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Looking for secure file transfer software tools for your network? We review the most popular FTP and SFTP clients to help you decide which one is right for you.
UPDATED: November 4, 2022
There are a wide variety of free and premium FTP and SFTP client software solutions out there for you to try, so in this piece, we’ll help you narrow down your choices and find a solution that works best for you.
Here is our list of the best FTP and SFTP clients for Windows & Linux:
- SolarWinds Solar-PuTTY EDITOR’S CHOICE Free file transfer utility that includes SFTP FTP, and SCP options. Download 100% free tool.
- Files.com (FREE TRIAL) A cloud-based file manager that can be used as both a client and a server for secure file transfers or for file sharing and storage. Access a 7-day free trial.
- ExaVault (FREE TRIAL) This cloud service operates as a mediator for file transfers so, it acts as a server, a storage system, and a forwarding mechanism. Start with a 30-day free trial.
- WinSCP Widely used and reliable, this package for Windows offers SFTP.FTPS, SCP, and WebDAV.
- FileZilla Free secure file transfer facility for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
- CyberDuck Free secure file transfer utility that runs on Windows and Mac OS and integrates support for many popular cloud storage systems.
- MonstaFTP Online service that runs through your browser. It deploys FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and SCP. It is available in free and paid versions.
- CoffeeCup Free FTP Client Free file transfer utility for Windows that includes FTP, FTPS, and SFTP.
- Progress WS_FTP Pro A file transfer client for Windows that offers FTP, FTPS, SFTP, HTTP, and HTTPS.
What to look for in an FTP/SFTP client?
The answer to this question is really “it depends”. If you are a home user or just manage a WordPress site or two, you may be able to get away with a very simple file transfer client. All you may need is a simple graphical user interface (GUI) and support for a protocol or two. On the other hand, if you are an advanced user or subject to specific compliance requirements, you may have a much more extensive list of needs when it comes to your FTP/SFTP client software needs. Below is a quick rundown of some of the features you may want to keep an eye out for:
- Protocols & encryption method support – Do you know you will only ever need SFTP support? Are you in a role where one server uses SFTP, another FTPS, another HTTPS, and another FTP? Similarly, do you care (for compliance reasons or otherwise) about the security of the encryption methods your client software uses? You’ll need to consider these points when picking client software.
- Drag & drop – This is a convenience feature, but drag and drop with client software GUIs can streamline the file transfer process.
- File integrity checks – How do you know if the file you moved from location A to location B made it there without any corruption? Comparing the hash or checksum can help you do this. Some client software will take care of this for you.
- Scheduling of actions – How much time will you save if you or your team can automate your file transfers? If you are in a medium or larger-sized business, automating the easy stuff can help save on Opex.
- Connection limits –
- Do you need to be able to make unlimited FTP/SFTP connections or can you get away with just one or two?
- Logging – For auditing, compliance, and troubleshooting, detailed logs can be essential. Does logging matter to you?
- Synchronization & backups – Do you need to be able to sync files at two different locations automatically? Would automating a backup process save your team a ton of time? If yes, look for these features in your client software.
The best Windows & Linux FTP and SFTP clients
Our methodology for selecting FTP and SFTP clients
We reviewed the FTP and SFTP client market and analyzed the options based on the following criteria:
- A user-friendly interface that non-technical staff can use
- The ability to manage multiple sessions simultaneously
- An easy setup procedure to add on more server destinations
- A one-click function for connecting to a server
- Activity logging
- A free tool, a free trial period, or a money-back guarantee for assessment
- A good price for the number and usefulness of tools built into the software
FileZilla is a free and open-source (released under the GNU General Public License) FTP client software for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
FileZilla is a popular and mature FTP client software that supports FTP, FTPS, and SFTP. The “pro” version of FileZilla adds support for WebDAV and a variety of cloud storage providers (Amazon S3, Dropbox, etc.) as well. FileZilla supports drag and drop, transfer of files greater than 4GB, configurable transfer speed limits, and more.
Key Features:
- Secure file transfer
- FTPS and SFTP
- Free to use
Why do we recommend it?
FileZilla will run on Macs, and Linux machines as well as Windows PCs. the tool offers a choice between SFTP and FTPS and it will store access credentials for return connections. The standard version is free to use and a paid version is available for transfers to cloud platforms.
One of the most significant benefits of FileZilla is its broad user community. If you are stuck trying to figure things out on your own and run into issues, this could be a handy free resource. You can download the FileZilla client for free here.
One of the criticisms of FileZilla has been that it tries to add “bloatware” during the install. While this is understandable given they are trying to make some money, it can be off-putting to many users.
Who is it recommended for?
FileZilla is a good choice for any system administrator. Technicians who only work with Macs and Linux machines will be glad to have this utility instead of WinSCP.
Pros:
- Completely free and open-source, viable for any budget
- Compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac, giving it more flexibility than similar tools
- Drag-and-drop transfers make this a good option for non-technical users
Cons:
- Might have bloatware associated with the install
- No paid support, community drives bug fixes and updates
At the least, FileZilla gives you the ability to opt-out of the additional software during the install process. It is something you should be cognizant of before blindly clicking through the install of this tool.
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