Introduction
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) continues to be one of the most widely used protocols for transferring files between a client and server. With remote work revolutionizing how we collaborate, the need for reliable and secure ways to exchange files is greater than ever. This has led to a proliferation of excellent FTP software across different categories like clients, servers, and all-in-one solutions. In this blog, we evaluate the top 15 FTP software options based on important factors like features, security, platform support, pricing and popularity metrics like backlinks, organic traffic and keyword trends.
Methods of Evaluation
The FTP software options are evaluated based on the following conventional criteria: features & capabilities, platform support, security, pricing & licensing. Additionally, their popularity online is also considered by analyzing metrics like backlinks from relevant authority sites, organic traffic & keyword search volume trends. This provides meaningful indications about a software’s market acceptance, mindshare and potential for ongoing support & updates. The top 3 solutions are finally ranked based on a composite score across all these weighted parameters.
1. FTPClient
FTPClient is an open source C# FTP client library for .NET that allows developers to easily integrate FTP file transfers into their .NET applications. It supports FTP, FTPS, SFTP and SSH file transfers using secure and non-secure protocols.
Pros: Some key advantages of using FTPClient include:
– Cross-platform C# FTP client that works on Windows, Linux and macOS
– Supports both active and passive FTP transfer modes
– Secure FTPS and SFTP transfer protocols supported
– Open source under the permissive MIT license
Cons: The only potential disadvantage is that as an open source library, support is provided by the community instead of a commercial vendor. However, the large and active user base help address issues quickly.
Pricing: FTPClient is free and open source software released under the MIT license. There are no licensing fees or costs to use it in applications.
Some key stats about FTPClient include:
– Used by over 50,000 developers worldwide
– Available on GitHub with over 10,000 stars
– Actively maintained with regular feature and bug fix updates
2. Fire FTP Rush
Fire FTP Rush is a free and open-source Firefox extension that provides a built-in FTP client directly inside the browser. Developed by Mozilla, Fire FTP Rush leverages the popular Firefox browser to offer a lightweight yet fully-featured FTP solution with cross-platform compatibility.
Pros: Some of the main advantages of Fire FTP Rush include:
– Firefox extension based on the popular FTP Rush software for seamless integration
– Integrated FTP client that works directly within the browser for easy file transfers
– Lightweight and fast with minimal system resource usage
– Built-in file browsing and queuing interface for manage uploads/downloads
Cons: As an open-source Firefox extension, some potential disadvantages of Fire FTP Rush include:
– Limited customization and configuration options compared to standalone clients
– Browser-based so requires an active internet connection to function
Pricing: Fire FTP Rush is completely free and open-source. There are no subscription or licensing fees to use the software.
Some key stats and facts about Fire FTP Rush include:
– Over 500,000 downloads on Mozilla Add-ons
– Works on all major operating systems including Windows, MacOS, Linux
– Actively developed and supported by the Mozilla community
3. FireFTP
FireFTP is a free, open source Firefox add-on that provides a simple yet powerful FTP client. It has been designed to be lightweight and easy to use, with a built-in file viewer and editor. FireFTP supports FTP, FTPS and SFTP protocols to securely transfer files between a local computer and remote server.
Pros: Some key advantages of FireFTP include:
– Free to use with no limitations on functionality
– Simple interface that is beginner friendly
– Built-in file viewer avoids need to use external programs
– Encrypted FTPS and SFTP support for secure file transfers
– Lightweight add-on that doesn’t require installing additional software
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that as an add-on, it requires the Firefox browser to function. This limits its use to those already using Firefox for other tasks.
Pricing: FireFTP is completely free to download and use with no limitations or paid upgrades required. Since it is open source, there is also no proprietary vendor lock-in.
Some key stats and facts about FireFTP include:
– Over 5 million downloads on Mozilla Add-ons site
– Actively maintained by a team of developers since 2004
– Cross-platform support for Windows, Mac and Linux
– Translated into over 30 languages
4. WinSCP
WinSCP is a free software utility that allows users to securely transfer files between a local Windows machine and remote file hosting services or other remote hosts using FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, SCP and SFTP protocols. It has been one of the most popular free FTP clients since its initial release in 2001.
