you to use ciphers of your preference, as well as very high key length.

They have built a Dropbox-like interface for secure file sharing to external parties using their CompleteBox client and I'd like to see this feature set expanded and built upon further as having a secure internal-only Dropbox solution is very attractive to us. Also, we would like the ability to whitelist IP addresses/networks so that those IP addresses are always allowed access and aren't put on the ban/abusers list.

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Devarshi Buch

CEO at Logic Systech Pvt Ltd

Has supported consistent deployments and automation but needs better reporting and tracking

The disadvantages I see in IBM Sterling File Gateway include price and reporting. Reporting is not very easy. If 10 people are putting file transfer using this protocol, determining who did what file transfer, how long it took, what encryption was done, and whether it was accessed by somebody or whether it was fully done without any retrial is difficult. Reporting is a big problem in IBM tool, according to our customers' complaints. When there is an audit requiring proof that a file has gone in a secure way, most customers have not been able to prove it. Additionally, when there is a large file transfer which has to be done in multiple pieces because of bandwidth restriction, they have not been able to do splitting. The splitting was not possible during file transfer. Many customers have asked if they can split the file and then send it, or pick and choose and send it from a large file. It was also found that it was hogging the bandwidth whenever it was doing file transfer. Ultimately, we ended up selling HP also. The tracking and monitoring features of IBM Sterling File Gateway present some challenges, particularly with tracking, monitoring and compliance issues which RBI is asking for. While it was possible to address these issues, it required an expert to figure it out. When expertise business activity is required, it costs money to customers who are not willing to pay. Regarding future features to make it more competitive, automation email could be one feature I recommend where once the file transfer is done, an email or log should be created for the admin person confirming successful completion. Second is 24/7 support in case of any issues. IBM has never been able to give round-the-clock support whereas customers can ship files even at midnight. Our support is also based on support from IBM. The third improvement area could be automation release notes. IBM has never given us or customers notifications when a new release or patch has come. Whenever a patch is released, an email should go to the buyer or user and to the reseller so they can sync up whether to upgrade the patch or not.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Overall, it's a solid secure file transferring server - SFTP/FTPS/SCP/HTTPS."

"It also has good error-handling methods."

"The most valuable aspect is that it has good functionality."

"IBM Sterling File Gateway is user-friendly, allowing us to easily monitor and track file data."

"The most valuable aspect is that it has good functionality."

"This product has been a leader in the field of secure file exchange."

"It's highly configurable and there is no need for standalone scripting; it's adaptive, functional, and it's quick and easy to set up interfaces."

"I really like its offer of a system and business process that handles inbound and outbound transactions."

"In IBM Sterling File Gateway, automation primarily involves schedulers, which significantly transfer daily generated claim files to the end user. We ensure that the directory and files are up to date, particularly those placed in specific directories by the source. Processing can stop if someonechanges the directory without updating it in the SFG partner profile. On the destination side, after setting up a partner file, we provide the end user with an MFT link, user ID, password, and a guide on uploading, downloading, and viewing files. Initially, we set up a primary password for them, and they can later change it to a preferred one for viewing their files. This process ensures smooth file handling, but miscommunication regarding directory changes can lead to issues."

More IBM Sterling File Gateway pros

Cons

"The only hassle that sometimes happens is that some of our international IP addresses get blacklisted sometimes and have to be removed from the blacklist."

"IBM Sterling File Gateway depends on a database, which can be a drawback compared to platforms where system resources are entirely controlled internally."

"We need REST APIs or other tools to create that listening producer."

"Reporting is not very easy. If 10 people are putting file transfer using this protocol, determining who did what file transfer, how long it took, what encryption was done, and whether it was accessed by somebody or whether it was fully done without any retrial is difficult."

"The solution's technical support is sometimes slow to understand the use cases, and the answers are not practical."

"Based on my experience, there's some room for improvement. We're currently using version 6.1.1, which has a limitation where files are purged after seven days. We have to restart the purge count manually through our standard procedure. This issue should be resolved in the latest version."

"The automation part is somewhat limited."

"The API capabilities could be expanded to make integration more versatile."

"The areas that need improvement are user management, user interface, and the segregation of users."

More IBM Sterling File Gateway cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"There are two types of customer licenses, an annual preview license, and an ELA-based license. I have found the solution is priced well. However, they need to review the pricing model because if you look at any other competitors, such as GlobalSCAPE, they do pricing based on the components and what you select. With this solution you have a monolithic application which you need to buy, there is no component level price discount."

"It's reasonably priced at $800,000."

"I do know that it's generally considered expensive, but it's also widely used across corporate organizations due to its robust protocol communication, secure file transfer capabilities, and integration features. Although there are other tools on the market, IBM Sterling File Gateway stands out for its unique options and cloud compatibility, which offers future benefits, particularly in avoiding data storage issues."

"The solution's pricing is reasonable."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Financial Services Firm

31%

Computer Software Company

Insurance Company

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	4
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	12

Questions from the Community

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Sterling File Gateway?

The cost-effectiveness of IBM Sterling File Gateway was a major factor in our decision to use it, in comparison to the higher costs associated with DataPower.

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What needs improvement with IBM Sterling File Gateway?

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What is your primary use case for IBM Sterling File Gateway?

I have been dealing with IBM Sterling File Gateway for some time, and we have sold to about six customers across India with the help of IBM. One large bank which we have sold this solution to is SB...

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Managed File Transfer (MFT)

February 2026

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Buyer's Guide

IBM Sterling File Gateway

March 2026

Download IBM Sterling File Gateway product report

Overview

CompleteFTP – the most customisable SFTP Server for Windows

Companies worldwide rely on the CompleteFTP family of products to securely transfer confidential files. It is easy to install, has a powerful set of features, and is a highly customizable SFTP server for Windows. Best of all, you get all the features of our most expensive competitors for a better price. From the entry-level free FTPS server, through the powerful mid-range SFTP server for Windows, to our state-of-the-art, enterprise-level Managed File Transfer server, the CompleteFTP family offers an edition for every application.

CompleteFTP is a proprietary FTP server for Windows by EnterpriseDT that supports FTP, FTPS, SFTP, SCP, HTTP and HTTPS.

Features include Secure File Sharing, Web File Management, Unlimited Users, Easy to customise and much more.

"Great FTP Software and Easy to Use," Verified Review

"CompleteFTP is a game changer!" Verified Review

EnterpriseDT

Securely manage transfer files with authentication, encryption and audit trails while you retain administrative control of data using a library of templates.

Sterling File Gateway can help you increase secure and dependable file transfer with your trading partners. It consolidates disparate centers of file transfer activity and facilitates the security-rich exchange of file-based data over the Internet. It helps companies avoid the risk and operational issues that can result from using loosely controlled file-transfer servers.

IBM

Sample Customers

Accenture, Audi, Boeing, 3 Italia SPA, TeliaSonera, IntelliTeK, Bupa and thousands more

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Managed File Transfer (MFT)

February 2026

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