--- title: "How to transfer files to a VPS with SCP and rsync | StreetHosting" description: "Upload and download VPS files over SSH with SCP for simple copies and rsync for efficient syncing. Learn when to use each and how to move large folders." url: "https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync" type: "page" language: "en-US" --- VPS · 3 min · Intermediate Published on Jun 17, 2026 · Updated on Jun 17, 2026 # Transfer files to a VPS with SCP and rsync Uploading a website, downloading a backup or moving a server folder: SCP handles direct copies and rsync syncs only what changed. Here is when to use each over the same SSH connection. By [Equipe StreetHosting](https://streethosting.com.br/en/autores#equipe-streethosting) · StreetHosting infrastructure and support team [Linux administration](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/linux) [Migration](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/topics/migration) Summarize with: [](https://chat.openai.com/?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Ftransfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. "ChatGPT") [](https://claude.ai/new?q=Summarize%20the%20key%20points%20of%20this%20StreetHosting%20guide%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Ftransfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync.%20Highlight%20the%20step-by-step%20instructions%2C%20the%20prerequisites%20and%20the%20most%20common%20mistakes. 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"Perplexity") Share: [](https://x.com/intent/tweet?text=How%20to%20transfer%20files%20to%20a%20VPS%20with%20SCP%20and%20rsync&url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Ftransfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync "Share on X") [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Ftransfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync "Share on Facebook") [](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Ftransfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync "Share on LinkedIn") [](https://wa.me/?text=How%20to%20transfer%20files%20to%20a%20VPS%20with%20SCP%20and%20rsync%20https%3A%2F%2Fstreethosting.com.br%2Fen%2Fguides%2Fvps%2Ftransfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync "Share on WhatsApp") For agents: Copy as Markdown [.md](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync.md) In this guide 5 sections * [It all runs on SSH](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#sobre-o-ssh) * [SCP for simple copies](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#scp) * [rsync for syncing](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#rsync) * [When to use each](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#quando-usar) * [Large folders](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#pastas-grandes) Quick answer To move files to and from your VPS, use **SCP** for simple copies and **rsync** to sync only what changed. Both run over the SSH connection, so they use the same security and authentication. A one-off copy is a job for SCP. Syncing large folders repeatedly is where rsync shines. ## It all runs on SSH[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#sobre-o-ssh) SCP and rsync are not separate transfer protocols: they travel on top of SSH. That means that if you have already set up [key-based login](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/passwordless-ssh-login-vps), your transfers are passwordless and encrypted too. If you have not accessed your VPS yet, start with [accessing your VPS for the first time](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time). ## SCP for simple copies[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#scp) SCP works like copy and paste between your computer and the VPS. You give it the source and the destination, and it transfers the whole file. It is perfect for sending a configuration file or grabbing a quick log, with no fuss. To send an entire folder with SCP, use the recursive option. For a sync that repeats, prefer rsync, which saves time and bandwidth. ## rsync for syncing[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#rsync) rsync compares what already exists at the destination and sends only the differences. On a second run, it transfers only what changed, which makes routine syncs very fast. It also resumes where it left off if the connection drops. ## When to use each[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#quando-usar) | Task | Best option | | ----------------------------------------------------- | ----------- | | Send a single file | SCP | | Sync a folder repeatedly | rsync | | Migrate a large folder when the connection might drop | rsync | | Download a quick log | SCP | ## Large folders[](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#pastas-grandes) * rsync for large migrations that can be resumed * Key-based login for passwordless transfers * Integrity check after the copy * restic for backups with versions and retention To move an entire project between machines, rsync is your ally. For backups with history, go further and use [restic with cron](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/vps-backup-restic-cron). For the right machine, check out the lineup in [VPS plans](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps). In this guide * [It all runs on SSH](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#sobre-o-ssh) * [SCP for simple copies](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#scp) * [rsync for syncing](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#rsync) * [When to use each](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#quando-usar) * [Large folders](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/transfer-files-to-vps-scp-rsync#pastas-grandes) ## Frequently asked questions Do SCP and rsync use the same connection as SSH? Yes. Both transfer files on top of the SSH connection, so they inherit the same security and the same authentication. If you already log in with a key, transfers use the key too. What is the difference between SCP and rsync? SCP copies files from start to finish every time. rsync compares source and destination and sends only the differences. For a one-off copy, SCP is enough. To sync folders over and over, rsync is far more efficient. Is rsync good for backups? It works for mirroring folders, but a real backup calls for versions and history. For encrypted snapshots with retention, a dedicated tool like restic fits better than plain rsync. Can I resume an interrupted transfer? With rsync, yes. It picks up where it stopped and only completes what is missing, which is ideal for unstable connections or very large folders. SCP starts over from zero. Next step See VPS plans Root VPS in Brazil with NVMe and Anti-DDoS. [See VPS plans](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps) [See Ryzen VPS Ryzen 9 9950X VPS in São Paulo with root access, NVMe and gamer Anti-DDoS.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/ryzen) [See Xeon VPS Xeon VPS for steady workloads, automation and long-running projects.](https://streethosting.com.br/en/vps/xeon) ## Related guides [VPS Beginner How to connect to your VPS for the first time via SSH You bought the VPS and received an IP, a user and a password. Now it is time for the first login. Here is how to connect over SSH from any system and what to do in the first few minutes. 3 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/connect-to-vps-via-ssh-first-time) [VPS Intermediate How to set up passwordless SSH key login on a VPS Key-based login is safer and easier than a password. You generate a key pair, copy the public key to the server, and log in without typing anything. Here is how, in a few steps. 3 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/passwordless-ssh-login-vps) [VPS Advanced How to automate VPS backups with restic and cron A backup that depends on you remembering does not work. With restic and cron you create encrypted snapshots, send them off the VPS, control retention and test restores without daily effort. 9 min Read guide](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides/vps/vps-backup-restic-cron) [← Back to the Guide Center](https://streethosting.com.br/en/guides)