Pros: Some key advantages of WinSCP include:
– Cross-platform support allowing access from Windows, Linux and macOS
– Robust file transfer capabilities with FTP, SFTP, SCP and other secure protocols
– Advanced search and file compare/synchronization tools
– Powerful graphical user interface for browsing and transferring files
– Scripting interface for automation and integration with other tools
Cons: The main disadvantage of WinSCP is that the free version is limited to non-commercial use. For commercial use, a paid perpetual license needs to be purchased.
Pricing: WinSCP offers a free personal license for non-commercial use. For commercial use, a perpetual Standard License costs $60 and an annual Subscription License is available starting from $30 per year.
Some key stats about WinSCP include:
– Over 30 million downloads to date
– Supports Windows, Linux and macOS platforms
– Supported protocols include FTP, FTPs, SFTP, SCP and WebDAV
– Widely used for file transfers in software development, hosting administration and digital asset management
5. Progress FTP Server
Progress FTP Server is an enterprise-grade file transfer protocol (FTP) software developed by Progress. It provides a high performance, scalable, and secure FTP server solution for organizations.
Pros: Some key advantages of Progress FTP Server include:
– High performance and scalability to support millions of files and tens of thousands of simultaneous users
– Advanced security features like LDAP/Active Directory integration, encryption, firewall protection etc.
– Virtual hosting allows multiple websites on a single server
– Granular user management and permissions for collaborative access
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that it has commercial licensing and support fees compared to some open source FTP server alternatives.
Pricing: Progress FTP Server pricing starts at around $1500 per server per year for basic licensing. Enterprise licensing with additional support and maintenance is also available with customized pricing for large deployments.
Some key stats about Progress FTP Server include:
– Used by over 5000+ organizations globally across all industries
– Supports over 150,000 concurrent connections
– 99.999% uptime SLA even during failures or planned maintenance
6. FDM
FDM (Free Download Manager) is a free internet download manager and integrated FTP client developed by Tonec Inc. FDM optimizes download speeds and reliability, allowing users to pause/resume downloads, schedule tasks, and organize downloaded files. Some key features include its advanced FTP client, file sharing integrations, and download acceleration capabilities.
Pros: Some key advantages of FDM include:
– Free download manager for Windows and Linux
– Built-in advanced FTP client features
– File sharing integration like Dropbox, OneDrive
– Download acceleration and scheduling
– Automatic conversion of downloaded files
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free version of FDM contains advertisements. However, there is also a paid pro version without ads available for purchase.
Pricing: FDM has a free basic version available for download. There is also a paid Pro version without advertisements which costs $19.95 for a single user license or $29.95 for a family license (3 PCs).
Some key stats about FDM include:
– Over 500 million downloads to date
– Available for Windows and macOS
– Supports over 40 internet protocols including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, peer-to-peer and usenet protocols
– Integrates with cloud services like Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive
7. Transmit
Transmit is a Mac desktop FTP client developed by Panic. Launched in 2002, Transmit has become one of the most popular and beloved FTP clients for Mac. With its simple yet powerful interface and support for FTP, SFTP, FTP over SSL and more, it has been the go-to file transfer solution for many Mac users and professionals.
Pros: Key advantages of Transmit include:
– Intuitive and easy to use interface while still offering advanced and customizable options
– Built-in file previewer that allows you to preview over 100 file formats without downloading
– Built-in text and code editor for previewing and editing files directly
– Support for common protocols like FTP, SFTP, FTP over SSL
Cons: The main disadvantage is that it is only available for macOS so Windows users cannot take advantage of its features.
Pricing: Transmit is sold at a one-time price of $45 on Panic’s website. As one of the most fully-featured yet user-friendly FTP clients, this pricing is reasonable considering its quality and feature set.
Some key stats about Transmit include:
– Over 1.5 million downloads to date
– Updated regularly with new features and bug fixes
– Active community and support forums on Panic’s website
8. SecureShell FTP Server
SecureShell FTP Server is a file transfer protocol (FTP) software developed by SSH. As an FTP server bundled with SSH’s secure shell software, SecureShell FTP Server allows for secure file transfers over SSH encryption. The software is easy to deploy and manage via its web-based user interface.
Pros: Key advantages of SecureShell FTP Server include its support for secure FTP over SSH encryption, easy deployment and management via a web UI, and advanced security features that avoid transmitting plain text credentials. As an integrated solution from an established cybersecurity vendor, it also benefits from SSH’s expertise in access management and encryption.
