10 Best Free FTP Clients for 2017
10. FTP Client for Linux
An FTP client is a program that uses the FTP protocol to transfer files to and from a remote computer. FTP is the most common transfer protocol used to transfer files from one computer to another over the Internet. The basic version of the protocol is not secure.
Every web designer / developer has a favorite FTP client and we tend to transfer files to web servers using these clients. However, there are times when we do not have our computers with us, but need to transfer or edit a file that can only be received via FTP.
There are many free FTP clients available on the Internet. In this article, you will find a list of the best hand-picked FTP clients for developers.
FileZilla is the number one choice for most users as it is one of the promising and popular FTP clients. FileZilla is very fast, can handle concurrent transfers and supports cross-platform FTP, SFTP and FTPS with many useful features and an intuitive graphical user interface.
In addition, it also supports IPv6, bookmarks, works on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, etc., supports file editing, remote directory comparison, drag and drop, remote file search and more.
FireFTP is a free, secure, cross-platform FTP / SFTP client for Mozilla Firefox that provides easy and intuitive access to FTP / SFTP servers. FireFTP is free, cross-platform, supports SSL / TLS / SFTP (same encryption used for online banking and shopping). This FTP client is available in 20 languages, comes with character set support, search / filtering, remote editing, account export / import, hash file, proxy support, FXP support, and its open source.
Monsta FTP is a cloud-based open source PHP / Ajax software that puts FTP file management right in your browser, anywhere, anytime. You can drag and drop files to your browser and view them, download them like magic. Monsta FTP supports on-screen file editing. There is support for multiple languages.
It has been tested on Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. It is released under the GNU General Public License. You can download it for free and install it on your own server.
Cyberduck is a libre FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Backblaze B2, Azure and OpenStack Swift browser for Mac and Windows. Easy to use interface, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), SFTP (SSH secure file transfer), WebDAV (Web based distributed development and versioning), Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Rackspace Cloud Files, Backblaze B2, Google Drive and Dropbox.
You can edit standard HTTP headers and add custom HTTP file headers for metadata storage and cache control. Batch editing included.
Cyberduck is a handy application for uploading and downloading files from FTP. Simple and easy to use, the client is easily customizable to the needs of the user.
SmartFTP supports FTP (File Transfer Protocol), FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, SSH, terminal client. It allows you to transfer files between your local computer and a server on the Internet. Along with its many basic and advanced features, SmartFTP also offers secure, reliable and efficient transfers that make it a powerful tool.
SmartFTP includes some new features such as support for Windows 10, text editor, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and many other enhancements and enhancements.
WinSCP is an open source free SFTP client, FTP client, WebDAV client and SCP client for Windows. Its main function is to transfer files between local and remote computers. In addition, WinSCP offers scripting and basic file manager functionality.
Classic FTP is a stable FTP client, affordable and very easy to use. It is packed with many useful features such as an intuitive user interface, a drag and drop sync tool, supports secure FTP (SSL), is compatible with all popular FTP servers, an easy setup wizard, and works on both Windows and Mac OS X ...
Transmit is the most popular and dominant FTP client among Mac users. It comes with a very powerful set of features such as sync folders, disk function and higher speeds. Transfer integrates perfectly into the native Mac environment, making it very easy for Mac users to start using it quickly. Transmit is not a free FTP client!
OneButton FTP is a graphical FTP client for Mac OS X with a strong emphasis on ease of use, convenience. OneButton FTP makes it easy to transfer files by simply dragging and dropping files from your computer.
OneButton FTP costs nothing; it is a completely free client. It contains localizations in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Swedish. It supports both unencrypted FTP and FTP over SSL.
10. FTP Client for Linux
gFTP is a free multithreaded file transfer client for * NIX-based machines. It supports FTP, FTPS (Connection Control), HTTP, HTTPS, SSH and FSP protocols. Uploading and editing files is similar to FileZilla.
10 Best Free FTP Clients for 2017
10. FTP Client for Linux
An FTP client is a program that uses the FTP protocol to transfer files to and from a remote computer. FTP is the most common transfer protocol used to transfer files from one computer to another over the Internet. The basic version of the protocol is not secure.
Every web designer / developer has a favorite FTP client and we tend to transfer files to web servers using these clients. However, there are times when we do not have our computers with us, but need to transfer or edit a file that can only be received via FTP.
There are many free FTP clients available on the Internet. In this article, you will find a list of the best hand-picked FTP clients for developers.
