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FileZilla
FileZilla
FileZilla
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FileZilla Client
DeveloperTim Kosse
Initial release22 June 2001; 24 years ago (2001-06-22)
Stable release
3.69.5[1] Edit this on Wikidata / 12 November 2025
Repository
Written inC++, wxWidgets
Operating systemCross-platform
Size7.3 MB
Available inMultilingual
TypeFTP client
LicenseGPL-2.0-or-later[2]
Websitefilezilla-project.org

FileZilla is a free and open-source, cross-platform FTP application, consisting of FileZilla Client and FileZilla Server. Clients are available for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Both server and client support FTP and FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS), while the client can in addition connect to SFTP servers. FileZilla's source code is hosted on SourceForge.

History

[edit]

FileZilla was started as a computer science class project in the second week of January 2001 by Tim Kosse and two classmates.[3][who?][4]

Before they started to write the code, they discussed under which license they should release it.[4] They decided to make FileZilla an open-source project because many FTP clients were already available, and they didn't think that they would sell a single copy if they made FileZilla commercial.[4] Since its initial development in 2001, FileZilla has been released under the GNU General Public License (GPL).[5] The FileZilla client is currently released under GPL-2.0-or-later, and the server package under AGPL-3.0-or-later.[2]

FileZilla featured as SourceForge's Project of the Month in November 2003.[6]

Features

[edit]

FileZilla Client allows file transfer using both FTP and encrypted FTP such as FTPS (server and client) and SFTP,[7] with support for IPv6. One of its most notable features is its capability to pause and resume file transfer processes, even for files larger than 4GB. Users can chose to overwrite existing files based on the age or size of the file. It also allows the preservation of timestamps on transferred files, provided there is support from the local system when downloading or from the target server when uploading.[8]

FileZilla Client uses a tabbed user interface for multitasking, allowing users to browse more than one server or transfer files simultaneously between multiple servers. It also features a Site Manager to manage server lists and a transfer queue for ordering file transfer tasks.[9] It has bookmarks for easy access and supports drag and drop for downloads and uploads. The software provides directory comparison for comparing local files and server files in the same directory. If there is a difference in the file details, such as a mismatch in name or size, the software will highlight the file in colour.

Other features include configurable transfer speed limits, filename filters, a network configuration wizard, remote file editing, keep-alive command to prevent disconnections when idle, HTTP/1.1, SOCKS5 and FTP-Proxy support, and logging events to a file for debugging. Additionally, users can export queues into an XML format file, browse directories synchronously, and remotely search for files on the server.[9]

FileZilla Client is a cross-platform software, runs on Windows, Linux, *BSD, and Mac OS X, and available in 47 languages worldwide, including Arabic, Armenian, Basque, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Corsican, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, German, Greek, Estonian, Finnish, French, Galician, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Georgian, Khmer, Korean, Kurdish, Kyrgyz, Lithuanian, Latvian, Macedonian, Norwegian, Nepali, Occitan, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.

These are some features of FileZilla Server:[10]

  • FTP and FTP over TLS (FTPS)
  • IPv6 support
  • Speed limits
  • Large file support >4GB
  • Remote administration
  • Permissions system with users and groups
  • IP filters

Reception

[edit]

In May 2008, Chris Foresman assessed FTP clients for Ars Technica, saying of FileZilla: "Some friends in the tech support world often recommend the free and open-source FileZilla, which offers a Mac OS X version in addition to Windows and Linux. But I've never been thrilled about its busy interface, which can be daunting for novice users."[11]

Writing for Ars Technica in August 2008 Emil Protalinski said: "this week's free, third-party application recommendation is FileZilla.... This FTP client is very quick and is regularly updated. It may not have a beautiful GUI, but it certainly is fast and has never let me down."[12]

GoDaddy, Clarion University of Pennsylvania and National Capital FreeNet recommend FileZilla for uploading files to their web hosting services.[13][14][15]

FileZilla is available in the repositories of many Linux distributions, including Debian, Ubuntu, Trisquel and Parabola GNU/Linux-libre.[16][17][18][19]

