I've been using Transmit, which someone recommended when I first switched to a Mac 4 years ago or so, but I've always found it inexplicably slow to connect to some FTP servers that other clients have no problem with, lacking in detailed info about what you're down/uploading, and worst of all, it has this annoying animated cursor that it automatically starts up when you transfer files...

But after seeing most of the votes (for Mac-compatible clients) going for Filezilla, I downloaded it and tried it... and immediately took Transmit off my taskbar.

Guess which one gets my vote?

drmaybe

Filezilla has a U3 version, works from any u3 smart flash drive (i have fz, ff, thunderbird on it, trying to get some type of office prog on it (openoffice doesnt work for some reason)

Steeldrumhero

I use Filezilla on my Windows box and Transmit on my Mac. I like Filezilla, but Transmit is just a nice feeling app.

DorkRawk

I want to vote for WinSCP and Cyberduck :(

synth7

I used filezilla on my Windows machine but when I tried to install on my mac it didn't work so I switched to cyberduck and have never looked back.

Ethan Halko!

Transmit Rocks! Don't forget folder syncing :) that's my entire backup solution right there.

Quine

@radink: Uh, i'm not sure how you'd build websites without ftp, or send 500MB design outputs to press. Email and pixie dust, maybe?

primer

Voted for WinSCP, but guess Filezilla is the hot fav here.

Keith Dsouza

I honestly stopped using FTP a while back. It just isn't secure enough for the modern world (unless you're using some implementation of SFTP).

Besides, you can ustilize WebDAV under IIS with integrated AD security/authentication and that works out-of-the-box with XP/Vista.

TendoMentis

I still say it's easy enough to just type an ftp address into windows explorer, but I suppose that's not as feature-filled as most people want.

The Amazing Ant

Wow. Disregard that, didn't read WinSCP's full post...sorry!

ian320

do people really ftp anymore? wow, i haven't had to use ftp in forever.

radink

Does anyone know a simple free FTP program for Windows that can synchronize the directory navigation, i.e. if you go up a directory on your local machine it changes to the parent directory on the remote machine and vv? (not sure if any of the above do this, curious if anyone has tried).

I would also settle for something like Dreamweaver's FTP, where you just see your local structure which is mapped to a remote structure.

ian320

I used to love the free version of SmartFTP, but the program locks you out now if you don't keep up-to-date with the forced full re-installs.

zakharm

I use WinSCP combined with PuTTY more these days, but FileZilla still holds a place in my heart and a folder in Program Files.

jonny6pak

i like Smart FTP

amitkapoor

I prefer FlashFXP.

xdanimalx

WinSCP does the job for me. On top of synchronized browsing, it also has the option to "Keep remote directory up to date." This means that while working on a website, I change the page locally and it is automatically updated on the server.

I'd like if WinSCP added tabs or more than 2-paned browsing; but these are small set backs for what I do.

nmabry

Voted for FlashFXP before, but Filezilla is the best mentioned ftp client in the list.

Albaraha

I've used SmartFTP for years on the PC until it recently became pay only. Now I may try WinSCP.

On the Mac I use Transmit but has anyone taken a look at Flow? I've used the trial and it's pretty nice.

[extendmac.com]

serussell

I really wish I could use WinSCP natively on the Mac. It's one of the very few programs where I haven't really found a counterpart. Alas.

Brian

Filezilla for both client and server...never had a complaint. It's small and easy to configure and manage.

TekWarren

WinSCP's server side text file editing is 100% key to my workflow. I couldn't imagine living without it.

math0ne

@ian320: FireFTP also keeps directories in synch when you navigate, as well as allowing you to edit files on the remote server, FXP from server to server, and a whole lot more.

I started using FireFTP when I switched from Windows to Linux and couldn't find an FTP client that I liked as much as WS_FTP or WinSCP. Filezilla is OK but the interface is clunky. So far I haven't needed to do anything FTP-wise that FireFTP can't handle (what can't it handle anyway? automatic folder synchronization or drag-and-drop uploads? I prefer that my FTP app stay where I can see it anyway rather than becoming part of the OS).

On Windows I still use WS_FTP or WinSCP, however (both are nearly perfect apps, and of course WinSCP is free).

zoomZAP

@jglessner: It will still allow me to store documents on it right??

Steeldrumhero

CuteFTP is my fav. by far

saint88

@jglessner: Thanks, will do.

Steeldrumhero

FileZill FTW!

Leandro Ardissone

I'm sure FileZilla used to have the synchronised browsing feature. Or did I dream it?

muteboy

I use Filezilla on my Windows machines, but it's Transmit all the way on my Mac's.