FileZilla is the number one choice for most users as it is one of the promising and popular FTP clients. FileZilla is very fast, can handle concurrent transfers and supports cross-platform FTP, SFTP and FTPS with many useful features and an intuitive graphical user interface.
In addition, it also supports IPv6, bookmarks, works on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, etc., supports file editing, remote directory comparison, drag and drop, remote file search and more.
FireFTP is a free, secure, cross-platform FTP / SFTP client for Mozilla Firefox that provides easy and intuitive access to FTP / SFTP servers. FireFTP is free, cross-platform, supports SSL / TLS / SFTP (same encryption used for online banking and shopping). This FTP client is available in 20 languages, comes with character set support, search / filtering, remote editing, account export / import, hash file, proxy support, FXP support, and its open source.
Monsta FTP is a cloud-based open source PHP / Ajax software that puts FTP file management right in your browser, anywhere, anytime. You can drag and drop files to your browser and view them, download them like magic. Monsta FTP supports on-screen file editing. There is support for multiple languages.
It has been tested on Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. It is released under the GNU General Public License. You can download it for free and install it on your own server.
Cyberduck is a libre FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Backblaze B2, Azure and OpenStack Swift browser for Mac and Windows. Easy to use interface, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), SFTP (SSH secure file transfer), WebDAV (Web based distributed development and versioning), Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Rackspace Cloud Files, Backblaze B2, Google Drive and Dropbox.
You can edit standard HTTP headers and add custom HTTP file headers for metadata storage and cache control. Batch editing included.
Cyberduck is a handy application for uploading and downloading files from FTP. Simple and easy to use, the client is easily customizable to the needs of the user.
SmartFTP supports FTP (File Transfer Protocol), FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, SSH, terminal client. It allows you to transfer files between your local computer and a server on the Internet. Along with its many basic and advanced features, SmartFTP also offers secure, reliable and efficient transfers that make it a powerful tool.
SmartFTP includes some new features such as support for Windows 10, text editor, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and many other enhancements and enhancements.
WinSCP is an open source free SFTP client, FTP client, WebDAV client and SCP client for Windows. Its main function is to transfer files between local and remote computers. In addition, WinSCP offers scripting and basic file manager functionality.
Classic FTP is a stable FTP client, affordable and very easy to use. It is packed with many useful features such as an intuitive user interface, a drag and drop sync tool, supports secure FTP (SSL), is compatible with all popular FTP servers, an easy setup wizard, and works on both Windows and Mac OS X ...
Transmit is the most popular and dominant FTP client among Mac users. It comes with a very powerful set of features such as sync folders, disk function and higher speeds. Transfer integrates perfectly into the native Mac environment, making it very easy for Mac users to start using it quickly. Transmit is not a free FTP client!
OneButton FTP is a graphical FTP client for Mac OS X with a strong emphasis on ease of use, convenience. OneButton FTP makes it easy to transfer files by simply dragging and dropping files from your computer.
OneButton FTP costs nothing; it is a completely free client. It contains localizations in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Swedish. It supports both unencrypted FTP and FTP over SSL.
10. FTP Client for Linux
gFTP is a free multithreaded file transfer client for * NIX-based machines. It supports FTP, FTPS (Connection Control), HTTP, HTTPS, SSH and FSP protocols. Uploading and editing files is similar to FileZilla.
FTP client FTP - File Transfer Protocol (literally "file transfer protocol") - a program to simplify access to. Depending on the purpose, it can either provide the user with simple access to the remote FTP server in text console mode, taking on only the work of sending user commands and files, or display files on the remote server as if they were part of the file system of the user's computer, or both. In the last two cases, the FTP client takes on the task of interpreting user actions into commands, thereby making it possible to use the file transfer protocol without familiarizing yourself with all of its intricacies.
Private examples of using an FTP client can be:
- Publishing site pages on an Internet server by a Web developer
- Downloading music, programs and any other data files by an ordinary Internet user. This example is often not even understood by many users as using an FTP client and protocol, since many public servers do not ask for additional data to authenticate users, and Internet browsers (which are also FTP clients) download files without additional questions.