In January 2012, CNET gave FileZilla their highest rating of "spectacular"—five out of five stars.[20]

As of 2022 FileZilla is regularly listed in articles on the top free software applications.[21]

Since the project's participation in SourceForge's program to create revenue by adware, several reviewers started warning about downloading FileZilla and discouraged users from using it.[22][23]

Criticism

[edit]

Bundled adware issues

[edit]

In 2013 the project's hosting site, SourceForge.net, provided the main download of FileZilla with a download wrapper, "offering" additional software for the user to install. Numerous users reported that some of the adware installed without consent, despite declining all install requests, or used deception to obtain the user's "acceptance" to install. Among the reported effects are: web browser being hijacked, with content, start page and search engines being forcibly changed; popup windows; privacy or spying issues; and sudden shutdown and restart events possibly leading to loss of current work. Some of the adware was reported to resist removal or restoration of previous settings, or were said to reinstall after a supposed removal. Also, users reported adware programs to download and install more unwanted software, some causing alerts by security suites, for being malware.[23]

The FileZilla webpage offers additional download options without adware installs, but the link to the adware download appears as the primary link, highlighted and marked as "recommended".[23][24]

As of 2016, FileZilla displays ads (called sponsored updates) when starting the application. These ads appear as part of the "Check for updates" dialog.[25]

In 2018, a further controversy about FileZilla's use of a bundled adware installer caused concern.[26]

Plain text password storage

[edit]

Until version 3.26 FileZilla stored all saved usernames and passwords as plain text, allowing any malware that had gained even limited access to the user's system to read the data. FileZilla author Tim Kosse was reluctant to add encrypted storage. He stated that it gives a false sense of security, since well-crafted malware can include a keylogger that reads the master password used to secure the data. Users have argued that reading the master password to decrypt the encrypted storage is still harder than just reading the unencrypted storage.[27] A fork called FileZilla Secure was started in November 2016 to add encrypted storage.[28] In May 2017, encrypted storage was also added to the main version, 10 years after it was first requested.[29] Kosse maintained that the feature did not really increase security, as long as the operating system is not secure.[30]

FileZilla Server

[edit]
FileZilla Server
DevelopersTim Kosse, et al.
Initial release13 July 2008; 17 years ago (2008-07-13)
Stable release
1.12.1[31] Edit this on Wikidata / 10 December 2025
Repository
Written inC++
Operating systemLinux, MacOS, Windows
TypeFTP server
License2021[a]: AGPL-3.0-or-later[2]
2001[b]: GPL-2.0-or-later[32]
Websitefilezilla-project.org

FileZilla Server is a sister product to FileZilla Client. It is an FTP server supported by the same project and features support for FTP and FTP over SSL/TLS.[33] FileZilla Server is currently available for Linux, MacOS and Windows platforms.

FileZilla Server is a free, open-source FTP server. Its source code is hosted on the FileZilla Project website.[34]

Features

[edit]

FileZilla Server supports FTP and FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS).[citation needed] Other features include:

  • Encryption with SSL/TLS (for FTPS)
  • Per-user permissions on the underlying file system
  • GUI configuration tool
  • Speed limits
  • IP filtering

FileZilla Client issues

[edit]

Unlike some other FTP clients, FileZilla Client does not implement a workaround for an error in the IIS server which causes file corruption when resuming large file downloads.[35]

Operating system support

[edit]

FileZilla Client

Operating system Latest version Release year
Windows Windows 7 or later Current (x64) 2023
Current (IA-32)
Windows Vista 3.25.1 (x64) 2017
3.25.1 (IA-32)
Windows XP 3.8.0 2014
Windows 2000 3.0.11.1 2008
Windows 9x 2.2.22 2006
macOS 10.13 or later Current (ARM64) 2023
Current (x64)
10.11-10.12 3.58.0 2022
10.9-10.10 3.42.1 2019
10.7-10.8 3.24.1 2017
10.6 3.8.1 2014
10.5 3.8.1 (Intel)
3.8.0 (PPC)
10.4 3.0.6 (Intel) 2008
3.0.6 (PPC)
Linux Current (x64) 2023
Current (IA-32)