It seems Mac developers can actually write software I want to pay for.

EchoD

FlashFXP is my favorite FTP app. All others seem to pale in comparison. It's use of favorite local and server side folders and 'recent' FTP accesses is really nice.

Paintbait

@Celauran: You're not, i loved gFTP till Filezilla became linux compatible, it would be my number 2 pick

AnthoMacP

@Steeldrumhero:
Get rid of the U3 software (WARNING: this is one way, once you remove it, it's GONE) and install the portableapps.com menu (has all of the apps you mention and TONS more). As a bonus it doesn't take up any unnecessary drive letters (like U3 does), and OO.org works with it just fine.

I've had lots of issues with U3, and frankly I am very disappointed that the flash industry has not done a better job of keeping it up to snuff.

jglessner

We FTP a lot in my office to our 3 webservers and we have mac's, pc's and linux boxes. Filezilla is great because the client works on every OS which is ideal for us since there's no client or huge UI changes depending on which machine you're on. I miss the old 1990's WS_FTP though :(

AnthoMacP

FTP.. Interesting.. That is like asking a kid which candy he likes better. :(

I had been a long user of SmartFTP, but became way too naggy. I like FileZilla for general day-to-day FTP work, but WinSCP is quickly becoming my favorite as I can edit files in realtime on a website as does Dreamweaver.

I am starting to dabble with WebDAV with xplorer² as it has similar features to WinSCP. Also, of note, you can FTP with EditPad Pro as well as UltraEdit too.

Sorry about the ramble here, my first choice is FileZilla and then WinSCP (even though it's codebase is from FileZilla).

Thanks,

Kent

kdyer

I cannot be the only one who gets along just fine with gFTP can I?

Celauran

I had to vote for Cyberduck... Filezilla's my commonly used client since i'm on XP or Ubuntu most of the time... but I really miss Cyberduck, and it's definitely one of the underdogs, so I'm going with that. :)

tf5_bassist

I'm sorry, but I just can't resist trashing Filezilla. I don't believe how many people like it. It's just awful and has no features. How did it get put onto the vote list?? It's interface is archaic and ugly. It actually gave me problems. It's puke - but free... hey, what better is there than free vomit?

umpitygrumpity

I use Fireftp is simple and I dont need any more security cause its not my site

eluvatar

SmartFTP only an honorable mention??? OMG... just TRY it. It's immediately obvious that it is far superior! Yes, the trial version is annoying that you've got to keep reinstalling it, but it's well worth the money to just buy it.

umpitygrumpity

Total Commander FTW!

jonom

@jonny6pak: Completely agree. WinSCP for most things, but I still got love for filezilla, both great apps.

RJinLA

One thing that I *hate* about FireFTP is that most of the time when I'm PUTing a large file (> 300MB), it goes all the way, then tries to query the server for confirmation that the file is there, there's some kinda mis-communication & FireFTP starts all over again..... sometimes it'll go 12 straight hours trying over & over again when the transfer worked the first time. Also as soon as it re-tries it deletes the file that worked, so it's not even like you can just halt FireFTP when it re-tries and have your file.

Oh also there is zero support. No forums, no contact email, etc....

It bascially works, but it's not "commercial grade", that's for sure.

BrianH

@Brian: WinSCP runs perfectly in wine. At least on Linux, but I don't see why it shouldn't work on (intel) macs. The big drawback of course is, that all wine programs on Mac run in that ugly X11 window.

rawfan

"If you're running Firefox Portable on your thumb drive, you can take FileFTP with you wherever you go."

I thought it was FireFTP, don't you think ;)

Lifehacked

@Qannaboss: LOL, barely beat me to it. ;-)

Sean Robertson

@xdanimalx: Same here. I love FlashFXP's bookmarks and synchronized directory browsing. I basically have a folder under My Documents called Web Sites that is a mirror of all of the sites I work on on our server so I can literally browse all over our server and it mirrors that on the local pane. Incredibly useful.

BTW, that server doesn't support FTP for security reasons, so I have Bitvise Tunnelier set up to provide an FTP-to-SFTP bridge so I get to keep using my favorite FTP program. ;-)

Sean Robertson

Bitvise Tunnelier for SSH and SFTP, woot...

Qannaboss

i love fireftp, but (on windows) it cant transfer from a flash drive.

glaeven

Some people might not know the difference between FTP and SFTP.