Implementation
In the simplest (but most complex) case for the user, an FTP client is an emulator of a file system that is simply located on another computer. With this file system, you can perform all the actions familiar to the user: copy files from the server and to the server, delete files, create new files. In some cases, it is also possible to open files - for viewing, launching programs, editing. It is only necessary to take into account that opening a file implies its preliminary download to the user's computer. Examples of such programs include:
- Internet browsers (often work in read-only mode, that is, they do not allow adding files to the server)
- Many file managers, for example: Windows Explorer, WinSCP, Total Commander, FAR, Midnight Commander, Krusader
- Specialized programs, for example: FileZilla
- Online clients, work with which is carried out through any Internet browser, for example: FTPonline.ru
Due to the prevalence of the FTP protocol, there are simple (from the point of view of implementation) FTP clients in almost every operating system. However, using these clients requires knowledge of the console as well as knowledge of the protocol commands to communicate with the server. For example, in Windows this utility is ftp.exe. Many Linux builds also have an ftp utility.
Access rights and authorization
The file system on a remote server usually has access rights settings for different users. So, for example, only some files can be accessed by anonymous users; users will not know about the existence of others. Another group of users may have access to other files or, for example, in addition to the rights to read files, they may also be given rights to write new or update existing files. The range of access rights depends on the operating system and software of each specific FTP server. As a rule, they share the rights to view the contents of a folder (that is, the ability to get a list of files contained in it), to read the file (s), to write (create, delete, update) the file (s)
SmartFTP
On the Internet, this client can be found at www.smartftp.com. The size of the distribution kit of this program is approximately from three to six megabytes. In the list of "regalia" (or rather, capabilities) of the program, the authors indicate the following points: support for TSL / SSL, support for IPv6, data compression "on the fly", support for UTF-8, the ability to transfer files directly between two servers, remote file editing, built-in download scheduler, backup tool, command line support and other functions more or less standard for FTP clients. The interface of the program is user-friendly, beautiful and quite ordinary.
The FTP protocol is rapidly losing its position among users who use file transfer among themselves on the Internet. But it is still useful for transferring files from computer to computer, and is also consistently number one when uploading files to a web host. FTP has especially caught on among owners, developers, content managers of sites who work on Windows and who do not want to use SSH in any way.
Constant FTP experience invariably leads every user to use an FTP application. After trying it once, nobody else gives up on the FTP application. After all, with it, saving time for transferring files is visible to the naked eye. And besides, why manually configure FTP transfer each time in a browser or in the command line, if the developers of FTP clients have long since taken and automated the process of connecting to FTP and transferring files.
I must say that the standard Windows Explorer can also connect to an FTP server, and use the FTP connection as if it were a folder with files on a network share. This is convenient in terms of a small number of files that need to be transferred or received.
Here are three of the best Windows FTP clients available for free.
Most users think WinSCP is the best free FTP client for Windows. It is worth agreeing with this. Despite its simple and easy-to-use interface, WinSCP contains a number of additional functions that can satisfy even the most demanding user needs.
In addition to FTP, WinSCP supports file transfer and remote file editing using SFTP, SCP, and WebDAV protocols. Regardless of which of the above protocols you use, inSCP can synchronize local directories with remote directories by pressing a single button or key combination.
WinSCP integrates directly into Windows, allowing drag-and-drop use of files and includes additional options in the Windows Send To context menu. WinSCP also has a built-in text editor that allows you to edit remote files (useful for customizing HTML, CSS, JS, etc.).
For advanced users, WinSCP has a command line interface and scripting support (batch files and .NET assemblies). Help for using scripts is located in the appendix and is available by calling f1... It is great for automating the tasks of receiving and transferring files.
Cyberduck is a simple yet effective FTP client that is best suited for periodic file transfers. The application can be useful for both experienced users and beginners getting acquainted with ftp. Cyberduck's interface has been simplified so much that even a child can figure it out. With Cyberduck, heavy and frequent file transfers can be made easier with a more complete interface.
This client is free and open source. It supports multiple protocols over FTP, including SFTP and WebDAV, as well as connections to Dropbox, Google Drive, Google Cloud Storage, Amazon S3, and more.
Cyberduck easily integrates with any external text editor that's handy for remote editing of web files. It also has a quick view feature that allows you to view files without downloading them. Local directories can be synchronized with remote directories.
The main feature of Cyberduck is its ability to secure transmission. It comes with a Cryptomator feature that encrypts file and directory names and smears directory structures. In other words, even if someone intercepts your transmission, they will not be able to see what you are transmitting.
The only downside to Cyberduck is the occasional donation request. You can hide it, but it reappears every time the app is updated.
In 2014, it was revealed that a fake version of FileZilla (versions 3.5.3 and 3.7.3) was being distributed over the Internet. The "evil twin" FileZilla has been modified to steal FTP login credentials and store them on a remote server.