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

FileZilla

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
FileZilla is a free and open-source cross-platform FTP client and server software suite, distributed under the GNU General Public License version 2.0 (GPLv2), that enables users to transfer files between local machines and remote servers using protocols such as FTP, (FTP over SSL/TLS), and SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol). The suite consists of the FileZilla Client, a (GUI)-based application for initiating transfers, and the FileZilla Server, a dedicated implementation primarily for Windows. Developed using and the library for its interface, FileZilla supports major operating systems including Windows, , macOS, and *BSD, making it accessible to a wide range of users from individuals to enterprises. Originating as a computer science class project in early 2001 by Tim Kosse and two classmates in , FileZilla's first public release was version 1.0 in June 2001. The project quickly gained popularity for its simplicity and reliability, evolving through multiple iterations; notable milestones include the introduction of support and a major rewrite in version 3.0.0 released on September 8, 2007, which established the modern codebase still in use today. As of November 2025, the FileZilla Client is at version 3.69.5, with ongoing development focusing on enhancements and improvements including better handling of large files exceeding 4 GB. The FileZilla Server, first released in 2004, reached version 1.11.1 in September 2025, emphasizing stability and support for secure hosting. Key features of the FileZilla Client include an intuitive tabbed interface for managing multiple connections, a site manager for storing server details, drag-and-drop file transfers, directory comparison to synchronize content, remote file editing via integration with external editors, and configurable speed limits to optimize bandwidth usage. It also supports advanced networking options like HTTP/1.1, SOCKS5 and FTP proxies, , and logging to files for , with availability in over 47 languages for global accessibility. The server component provides robust FTP and hosting with features like user management, IP filtering, and automatic transfer resumption, though it is Windows-exclusive unlike the multi-platform client. In addition to the free versions, FileZilla Pro offers a commercial edition with extended protocol support for cloud services such as , , , and , catering to professional workflows. Widely regarded as one of the most popular FTP solutions due to its no-cost model and feature richness, FileZilla continues to be actively maintained by the FileZilla Project, with community support through forums, a , and a for research.

History

Origins and early development

FileZilla originated in February 2001 as a class project undertaken by Tim Kosse and two classmates during their studies at in . The assignment initially called for a simple program, but they opted instead for a more ambitious FTP client to create a reliable tool for file transfers over FTP protocols. Written in C++, the project emphasized core functionality such as server connections, directory listings, and file uploads/downloads, marking the beginning of what would become a widely used open-source application. Early development prioritized a Windows-based using Microsoft's MFC library, reflecting the platform's dominance at the time. Although cross-platform compatibility was a long-term goal, the initial versions were Windows-specific, focusing on stability and ease of use to distinguish it from existing FTP clients. Kosse, in his final year of studies, continued refining the software post-assignment for personal use and broader improvement, laying the groundwork for its public availability. The project transitioned to open-source distribution under the GNU General Public License shortly after inception, as commercial prospects seemed unlikely, enabling community involvement from the start. The first alpha release occurred on February 27, 2001, via .net, followed by a beta in April and version 1.0 in June of the same year. These early releases garnered initial downloads and prompted rapid iterations, with updates incorporating user feedback on usability and reliability from early adopters. Over time, efforts to enhance cross-platform support led to the adoption of the wxWidgets library for the GUI, though this major rewrite came later, solidifying FileZilla's accessibility across operating systems. This foundational phase established the project's commitment to free, , evolving from a endeavor into distinct client and server products.

