Most of the site owners and website developers use the Best FTP Clients to connect to their web servers from the local desktop or computers when edit, upload, modify, download and manage files and folders. You have to connect to your site using the File Transfer Protocol(FTP) if you cannot log in to your site from the WP-Admin panel. Besides, most of the website developers and agencies rely on the Best FTP Clients to perform a lot of tasks on files and folders management. A website contains a lot of files and folders and to manage it properly, you need to download, edit, save, upload, sync and move them from one directory to another. Even you need to create a new file if it does not exist. Under such a scenario, FTP Clients are must to connect to your website from remote desktop and perform the editing functions.
There are various clients on FTPs, both free and paid. Based on your needs, you can use one of them to connect to your website to perform a certain editing function. While choosing such a client, look at what it offers in terms of drop-drag interface, protocol supports, security, features and the operating system it runs on. Before going to learn about the best FTP Clients, let’s know what is an FTP Client?
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What Is an FTP Client?
FTP or File Transfer Protocol allows you to upload files to your desktop from your WordPress site. You can’t use an FTP unless you have a client. So, in order to use the FTP, you need an FTP Client which is a software that connects your computer to your web hosting account from far off location.
It lets you perform a lot of FTP functions such as edit, copy, upload, download, rename and delete files and folders. On account of providing drop-drag interface it is very user-friendly to carry out editing functions. All of them are not the same in works, however, allows you to perform certain functions.
To solve WordPress common errors, you need to use an FTP Client in order to connect to your website. Most website owners perform files and folders management using such kind of software. Moreover, you can use it if you can’t login to your WordPress from your WP-Admin dashboard. Now, let’s have a glance on how to use the most popular and the best FTP Clients for MacOS and Windows.
How to Use an FTP Client?
Now, I am going to tell you how to use an FTP Client? In order to use an FTP software, you need a username and password. Once you open the software, you have to choose a file protocol and a port number. Besides, you have to enter host name, user name and password.
The file protocol may be FTP or SFTP which you can see and choose from the list provided in the file protocol box in the software. Similarly, you can select a port number of your choice from the list provided therein.
I recommend to use SFTP as file protocol with port number 22, as data transmission takes place being encrypted through this protocol and hackers can’t access or decode it. If you don’t use port number 22, the system will take 21 as port number which is used for FTP.
In the field provided for host name, write your website address( as for me, it is blowwager.com). In the same way, enter the user name, password and click on either connect or login, which may be variable based on the FTP Client.
You can find your FTP user name and password from your web hosting provider who sends you an Email when sign up to purchase a hosting plan. If you forget, you can check your Email to find out those login credentials. Also, you can find your FTP user name in the cPanel. If not found, contact your web hosting team and write it down to a safe place for further use.
When you get connected to your site using one of the Best FTP Clients, you can see two sides on your desktop. In the left side, you can see your local files and folders whereas the right side displays the remote files and folders located on your web hosting server.
List of Best FTP Clients for WordPress Users
There are many free and paid FTP Clients used by the website developers and site owners to upload, edit, rename, delete and manage various files and folders. I have prepared a list of the Best FTP Clients which you can use to connect to your site from your computer.
WinSCP
WinSCP is a popular and easy-to-use FTP Client used and trusted by millions of users. The software is open source which means that anyone can use to operate FTP functions. Up to 21st July, 2021, it has 2,926,772 downloads. The graphical user interface is easy to handle. It includes integrated Text Editor, Scripting and task automation and all common features to operate files.
WinSCP supports several file transfer protocols like FTP, SFTP, SSH, S3, WebDAV and SCP. All data transmission takes place being encrypted using SSL. You can use command-line interface with varying commands and run multiple sessions to perform multiple tasks at one time. The other file features it includes are separate shell sessions to execute remote commands, custom commands, file masking, administrative restriction, generating session URLs and automating file transfer or synchronization. Besides, the client supports more than 20 languages and that’s why it has global usage. From these features, you can include WinSCP as one of the best FTP Clients in our hand-picked list.
User Platforms: Microsoft Windows only.
