The best Windows & Linux FTP and SFTP clients 1. SolarWinds Solar-PuTTY (FREE TOOL). SolarWinds recently released Solar-PuTTY, a software that takes the popular PuTTY. Files.com (FREE TRIAL). Files.com is a file management service that can be used to consolidate all file movements.
- Allway Sync is an FTP sync software and is available for moderate and personal use. The software provides one of the most comprehensive and easy file synchronization that is real and all-way. It is also easy to use as it comes with a windows interface that is interactive.
- Fling FTP Sync Software is typically used to maintain a website on a remote hosted server or to automate backup of folders. The software supports both internet file transfer protocol (ftp) and network file.
- Welcome to the homepage of FileZilla®, the free FTP solution. The FileZilla Client not only supports FTP, but also FTP over TLS (FTPS) and SFTP. It is open source software distributed free of charge under the terms of the GNU General Public License.
- SmartFTP is an FTP (File Transfer Protocol), FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, Google Drive, OneDrive, SSH, Terminal client. It allows you to transfer files between your local computer and a server on the Internet.
File Transfer Protocol is in use for more than three decades now still, not all the computer users are aware of how to use the File Transfer Protocol for file sharing. Most of them even don’t know what FTP stands for. Well, in this article, you will gain a complete set of information on File Transfer Protocol.
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol that is a set of rules for computers in a private network to communicate with each other. Generally, the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is created to send large files within the network or the group. File sharing and storage made simple with the use of FTP.
What Makes FTP different from HTTP?
The FTP protocol is majorly used in the corporate environment to send large files fast and easy. FTP is used to transfer files between different computers on a network.
FTP is used for server location on a browser while HTTP is used to browse a website. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) allows you to download a file while using FTP, you can copy-paste files from the server or computers. HTTP is not as robust as FTP file transfers.
FTP is used for server location on a browser while HTTP is used to browse a website. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) allows you to download a file while using FTP, you can copy-paste files from the server or computers. HTTP is not as robust as FTP file transfers.
How To Use an FTP Account?
FTP Accounts are set of user accounts with special permissions to access a particular FTP location. For example, Sample papers of a college are placed on an FTP server of the college. The college will provide a User name and Password along with a path to a secret location where these sample papers are stored. You can log in using your credentials and download the papers as per your convenience from any location.
Generally, most of the FTP servers are secured with a username and a password to establish a connection between the portal. However, there are servers that allow anonymous users without any username or password. They are meant to send big files or make them available for download.
Also Read: Best File Copy Utility Software For Windows
Basic FTP connection Practices
Login With Username and Password: These are secured servers that only allow users with a user account. This practice is more common on FTP platforms where users can upload or download files from the server.
Just the Username: Some of the FTP sites only demand a username to get on to the portal. However, with such setup, you can only download files but can’t upload anything on the FTP portal.
Anonymous Access: Anonymous access doesn’t require any credentials to access the FTP portal. That means without any username or password, you can access the FTP location and download files such as forms, files, software, media or anything.
“Please Note: If you are downloading a pirated movie from an Anonymous FTP server, it can be unsafe.”
Methods to Use an FTP Server
There are various methods to access an FTP server however, the most common methods are listed here. Best photo and movie editing software.
Access Through A Web Browser: The most common method to access an FTP server is through the Web Browser. This doesn’t require any FTP client interface, and you can directly browse the FTP location in the address bar of a browser and directly download files from the server.
Using Command-line FTP: The next most common practice of using an FTP protocol is through the command line. Command-line is the most secure method to transfer or access files using FTP protocols. Almost every Operating System has FTP client’s functionality enabled in the command-line. It is a bit tricky but absolutely effective.
Using A GUI Enabled FTP Client: Since FTP file transfer is widely used, there are several easy-to-use third-party applications that allow users to establish a two-way connection and transfer files over the FTP connection. You can send big files to make them available for other users.
Ftp File Transfer Software Free
Objectives of using an FTP Portal
Though, everybody has a different objective of using an FTP server however the major objectives behind the use of an FTP Portal are:
• As the name suggests, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is majorly used for File Sharing.
• File sharing and storage made simple, now securely send large files fast with authenticity.
• Gain flexibility and promote file-sharing to share files, data, software, large media or send files.
• Build a trusted booth to transfer data more securely and efficiently over the FTP network.
• Host large files and share files online to access from anywhere around the world.
• Multi-user access at the same time over the FTP server to access & send big files.
• File sharing and storage made simple, now securely send large files fast with authenticity.
• Gain flexibility and promote file-sharing to share files, data, software, large media or send files.
• Build a trusted booth to transfer data more securely and efficiently over the FTP network.
• Host large files and share files online to access from anywhere around the world.
• Multi-user access at the same time over the FTP server to access & send big files.
Using Cloud Storage as an FTP Portal
Almost everyone has a Google account or a Microsoft Account. Now you can make use of your Google Shared Drive or Microsoft OneDrive as an FTP Protocol to send large files or share files online.
