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Comparison of FTP client software
Comparison of FTP client software
Comparison of FTP client software
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The following tables compare general and technical information for a number of File Transfer Protocol (FTP) clients. Unless otherwise specified in footnotes, comparisons are based on the stable versions without any add-ons, extensions, or external programs.

Free and open-source software

[edit]
Client Developer Initial release Latest release License Copy files over 2 GB limit[1] Interface
Version Date
cURL Daniel Stenberg 1998 8.16.0[2] Edit this on Wikidata 2025-09-10 curl Yes CLI
Cyberduck David V. Kocher 2001 9.2.5[3] Edit this on Wikidata 2025-10-10 GPL-3.0-or-later Yes GUI and CLI
Far Manager Eugene Roshal / FAR Group 1996 3.0.6364 Edit this on Wikidata 2024-08-24 BSD-3-Clause Yes TUI
FileZilla Community 2001 (January) 3.69.3[4] Edit this on Wikidata 2025-07-31 GPL-2.0-or-later Yes GUI
FireFTP Mime Čuvalo 2004 (September) 2.0.32[5] Edit this on Wikidata 2019-02-01 MPL-1.1, Charityware Yes (since version 2.0.5) Waterfox, Firefox pre-version 57 addon
Fugu University of Michigan Research Systems Unix Group 2003 1.2.0[6] Edit this on Wikidata 2005-05-02 Fugu[7] ? GUI
gFTP Brian Masney 1998 GPL-2.0-or-later Yes GTK+
lftp Alexander V. Lukyanov 1996 (August) 4.9.3[8] Edit this on Wikidata 2024-11-08 GPL-3.0-or-later Yes CLI
Macfusion Michael Gorbach 0 ? 2.0.4[9] Edit this on Wikidata 2010-12-03 Apache-2.0 ? GUI
NcFTP NcFTP Software Inc. 1991 3.3.0[10] Edit this on Wikidata 2025-04-23 ClArtistic Yes CLI
net2ftp David C. Gartner 2003 (January) 1.3[11] Edit this on Wikidata 2019-07-15 GPL-2.0-or-later ? Web application
Rclone Nick Craig-Wood 2015 (July) 1.71.2[12] Edit this on Wikidata 2025-10-20 MIT Yes CLI
tnftp Luke Mewburn 1999 20230507[13] Edit this on Wikidata 2023-05-07 BSD-4-Clause Yes CLI
WinSCP Martin Přikryl 2000 6.5.4[14] Edit this on Wikidata 2025-10-16 GPL-3.0-only Yes GUI and CLI

Proprietary freeware

[edit]
Client Developer Initial release Latest release License Copy files over 2 GB[1] Interface
Version Date
CrossFTP CrossFTP Software 2006 1.99.2 2020-05-23 Proprietary Yes GUI
LeechFTP Jan Debis 1998 1.3 (Discontinued) Proprietary No GUI
FTP Voyager Rhino Software, Inc 1997 (January) 16.1.0.0 2013-08-20 Proprietary Yes GUI

Freeware and commercial editions

[edit]
Client Developer Initial release Latest release License Copy files over 2 GB[1]
Version Date
Core FTP CoreFTP.com 2003 2.2 (build 1751) 2012-06-27 Freeware Yes
Fetch Fetch Softworks 1989 5.7.7 2017-12-02 Proprietary Yes
Secure FTP Glub Tech 1999 2.6.2 2013-07-27 Apache Yes
Sysax FTP Automation Codeorigin, LLC 2005 5.31 2012-04-12 Proprietary Yes

