# Bucketeer and ForkLift compared

> ForkLift 4 and Bucketeer side by side: S3, Azure, protocols, sync, editing, metadata, Finder drives and pricing model, from official sources.

ForkLift 4 by BinaryNights is a dual-pane file manager and file transfer client for macOS. It connects to Amazon S3, Backblaze B2 and many other protocols and syncs folders one-way or two-way. Bucketeer is a Mac app for object storage only, with Azure Blob Storage, Finder drives, object versions and metadata editing.

As of November 2026. https://getbucketeer.app/compare/forklift/

## The short answer

- **Choose ForkLift** if you want a Finder replacement with two panes, Git support and connections to SFTP, SMB, NFS and consumer clouds as well as S3.
- **Choose Bucketeer** if your work is in S3 and Azure buckets and you need object versions, metadata and tags, share links and Finder drives.
- Both sync folders and upload files saved in another app.

## Bucketeer and ForkLift side by side

As of November 2026. ForkLift from its vendor's official pages (see sources), Bucketeer from its documentation. Not documented means the vendor's pages do not say, not that the feature is missing.

|  | Bucketeer | ForkLift |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Type of product | Native Mac app for object storage: browser, transfers, Finder drives and sync in one app | Dual-pane file manager and file transfer client |
| Platforms | Mac only, macOS 14 or later (Mount as Drive needs macOS 14.1) | Mac only, macOS 14.6 or later |
| Where to get it | Mac App Store only | Direct download and Setapp; ForkLift 4 is not documented in the Mac App Store |
| Pricing model | App from the Mac App Store; Bucketeer Pro is a one-time in-app purchase, no subscription | Lifetime license with one or two years of updates |
| Amazon S3 and S3-compatible storage | Amazon S3, presets for Cloudflare R2, Backblaze B2, Wasabi, DigitalOcean Spaces, Storj and Civo, plus any S3 endpoint such as MinIO | Amazon S3 and Backblaze B2; the support FAQ names Wasabi and DigitalOcean Spaces |
| Azure Blob Storage | Yes, with its own Azure backend | Not documented |
| FTP, SFTP, WebDAV and other services | No, object storage only | Yes, among them SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, SMB, AFP, NFS, Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox |
| Storage in Finder | Yes, Mount as Drive through the File Provider extension (Bucketeer Pro); not for encrypted buckets | Not documented |
| Sync | Sync jobs that copy, move or mirror bucket to bucket across providers or folder to bucket; by hand, at launch, on a schedule or on folder change; watch folders (Bucketeer Pro) | One-way or two-way folder sync, saved as a favorite; a schedule is not documented |
| Editing in other apps | Open and Open With; every save is uploaded, a conflict copy is made if the server version changed | Changes are uploaded when you save in your preferred editor |
| Client-side encryption | AES-256-GCM per bucket on the Mac, key in the macOS Keychain | Not documented |
| Share links | S3 presigned URLs and Azure SAS links | Dropbox links only; S3 presigned URLs are not documented |
| Object versions | List, restore and delete object versions | Not documented |
| Metadata and headers | HTTP headers, user metadata and tags; storage class shown; auto-tagging rules | Not supported; BinaryNights calls S3 metadata a feature request |
| Automation | Shortcuts and Siri actions, bucketeer:// deep links, Spotlight for object names | Runs command-line tools from keyboard shortcuts |

## Where ForkLift is ahead

- **A full file manager** with two panes, tabs, workspaces, batch rename and archive browsing.
- **Many protocols:** SFTP, SMB, AFP, NFS, WebDAV and consumer clouds next to S3.
- **Two-way folder sync.**
- **Git** status, commit, push and pull.

## Where Bucketeer is ahead

- **Azure Blob Storage** with its own backend.
- **Object storage tools:** versions, metadata, tags, auto-tagging, presigned and SAS links.
- **Buckets as drives in Finder.**
- **Scheduled sync jobs and watch folders.**
- **Client-side encryption per bucket.**

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bucketeer a ForkLift alternative?

Only for object storage. ForkLift is a full file manager for local files and many protocols. Bucketeer focuses on S3 and Azure buckets and adds versions, metadata, share links and Finder drives.

### Can ForkLift edit S3 metadata?

Not according to BinaryNights, which lists S3 metadata as a feature request. Bucketeer edits HTTP headers, user metadata and tags.

### Is ForkLift in the Mac App Store?

ForkLift 4 is sold as a direct download and through Setapp; its official pages do not name the Mac App Store for version 4. Bucketeer is distributed only through the Mac App Store.

## Sources

- [ForkLift, product page (binarynights.com)](https://binarynights.com/)
- [ForkLift 4 manual](https://binarynights.com/manual)
- [ForkLift support FAQ](https://binarynights.com/support)
- [ForkLift store](https://binarynights.com/store)
- [ForkLift 4.7.7 release notes](https://blog.binarynights.com/2026/10/20/forklift-4-7-7-is-available-improved-navigation-and-macos-27-compatibility/)
- [ForkLift 4.3.5 release notes and comments](https://blog.binarynights.com/2025/07/28/forklift-4-3-5-is-available/)

ForkLift is a trademark of its owner and is offered by BinaryNights. The name is used here only to identify the product. Bucketeer and DigitalFreedom Global LLC are not affiliated with BinaryNights, and BinaryNights has not reviewed or endorsed this page.