Are you looking for an alternative to GoAnywhere? If so, the first question isn’t which tool is “better,” but what problem you want to solve.
GoAnywhere is a robust Managed File Transfer solution for organizations that want to manage automated file flows between systems, servers, applications, and trading partners. Msafe Secure File Transfer, on the other hand, was developed specifically for organizations that want to enable employees, customers, suppliers, auditors, and external partners to share files securely and in a verifiable manner.
That distinction is important. Many organizations search for “alternatives to GoAnywhere,” but what they really mean is: we’re looking for a simpler, more user-friendly, and more easily adoptable way to securely share confidential files with people outside the organization.
In this article, we explain what Managed File Transfer is, what GoAnywhere excels at, what the difference is between MFT and Secure File Transfer, when Msafe is a logical alternative, and how to consider management, users, external parties, compliance, and costs.
What is Managed File Transfer?
Managed File Transfer, often abbreviated as MFT, is software for centrally managing, securing, automating, and monitoring file transfers. MFT is primarily used when files are exchanged on a structural or process-based basis between systems, servers, applications, and external trading partners.
Consider daily exports from an ERP system, batch files sent to a financial partner, SFTP or AS2 connections with suppliers, automatic processing of files in folders, or integrations with databases, applications, and cloud environments.
While standard FTP or SFTP connections are often standalone technical connections, MFT aims to add governance to them: centralized monitoring, logging, alerts, workflows, encryption, authorizations, and reporting.
GoAnywhere positions GoAnywhere MFT as a solution that manages file transfer, file sharing, secure FTP, and automation through a single interface. According to GoAnywhere, the solution is designed for organizations that manage large volumes of sensitive data in complex environments. GoAnywhere cites use cases such as batch server-to-server file transfers, user-to-system ad hoc transfers, person-to-person collaboration, B2B data exchange, and centralized governance of file transfers. (Fortra’s GoAnywhere)
In short: MFT is particularly well-suited for system-to-system file transfers. These are repeatable, technical, and often business-critical file transfers in which reliability, monitoring, and automation are key.
The Strengths of GoAnywhere
GoAnywhere is a well-known MFT solution and excels in situations where organizations want to centrally manage large volumes of technical file flows. The platform is particularly useful for IT environments where multiple protocols, endpoints, systems, trading partners, and automated workflows converge.
1. Automation of file flows
One of GoAnywhere’s strengths is workflow automation. GoAnywhere features, among other things, multi-step workflows, a built-in scheduler, monitored folders, automatic alerts, commands, APIs, drag-and-drop workflow creation, and event-driven automation. This is valuable when files need to be automatically retrieved, processed, encrypted, forwarded, or monitored. (Fortra’s GoAnywhere)
2. Support for protocols and technical connections
MFT platforms such as GoAnywhere are particularly effective when organizations need to work with technical protocols and fixed partner connections. GoAnywhere supports, among others, SFTP, SCP, FTPS, AS2, HTTP(S), FTP, email servers, PeSIT, local file systems, network shares, MQ, Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage, and cloud connectors with services such as Box, Google Drive, and SharePoint. (Fortra’s GoAnywhere)
3. Centralized IT Governance
For IT, GoAnywhere provides centralized visibility into file transfer processes, workflows, endpoints, logs, authorizations, and reports. This makes the platform particularly valuable for organizations that want to gain control over technical file flows that would otherwise be managed through separate scripts, individual SFTP accounts, or manual processes.
4. Enterprise Scalability
GoAnywhere is designed for organizations with high volumes, complex environments, B2B data exchange, and a need for clustering, high availability, or extensive integrations. GoAnywhere features include clustering, active-active high availability, load balancing, browser-based administration, role-based access, encryption, APIs, backend integrations, and centralized auditing and reporting. (Fortra’s GoAnywhere)
Conclusion: Are you looking for a solution for technical, structural, and automated file transfers between systems and trading partners? If so, an MFT platform like GoAnywhere is definitely worth considering.
The situation changes when the main challenge lies with employees who need to securely share files with customers, suppliers, auditors, or project partners. In such cases, a user-centric Secure File Transfer solution is often simpler, easier to adopt, and better suited to day-to-day operations.
Managed File Transfer vs. Secure File Transfer
Managed File Transfer and Secure File Transfer are similar because both involve the secure transfer of files. However, they differ fundamentally in terms of target audience, usage, management, and cost structure.