Trials of commercial

[edit]
Client Developer Initial release Latest release License Copy files over 2 GB[1]
Version Date
AbsoluteTelnet Celestial Software 1996 9.49 2012-07-02 Proprietary Yes
Beyond Compare Scooter Software 1996 5.1.5 2025-09-08 Proprietary Yes
Commander One Eltima Software 2015 Proprietary Yes
CrossFTP Pro CrossFTP Software 2006 1.98.7 2020-05-23 Proprietary Yes
CuteFTP Alex Kunadze/Globalscape 1994 macOS: 3.1.3
Windows: 9.3.0 		2014-05-02
2018-07-11 		Proprietary Yes
Directory Opus GPSoftware 1990 12.28 2022-06-03 Proprietary Yes
FlashFXP OpenSight Software, LLC 1999 5.4.0.3970 2017-04-01 Proprietary Yes
SmartFTP SmartSoft Ltd 1998 10.0.3185.0 2023-11-15 Proprietary Yes
Total Commander Christian Ghisler 1993 Android: 3.50[15] Edit this on Wikidata
Windows: 11.56[16] Edit this on Wikidata 		2024-03-27
2025-08-19 		Proprietary Yes
WebDrive South River Technologies, Inc. 1998 2017 2017-06-16 Proprietary Yes
WS_FTP Ipswitch, Inc. 1996 12.7 2018-11-27 Proprietary Yes
Yummy FTP Yummy Software 2004 1.9.0 2018-05-10 Proprietary, Setapp ?

Commercial

[edit]
Client Developer Initial release Latest release License Copy files over 2 GB[1]
Version Date
ALFTP ESTsoft 2000 5.31 2012-02-01 Proprietary ?
ExpanDrive (formerly SFTPDrive) ExpanDrive, Inc 2005 Linux:
macOS:
Windows:

Proprietary Yes
ForkLift BinaryNights, LLC 2007 4.0.7[17] Edit this on Wikidata 2024-01-30 Proprietary Yes
FTP Explorer FTPx Corp. October, 1996 1.0.1.53 2012-01 Proprietary ?
FTP Files Anders Borum ApS 2024 2024.47 2024-10-07 Proprietary Yes
Interarchy Nolobe Software Pty Ltd 1993 (as Anarchie) 10.0.6 2014-08-18 Proprietary Yes
Steed French Fry, SAS 2012 1.2.1.1169 2017-06-27 Proprietary Yes
Transmit Panic, Inc. 1998 5.6.4 2020-04-20 Proprietary Yes
WISE-FTP AceBIT 1998 7.0 (Build 7.0.4) 2012-03-16 Proprietary ?
edtFTPj Bruce P. Blackshaw 2000 2.5.0[18] Edit this on Wikidata 2016-07-06 Proprietary Yes
edtFTPnet Bruce P. Blackshaw 2003 2.2.1 2011-08-26 Proprietary Yes

Operating system support

[edit]

The operating systems the clients can run on:

Client Windows macOS Linux BSD Unix AmigaOS ChromeOS
AbsoluteTelnet Yes No No No No No No
ALFTP Yes No No No No No No
Beyond Compare Yes Yes Yes No No No No
Classic FTP Yes Yes No No No No No
Codeanywhere (webbased) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Commander One No Yes No No No No No
Core FTP Yes No No No No No No
CrossFTP Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
cURL (CL) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
CuteFTP Yes Yes No No No No No
Cyberduck Yes Yes No No No No No
Directory Opus Yes No No No No Yes No
ExpanDrive Yes Yes Yes No No No No
Far Manager Yes No No No No No No
Fetch No Yes No No No No No
FileZilla Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
FireFTP Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
FlashFXP Yes No No No No No No
Fling FTP Yes No No No No No No
ForkLift No Yes No No No No No
FTP Client No Yes No No No No No
FTP Explorer Yes No No No No No No
FTP Files No Yes No No No No No
FTP Voyager Yes No No No No No No
Fugu No Yes No No No No No
gFTP No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
Interarchy No Yes No No No No No
LeechFTP Yes No No No No No No
lftp (CL) Yes (cygwin) Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
Macfusion No Yes No No No No No
Mosaic Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No
NcFTP (CL) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
net2ftp (web-based) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
PSFTP (PuTTY) (CL) Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No
Rclone Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
Secure FTP Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No
SmartFTP Yes No No No No No No
Steed Yes No No No No No No
Sysax FTP Automation Yes No No No No No No
Total Commander Yes No No No No No No
tnftp (CL) Yes (cygwin) Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Transmit No Yes No No No No No
WebDrive Yes Yes No No No No No
WinSCP Yes No No No No No No
WISE-FTP Yes No No No No No No
WS_FTP Yes No No No No No No
Yummy FTP No Yes No No No No No
Client Windows Mac OS X Linux BSD Unix AmigaOS ChromeOS