Pricing: Free as the software is open-source
FileZilla
FileZilla is an open source, free FTP Client which can run on cross-platforms including, windows, Linux and MacOS. The software has two variations, namely, the FileZilla Client which can run on all platforms and the FileZilla Server which runs on only Windows operating system.
As a popular FTP Client, it supports not only FTP but also SFTP which allows data transmission over SSL. You can use SSH too access your site from remote desktop. Among all the clients for file transfer, me seems that is the easiest of all. Because the drop-drag interface is very user-friendly that anyone can use with ease. I have included and chosen this FTP Software as one of the most popular and the best FTP Clients yet you should download it from authentic site, as there are many reports of having adware in it.
User Platforms: Windows, Linux and MacOS
Pricing: Free but recently it has a paid version too, called FileZilla Pro
CyberDuck
CuberDuck is a powerful and free FTP Client runs on Windows, MacOS and licensed under the GPL. The software was first released in April, 2002 and now available in 37 languages. It supports FTP, SFTP, S3, WebDAV etc. Besides, it can can connect to Microsoft Azure Cloud Storage, Dropbox, Backblaze B2, OneDrive, Google Drive, Google Cloud Storage, Dracoon, OpenStack Swift and Files.com. During connecting to servers and files transfer, file names and contents are encrypted.
Using CyberDuck, you can perform file operation including download, upload, copy, synchronizing local environment with remote directories. The client also has native environment for MacOS X and Windows operating system like storing passwords in the system keychain, validating certificates using the trust settings in the keychain, notifications for Windows and Mac etc. In terms of security and authentication, CyberDuck is, no doubt, one of the best FTP Clients.
User Platforms: Windows and MacOS
Pricing: Free
Transmit
Transmit a one of the most powerful FTP Clients with tons of features including files-folders syncing, file management, connecting to third-party cloud servers etc. You can upload, download and transfer files on numerous servers with its powerful and easy user interface(UI).
It supports FTP, SFTP and WebDAV. Even you can connect to the cloud servers like Backblaze B2, Box, Google Drive, DreamObjects, Dropbox, Microsoft Azure, and Rackspace etc. During file management data transmission takes place in encrypted form. That said, Transmit 5 has its native sync feature like Panic Sync where you can sync your site files and folders to their servers. Even in syncing it includes local-to-local, remote-to-remote or local-to-remote syncing. Long ago, it was an FTP Client but now, with it you can connect to many third-party cloud services.
The graphic user interface is very clean which includes activity queue to monitor file transfer operation progress, file browser to browse remote and local files simultaneously, inspector to get information about local and remote files, file synchronization and key management. If you want to choose a paid FTP Software, then I think Transmit, is great and, no doubt, it must be included in the list of the best FTP Clients.
User Platform: Mac
Pricing: Free and paid. The paid version costs $45.
Free FTP
Free FTP is a powerful and user-friendly FTP Client with drop-drag features for file management. The software offers full-fledged file control where you can move, add and launch the files from inside the program. During the course of file management, you can handle files in a clean and readable way. At the bottom of the FTP, there is a workspace containing full information on what is going on during FTP session. If anything goes wrong, it lets you see that on the status bar. Even you can cancel or pause the protocol if needed. As far as protocols are concerned, there is no need to think about whether it can run a protocol or not, as it supports various forms of the FTP including SFTP over SSH and FTPS over TLS. The latter two includes HTTPS which allows data transmission over SSL Certificate. Even it can handle HTTP which I do not recommend during file transfer as there is a greater possibility of sniffing at by the hackers. For advanced security, always use SFTP or FTPS which includes data encryption.
The paid version of the free FTP is called Direct FTP which includes more advanced features like a built-in web Editor that lets you organize your files with code completion, language highlighting and simultaneous tag pair editing. Furthermore, it allows you to work with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and more.
User Platform: Windows
Pricing: Both the free and paid versions are available. The Pro version costs $39.
WS_FTP Professional
WS_FTP Professional is the most secure and easiest FTP Client used by 40 million users. The software gives you a lot of features in file management during, before and after file handling. It lets you delete, rename, move and sync files to any virtual cloud service, server or hard drive of your choice. You can include it in the list of the best FTP Clients for Windows users.