Simply, SFTP is "secure" FTP, which uses SSH to encrypt traffic. FTP itself does not support any form of encryption and should never be used to transfer files that you wouldn't want anyone to be able to read.

jtimberman

Windows: SmartFTP
Mac OS X: YummyFTP is easily the best. But Cyberduck is still an awesome companion for free.

Vytorious

@Lifehacked: Whooops! Fixing.

Adam Pash

I don't know why yummyftp isn't ever on these lists. It blows every other mac ftp client out of the water. Cyberduck is okay. Transmit is a disappointment (I expected more from Panic).

sam-i-am

@jtimberman: Even more confusing is that FTPS and SFTP are entirely different concepts. SFTP is, as you say, a file protocol over SSH, but FTPS is SSL shoehorned onto FTP, much like HTTPS. FTPS is rare in my experience but is a viable alternative to those who want to provide secure file access but don't want the liability of shell access with SSH (and can't configure chroot).

Whelkman

ncftp FTW!

JustinHoMi

I've been using various versions of FileZilla for at least two or three years now. Absolutely love it.

ww2db.com

WinSCP has the best STFP implementation on Windows that's I've found. I used to use Filezilla, but large transfers over STFP were slow - really slow. My processor usage would spike to 100% and the whole machine would slow down.

My transfer speeds using WinSCP are at least twice as fast, and sometimes approach 4x as fast. Along with the other features, it is, hands down, the best Windows client I've tried.

whereisian

@JustinHoMi: Nice. ncftp has been and always will be the king of commandline clients.

Whelkman

Smart FTP. Though I never tried other FTP-programs, but I guess there was no need to do so...

Jarnim

definitely FlashFXP for me, hands down.

Track

Before I discovered FireFTP I used Filezilla for Windows and Cyberduck on the Mac (cause it was free, otherwise I prefered CaptainFTP [captain-ftp.xdsnet.de] ).

For most FTP functions FireFTP does everything I need.

Zundfolge

For you doubters out there... DO NOT USE STANDARD FTP, your password will be sent in clear text and you will put yourself at (needless) risk. Far in a way my favorite client is Glub Tech's Secure FTP. It is really simple and very clean. (Of course it is free) [secureftp.glub.com]

jonathanl

@glaeven: AFAIK, FireFTP can transfer files from any mapped drive in Windows, so you just need to map your flash drive to a letter beforehand.

Oh and FireFTP does do SFTP and other secure protocols, and it resumes large file uploads just fine for me (@BrianH: you might need to check your server's settings if you're constantly having this problem).

Geez I'm starting to sound like a commercial for FireFTP!

zoomZAP

SmartFTP USED TO BE my client of choice ... that is, until I had an unfortunate run-in with their support forum moderators. I had gone there to state my objection to the forced updating that the program required. I did so nicely, stating that I was not the only one out there that disliked having to stop whatever I was doing to download and install the latest version (which rarely offered anything new).

Their response? My post was deleted. When I posted again asking why ... I was banned from their forum. I mentioned this on another forum, a few others tried the same thing and got the same result. No answer, no response, just deleted or banned! Follow up emails to the administrators resulted in no response as well.

Another (former) user created a web site complaining of the rude moderation in their forums here: [smarterftp.com] and there you can see a screen shot of my post, and the notice stating that it was deleted.

SmartFTP was an awesome FTP client, and I probably would have paid to continue using it, but certainly not after I was treated so harshly by their forum moderator!

Filezilla FTW!

LissaKay

Two opinions on FTP security:

1. Has anyone tried traffic sniffing lately? With the advent of switches it's gotten tough to perform a man-in-the-middle attack. Last week we had an issue between our private subnet and the Internet so I had to dig out an ancient Netgear hub, find a compatible power adapter for it, take down our network for ten minutes, and stick a laptop near the newly installed hub just to sniff packets on my own network. On the Internet, insert any number of backbone providers and Cisco routing equipment and your pool of potential attackers is limited to ISP employees and guys who successfully launch multi-level ARP poisoning attacks. And, hey, if you run into either, you're pretty much boned no matter what you do.

While I'm not saying trust your bank account to unencrypted FTP, you're at minimal risk when it comes to "personal web space" type stuff. In fact, an attacker is far, far more likely to utilize buffer overflow attacks against the FTP server than he is to sniff passwords.

2. Anonymous FTP still has a purpose. It's an efficient method to upload large files. It's also an easy way to form a public download repository, though binary HTTP transfers have largely obsoleted this technique.

Whelkman

VOTE: FlashFXP !