(CL) Command-Line interface only – no GUI (Graphical user interface)

Protocol support

[edit]

Information about what internet protocols the clients support. External links lead to information about support in future versions of the clients or extensions that provide such functionality.

Client FTP FTP over SSH SFTP FTPS (FTP over SSL) FXP (Site2site transfer) DAV / HTTP(S) Compression Mode Z / Remote Compression API / Commandline available Resume Download Passive mode Parallel Transfer[19] Segmented Downloads[19]
AbsoluteTelnet No No Yes No No No Yes Yes ? ? ? ? ?
ALFTP Yes No No Yes No No No ? ? ? ? ? ?
Beyond Compare Yes No Yes (Pro only) Yes (Pro only) No Yes (Pro only) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ? ?
Classic FTP Yes No No Yes No No No ? ? ? Yes ? ?
Codeanywhere Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ? ?
Commander One Yes No Yes Yes No No No No No No Yes ? ?
Core FTP Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes ? ? ? Yes[20]
CrossFTP Yes Yes (Pro only) Yes (Pro only) Yes (Pro only) Yes (Pro only) Yes (Pro only) Yes ? Yes Yes Yes ? ?
cURL Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes (Only) Yes Yes ? ?
CuteFTP Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes (HTTP(S)) Yes No ? Yes Yes ? Yes
Cyberduck Yes No Yes Yes No Yes No Yes (SFTP only) Yes Yes Yes ? ?
Directory Opus Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes ? ?
ExpanDrive (Mac) Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No Yes ? ? ? ?
ExpanDrive (Windows) Yes No Yes Yes No No ? No ? ? ? ? ?
Far Manager Yes Yes Yes Yes ? Yes No ? ? Yes Yes ? ?
Fetch Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes Yes ? ?
FileZilla Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No Yes (basic) Yes Yes ? No
FireFTP Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes Yes ? ?
FlashFXP Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes ? ?
Fling FTP Yes No No Yes No No No Yes Yes ? ? ? ?
ForkLift Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes ? ?
FTP Client Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No No No Yes ? ? ?
FTP Explorer Yes No No No ? ? No ? ? ? ? ? ?
FTP Voyager Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ? ?
Fugu No No Yes No No No No ? ? ? ? ? ?
gFTP Yes Yes Yes Yes (control connection only) Yes ? No ? Yes ? ? ? ?
Interarchy Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No ? ? Yes Yes ? ?
LeechFTP Yes No No No No No No ? ? ? ? ? ?
lftp Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes (Partial) No No Yes Yes ? ? Yes
Macfusion Yes ? Yes No ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Macfusion Yes ? Yes No ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
NcFTP Yes No No ? ? ? No ? Yes ? Yes ? ?
PSFTP (PuTTY) No No Yes No No No No No Yes Yes ? ? ?
Rclone Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Secure FTP Yes No No Yes No No Yes Yes Yes ? ? ? ?
SmartFTP Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ? Yes
Steed Yes No Yes Yes No No No No No ? Yes ? ?
Sysax FTP Automation Yes No Yes Yes No No Yes No Yes (script and command line) ? ? ? ?
Total Commander Yes Yes Yes (plugin) Yes Yes Yes (plugin) Yes ? Yes Yes Yes ? ?
Transmit Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No ? Yes (AppleScript) Yes Yes ? ?
WebDrive Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes (SFTP) Yes Yes Yes ? ?
Windows 7 (ftp.exe) Yes No No No No No No No No ? No ? ?
WinSCP Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes (SFTP only) Yes (SCP command) Yes Yes Yes Yes No
WISE-FTP Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes ? ? ? ? ?
WS_FTP Yes Yes (Pro only) Yes (Pro only) Yes Yes (Pro only) Yes Yes (Pro only) No Yes (Pro only) Yes (Pro only) Yes ? ?
Yummy FTP Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes (AppleScript) Yes Yes ? ?
Client FTP FTP over SSH SFTP FTPS (FTP over SSL) FXP (Site2site transfer) DAV / HTTP(S) Compression Mode Z / Remote Compression API / Commandline available Resume Download Passive mode Parallel Transfer Segmented Downloads

