ShareFile is a custom-branded FTP Site that is designed for business use, specifically for businesses with 1 - 100 employees. The two most distinctive features of the service are its complimentary custom branding of your portal to match the look of your web site and the level of customer service that ShareFile provides (when you sign up, you get the name of a real person you can contact for training or support).

In addition to its web-based interface, ShareFile offers an MS Outlook PlugIn, a desktop upload tool, and compatibility with traditional FTP software such as FileZilla, Fetch, and WS FTP. ShareFile plans start at $29.95 per month.

Strengths: Custom branding is more professional than competitive services, customer support and training, compatibility with FTP software, focused on business users, affordable pricing for multi-user accounts.

Weaknesses: For companies with very few employees and fairly small storage requirements but very large bandwidth requirements, ShareFile's pricing may not be competitive with other services. Also, the system is strictly for businesses, not consumers.

Get a free trial of ShareFile | Visit ShareFile web site

Box.net is a web-based FTP site that is designed for both personal and business use, with a free Lite account available to users with a tight budget. The most distinctive feature of the service are its "Open Box" applications that allow you to add features to your account, including document and photo editing, e-signing and creating new documents all within your account.

Box.net is a little bit weak when it comes to desktop power tools. It lacks a desktop tool for uploading files like the YouSendIt Express tool and also does not have an MS Outlook PlugIn that many services now have, such as YouSendIt and ShareFile. Box.net plans start at $7.95 per month for personal accounts (with free accounts available as well) and $15 per month per user for businesses.

Strengths: There is no software to download onto your computer to use Box.net. Their web-based applications easily allow you to open, create, view, and edit files that are stored on your account. Of all the FTP Sites we evaluated, Box is probably the strongest when it comes to partnering with 3rd party software providers to offer additional functionalty to its users.

Weaknesses: For companies with several users, the Business plans are pricey on a per user basis at $15 per month per user. With the Business plans starting with a minimum of 3 users, it is not as competitive as other services. The lack of desktop tools such as an Outlook PlugIn, along with a somewhat cartoonish interface, make the site feel like it is better suited for consumer use than business use (though Box definitely does offer business plans).

Start a free trial of Box.net | Visit the Box.net Website

WS_FTP is a client/server range of FTP products. WS_FTP Server is the FTP server in this product range and comes in three different versions. The primary features of the different versions remain the same, with the core difference being the protocols supported. WS_FTP Home or WS_FTP Professional can be used for the client-side application. The Professional offers a notification system of uploads and downloads as well as advanced automation.

Strengths: WS_FTP offers an easy to use FTP client for personal use and can be set up with a client-server configuration to support business needs. Automated file transfer/backup is easy to set up and use.

Weaknesses: WS_FTP is a traditional FTP model that does not work well as a client portal. And for businesses using the client and server, the solution can become expensive and require dedicated FTEs for maintenance and oversight.

Visit the WS_FTP Website