Key milestones and licensing changes

In November 2003, FileZilla was recognized as SourceForge's Project of the Month, which significantly increased its visibility, leading to over 4,000 daily downloads and enhanced community contributions including bug reports, feature requests, and volunteer translators. FileZilla Server was released in 2001 as a companion to the client, providing FTP and FTPS hosting capabilities with features like user management and directory permissions. Since its early development, FileZilla Client has been distributed under the GNU General Public License version 2 or any later version, emphasizing copyleft principles to ensure derivative works remain open source; FileZilla Server initially followed the same GPL-2.0-or-later terms before transitioning to the GNU Affero General Public License version 3 or later with the 1.x series in 2021. FileZilla Pro, a commercial edition extending the open-source client with support for cloud protocols like , , and , was introduced in 2017 to offer enterprise-grade integration without altering the core GPL-licensed codebase. The FileZilla Client achieved a major milestone with the 3.0 series release on September 8, 2007, following betas in 2006; this rewrite introduced cross-platform compatibility using wxWidgets, directory filtering, and improved SFTP handling, marking a shift from the Windows-only 2.x branch. FileZilla Server entered its modern 1.x era in 2021 with version 1.0.0, and on August 28, 2025, version 1.11.0 was released, incorporating wildcard pattern support (using * and ?) for commands like , NLST, MLSD, and STAT to enable flexible file querying, alongside options for write-only mount points and credentialed UNC paths. In 2019, FileZilla participated in the European Union's Auditing (EU-FOSSA 2) , resulting in the identification and remediation of 10 vulnerabilities through community-submitted reports, reinforcing the project's commitment to robust auditing.

Products

FileZilla Client

FileZilla Client is the flagship product of the FileZilla project, a free and open-source graphical FTP client designed for uploading and downloading files to and from remote servers. It supports core protocols including FTP, (FTP over TLS), and SFTP, making it suitable for a wide range of needs in personal and professional environments. The software emphasizes ease of use with an intuitive that streamlines connectivity and management tasks. Key capabilities include support for multiple simultaneous transfers via a robust queue system, which allows users to process several files or directories concurrently while maintaining transfer integrity, even for large files exceeding 4GB. It also features directory comparison functionality, enabling users to visually identify and synchronize differences between local and remote file structures for efficient maintenance. These elements contribute to its reliability as a cross-platform tool available on Windows, macOS, and . The client is architecturally based on the libfilezilla library, a C++ framework that provides cross-platform networking, file operations, and utility functions to ensure consistent performance across operating systems. Its interface employs a dual-pane layout, with separate panels for browsing local files and remote server contents, supporting drag-and-drop transfers and tabbed sessions for multitasking. The latest stable release, version 3.69.5, was issued on November 12, 2025. Distribution occurs through the official FileZilla Project website, which provides pre-built installers for major operating systems, as well as for source code downloads and additional mirrors.

FileZilla Server

FileZilla Server is a free and open-source FTP server software designed to facilitate secure file transfers over networks. It primarily supports the (FTP) and FTP over TLS () for encrypted connections, enabling users to host and manage services on local or remote systems. Developed as part of the FileZilla project, it emphasizes simplicity and reliability for setting up dedicated FTP hosts without requiring extensive server infrastructure. The software includes robust mechanisms, such as user authentication through usernames and passwords organized into groups, directory permissions that allow fine-grained control over read, write, delete, and list actions for specific folders or mount points, and IP filtering to restrict connections based on client IP addresses or ranges. These features ensure that administrators can define secure boundaries for file access, supporting both local network sharing and internet-facing deployments with proper firewall configurations. For instance, IP filters can allow or deny connections from specific addresses, enhancing for shared environments. The latest version, 1.11.1, was released on September 18, 2025, incorporating enhancements like improved group membership selection and options for handling in-use groups during removal, alongside bug fixes for crashes related to user editing during logins and issues with mount point listings. These updates focus on stability and usability without altering core functionality.