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Comparison of FTP client software

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
FTP client software refers to applications that implement the client side of the (FTP), enabling users to connect to remote servers for uploading, downloading, and managing files efficiently and reliably across networks. Defined in RFC 959 as a client-server using separate control and data connections, FTP has evolved with modern clients incorporating secure variants like (FTP over SSL/TLS) and SFTP () to address the original protocol's vulnerabilities to and credential interception. Comparisons of FTP client software typically evaluate key attributes such as supported protocols (including FTP, , SFTP, and sometimes or cloud integrations), operating system compatibility (e.g., Windows, macOS, , or cross-platform), and user interface paradigms (e.g., dual-pane explorers versus command-line interfaces). Additional criteria often include security features like strength (e.g., 256-bit AES), credential management, and firewall traversal; performance aspects such as multi-threaded transfers and resume capabilities; and usability elements like drag-and-drop support, , and built-in editors. Licensing models—ranging from free and open-source to paid enterprise editions—also factor prominently, influencing choices for individual developers versus organizations handling sensitive data. Notable FTP clients frequently highlighted in such comparisons include , a free cross-platform option with broad protocol support and a straightforward graphical interface; WinSCP, a Windows-focused tool emphasizing scripting and secure transfers via SFTP; and Cyberduck, which excels in macOS integration and cloud service compatibility. Paid alternatives like Transmit for macOS offer advanced and , while enterprise solutions prioritize compliance with standards like HIPAA or GDPR through enhanced auditing and role-based access. As of 2025, the shift toward secure protocols has made SFTP and ubiquitous in top-rated clients, reflecting broader adoption of encrypted file transfers amid rising cybersecurity concerns.

Software by Licensing Model

Free and open-source software

Free and open-source FTP client software provides users with no-cost access to , enabling modifications, community contributions, and transparency in development. These clients are licensed under permissive or terms that allow free distribution and use, often fostering active ecosystems for bug fixes and enhancements. Popular examples include graphical interfaces for ease of use and command-line tools for scripting, catering to diverse user needs from casual file transfers to automated workflows. Key free and open-source FTP clients include , developed by Tim Kosse and the FileZilla Project, which began as a 2001 computer science project and remains under active development with version 3.69.4 released on August 1, 2025. , created by V. Kocher and Yves Langisch under iterate , debuted in April 2002 and reached version 9.2.4 on September 15, 2025, offering a user-friendly browser for multiple protocols. , initiated by in March 1998, is a command-line-focused tool at version 8.17.0 as of November 5, 2025, widely embedded in other software for its versatility. , maintained by Martin Prikryl since its initial release in 2000, provides a graphical interface with strong support for SFTP and scripting, at version 6.5 released on October 16, 2025. All these support transfers of files larger than 2 GB, addressing limitations in older FTP implementations through modern protocol handling. The following table compares these clients on core attributes:
ClientDeveloperInitial ReleaseLatest Stable ReleaseLicenseWritten InFiles > 2 GB
FileZillaTim Kosse / FileZilla Project20013.69.4 (2025-08-01)GPL-2.0-or-laterC++Yes
CyberduckDavid V. Kocher / iterate GmbHApril 20029.2.4 (2025-09-15)GPL-3.0-or-later, C#Yes
cURL / contributorsMarch 19988.17.0 (2025-11-05)curl licenseCYes
WinSCPMartin Prikryl20006.5 (2025-10-16)GPL-2.0-or-laterYes
Community-driven updates are a hallmark of these projects, with FileZilla receiving frequent security patches to address vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows in past releases, through its version history and contributor submissions. Forks and extensions emerge from open-source nature, allowing users to adapt the software for specific needs, though core development remains centralized for stability. For instance, FileZilla's documents ongoing enhancements from global contributors. While active projects thrive, some open-source FTP clients have become legacy options; FireFTP, a Firefox add-on supporting FTP, FTPS, and SFTP, saw its last significant update around 2019 before discontinuation due to browser compatibility changes, highlighting the importance of selecting maintained software.

