An FTP client is software which uses the FTP protocol to transfer files to and from a remote computer. FTP is the most widespread transfer protocol used to transfer files from one host to another over the Internet. Basic variant of the protocol is not secure.
Every web designer/developer has a favourite FTP client and we usually transfer files to web servers through these clients. However, there are times that we don’t have our computers with us but need to transfer or edit a file that can only be reached through FTP.
There are plenty of free FTP clients available online. This article consists some of the best hand-picked FTP clients for developers. These are most reliable, secure, and easy to use FTP tool for all your file editing and upload.
1. FileZilla
FileZilla is number one choice for most of users as it is one of the promising and popular FTP client. FileZilla is fast and can handle simultaneous transmissions and supports cross platform FTP, SFTP and FTPS clients with lots of useful features and an intuitive graphical user interface.
Apart from that it also supports IPv6, bookmarks, tabbed user interface, runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and more, remote file editing, directory comparison, drag and drop support, remote file search and much more.
2. FireFTP
FireFTP is a free, secure, cross-platform FTP/SFTP client for Mozilla Firefox which provides easy and intuitive access to FTP/SFTP servers. FireFTP is free, cross platform, supports SSL/TLS/SFTP, same encryption used with online banking and shopping. This FTP client is available in 20 languages, comes with character set support, search/filtering, remote editing, export/import accounts, file hashing, proxy support, FXP support, and its open source.
3. Monsta FTP
Monsta FTP is an open source PHP/Ajax cloudware that puts FTP file management right in your browser, anywhere, any time. You can drag & drop files into your browser and watch them upload, like magic. It supports on-screen file editing. There is multi-language support as well.
It has been tested on Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari. It is released under GNU General Public License. You can download for free and install it on your own server.
4. Cyberduck
Cyberduck is a libre FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Backblaze B2, Azure & OpenStack Swift browser for Mac and Windows. With an easy to use interface, connect to FTP (File Transfer Protocol), SFTP (SSH Secure File Transfer), WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning), Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Rackspace Cloud Files, Backblaze B2, Google Drive and Dropbox.
You can edit standard HTTP headers and add custom HTTP headers to files to store metadata and control cache expire settings. Batch editing included. It supports for bucket versioning and Multi-Factor Authentication Delete; important when using a service like Centrify, etc. With versioning enabled, revert to any previous version of a file.
5. SmartFTP
SmartFTP is an FTP (File Transfer Protocol), FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, SSH, Terminal client. It allows you to transfer files between your local computer and a server on the Internet. With its many basic and advanced Features SmartFTP also offers secure, reliable and efficient transfers that make it a powerful tool.
SmartFTP includes some new features like support for Windows 10, text editor, Google cloud storage and Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and many other improvement and enhancements.
6. WinSCP
WinSCP is an open source free SFTP client, FTP client, WebDAV client and SCP client for Windows. Its main function is file transfer between a local and a remote computer. Beyond this, WinSCP offers scripting and basic file manager functionality.
WinSCP includes graphical user interface, available in many languages, integration with windows, integrates with pageant, batch file scripting and command line interface, and various other useful features.
7. Classic FTP
Classic FTP is the most stable and comprehensive ftp client program available and is very easy to use. It is packed with many useful features like intuitive user interface, the synchronize tool, drag and drop files, supports the secure FTP protocol (SSL), compatible with all popular FTP servers, easy setup wizard and runs on both Windows and Mac OS x.
FTP Client for Mac OS X
8. Transmit
Transmit is the most popular and dominating FTP client amongst Mac users. It comes with an extremely powerful set of features like folder syncing, disk feature, and higher speeds. Transmit beautifully integrates into your native Mac environment which makes it super easy for Mac users to learn and use it quickly. Transmit is not a free FTP client but it doesn’t cost you much as you have to spend only $34 to have this tool in your collection.
9. OneButton FTP
OneButton FTP is a graphical FTP client for Mac OS X with a strong emphasis on simplicity, drag and drop usability, and file queuing. It allows you to easily transfer files to and from remotes servers, such as the ones hosting your website, simply by dragging files to and from your computer.
OneButton FTP costs nothing; it is completely free. It contains localizations for English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, and Swedish. It supports both unencrypted FTP and FTP over SSL transfers.
FTP Client for Linux
10. gFTP
gFTP is a free multithreaded file transfer client for *NIX based machines. It supports FTP, FTPS (control connection only), HTTP, HTTPS, SSH and FSP protocols. Uploading and editing files is similar to FileZilla.