Best around.

moontear

total commander ftp tool is the most useful ftp client ever seen ;)

bl.ueyez

I use flashfxp for the rare occasions I use ftp these days. I actually bought the program a few years back when I got more mileage with that protocol. These days it's gathering dust for the most part, usage has shifted back usenet and elsewhere.

rainmkr

VOTE: WS_FTP

Yes, I know voting is over, but this product is so good that it is required by many agencies and businesses for doing information transfers to them. WinSCP is easier, FileZilla is free, but WS_FTP is frequently _required_. *sigh*

john.mull

FlashFXP ftw!

I only use Filezilla when I need a secure connection, otherwise it's crap. For some reason, it _never_ lets me upload directories...I have to create the directory and then upload files within it. No one else ever seems to have this problem, but it happens on every installation I've ever had.

WS_FTP gets the job done, too, but it's not as pretty (hey, I'm a designer, ui is important to me :P)

saffyre9

I use Filezilla in Linux, though I first came into contact with it on XP. I liked it because it was easy to use; as a budding webmaster, I figured out how to use it in a few minutes.

elgilicious

FileZilla. It's fast and elegant. I need nothing else.

I think the interface has actually gone downhill over the years, though. Less intuitive nowadays.

mDuo13

Windows VOTE: FlashFXP
Mac VOTE: Transmit

For Windows, Not sure how FlashFXP did not make this list. I find it to be one of the greatest and easiest clients. NOT to say that the other clients listed are not good because I'm sure they are. I have given them a try in the past shortly, I just prefer good old FlashFXP. Been using it for god knows how long, many many years. I like it's interface over others too.

For Mac, there's not much I think. My opinion, it's Transmit or Cyberduck. I prefer Transmit, it's interface and some other features. Though Cyberduck's interface is getting better, it is however free. So for those that would not use the app much, then it's probably for them.

mistical

TC's integration

Nxqd3051990

FileZilla FTW!

dapezboy

@Steeldrumhero:
Absolutely, it even creates a "Documents" folder on the portableapps.com menu with a custom icon and everything.

jglessner

As much as i really really really want to move to a free FTP solution such as FileZilla i allways end up getting stupid problems which cause me to move back to FlashFXP.

For example i was downloading a 8GB iso for a sat nav update from my private ftp the other day and FileZilla would constantly crash after a few minutes. Worked fine with FlashFXP.

urbanride

Windows: FlashFXP (why isn't it on the list already?)
Mac: Transmit

/dev/nall

hey whatever happened to fetch?

dnem41

4 of 5 programs that are recommended are open source. What is it with you people to label everything that is open source as "best". What is this anti-business metality? Since when is it a shame to make money with a product? And why not mentioning a program like WS_FTP which is still considered by many as the most reliable (read "reliable") ftp client.

JDonner

FTP is horribly insecure. Use SCP/SFTP instead if you can.

nighttimestereo

WinSCP, no doubt in my mind. I can never figure out why the hell people like FileZilla! It's ugly, the five-pane list view is counterintuitive, it doesn't support the simple editing of files like WinSCP (by the way it's not just text, works fine with Photoshop, M$ Word, etc), and is just plain dumb.

Tyler Menezes

I use core FTP it's great you can use ftp/ssl and it works very well

it used to be one of the fist to be able to do that

Thibault

I wish SmartFTP was still free-

The color-coded diffing and synced browsing were awesome. As it stands, I feel kind of lied to by the whole "Oh, it's free, you just have to upgrade to the newest version every 90 days." "Wait, nvm, it's not free anymore, but you still have to upgrade to the latest version, which will stop working after 30".

Don't know if corporate policy is to be more honest to their paying customers or not, but really, despite it being my favorite one software-wise, I'm done with it now. Their 30 days are up.

callingshotgun

Mac: Forklift (swiss-army Finder replacement)

petieboy

Huh? I use Konqueror. Even GNOME's file transfer capabilities are good. I tried OS X and was nonplussed when I had to waste time looking for an FTP client when decent FTP functions are integrated into modern Linux desktops.

massysett

WinSCP.

I also use it occasionally under Wine in Ubuntu. That is, I don't install it. I just execute the portable version from my USB-storage device with Wine. Sites that needs pgp-key authorisation just need two different stored sessions to locate your keyfile (one for Windows and one for Ubuntu) because of the different file structures.

Performance can be a bit rugged under Wine but it overall does a good job.

Peter Dahl

Cyberduck full-steam ahead!

Recently, my site moved from FTP to SFTP and Cyberduck was able to keep up with it. When I'm done with my text editor, I just hit Save, Quit, Quicksilver my way to Cyberduck, Opt-Up to upload, select my file, and get it done. I used to use FileZilla on Mac OS X, but I was disgusted by its UI. And good thing I did move to Cyberduck.