Proprietary freeware

Proprietary freeware FTP clients are closed-source applications distributed at no cost for personal or basic use, offering core file transfer functionalities without requiring payment, though they often include restrictions on advanced features or long-term support compared to commercial counterparts. These tools typically provide straightforward interfaces for uploading, downloading, and managing files via FTP, FTPS, and sometimes SFTP protocols, but lack the code transparency and community-driven enhancements found in open-source alternatives. Notable examples include CrossFTP, developed by HurricaneSoft, which as of its latest free version 1.99.9 released in November 2021, supports basic FTP operations and is available for direct download from the official website. Another is the discontinued LeechFTP, created by Jan Debis, whose final version 1.3 build 207 dates to 1999 and is no longer maintained, limiting its compatibility with modern servers and security standards. Other representatives encompass Core FTP LE from Core FTP Software, updated to version 2.3.1994 on September 25, 2025, and CoffeeCup Free FTP from CoffeeCup Software, stuck at version 4.5.2014 since 2014, both obtainable via direct downloads without installation fees.
ClientLatest VersionRelease DateDeveloperDistribution MethodFile Size Support
CrossFTP1.99.9November 2021HurricaneSoftDirect downloadNo explicit limit (standard FTP constraints apply)
LeechFTP1.3 build 207April 1999Jan DebisDirect downloadLimited to 2 GB in older Windows versions due to era-specific constraints
Core FTP LE2.3.1994September 25, 2025Core FTP SoftwareDirect downloadNo explicit limit (supports large transfers via FTPS/SFTP)
CoffeeCup Free FTP4.5.20142014CoffeeCup SoftwareDirect downloadNo explicit limit, but untested for files over 4 GB post-2014
The freeware model for these FTP clients often imposes limitations such as the absence of ongoing updates—evident in LeechFTP's 25-year dormancy and CoffeeCup's decade without revisions—potentially exposing users to unpatched vulnerabilities after 2020. While some, like Core FTP LE, receive sporadic maintenance, many eschew ads in favor of upselling pro versions for features like automation scripting. CrossFTP exemplifies this by integrating cloud services such as and Google Storage in its free edition for seamless hybrid transfers, though users cannot access or modify the underlying . CrossFTP primarily targets Windows users but extends basic support to macOS and .

Commercial software

Commercial FTP client software typically requires payment for full access, often through one-time licenses, subscriptions, or enterprise editions, providing users with enhanced reliability, support, and integration options compared to free alternatives. These clients cater to professional and business environments where efficiency and compliance are critical, frequently including features like advanced and priority customer service. Prominent examples include SmartFTP and . SmartFTP, developed by SmartSoft Ltd., emphasizes enterprise-grade file transfers with its version 10.0.3396 (released November 7, 2025), offering subscription-based pricing starting at $209.95 annually for the Professional edition and $329.95 for the Ultimate edition, which includes advanced tools like task scheduling and multi-protocol support. , created by Christian Ghisler, provides a one-time fee of €42 (approximately $44 USD) plus VAT for its version 11.56 (released August 2025), focusing on dual-pane file management with built-in FTP functionality and extensive plugin support for scripting and customization. The following table compares key aspects of these commercial FTP clients:
SoftwareDeveloperLatest Version (Release Date)Pricing ModelTrial DurationBundled Features Example
SmartFTPSmartSoft Ltd.10.0.3396 (November 7, 2025)Subscription ($209.95–$329.95/year)30 daysAutomation scripting, priority support tickets
Total CommanderChristian Ghisler11.56 (August 2025)One-time (€42 + VAT)30 daysPlugin-based scripting,
Commercial FTP clients distinguish themselves through dedicated support structures, such as SmartFTP's priority ticket system for subscribers, which ensures rapid resolution for enterprise issues, and integrations like compatibility with for enhanced SSH handling in professional workflows. These advantages support scalable deployments, where businesses benefit from reliable updates and customization without relying on community forums. Many such clients also provide free editions or trials with limitations, such as watermarks on transfers or caps on simultaneous connections, to demonstrate value before purchase.