“Please Note: This is just an alternative to the FTP Protocol.”
• Login to your Google Shared Drive account.
• Click on the ‘New’ button on the top-left corner and create a folder to share files online.
• I named it as ‘FTP Folder’. Now right click on the ‘FTP Folder’ and click on the ‘Share’ option from the drop-down menu.
• Click on the ‘New’ button on the top-left corner and create a folder to share files online.
• I named it as ‘FTP Folder’. Now right click on the ‘FTP Folder’ and click on the ‘Share’ option from the drop-down menu.
• You get an option to enter the email address to share files online with specific people or you can just create a short link of your Google Shared Drive and send it to people you want to share the folder.
• In this case, I have clicked on ‘Copy Link’ and created a short URL.
• In this case, I have clicked on ‘Copy Link’ and created a short URL.
• Open Bitly.com and paste the link in the ‘shorten your link’ box and click on the ‘Shorten’ button.
• Once it displays the shortened link in the same box, click on the ‘copy’ button and you are good to go.
• Now you can share this link with people you want to share files online or send big files.
• You can upload any big file in this folder and share the link with someone to access it.
• Once it displays the shortened link in the same box, click on the ‘copy’ button and you are good to go.
• Now you can share this link with people you want to share files online or send big files.
• You can upload any big file in this folder and share the link with someone to access it.
“Please Note: Instead of sharing URL to a user, if you enter his email address, he will need to login to his account to access the shared folder. This is a more secure way to share files online over Google Shared Drive.”
Summing Up
Here we have shared detailed information on file transfer protocol to send large files with the ease of access using FTP protocol. Now, you can send large files fast and easy as file sharing and storage made simple with FTP protocol.
If you want to gain more information on FTP file transfer, please drop us a comment and we shall help you with the best possible solutions around file transfer protocol to share files online. Please like and share this article with someone, who is willing to know more about file sharing using FTP protocol.
For anyone who regularly works with websites, file servers, IT administration, networks etc, a bulletproof FTP client to transfer files is an absolute must-have piece of software. There are plenty of FTP clients out there, but some really do stand out from the crowd. Here are the best 15 FTP clients for the Windows 10 platform.
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Table of Contents
1) FileZilla
FileZilla has been around for many years and is a solid and reputable FTP application that is also free and under the GNU Public License. It supports multiple platforms, including Linux, Windows, and OSX, and even features a connection and configuration wizard for easy setup.
In terms of features, Filezilla is definitely not lacking just because it is free. It supports IPv6 network addresses, as well as SSH, FTP, and FTPS. It’s a real go-to application for many users and has been in use for a long time.
One of the most frustrating things is losing a connection when uploading a large file to a remote file server. FileZilla solves this issue by supporting auto resume on files over 4GB in size when a connection has been lost and then reconnects.
2) WinSCP
WinSCP may not be as old as some FTP software, but it has won awards for how comprehensive and easy to use it is.
Featuring a convenient graphical interface, WinSCP supports drag and drop operation for file management as well as common protocols such as SFTP, SSH, WebDAV, and S3. In this way, it’s a thoroughly modern FTP application.
WinSCP is a great piece of software for people who are looking for something a little bit more modern, but with enough power under the hood to ensure that all file transfers are done reliably. What more can really be asked of a file transfer client than this?
3) WS_FTP
When you want the best security available over FTP, WS_FTP is the best client you can get. It has been around for many years and has only become better and more bulletproof as an FTP client. Its history and longstanding user support means that the core codebase is efficient and reliable.
Featuring 256bit AES encryption and support for OpenPGP, WS_FTP supports SSH/SFTP, FTPS, SSL, and OpenSSL, as well as other protocols.
For the professional, WS_FTP can be fully automated to make file transfers a cinch. A full range of notification options, hot drop folder for the desktop, and file transfer resume functions round off this amazing client.
4) Cyberduck
Cyberduck is a completely modern and attractive FTP application that offers full support for cloud file transfer and cloud browsing. It supports the following platforms and protocols: FTP, WebDAV, SFTP, S3, Openstack Swift, Backblaze, Google Drive, Azure, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Such wide ranging support, combined with an attractive, modern, and easy to use interface, makes Cyberduck one of the most interesting FTP clients around.
Of course, it can be used as a straight FTP client for file management duties, but it offers so much more. Cloud storage is the way of today and the way of the future, and Cyberduck is an elegant FTP solution.
5) Total Commander
Total Commander is an older application that has supported Windows platforms all the way back to Windows 95.
Of course, it also supports everything up to Windows 10, so this is really one for the old-school FTP aficionados. This doesn’t mean that Total Commander is lacking in modern features though. On the contrary, Total Commander is a great FTP client that offers everything you’d expect.
The interface is as simple as possible, with all information in a single screen that is split between the local files and the remote FTP server.
It also has full support for Zip and other archive files, making it a no-fuss FTP program for people who just want to get the job done right without all of the bells and whistles.