Passive mode configuration

FileZilla Server uses passive mode for data connections to facilitate transfers through firewalls and NAT routers. When the server is behind a NAT router and no public IP address or hostname is configured for passive mode, the server advertises its private local IP address in PASV responses. This leads to "unroutable address" errors or failed data connections for clients connecting from external networks. To resolve this for internet-facing deployments, configure the public IP or hostname in the administration interface under Protocol settings → FTP and FTP over TLS (FTPS) → Passive mode. Enter the external public IP address (obtainable via services like whatismyip.com) or a hostname that resolves to it in the "Public IP or hostname" field. Optionally, enable "Use custom port range" and specify a range (e.g., 50000-51000) to limit the ports used for passive data connections. The default range is 49152–65534. These ports, along with the control port (typically 21 for FTP or 990 for implicit FTPS), must be forwarded on the router and permitted in the firewall. Enabling "Use local IP for local connections" ensures correct handling of passive connections from clients on the local network. Deployment is centered on Windows as the primary platform, with official installers available for 64-bit versions of and 11, while ports to (such as 11) and macOS (both and Apple Silicon) are supported via source compilation or package management. Configuration can be performed through an intuitive graphical administration interface for real-time management or by editing XML configuration files for scripted or automated setups. It is particularly suited for small to medium-scale scenarios, such as internal team collaborations or personal web hosting, but lacks advanced features like clustering or high-availability scaling typically needed for enterprise environments.

FileZilla Pro

FileZilla Pro is a commercial variant of the FileZilla Client, introduced on , , as a paid upgrade offering enhanced functionality for file transfers. It operates on a subscription model, priced at 19.99 EUR per year for individual use across platforms including Windows, macOS, and , with options for bundled CLI access or enterprise server features at higher tiers. This model provides perpetual access during the subscription period, targeting professionals such as developers, administrators, and IT teams who require seamless integration with services alongside traditional protocols. Beyond the core FTP, , and SFTP capabilities of the free FileZilla Client, FileZilla Pro adds native support for cloud storage protocols including , , , , Microsoft OneDrive, , Backblaze B2, , and OpenStack Swift. These integrations allow users to manage files across hybrid environments without needing separate tools, with features like directory synchronization and remote file editing enhancing efficiency. Additionally, it includes advanced preservation, enabling the retention of original file modification times during transfers via server-supported commands like MFMT for FTP. FileZilla Pro offers priority through a dedicated forum staffed by the development team, providing faster responses for subscribers compared to channels. Its licensing is , granting commercial users rights to integrate and deploy without the obligations of that apply to the open-source base. This makes it suitable for enterprise environments where distribution is preferred. The version history of FileZilla Pro closely aligns with that of the free Client, incorporating shared updates for stability and security while introducing Pro-specific enhancements. For instance, the 3.64.0 release in 2023 featured a major overhaul of the HTTP client to improve performance for cloud-based protocols, with further refinements in 2024 versions adding support for services like and AWS IAM Identity Center. These updates ensure compatibility and reliability for professional cloud workflows.

Features

Transfer protocols and interface

FileZilla Client supports the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) for basic file transfers between local and remote systems, FTP over SSL/TLS (FTPS) in both explicit and implicit modes for encrypted connections, and the SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) for secure transfers over SSH. SFTP connections to servers such as Ubuntu (running OpenSSH on port 22) can be configured via Site Manager for secure file transfers; see Site management and automation section for detailed steps. These protocols enable compatibility with a wide range of servers, with FTPS explicit mode initiating encryption after a standard FTP connection on port 21 via the AUTH TLS command, while implicit mode assumes encryption from the outset on port 990. The FileZilla Pro version extends this support to include protocols such as WebDAV, Amazon S3, and other cloud storage services. Recent updates as of November 2025 include support for AWS IAM Identity Center and Google Cloud Service authentication for enhanced cloud integration. The user interface of FileZilla Client features a tabbed layout that allows simultaneous management of multiple server connections, facilitating efficient switching between sites without closing sessions. Drag-and-drop functionality simplifies file operations by enabling users to move files directly between local and remote directories or within the interface panes. Transfer queues organize pending uploads and downloads, supporting up to 10 parallel connections to optimize throughput while respecting server limitations. FileZilla handles interrupted transfers by resuming downloads and uploads from the point of disconnection, ensuring for large operations. It supports files larger than 4 GB through binary transfer mode, which preserves file contents without ASCII conversion artifacts. Users can impose speed limits on individual transfers or globally to manage bandwidth allocation and prevent network overload. Remote directory listings are fetched and cached to reduce server queries and improve responsiveness during navigation, with options to refresh or disable caching for real-time updates. Synchronized browsing mirrors the directory structure between local and remote panes, automatically aligning selections to streamline comparative tasks like backups or mirroring.