Managed File Transfer is primarily designed for systems, servers, applications, and repeatable workflows.
Secure File Transfer, such as Msafe, is designed primarily for people who want to securely share confidential files with others.
| Component | Managed File Transfer, such as GoAnywhere | Msafe Secure File Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use case | Automated data flows between systems, servers, applications, and trading partners | Securely share files with employees, customers, suppliers, auditors, and partners |
| Primary user | IT Administrator, Integration Specialist, Application Administrator, Operations | Business user, project manager, employee, external recipient, compliance team |
| Typical files | Batch files, exports, imports, system data, EDI-like data streams, report files | Contracts, technical drawings, customer files, HR documents, audit documents, financial reports |
| Interior Design | Technical: protocols, endpoints, certificates, workflows, monitoring, error handling | User-centric: permissions, recipients, expiration, audit trails, SSO, SCIM, Outlook integration |
| Adoption | Often less visible to end users; operates mainly behind the scenes | Designed for daily use by employees and external recipients |
| Presentation of Evidence | Transfer logs, workflow logs, technical transfer reports | Document-level audit trail: who shared, who opened, who downloaded, and when access was revoked |
| Best choice when… | Systems that automatically exchange files | Sharing Confidential Files Safely and with Verifiable Traceability |
An MFT platform can therefore be very powerful, but it can also be more cumbersome than necessary when the real challenge is this: employees need to share files securely without resorting to email attachments, standalone cloud links, or free file-sharing services.
Msafe Secure File Transfer as an alternative to GoAnywhere
Msafe is a particularly good alternative to GoAnywhere if you’re not primarily looking for a full-featured MFT platform, but rather a solution that allows employees and external parties to share confidential files securely, easily, and with verifiable audit trails.
This applies, for example, when your organization is primarily struggling with:
- employees who share files via email attachments or consumer tools;
- lack of insight into who has external access;
- download links that remain active for too long;
- no clear audit trail for each shared document;
- too much friction for external recipients;
- an MFT platform that is too technical for everyday users;
- compliance teams that need evidence of file activities.
Msafe Secure File Transfer focuses on secure file exchange between individuals and organizations. With strong AES-256 encryption, audit trail, SSO, SCIM, an Outlook add-in, an API, and EU hosting, reporting, role-based permissions, and access control.
When should you choose Msafe as an alternative from an administrative perspective?
From a management perspective, Msafe is a good option when an organization primarily wants to gain control over users, external recipients, access rights, audit trails, and reports, without having to manage an entire MFT landscape.
Choose Msafe when management is all about people and access:
- You want to SSO via Microsoft Entra ID;
- You want to SCIM for automated user and group management;
- You want role-based permissions for viewing, editing, and downloading;
- You want to be able to revoke access on a per-recipient, per-project, or per-policy basis;
- You want to easily set retention and expiration;
- You want to audit trails and reports without complex technical setups;
- You want to make secure sharing more accessible to everyday users.
Opt for MFT when management revolves around technical file flows:
- you manage many SFTP, FTPS, AS2, or HTTPS connections;
- You work with trading partners and fixed endpoints;
- You need scheduled jobs, monitored folders, and workflow automation;
- You want to set up technical error handling, retries, and alerts;
- You need to integrate with databases, ERP systems, cloud storage, or legacy systems;
- You need clustering, high availability, or heavy B2B file transfers.
Management conclusion: Msafe is a better alternative when the management challenge revolves around secure user adoption, remote access, and document-based auditability. MFT remains the more logical choice when the management challenge revolves around protocols, endpoints, and automated technical workflows.
When should you choose Msafe as an alternative for users?
For users, the difference is usually immediately noticeable. An MFT platform is often designed with IT processes in mind. Msafe is designed with the user in mind—users who want to share files securely without having to make complex choices.
This makes Msafe particularly effective in situations where employees currently resort to email attachments, WeTransfer-like tools, standalone SharePoint links, or personal cloud storage because the official process is too complicated.
Less friction
Users don’t have to worry about protocols, endpoints, or technical configurations. They share files securely using a familiar workflow.
Better Adoption
Because Msafe integrates with everyday work tools, such as Outlook and existing identity systems, employees are more likely to actually use the solution.
Control Without Complexity
Users can share securely, while IT and compliance teams maintain a centralized view of permissions, access, expiration dates, and audit trails.