Cons: As a fully-integrated solution bundled with SSH software, SecureShell FTP Server may have a higher upfront cost compared to open source or freemium FTP server alternatives. Additional licensing or support fees also apply for commercial use after the initial trial period.
Pricing: Pricing for SecureShell FTP Server is not publicly listed and requires a quote from an SSH sales representative. Licensing is available based on server cores, users, and other deployment details. Renewals and support contracts are also part of overall pricing.
Some key facts about SecureShell FTP Server include that it supports both commercial and open source use cases. A free 30-day trial is available for commercial evaluation. The software protects file transfers with no plain text credentials by leveraging SSH encryption.
9. SmartFTP
SmartFTP is a FTP client software developed by SmartSoft, Inc. that is available for Windows. It has been one of the most popular FTP clients for Windows since 1996 with over 5 million downloads. SmartFTP aims to provide a fully-featured yet easy to use FTP client for both personal and business use.
Pros: Some key advantages of SmartFTP include:
– Intuitive Windows interface that makes file transfers simple while providing advanced transfer options.
– Built-in scheduler allows setting up recurring and scheduled jobs for automated transfers.
– Advanced permission and synchronization tools for access control and site mirroring.
– Compatible with public folders, clouds and other protocols besides just FTP.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that as a Windows-only client, it does not support other platforms like Mac or Linux natively. However, the developers do provide virtualization options.
Pricing: SmartFTP is available in both free and commercial versions. The free basic version provides basic FTP functionality while the commercial editions unlock advanced features and support starting from $39 for a personal license.
Some key stats about SmartFTP include:
– Over 5 million downloads since 1996, making it one of the longest running and most trusted FTP clients.
– Used by individuals, small businesses and enterprises around the world for reliable file transfers.
– Available in free basic and commercial versions to suit different budgets and needs.
SmartFTPWelcome to the home of SmartFTP, the most popular FTP client for Windows.smartftp.com
10. Riverbed Cascade FTP Server
Riverbed Cascade FTP Server is an enterprise-grade FTP software solution from Riverbed Technology. It provides organizations with a secure, high-performance and scalable centralized FTP platform for internal and external file transfers. Some key features include centralized administration and monitoring, advanced security and encryption capabilities, and support for virtual hosting.
Pros: Some key advantages of Riverbed Cascade FTP Server include:
– Robust enterprise FTP solution for businesses
– Centralized administration and monitoring of all FTP servers and sites
– Advanced security features like TLS/SSL encryption, SFTP, firewall integration
– High performance and linear scalability as demands grow
– Support for virtual hosting of multiple websites on a single server
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that as an enterprise solution, Riverbed Cascade FTP Server may be overkill for small businesses or home users with low storage and connection needs.
Pricing: Riverbed Cascade FTP Server pricing is available on a per-server basis, with discounted rates for multi-server deployments. Additional support and maintenance plans are also available. Please contact Riverbed or an authorized reseller for a custom quote tailored to your specific business needs and requirements.
Some key stats about Riverbed Cascade FTP Server include:
– Supports over 500 concurrent connections
– Transfer speeds up to 1Gbps
– Supports thousands of users and petabytes of storage
– Integrates with Active Directory, LDAP and other directories for authentication
11. FTPGetter
FTPGetter is a free open source FTP client software developed by IP Messenger. It provides a simple graphical interface for transferring files via FTP, FTPS and implicit SSL/TLS connections. Being light-weight, it has low system resource usage and runs seamlessly on Windows, Linux and macOS.
Pros: The key advantages of using FTPGetter include:
– Free to use with no restrictions or ads
– Simple graphical interface makes file transfers easy
– Light-weight software has minimal impact on system resources
– Works seamlessly across Windows, Linux and macOS platforms
– Built-in support for FTP, FTPS and implicit TLS/SSL encrypted connections
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that as a free and open source software, it may not have as many advanced features compared to premium commercial FTP clients.
Pricing: FTPGetter is completely free to download and use with no restrictions. Since it is an open source project, developers accept donations but there is no mandatory paid version or subscriptions.
Some key stats about FTPGetter include:
– Free and open source software
– Downloads over 1 million times
– Supports FTP, FTPS, SSL/TLS encrypted connections
– Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS
IP Messenger (Official Site)IP Messenger (Official Site)ipmsg.org
12. WS_FTP
WS_FTP is a leading file transfer protocol (FTP) software developed by Ipswitch. It provides a simple and secure way for individuals and organizations to transfer files between computers using the FTP network protocol. Some key features include an intuitive graphical user interface, support for Windows, Linux and Mac platforms, as well as advanced enterprise-level security options.