Compatibility and Feature Support

Operating system support

FTP client software varies significantly in its operating system compatibility, with some clients designed for broad cross-platform use and others optimized for specific environments. Cross-platform clients like leverage frameworks such as to provide native-like experiences across multiple desktop operating systems, enabling seamless file transfers without the need for extensive reconfiguration. In contrast, platform-specific clients such as focus on deep integration with Windows features, while mobile-oriented options like AndFTP cater to Android users for on-the-go access. This diversity allows users to select tools based on their primary OS, though non-native support often requires layers like Wine to bridge gaps.
ClientWindowsmacOSLinuxBSD/UnixMobile (Android/iOS)
FileZillaYesYesYesYesNo
WinSCPYesNoNo (via Wine)NoNo
CyberduckYesYesNoNoNo
Commander OneNoYesNoNoNo
TransmitNoYesNoNoNo
gFTPNoYesYesYesNo
AndFTPNoNoNoNoYes (Android)
FTPManagerNoNoNoNoYes ()
FileZilla's use of the wxWidgets toolkit facilitates its support for Windows from version 7 onward, macOS 10.13 and later, major Linux distributions like , and BSD variants including , ensuring consistent functionality across these platforms. WinSCP is natively tailored for through 11 and Server editions up to 2025, with no official or macOS builds, though it can operate on via the Wine for running Windows applications. Cyberduck provides native support for both (64-bit) or later and macOS 10.13 or newer on or Apple Silicon, optimizing for these ecosystems without extending to or Unix derivatives. Commander One is exclusively built for macOS, supporting versions 10.13 or later on Intel or Apple Silicon processors, with integrated FTP and SFTP functionality for remote file management. Transmit is exclusively built for macOS, supporting versions 13.0 or later with deep integration into Apple's and UI paradigms. gFTP, a GTK-based client, targets systems including distributions, macOS, and BSD platforms like , but lacks Windows compatibility. Mobile clients such as AndFTP are restricted to Android devices, handling FTP tasks via touch interfaces, while FTPManager serves users with similar capabilities on and . Discontinued clients like Macfusion, which was macOS-only and relied on MacFUSE for mounting remote filesystems, highlight the risks of platform-specific tools; its last stable release (version 2.0.4) dates to , leaving it incompatible with modern macOS versions beyond 10.6. For users needing to run non-native clients, virtualization tools such as enable Windows-exclusive software like on hosts, though performance may vary and additional configuration is often required for full feature parity. OS support directly impacts protocol availability, as platform-specific integrations can enhance or limit certain transfer methods.