FileZilla is distributed via a download from SourceForge, which also came under control after another incident involving the modification of FileZilla by inserting ad banners. While there are worse places to download software, we recommend staying away from SourceForge.
In addition, FileZilla has long been criticized for storing login credentials in plain text. In 2017, FileZilla finally added password encryption with version 3.26.0, but it took more than a decade of user complaints to do so.
Still, FileZilla is a solid FTP client.
FileZilla is free and open source and supports FTP, SFTP and FTPS file transfers. File transfers can be paused and resumed, connections support both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, and can synchronize local directories with remote directories.
The main features of FileZilla include directory comparison, customizable directory list filters (you can create your own filter conditions), remote file search (with flexible filters and pattern matching), bookmarks for easy access to commonly used ftp directories.
Important note on FTP and SFTP
One of the biggest disadvantages of FTP is that it is a simple text protocol (File Transfer Protocol). This means that data is sent back and forth in text form with no human readability. This is a huge vulnerability as the login credentials are also sent in plain text!
If an attacker intercepts a login attempt, they will see the username and password of the account, not to mention the contents of the transferred files.
This is why you should use SFTP instead of FTP whenever possible.
SFTP, which is an extension of the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SSH), and which uses encryption to protect transmitted data (both credentials and file content).
Most of the services that support FTP connections also support SFTP connections. And when using an FTP client, the actual file transfer workflow is no different from the FTP transfer process. The only difference is that you choose SFTP over FTP when connecting.
Which FTP client are you using? Are there any other good FTP clients you can recommend? Or do you prefer a different file transfer protocol? Write about it in the comments below.
Filezilla ftp client is a great program for accessing the hosting server where your site is located via an ftp connection. I would even say so - this is a necessary program that any web master needs. If you, dear reader, do not yet know how to work with the program filezilla ftp client, then I strongly advise you to learn, and you will see for yourself how simple, easy and convenient to work with filezilla ftp client... This article is about this program.
Personally, I've heard about the filezilla ftp client program for a long time, but haven't used it. About a year ago I finally decided to try working with the filezilla ftp client and just fell in love with this program.
As a side note, an ftp (File Transfer Protocol) connection is a method of connecting and moving files over the Internet. In this case, the filezilla ftp client program allows you to do all this between your computer and your hosting server where your web resource is located.
Using the filezilla ftp client program, you can easily do a lot of operations with the site: connect your site's connection to the hosting via the ftp client; changing the access rights to elements (folders, files) located on the hosting; creating, renaming, deleting site files; downloading and uploading any files from your personal computer to the hosting and vice versa; editing all files and folders of your website with notepad ++ (it is with this notepad that it is recommended to edit program codes to avoid errors).
You can download the filezilla ftp client program from the link, which is given in the final part of the article. In the same part of the article, dear reader, you will find a link where you can download the notepad ++ program (a necessary application for the filezilla ftp client program).
I will first show you how to set up the filezilla ftp client correctly, and then I will show you how to work with the filezilla ftp client. I will accompany my story with screenshots for clarity.
In the process of configuring filezilla ftp client, your acquaintance with the program, dear reader, will also pass.
How to set up filezilla ftp client.
After installing and opening the program, you will need to make some settings to connect the filezilla ftp client to your hosting server. To do this, press the FILE button (in the screenshot - 1 is marked with a red arrow) and select the SITE MANAGER function in the drop-down menu.
A new window will open in the filezilla ftp client program (screenshot - 2), where we perform the settings in order:
1. Press the NEW SITE button.
2. At the top there will be an inscription "new site", where you can enter the name of your site or write, for example, MY SITE (when you run the filezilla ftp client program and click on this site name, the program will automatically connect to the hosting server).
3. This field contains the hosting IP, or the address of your hosting (this data can be found either in the control panel on the hosting, or in the letter that you received during your registration on the hosting).
4. In the INPUT TYPE field, instead of ANONYMOUS, select NORMAL (click on the corner on the right and select the desired item in the drop-down menu).
5. Enter your data in the USER and PASSWORD fields, under which you log into your hosting account.
6. Press the CONNECT button to save the entered data.
Now your computer will connect to the hosting server by clicking on the triangle (screenshot - 3, red arrow) and choosing the name of your web resource.
Everything, now the configuration of the filezilla ftp client program is completed. But we will need to correctly "bind" the filezilla ftp client to notepad ++ in order to correctly edit the files. And since it is necessary to "bind", then we will "bind".