Site management and automation

FileZilla's Site Manager provides a centralized interface for organizing and storing connection details to remote servers, enabling users to save configurations without re-entering information for each session. This tool stores data in an XML-based format, including server hostnames, port numbers (such as non-standard ports for specific protocols), and transfer modes like active or passive FTP. Credentials are supported through various logon types, including normal authentication with username and password, anonymous access, interactive prompts, account-based logins, and key file authentication for SFTP connections. Additional settings encompass default local and remote directories, time offsets for server synchronization, and protocol-specific options like encryption levels. To illustrate the use of the Site Manager for secure SFTP connections, consider connecting the FileZilla Client to an Ubuntu server via SFTP, which uses SSH for secure file transfer over port 22. The following steps can be followed:
  1. Ensure the Ubuntu server has OpenSSH server installed and running by executing in a terminal: sudo apt update && sudo apt install openssh-server && sudo systemctl start ssh.
  2. Open FileZilla.
  3. Access Site Manager via File > Site Manager or Ctrl+S:
    • Create a new site.
    • Set Protocol to SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol.
    • Enter the Host as the Ubuntu server's IP address or hostname.
    • Set Port to 22 (default).
    • Choose Logon Type: Normal (for password authentication) or Key file (for SSH key-based authentication).
    • Enter the User as the Ubuntu username.
    • Provide the Password if using password authentication.
    • Connect.
  4. On the first connection, accept the host key prompt to establish trust with the server.
Bookmarking in FileZilla enhances accessibility to frequently used sites by allowing users to create shortcuts from Site Manager entries, which populate a quick-connect dropdown for rapid connections. These bookmarks can be organized into folders, renamed, duplicated, or searched within the Site Manager, facilitating efficient management of multiple servers. and import functionality supports transferring bookmark configurations as XML files, useful for migrating settings across installations or sharing with team members. Automation features in FileZilla streamline repetitive tasks, particularly through the client's directory comparison and queue management tools. The directory comparison function highlights differences between local and remote directories based on , modification time, or content, aiding operations by identifying files for , , or mirroring. Users can enable synchronized browsing to maintain parallel navigation between local and remote sides, ensuring transfers align with directory structures. For batch operations, the transfer queue persists across sessions via a database, allowing interrupted lists to resume without loss. Priority queuing lets users assign higher importance to specific transfers, while built-in error retry logic automatically attempts failed operations up to a configurable number of times before moving them to a failed list for manual requeuing. On the server side, event captures detailed interactions for monitoring and scripting. Logs record connection events, commands, responses, and errors with timestamps, process IDs, and message types, stored either in the admin interface or as rotating files for long-term analysis. This supports external scripted responses by providing parseable output for custom , such as triggering alerts or actions based on detected events like failed logins.