Practical example: A project manager who shares a technical design with a supplier usually does not need an MFT workflow. Instead, they need a secure, simple sharing environment where access can be granted, downloads are logged, and permissions can be revoked.
When should you choose Msafe as an alternative to external contractors?
External recipients are often the forgotten target group when it comes to file transfer. Yet they play a key role in determining whether a solution works. A customer, supplier, auditor, or consultant must be able to access files securely without encountering technical barriers.
Msafe is particularly well-suited for situations where external parties need occasional, project-based, or context-specific access to files. They do not need to be part of a technical partner integration, but are granted controlled access to only the files intended for them.
| Question | Msafe Secure File Transfer | Managed File Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Does the external receiver require any technical setup? | Usually not. Access can be granted via monitored guest access, a PIN, or 2FA, depending on policy. | This is often the case with fixed partner connections: accounts, protocols, endpoints, certificates, or keys. |
| Is this experience suitable for occasional recipients? | Yes, the experience is designed for people who want to safely receive or upload files. | Less obvious: MFT is primarily designed for structural technical connections. |
| Can access be revoked? | Yes, access can be revoked immediately, and retention/expiration can be configured. | This can often be configured technically, but is usually done at the partner, account, or workflow level. |
| What does compliance look at? | Who opened or downloaded the file, when, and under what access conditions. | Whether a transfer was technically carried out, logged, and, if applicable, processed. |
Conclusion regarding external parties: Msafe is particularly effective when the external recipients are people. MFT is particularly effective when the external “recipients” are systems, applications, or regular trading partners.
Costs: GoAnywhere vs. Msafe
Comparing the costs of GoAnywhere and Msafe requires a nuanced approach. After all, you’re not just comparing two licensing models, but two different categories of software.
Where does the real cost difference lie?
With MFT, the costs aren’t limited to software. The total costs are often determined by configuration, technical management overhead, integrations, certificates, monitoring, error handling, documentation, change management, disaster recovery, and specialized knowledge.
At Msafe, the costs are primarily associated with user licenses, adoption, and policy. The value comes from providing employees with a secure standard that they actually use, thereby reducing shadow IT, ad-hoc file-sharing services, and unmonitored email attachments.
| Cost Inquiry | GoAnywhere / MFT | Msafe Secure File Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Is pricing immediately predictable to the public? | Limited. Quotes are usually based on needs and configuration. | Yes, Professional and Enterprise pricing is publicly available; pricing for larger volumes is available upon request. |
| When is it cost-effective? | When you centralize a large number of automated technical file flows, protocols, and system integrations. | When you want to allow a large number of employees to securely share files with external parties. |
| Key Hidden Costs | Implementation, workflow design, management, integrations, modules, certificates, disaster recovery, specialized knowledge. | Adoption, training, license volume, and policies regarding external file sharing. |
| Risks Associated with Making the Wrong Choice | A platform that’s too complex for simple, user-friendly file sharing. | No substitute for complex, protocol-driven system integrations. |
Cost conclusion: GoAnywhere may be the better choice when weighing the costs against complex technical workflows, automation, and B2B integrations. Msafe is often the better choice when the business case revolves around secure user adoption, external collaboration, and document-focused compliance.
What about compliance?
Compliance isn’t just about whether a file is sent securely. It also involves policies, access control, logging, evidence, risk assessment, incident response, and periodic reviews of measures.
Under the GDPR, organizations must implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the security of personal data. Article 32 mentions, among other things, encryption, confidentiality, integrity, availability, resilience, and the regular testing and evaluation of security measures. (GDPR)
Under NIS2 and the Dutch Cybersecurity Act, risk management, incident response, supply chain security, cyber hygiene, access policies, and asset management play a greater role. The NCSC explains that risk management forms the foundation and lists risk analysis, incident response, supply chain security, and access policies, among other measures, as due diligence measures. (NCSC)
For financial organizations, DORA emphasizes digital operational resilience, IT risk management, incidents, testing, and third-party risk. (De Nederlandsche Bank)
Compliance with MFT
MFT primarily supports compliance related to technical file flows. You can demonstrate that scheduled or event-driven transfers have been executed, logged, monitored, and, if necessary, retried or corrected.
Relevant MFT evidence includes:
- transfer logs and workflow logs;
- monitoring of technical transfers;
- protocol and encryption policies;
- certificate and key management;
- report on system and partner flows.