Why do you need to do file editing? Yes, you never know for what! For example, to correct a file, rename a file, etc.
To do this, you will need to download and install the notepad ++ program on your computer (the download link is at the end of this article). "Binding" notepad ++ to the filezilla ftp client for clarity is shown in the screenshot - 4.
1. In the filezilla ftp client program, press the EDIT button and in the drop-down list select the SETTINGS function, a window of the same name (SETTINGS) opens.
2. In the SETTINGS window that opens, select the FILES EDIT function on the left.
3. In the window that opens on the right, select the USE NEXT EDITOR function, where, by clicking the BROWSE button, select the notepad ++ program installed on your computer. Click OK to save your settings.
That's it, the "binding" is done, and now, when editing files in the filezilla ftp client, the notepad ++ program will always open.
How to change file permissions in filezilla ftp client.
A small digression: on your hosting server, each file has certain rights, which means actions that are possible with respect to this file (for example, read, run or write). And then, when certain actions are not written to this file, they will not be performed on the server of the hosting provider, i.e. changing the access rights to the file will not work.
To change the access right to a file, you just need to select the desired file with the right button (red arrow in the screenshot - 5) and select the FILE ACCESS RIGHTS function in the drop-down menu.
The window CHANGE FILE ATTRIBUTES opens in front of you (screenshot - 6), where you can put the little pieces in the checkboxes you need in the desired order or enter a numerical value. Save settings. Full access will grant rights with a numeric value of 777.
In the filezilla ftp client, access to folder rights has one nuance. If there are any attachments (files or subfolders) in the folder (access rights to which you want to change), then you must decide for yourself whether you need to redirect the set access rights to them, or other access rights will be applied to them ...
If you put a cap in the REDIRECT TO Nested DIRECTORIES function, then the access rights will be set for the entire contents of the folder (directory).
It is NECESSARY after all the changes made to return the access rights to their original position. This MUST be done for the safety of your web resource !!!
How to work with filezilla ftp client.
Working with filezilla ftp client is easy and simple. It is possible that the first time, dear reader, you will have difficulties in your work. But this is only the first time, after working several times, you will very quickly master the filezilla ftp client and will only enjoy the life of a web master.
On the left side of the filezilla ftp client program, there is a LOCAL SITE window - this is your computer. In this window, you can open disks on your computer, the contents of which (files and folders) will be shown "in the tree" in the window, which is also located on the left, but slightly below.
In the upper right window REMOTE SITE, filezilla ftp client shows your web resource (site / blog). In this window, you can open the contents (files and folders) of your web resource.
Content from the lower left window (your computer) can be shuffled (hold down with the left mouse button) into the lower right window (your web resource). You can also do other actions (for example, rename, delete).
If you want to make any changes in the files of your web resource using the filezilla ftp client program, then select the file you need (screenshot - 5) by right-clicking, and from the drop-down menu select the VIEW / EDIT function.
Then the file you need will open in notepad ++, where you can make all the upcoming edits (screenshot 7 is shown as an example). Notepad ++ will help you avoid problems with the web resource if you make any wrong changes in the codes (you can go back the required number of change steps and the web resource will be restored to the values prior to editing).
If you have made all the changes (editing) in the codes and checked that your web resource is working properly ("did not float" and did not skew it), then save the changes in notepad ++, go back to the filezilla ftp client and the program tells you about everything done changes, click on the word YES.
We look again at the screenshot - 5. If you select any file with the right mouse button, then in the drop-down menu you can select some more actions: create a file, create a directory (folder), delete, rename.
This is how the filezilla ftp client works.
I RECOMMEND AN EXCELLENT FILEZILLA FTP CLIENT PROGRAM TO ALL WEB-MASTERS !!!
So, dear reader, in this article you got acquainted with the excellent filezilla ftp client program, with which you can easily remotely work with your web resource, and also learned how to configure the filezilla ftp client, how to work with the filezilla ftp client directly.
I advise everyone who is not yet able to work with the filezilla ftp client to master this program, which will greatly facilitate the life of any web master.
PS. Some webmasters use the Total Commander program as an ftp client (ftp is built into this file manager). But I once read the opinion of some authoritative people that Total Commander does not store the entered server access passwords well (they can be stolen).
There is one more program with which you can perform similar operations. It's called cuteFTP, but the filezilla ftp client will be just what you need for a beginner webmaster. it is much easier to learn and work (does not contain "cool bells and whistles").