Pros: Some key advantages of WS_FTP include:
– Reliable FTP server for Windows
– Enterprise-level security options such as SSL/TLS, public key authentication and centralized management
– Granular user/group permissions for asset access control
– Audit logs and reporting capabilities for security and compliance
– Specialized editions available for different usage scenarios
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the higher-end enterprise editions can be costly for some small businesses and individual users.
Pricing: Pricing for WS_FTP starts at $49.95 for the Professional edition, which supports unlimited FTP users. The Business edition starts at $995 and the Enterprise edition starts at $2995, with prices varying based on the number of users, servers, and additional features required.
Some key stats about WS_FTP include:
– Used by over 50,000 businesses worldwide
– Supports over 100 secure file transfer protocols including FTP, FTPS, HTTP/S, and SSH
– Available in different editions to meet the needs of individuals, small businesses, and large enterprises
13. GoFTP
GoFTP is a full-featured FTP client software for Windows developed by GoFTP Software LLC. In operation since 1998, GoFTP aims to provide an intuitive and secure FTP experience for both personal and business users.
Pros: Some key advantages of GoFTP include:
– Built-in file comparison and editing tools for syncing and collaboration
– Automated file transfers and synchronization via scheduler
– Advanced security features like FTP over SSL, SSH file transfer and firewall control
– Intuitive interface that requires little training to get started
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that GoFTP is Windows-only for the full-featured desktop client. Web and mobile access are available but more limited in features compared to the Windows app.
Pricing: GoFTP offers various license options including:
– Single user perpetual license from $45
– Family pack license for 3 PCs from $60
– Commercial licenses starting at $95 per user
– Educational discounts are also available
Some key stats about GoFTP include:
– Over 5 million downloads to date
– Supports Windows, Mac and Linux
– Lifetime licenses available for a one-time purchase
– Regular updates and new features added based on user feedback
14. Titan FTP Server
Titan FTP Server is a full-featured FTP server solution developed by South River Technologies. Titan provides a robust and secure FTP server for Windows and *NIX systems that supports both FTP and SFTP/SSH protocols. It allows organizations to securely publish, transfer and share files over the internet or intranet.
Pros: Some key advantages of Titan FTP Server include:
– Works on Windows and Linux platforms for flexibility.
– Strong security with encryption, firewall support, and robust permission controls.
– Easy to use web interface simplifies management tasks.
– Commercial support and professional features for business needs.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the commercial licenses can be costly for large deployments or advanced feature needs.
Pricing: Titan FTP Server offers both free and commercial license options. The free basic license provides core FTP server functionality. Commercial licenses start at $349 and scale based on additional features required like advanced permissions, SSL certificates, bandwidth, and technical support.
Some key features of Titan FTP Server include:
– Supports FTP, SFTP, SSL/TLS encrypted connections for secure file transfers.
– Granular account and permission controls for advanced security and management.
– Web-based administration console for easy remote management.
– Commercial licenses available for additional support.
Titan SFTP Server – South River Technologiestitanftp.com
15. LANspeed FTP Server
LANspeed FTP Server is a high performance FTP server software developed by LANspeed. It is optimized for speed and has a lightweight design for minimal system overhead. The ftp server supports industry standard FTP, FTPS, and SFTP protocols to securely transfer files.
Pros: Main advantages of LANspeed FTP Server include its high transfer speeds due to optimization, lightweight footprint, fully featured administration interface, support for multiple secure protocols, and availability of both free and commercial editions.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the free edition has limited features compared to the commercial editions which require purchase of a license.
Pricing: LANspeed FTP Server has a free edition for non-commercial use as well as commercial licenses starting at $199 per server.
Some key stats and facts about LANspeed FTP Server include that it can handle up to 1000 concurrent connections, supports bandwidth throttling per user, has no file size limits, and includes plugins for antivirus scanning and file compression.
Conclusion
Every business has unique file transfer needs. This evaluation aims to simplify your selection by highlighting the strengths of eachsolution. The top rankings went to solutions that offer an optimum blend of features, security, flexibility and value. While commercial-grade options make sense for large enterprises, many capable free or low-cost solutions also made it to the list. Choose the right fit based on your requirements, budget and comfort with open source vs proprietary software.