Compliance with Msafe
Msafe primarily supports compliance related to people-centric document sharing. You can show who shared a file, who had access to it, when a file was opened or downloaded, and when access was revoked.
Relevant Msafe evidence includes:
- audit trail per file;
- access control by user, group, or role;
- retention, expiration, and revocable access;
- reports for audits and internal controls;
- EU hosting and data sovereignty.
Important: No tool automatically makes an organization compliant. Both Msafe and MFT solutions support compliance only when they are properly integrated into policies, processes, risk management, governance, and training.
When should you choose GoAnywhere, Msafe, or both?
| Situation | Choose GoAnywhere / MFT instead | Choose Msafe instead | Select both |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems automatically exchange files via SFTP, AS2, or scheduled workflows | Yes | No, not primarily | Sometimes, when final documents are subsequently shared by people |
| Employees share confidential documents with customers or suppliers | Not primarily | Yes | Sometimes, when documents come from a technical backend workflow |
| External recipients should be able to access the system easily without any technical setup | Not primarily | Yes | Sometimes |
| IT wants to replace scripts and standalone SFTP processes with centralized automation | Yes | No, not primarily | Sometimes |
| Compliance wants proof of who opened or downloaded a document | For technical transfer context only | Yes | Yes, if both channels are used |
| The organization wants to reduce shadow IT related to file sharing | Limited | Yes | Yes, if technical workflows also need to be standardized |
A practical rule of thumb
Is it a system that automatically exchanges files with another system? If so, an MFT solution like GoAnywhere would be a better fit.
Is it an employee who wants to securely share files with a customer, supplier, auditor, or partner? If so, Msafe Secure File Transfer is a better fit.
Do you have both scenarios? If so, Msafe and MFT can coexist with a clear division of responsibilities.
Conclusion: Msafe is not a direct alternative to GoAnywhere, and that is exactly the point
People looking for an alternative to GoAnywhere aren’t always looking for a full-fledged MFT platform. Sometimes, the organization is actually looking for a simpler, more user-friendly, and more easily adoptable way to securely share confidential files with external parties.
GoAnywhere excels in Managed File Transfer: technical file flows, automation, protocols, workflows, and B2B integrations.
Msafe excels in secure file transfer: employees, external recipients, access control, audit trails, reporting, and proof of compliance for people-centric document exchange.
The right choice therefore depends on the process. For automated system integrations, choose MFT. For secure file sharing between people, choose Msafe. For organizations with both types of file flows, the best architecture may actually consist of both MFT and Msafe.
Want to know if Msafe is a good alternative for your GoAnywhere use case?
Request a Proof of Concept and test Msafe Secure File Transfer in your own environment. This way, you’ll immediately see how employees share files, how external parties gain access, and how audit trails contribute to compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Msafe an alternative to GoAnywhere?
That depends on the use case. Msafe is a good alternative if you’re primarily looking for secure, simple, and auditable file sharing between employees and external parties. For complex, protocol-driven MFT workflows, an MFT platform like GoAnywhere remains the more logical choice.
What is the biggest difference between GoAnywhere and Msafe?
GoAnywhere is primarily a Managed File Transfer platform for automated file flows between systems, servers, and trading partners. Msafe Secure File Transfer is primarily intended for human-centric file sharing with customers, suppliers, auditors, and partners.
When should you choose GoAnywhere?
Choose GoAnywhere or a similar MFT platform if you want to automate a large number of technical file transfers, for example via SFTP, AS2, scheduled jobs, monitored folders, APIs, and workflow automation.
When should you choose Msafe?
Choose Msafe when employees need to securely share confidential files with external recipients and when access control, audit trails, expiration, revocable access, SSO, SCIM, Outlook integration, and reporting are important.
Can Msafe completely replace GoAnywhere?
Not for all scenarios. Msafe cannot replace GoAnywhere on a one-to-one basis for technical MFT use cases such as AS2 integrations, batch processing, or complex workflow automation. However, Msafe can be a better alternative for ad hoc and project-based file sharing with others.
Can you use Msafe and GoAnywhere together?
Yes. GoAnywhere can automate technical file flows, while Msafe helps employees share documents securely and in a verifiable manner with external parties. In mature IT environments, these two categories often complement each other well.
Which solution is better for compliance?
That depends on what you need to prove. MFT primarily verifies technical file flows. Msafe verifies document-based file sharing: who shared the file, who had access, who opened or downloaded it, and when access was revoked.