Protocol support

FTP client software supports a variety of file transfer protocols to accommodate different security needs, network configurations, and integration requirements, with most offering core compatibility for FTP, its secure extension , and the SSH-based SFTP as standard features. Beyond these, clients differ in handling protocols like SCP for secure copying, for web-based authoring, and interfaces treated as pseudo-protocols, enabling seamless access to services such as or without traditional FTP servers. This diversity allows users to select clients based on specific protocol needs, though adoption of newer or experimental variants, such as FTP over , remains limited across major clients as of 2025. The following table compares protocol support among representative FTP clients, focusing on key protocols and their variants:
ClientFTPFTPS (Explicit/Implicit)SFTPSCPWebDAVCloud Protocols (e.g., S3, Google Drive)
FileZillaYesYes/YesYesNoNoYes (Pro version: S3, )
WinSCPYesYes (via TLS/SSL)YesYesYesYes (S3)
SmartFTPYesYes/YesYesNoYesYes (S3, , OneDrive; Enterprise)
CyberduckYesYes (Explicit)YesNoYesYes (S3, , Backblaze B2, Azure, OneDrive)
Data compiled from official documentation. Specific implementations highlight these differences in depth. For instance, supports SFTP versions 3 through 6, enabling advanced features like handling (SFTP v3) and support (SFTP v6), while maintaining compatibility with earlier versions for legacy servers. FileZilla's implementation includes support for TLS 1.3, ensuring compatibility with modern standards for both explicit and implicit modes. SmartFTP provides enterprise-grade support for FTPES (explicit over SSL/TLS), optimized for secure transfers in professional environments. Cyberduck stands out for its extensive integration with cloud providers, treating and as pseudo-protocols that mimic FTP-like operations, allowing users to browse and transfer files to these services alongside traditional protocols. Regarding legacy protocol handling, all listed clients support both active and passive modes for FTP, with passive mode preferred for traversing firewalls by having the client initiate data connections on dynamically allocated ports. This ensures broad interoperability with older servers while mitigating common network restrictions.

Security and advanced features

Modern FTP client software prioritizes security to overcome the limitations of the original FTP protocol, which transmits data and credentials in , making it susceptible to and man-in-the-middle attacks. Contemporary clients implement through protocols like (FTP over SSL/TLS) and SFTP (), often leveraging libraries such as for cryptographic operations. Authentication mechanisms have also advanced, with support for , multi-factor authentication (2FA) in some integrations, and enterprise standards like Kerberos to prevent unauthorized access. Vulnerability management is a critical aspect, with developers regularly patching known issues. For instance, addressed the Terrapin attack vulnerability (CVE-2023-48795), a prefix truncation flaw in the SSH transport protocol affecting SFTP implementations, in version 3.66.4 released in late 2023. This patch ensured integrity checks during , mitigating potential . Other clients, such as , maintain active security updates aligned with underlying libraries like for SFTP. Advanced features enhance reliability and usability while bolstering security. Resumable transfers allow interrupted downloads to restart without corruption, often by segmenting large files into chunks, as seen in commercial clients like SmartFTP. Multi-threaded downloads accelerate performance by managing multiple simultaneous connections; , for example, supports configurable concurrent transfers for efficient handling of large datasets. Integration with s, such as storing credentials in system keychains or third-party tools, is common— uses the OS keychain for secure storage, while includes a built-in for FTP connections. Audit logging provides traceability for compliance, particularly in enterprise environments. offers logging for file operations, including FTP transfers, enabling administrators to monitor activities and detect anomalies. Commercial options like extend this to detailed session records, supporting regulatory requirements such as GDPR or HIPAA. As of 2025, all major FTP clients, including , , and , support for future-proof connectivity, ensuring compatibility with modern networks and reducing reliance on IPv4 tunneling that could introduce gaps. However, outdated clients like LeechFTP, last updated in the early , lack support for modern TLS , exposing users to deprecated ciphers and unpatched vulnerabilities—recommendations advise migrating to current alternatives. Post-2020 updates in clients like CrossFTP have emphasized secure integrations, such as syncing with and Google Storage, aligning with zero-trust principles by enforcing per-session and without assuming network perimeter . These enhancements facilitate hybrid environments where FTP-like transfers interface with services securely.
ClientEncryption SupportAuthentication MethodsNotable Vulnerability HistoryAdvanced Features
FileZillaFTPS (OpenSSL-based TLS), SFTPPassword, public-keyCVE-2023-48795 (, patched in 3.66.4), site manager, resumable transfers
WinSCPSFTP (AES-256), FTPSPublic-key, password, KerberosRegular PuTTY library updatesScripting, integration,
CyberduckSFTP, FTPS, Cryptomator client-sidePassword (keychain), public-keyOpen-source audits, no major CVEs reportedMulti-threaded (configurable concurrency), sync (),
SmartFTPFTPS (TLS 1.3), SFTPPublic-key, 2FA via extensionsPatches for TLS weaknessesResumable segmented transfers, multi-connection downloads
Total CommanderFTPS (TLS), SFTP via plugins, public-keyWindows update compatibility fixesAudit logging, multi-threaded,
CrossFTPFTPS, SFTP, TLSPublic-key, for Post-2020 security hardening syncing (Azure, Google), zero-trust auth, resumable