Security and configuration options

FileZilla provides robust encryption options to secure file transfers, supporting (FTP over TLS) for explicit encryption on port 21 and implicit encryption on port 990, as well as SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) on port 22. These protocols encrypt both commands and data, protecting against interception, with leveraging TLS certificates for and SFTP using SSH keys. Certificate validation in connections can be configured to use the system's trust store, ensuring verification against trusted certificate authorities before establishing a secure session. Additionally, since version 3.26.0 released in 2017, the FileZilla Client includes a master password feature that encrypts stored site manager data, including usernames and passwords, preventing unauthorized access to saved credentials. Configuration options emphasize secure and flexible network integration. The client and server support passive mode, which is firewall-friendly as it requires only outbound connections from the client, minimizing the need for inbound port openings on restrictive networks. However, for FileZilla Server behind a NAT router, proper configuration of the external public IP address is required in the passive mode settings to prevent the server from advertising its private IP in PASV responses, which would cause "unroutable address" errors or failed connections for external clients. For detailed instructions on configuring this and optional custom port ranges with port forwarding, refer to the official documentation. In FileZilla Server, administrators can implement IP filters to allow or deny connections based on specific IP addresses or ranges, enhancing . For the Pro version, users can bypass proxy servers for specific protocols like SFTP or via the Site Manager's Advanced tab, allowing direct connections when proxies are unnecessary or incompatible. Logging capabilities support auditing with detailed, timestamped records of transfers and connections. In the client, logs can be enabled under Edit > Settings > , including timestamps and export to files for review of transfer details like file paths, sizes, and errors. The server offers similar logging in its admin interface, with options to export logs and tools to monitor active sessions, including IP bans via autoban after failed logins or manual intervention. FileZilla incorporates mechanisms for maintaining through updates. The client performs automatic checks for new versions, which include patches, configurable under Edit > Settings > Updates. In 2025, FileZilla Server underwent a second independent audit funded by the , identifying and resolving issues such as crashes in TLS certificate loading and handling, with the updated findings report confirming mitigations for improved stability in encrypted sessions. While legacy plain-text FTP remains available for compatibility, it is strongly discouraged due to its lack of .

Reception and Criticism

Positive reviews and adoption

FileZilla has garnered praise from technology reviewers for its user-friendly interface and efficient capabilities. editors have highlighted its dependability as a cross-platform tool that combines professional-grade features with straightforward usability, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users. In 2012, awarded it a five-star rating, emphasizing its reliability for FTP operations across Windows, macOS, and . Recent user feedback on reinforces this, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 134 reviews as of 2025, where users commend its free core features, intuitive design, and robust performance for everyday file management tasks. The software's adoption extends to professional and educational environments, underscoring its practical value. , a major web hosting provider, recommends FileZilla for uploading and managing files via FTP in its cPanel hosting services, citing its ease of setup and compatibility with secure transfers. It is also utilized in academic settings for tasks like website development and data sharing, reflecting its accessibility for non-technical users in institutional workflows. FileZilla Pro, the commercial variant, has been particularly lauded for its enhanced cloud storage integration, allowing seamless access to services like and directly within the application. Reviews from sources such as ScoutForge emphasize its smooth Finder integration on macOS, enabling efficient remote file handling without additional tools. App Store users echo this, noting its reliability for professional cloud-based workflows. The project's active community further bolsters its adoption, with an official forum hosting over 155,000 posts where users share tips, report enhancements, and collaborate on improvements. This ongoing engagement, combined with its open-source foundation, has sustained its popularity since the early , supporting diverse use cases from personal backups to enterprise deployments.

Security and adware controversies

FileZilla has faced significant criticism for bundling third-party in its installers since 2013, when the project opted into SourceForge's DevShare revenue-sharing program. This arrangement wrapped the with offers for additional software, including , which antivirus tools like AVG flagged as potentially unwanted programs (PUPs). Users reported unwanted installations of toolbars, browser extensions, and search modifiers, leading to widespread outrage and antivirus detections. To mitigate risks, the FileZilla team recommended downloading from the official website rather than third-party mirrors, where an unbundled installer option has been available. Reports of bundled offers persisted into 2025, with users noting prompts during installation but expressing concerns over deceptive interfaces that could lead to accidental acceptance. Prior to version 3.26.0 released in June 2017, FileZilla Client stored FTP passwords in within XML configuration files such as sitemanager.xml and recentservers.xml, exposing them to risks from , disk access, or unauthorized file reading. This practice drew complaints for lacking basic protection, as anyone with access to the files could retrieve credentials without . In response, version 3.26.0 introduced encrypted storage protected by an optional master password, updating credentials in the transfer queue upon changes and requiring libfilezilla 0.9.2 or later. This shift addressed vulnerabilities to credential theft but required users to enable the feature manually. The project has also encountered security vulnerabilities identified through external audits. In 2019, FileZilla participated in the European Union's FOSSA 2 bug bounty program via , resulting in the discovery and patching of seven vulnerabilities, including issues with file name escaping and other input handling flaws in version 3.43.0. More recently, a May 2025 security audit funded by the (OTF) for FileZilla Server examined new features for user and data protection. The audit resolved a medium-severity denial-of-service (DoS) vulnerability (V-001) involving crashes from parallel authentication requests in authorizator.cpp, fixed in version 1.10.3 by improving session handling to prevent exploitation by unauthenticated attackers. However, it noted ongoing concerns, such as cleartext storage of PINs and a low-severity issue (V-002) with limited review capabilities for shared access tokens, alongside effective but not exhaustive input validation in the web UI. Developer Tim Kosse, FileZilla's lead maintainer, has defended the bundling as a necessary revenue source for the open-source project's sustainability, emphasizing that offers are opt-in, disclosed upfront, and controlled by partnerships like since 2016. He clarified that no is installed without consent and suggested alternatives like portable ZIP binaries to avoid installers entirely. Despite these explanations, critics argue the practice undermines trust in the software, particularly for -conscious users.