RavingRabbid

Cyberduck wins (on OS X), hands-down.

As a developer, having a simple GUI to S3 including permissions management is just awesome. Quick-view is equally awesome.

Cyberduck is the most polished (S)FTP(S), WebDAV and S3 client I've ever used on any system.

actionscripted

Vote: FlashFXP

None of the clients listed above are on the same level as FlashFXP. FlashFXP is in its own elite league.

2gunsup

I have used Total Commander for years as my FTP client software. It is able to connect to secured FTP's (scp) without any problem and the interface remains the same as when browsing a non-secured FTP or even your own machine.

fdediego

All platforms: CrossFTP. Its tabs and two-pane interface are nice to use.

morningboat

FTPRush is the best. FlashFXP has grown contempt and has not improved in a while.

Vasto

On my Mac, I've been using Fetch since (apparently) the beginning of time. I still like it.

avezkristen

@Paintbait:

2 out of 3 Detroiter's agree... ;)

UnderLoK

@Brian - Have you tried Fugu?

([lifehacker.com])

jlinnihan

I'd forgotten about FireFTP. It's matured a lot since I tried it last. As great as FileZilla is, FireFTP is moreso, and much more appropriate to my needs.

bhaelochon

I just noticed today that SmartFTP can no longer be used for free after the 30 day trial period, maybe the time is right for me to switch to another FTP client? Otherwise I would have said SmartFTP without blinking, and I might actually consider buying a license.
I like the idea behind FireFTP, but it's a bit too simple for my taste, as I do a lot of work with websites.

First comment by me by the way, but long time reader. Keep up the good work Gina & others!

Vilkku

filezilla is free and it does EVERYTHING I need it to. Nuff said.

fogmaster

Interesting comparison. Some additional comparison details:

Filezilla: you want features? How about recursive permissions and reconnect to the same folder / directory - these two features alone are significant productivity improvements. V3 significantly better than V2, and each update makes it even better, though some have reported issues (which software doesn't have issues? - it's a rhetorical question)

WinSCP: ability to calculate folder size without reading / displaying all files / subfolders

Tunnelier: SCP command entry / terminal and more productive SCP file transfer than WinSCP.

kguske

I am a long time SmartFTP user, but now that they're no longer offering it for free, I'm thrilled to see this post. I've tried Filezilla, but didn't really like it. WinSCP looks like a great alternative.

doublem524

Anyone who voted for Filezilla and uses Windows obviously has not used WinSCP. I was a Filezilla junkie until I discovered WinSCP. It's like is Filezilla on steroids. Go check it out.

just_looking

Even if its not that feature packed (whata feature: you can't move files! :/) as other FTP-clients: I use the fcking Explorer And I'm quite happy with it!! :]

Its all built in, saves passwords and stuff I can create links to ftp-spaces.. I'm sick of extra apps for FTPing!!

ewerybody

My favorite FTP client for OS X is Forklift. The dev team is amazing and the client can be an awesome Finder replacement.

justn

WinSCP and Cyberduck (on Macs) work well for me - especially as I use password protected private keys for logging in - both these programmes support that. Filezilla will now support non password protected private keys - that ain't good enough for me.

I loved SmartFTP but they went and made it paid for - don't remember any features that were worth paying for over in preference to a free alternative. I did like the graphing of download/upload speeds - that was nice when on a really poor connection in Africa.

DunxD

Transmit reminds me of WS_FTP, which is great, but I seem to fall back on Fetch when I'm using my Macs.

tayker

I don't use FTP near as much as I used to, but currently I just use the FTP features built into both Directory Opus and Total Commander. I guess I would look at the others if I FTP'd a lot, but that isn't an issue for me now.

Jim

J-Mac

WebDrive for Windows. It's not free but it maps the ftp server (or webdav, sftp, s3 etc) to a Windows drive letter (say x:) so you can edit files with your normal text editor, explore the files in Windows Explorer and treat the ftp server as if it was a local hard drive.

[www.webdrive.com]

lupin_sansei

@jtimberman: What you say is true, but FTPS (or FTP over SSL) does encrypt the traffic in the same manner that HTTPS encrypts traffic over HTTP. And FTPS is using the file transfer protocol.

scaredmouse

I personally use Glub Tech's Secure FTP. It has a really simple interface (much nicer than Filezilla's as far as I'm concerned) and it does what I want. And it works on all platforms. What's best is that it's free for noncommercial use. How can you beat that?

scaredmouse