The software includes all the major file transfer protocols like FTP, SFTP over SSH, FTPS over SSL, HTTPS and open SSL. During file transfer it gives the highest level of encryption including 256-bit AES, FIPS 140-2 validated cryptography and OpenPGP file encryption. Its easy to use customizable and drop-drag feature lets you connect to any remote server from your desktop to move multiple types of file, regardless of size.
In terms of automation, it is excellent as it provides scheduled backup, file synchronization, compression,post-transfer file action, Scripting, workspace, thumbnail size image view and Email notification. At the same time, you can run unlimited local connections, remote connection to move multiple files from server to server, with 1-click drop-drag interface.
User Platform: Windows
Pricing: Starts from $49.95 up to $390, based on number of users and license.
Cute FTP
Cute FTP is a series of simple and powerful FTP Client used for Mac and Windows operating system. GlobalScape developed this software and has been in service since 1996. The software lets you connect to any website using its step by step wizard. The editing interface allows you update and maintain any sophisticated website. It has a color-coded HTML Editor which you can use to edit, open and create HTML documents on your computer or remote server.
In terms of automation, the software provides excellent features. It can easily create time-saving script transfer with minimal overhead using the Transfer Engine within from it. Also, it creates scripts to regularly back up or synchronize your sites, monitor local folders and move files easily with drop-drag interface.
Cute FTP supports various file transfer protocols including FTP with SSL, SFTP with SSH2, HTTPS(HTTP over SSL) and OpenPGP encryption. Its password manager and One Time Password authentication protocol lets you connect to and work with several remote sites simultaneously.
User Platform: Windows
Pricing: Starts from $29.99 up to $89.99.
ForkLift
ForkLift is a powerful FTP Client with dual pane mode, used for MacOS and developed by Binarynights. This popular FTP software includes a lot of features like file transfer, setting up conflict management rules, limiting upload-download bandwidth etc. You can use it to connect to SFTP, FTP, S3, WebDAV,Backblaze B2, Google Drive, Rackspace CloudFiles, SMB, AFP, NFS etc. It lets you connect to multiple servers at a time and perform file management between two environment.
Using the sync feature, you can compare both the local and remote target folders to match, identify, modify and delete files. The Multi Rename tool allows you rename a large number of files on your local storage or remote servers. The Disklet allows you to mount on remote servers and make them appear on your desktop as local drive.
The other features ForkLift includes are FXP copy, App Deleter, Keyboard Control, Archive Management, Git Support,Default File Viewer, File Compare etc.
User Platform: MacOS
Pricing: Price starts from $29.95 up to $99.95
Commander One Pro
Commander One Pro is one of the most popular FTP Client for MacOS which includes a lot of versatile file management features. It is the best FTP Client for MacOS as it supports the major FTP protocols including SFTP,FTPS and FTP. With two panels you can handle both the smaller and larger files with server settings and passwords saved in the Keychain.
The software lets you connect to many third-party cloud servers like WebDAV, Amazon S3, OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, OpenStack, Backblaze etc. Using this popular FTP Client, you can connect to your remote servers, mount it on your computer as local disk and have complete control over your files. It lets you create, edit, delete, rename, copy, paste and move files and folders on the remote servers. The dual-pane interface gives easy navigation and management to perform FTP functions on files and folders between local and remote servers.
Besides, it gives you built-in file viewer, Mac Archive, Search function, Terminal Emulator, Personalization etc. The Terminal Emulator gives you advanced control over files. The personalisation features let you customize theme, color, font and text of your files and folders. Also, it is available in many other languages besides English.
User Platform: MacOS
Pricing: Pricing starts at $29.99
So far, you have learnt what is an FTP Client? What functions does an FTP Software perform? How to use the best FTP Clients in Mac, Windows and Linux platforms.
Again let’s have a glance on it in brief:
The Best FTP Clients for Windows are WinSCP, FileZilla, CyberDuck, WS_FTP Professional, Free FTP and Cute FTP.
The best FTP Clients for MacOS are Commander One Pro, ForkLift, FileZilla, CyberDuck and Transmit.
The best FTP Client with cross-platforms, namely for both the Windows and MacOS are CyberDu and FileZilla.
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