Technical Details

Operating system compatibility

FileZilla Client and Server provide cross-platform support primarily for desktop operating systems, with official binaries tailored to specific versions and architectures. On Windows, both the client and server officially support 64-bit editions of and , with 64-bit architectures preferred for optimal performance. The client also offers 32-bit builds compatible with and 10. While official ARM64 support for Windows is not yet available, community-compiled builds exist for recent versions, and development efforts are underway to add native compatibility. For macOS, the client and server require version 10.13 (High Sierra) or later, with dedicated builds for both (x86_64) and (ARM64) processors to ensure native performance on modern hardware. Distributions are notarized to comply with Apple's security guidelines, preventing warnings, and the Pro edition includes configurable directory access permissions to align with sandboxing best practices for file handling. On Linux, the client is distributed via universal formats like and for broad compatibility across distributions, with official binaries built against 10 (Buster) and compatible with later releases such as and . Installation typically requires the wxGTK for rendering the graphical user interface. The server features community-maintained ports optimized for and , with binaries built for 11 (Bullseye), though compilation from source is recommended for other distributions to meet dependencies. The cross-platform architecture relies on the wxWidgets toolkit, which delivers a consistent and behavior across Windows, macOS, and without platform-specific divergences in core functionality. Official support does not extend to mobile platforms like or Android, nor to embedded systems such as those in IoT devices. Support for legacy operating systems ended progressively: and derivatives were dropped starting with version 3.8.1 in 2014 due to and compatibility constraints, followed by de facto discontinuation of as minimum requirements shifted to newer APIs. As of November 2025, releases such as client version 3.69.5 and server version 1.11.1 are optimized for contemporary environments, including enhanced stability on and full compatibility with (version 14).

Known limitations and bugs

FileZilla Client exhibits a persistent limitation in handling resume operations for large file transfers from IIS servers, often resulting in due to incompatibilities in the FTP resume protocol . This issue remains unfixed as of version 3.69.5. The transfer queue in the Client can experience crashes during high-load scenarios involving numerous simultaneous file operations, particularly when processing thousands of uploads. FileZilla Server lacks native full support for in its administrative , restricting configuration and monitoring to IPv4 environments despite partial protocol compatibility. Additionally, it does not include built-in clustering capabilities for , necessitating external load balancers or redundant setups for enterprise-scale deployments. Across both Client and Server, no native dark mode implementation exists; the interface relies on the host operating system's theme settings for any dark appearance, which may not fully adapt all elements. On distributions, occasional UI freezes occur, attributed to wxWidgets rendering issues during intensive operations like directory listings or transfers. For the IIS resume issue, users are advised to employ alternative FTP clients such as that better handle IIS-specific behaviors. Regarding Server vulnerabilities, including a 2025-identified DoS condition from parallel requests leading to crashes, manual service restarts serve as a temporary until applying patches. Security-related crashes, such as those from malformed requests, are detailed further in the security controversies section. Bugs and limitations are primarily tracked through the official bug tracker, with 2025 releases incorporating fixes for reported issues, including improvements in stability and resource handling.

References

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