Remote Protocols Supported by CloudMounter

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Updated on: May 12, 2026
Time to read: 5 minutes

Remote file servers offer a variety of benefits. They allow users easy remote access to their data from any device or location, as well as the ability to edit and share files, leading to improved file storage and collaboration among team members. Before choosing the best solution, one needs to evaluate the pros and cons of each option available on the market.

Below is a list of the various remote servers that CloudMounter can manage, with an overview of their most prominent features.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

FTP server with CloudMounter

FTP is the old standard of the internet, used for transferring files between a client and a server over a network.

Best for: Legacy systems, open file servers, or environments where security isn’t a priority.

Pros

  • Universal Support: Almost every server environment and hosting provider supports FTP (may require installation and configuration).
  • Speed: Because it has lower overhead than encrypted protocols such as SFTP, it can be slightly faster for non-sensitive data transfers.

Cons

  • Security Risks: Data is sent in plain text, meaning passwords and files can be intercepted by anyone on the network. But there are FTPS and FTPES, which address this issue.
  • Firewall Issues: Standard FTP uses multiple ports, which often leads to connection issues through strict firewalls.

The CloudMounter advantage:

CloudMounter improves the FTP experience by mounting the server as a local drive. Therefore, users can manage remote files via drag-and-drop in Finder (macOS) or File Explorer (Windows). CloudMounter also supports FTPS and FTPES, if the server is configured to allow these protocols. This adds the SSL/TLS encryption layer that is not present in standard FTP.

SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)

SFTP server with CloudMounter

SFTP is a secure network protocol, distinct from FTP, built upon the Secure Shell (SSH) stream.

Best for: Secure workflows, deployment systems, backups, and environments requiring encrypted file transfer.

Pros

  • High Security: All data, including credentials, is encrypted during transit.
  • Firewall Friendly: It operates over a single selected port (usually port 22), making it much easier to manage through corporate firewalls.

Cons

  • Lower Transfer Speeds: Because SFTP runs over a single SSH connection, it may be less efficient for large-scale parallel transfers.
  • Computational Overhead: The encryption process can be more resource-intensive for the server and client.

WebDAV (Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning)

WebDAV server with CloudMounter

WebDAV is an extension of the HTTP protocol that allows users to collaboratively upload, edit, and manage files on remote web servers.

Best for: Content Management Systems (CMS), collaborative document storage, and HTTP-friendly environments.

Pros

  • Encryption via HTTPS: Works over TLS just like secure web traffic.
  • Uses Standard Ports: Operates over ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS), which are almost always open on any network.
  • Collaborative Native: Specifically designed for users to edit and manage files collaboratively on a web server — useful for distributed teams.

Cons

  • Performance Variability: Speed and responsiveness depend on HTTP overhead.
  • Server Inconsistencies: Not all WebDAV servers behave identically, which can lead to inconsistent client behavior.

Conclusion

CloudMounter creates an unrivaled path to a unified interface. By eliminating the need for multiple synchronization applications, it improves accessibility across different protocols and reduces system load. The solution mounts cloud services as local disks, available directly via File Explorer or Finder. Users don’t need to keep all files downloaded locally, which saves disk space. Users can easily edit, move, and organize files, accessing them even while they’re offline. The built-in encryption guarantees enhanced security. These benefits ultimately lead to improved collaboration, including with remote workers.

Frequently Asked Questions

CloudMounter supports a large number of services directly in File Explorer and Finder, including Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Amazon S3, Box, MEGA, and Backblaze B2 storage, as well as FTP, FTPS, FTPES, SFTP, and WebDAV servers.

iCloud is not supported at this time.

Yes, CloudMounter provides Advanced Encryption Standard 256-bit client-side encryption, ensuring top-tier data security and protection.

CloudMounter is supported on macOS (12.4 and later) and Windows (Win 7 SP1 and newer).