6) FlashFXP
FlashFXP is a high performance and efficient FTP application that has an easy to use and intuitive drag and drop interface for file transfers. It has file resumption, and even has on-the-fly MODE Z compression built right in.
FlashFXP focuses on reliability and efficiency and has been around for some years. It’s a mature and stable product that isn’t tough to use, but still offers plenty for the power daily user. For many users, FlashFXP is really all they’ll ever need.
7) GoodSync
How often have you lost data from a hard drive or SSD and have not had a backup in place? It happens to so many people despite the repeated advice about backing everything up. The last thing anyone wants to lose is files or precious photos that can’t be replaced.
GoodSync solves this issue. It takes FTP one step further by offering a data backup solution that’s easy to use. It offers support for Google Drive, OneDrive, AWS, and Office365. This comprehensive FTP will save all of the files you need saved and will ensure that you never lose anything again.
8) CuteFTP
CuteFTP has been around since the 1990s and is a mature FTP solution with great support for all kinds of protocols.
One of the best things about CuteFTP is that a user can program their own scripts that can use the file transfer engine from within CuteFTP to power file transfers.
This means that CuteFTP doesn’t even need to fully execute to be working quietly in the background and backing files up to a remote server.
For professionals and power users who have extensive knowledge of the FTP protocol and the COM language, CuteFTP is a fantastic tool for daily use.
9) FireFTP
FireFTP started life in the mid-2000s as a third-party FTP extension for the older Firefox browser. It had millions of downloads and satisfied customers in that time, but it has since been forked out to a new development path because Firefox changed the way that it supports extensions.
If you’re looking for a free FTP solution that’s small and lightweight, FireFTP has a good pedigree. It works across all major OS platforms and is also completely open source, for those who like to support such things.
10) CrossFTP
Such as other FTP clients, CrossFTP offers excellent support for cloud storage services, such as Amazon Glacier, S3, and Google Drive. It’s aimed at the professional who needs a reliable and durable FTP client that also supports command line operation.
File Management Ftp Software
CrossFTP does everything that most people need in a file transfer client, and does so with a minimum of fuss. For many people who work with hundreds of file transfers every single day, CrossFTP is likely all they’ll ever need.
11) Classic FTP
The one thing you want as a power user of file transfer clients is stability and reliability. Often, file transfers are done on a schedule, and this means that the FTP software needs to execute without fail. Classic FTP prioritizes complete stability and reliability of performance.
All of the comprehensive code bullet-proofing doesn’t mean that Classic FTP is hard to use. It’s actually pretty intuitive and features an easy interface that places file transfers at the heart of everything. There are also set-up wizards for new users so that connections can be made and stored for later use.
12) Free FTP
Based on the idea of fast and efficient transfers, Free FTP from the long-lived Coffeecup software has what most would call a rudimentary, but completely functional and informative interface.
There are certainly no aesthetic flourishes here, but what you do get is an FTP program that’s fast to boot up and fast to use.
One great feature is Bookmarks. If you use file transfer programs a lot and you need to remember complex file structure trees, being able to bookmark wherever you are, either locally or remotely, in a file tree will be a life saver.
Apart from being free, Free FTP works for you and not against you. If you need to go back into your history and see what you uploaded last week and where, Free FTP has your back.
If you need to archive your website to a ZIP archive at the click of a button, Free FTP can do that for you too.
13) SmartFTP
SmartFTP might not be free, but what you get is an up-to-date file transfer client that can even connect to Amazon S3, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and other major cloud services.
This extends the typical role of a file transfer program and makes it something that many people can use on a daily or even weekly basis.
Sporting a modern and user friendly interface SmartFTP can connect to multiple servers simultaneously and will even auto-reconnect and continue broken file transfers.
This is great if you’re on a poor or slow web connection. Support for IPv6, on the fly compression mode, file transfer scheduling, and file verification tops off this excellent FTP program.
14) Core FTP
Core FTP comes in two versions: the free LE edition, and Pro. While both versions would not win awards for beautiful interfaces, they also prioritize function over form, which is never a bad thing.
You’ll find all of the usual features across both editions, including multiple file transfer queuing, auto-reconnection, and a super light resource footprint.
In the Pro edition, you get extra features, Including compression and decompression of files on the fly, file encryption for added security, multi-part downloading to make file transfers quicker, and notifications by email to tell you the status of file transfers.
15) FTP Voyager
Fl studio mixing software. If you’re looking for a completely free FTP program that has been around for a long time and provides everything you normally need, FTP Voyager might just be the piece of software you’ve been looking for.
FTP Voyager supports multiple protocols and can even connect to multiple servers simultaneously. Drag and drop from anywhere makes this an easy program to use, even for the relative novice.
You can even auto-synchronize folders, which is not a feature you’d always expect at the price of completely free.
Ftp File Transfer Software
Like some other FTP programs, FTP Voyager has a functional, rather than a beautiful interface, but the wealth of features and easy to use philosophy makes this an outstanding piece of free software.