References

  1. https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc959.html
  2. https://www.cerberusftp.com/blog/ftps-vs-sftp-understanding-the-difference/
  3. https://runcloud.io/blog/best-ftp-client-for-windows-and-mac
  4. https://www.wpbeginner.com/showcase/6-best-ftp-clients-for-wordpress-users/
  5. https://filezilla-project.org/license.php
  6. https://cyberduck.io/license/
  7. https://curl.se/docs/copyright.html
  8. https://lifehacker.com/behind-the-app-the-story-of-filezilla-1724887234
  9. https://filezilla-project.org/versions.php
  10. https://cyberduck.io/changelog/
  11. https://curl.se/docs/history.html
  12. https://curl.se/windows/
  13. https://everything.curl.dev/cmdline/curlver.html
  14. https://winscp.net/eng/docs/history
  15. https://winscp.net/eng/docs/license
  16. https://www.arimetrics.com/en/digital-glossary/filezilla
  17. https://sourceforge.net/p/filezilla/news/
  18. https://filezillapro.com/filezilla-pro-enterprise-server-version-history/
  19. http://fireftp.net/
  20. https://www.coreftp.com/
  21. https://www.crossftp.com/
  22. https://www.crossftp.com/download.htm
  23. https://www.coreftp.com/download.html
  24. https://www.coffeecup.com/free-ftp/
  25. https://leechftp.software.informer.com/1.3/
  26. https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/client/purchase
  27. https://www.ghisler.com/order.htm
  28. https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/
  29. https://www.ghisler.com/
  30. https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/pricelist
  31. https://www.smartftp.com/changelog/1
  32. https://www.ghisler.com/download.htm
  33. https://wxwidgets.org/about/
  34. https://filezilla-project.org/client_features.php
  35. https://winscp.net/eng/docs/requirements
  36. https://cyberduck.io/download/
  37. https://commander-one.com/
  38. https://panic.com/transmit/
  39. https://www.freshports.org/ftp/gftp/
  40. http://www.lysesoft.com/products/andftp/
  41. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ftpmanager-ftp-sftp-client/id525959186
  42. https://macfusion.macupdate.com/
  43. https://winscp.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=34459
  44. https://filezillapro.com/docs/v3/features-v3/filezilla-protocols/
  45. https://winscp.net/eng/docs/protocols
  46. https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/client/features
  47. https://cyberduck.io/
  48. https://forum.filezilla-project.org/viewtopic.php?t=56729
  49. https://www.cleo.com/blog/ftp-understanding-active-vs-passive
  50. https://filezilla-project.org/
  51. https://winscp.net/eng/docs/start
  52. https://www.slant.co/versus/502/5955/~securecrt_vs_winscp
  53. https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/cve-2023-48795
  54. https://www.syxsense.com/syxsense-securityarticles/ftp_software/syx-1006-13724.html?agt=index
  55. https://www.smartftp.com/en-us/features
  56. https://beebom.com/best-ftp-clients/
  57. https://www.guru99.com/ftp-client-windows-mac-free-paid.html
  58. https://onehack.us/t/10-best-free-ftp-clients-and-hidden-file-transfer-tricks/309712
  59. https://www.crossftp.com/features.htm
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