Sunday, May 6, 2012

Top Ten Free FTP Clients

1 = SmartFTP 

This FTP software has good double–sided secure transfers through SSL/TLS connections and verifications through basic filtering, XCRC, XMD5 and XSHA. It even supports client certs and Clear Command Channel (CCC). SmartSoft has created an excellent FTP program that is free for non-commercial use or only $36.95 for a license. They offer modules in over 15 localized versions and host non–English language forums. It is available in 32–bit and 64–bit PC versions. The only major weakness of this program is that it does not support the SSH security protocol for UNIX type systems, if you need this capacity or a Mac FTP client, see CuteFTP.  

2 = FireFTP

After the latest round of upgrades it now support SFTP, compression, and while somewhat hidden even FXP (server to server transfer).  Other advanced features include directory comparison, syncing directories while navigating, SSL encryption, search/filtering, integrity checks, remote editing, drag & drop, file hashing, and more.  With this robust feature set, its ease of use, and browser integration FireFTP should now serve the needs of all but the heaviest power user needs and is quickly becoming one of my favorite FTP clients. If you use a browser other than Firefox or require advanced functionality not found in FireFTP  then one of these great standalone applications should meet your needs.  

3 = File Zilla

It's lightweight in comparison but in my book that is often better. It uses a simple layout based on a two-pane interface that looks a bit like the early versions of WS_FTP. But this simplicity is deceptive, it is actually quite a powerful product. There's a full-featured site manager, firewall and proxy support, SFTP, SSL and Kerberos GSS security, restart, drag 'n drop and a lot more. The only significant feature that's missing is site-to-site transfer, but that's probably of no importance to most users. What is of importance is that FileZilla is totally reliable and very easy to use. The new V3 of FileZilla adds support for Linux, Mac OS X and FreeBSD.  

4 = WinSCP

WinSCP will suit if you want a SCP (secure copy) client for Windows that uses SSH and offers a rich feature set. It includes a built-in terminal, it can launch Putty directly, allows remote file editing, direct transfer and transfer queuing, and has the ability to limit download speed rates.  

5 = Core FTP LE

CoreFTP has four particular strengths: 1. It has the best tricky-site access ability of any FTP client I've used. 2. It has an excellent GUI that makes it outstandingly easy to use. 3. It has a massive feature set that somehow doesn't slow it down. 4. It has good on-screen real-time logging, which not all clients have. There are sites - especially those with extra security, where it takes about 8 seconds to connect - that cause some FTP clients insurmountable problems; CoreFTP will get you in. I couldn't log on to one site at all with WS_FTP and some of the others, but this one did the trick. The neat on-screen log display also lets you know what's happening if you have problems. You can force-view invisible files, like htaccess. The chmod feature is useful, you can set your directory and file permissions with a very clear interface; ditto the clear and fast site manager. There's a nice one-click reconnect to the last site in use. Navigating to different drives is tricky, though, in Core - so if you have a stack of hard drives that you work from, you should keep this in mind - FileZilla is better here.  

6 = CoffeeCup Free FTP

Popular with Web site administrators, CoffeeCup FTP clients have a long track record of stability. CoffeeCup Free FTP supports Windows only but provides all the basic features of a FTP client. With the possible exception of advertising banners, the product offers good usability.  

7 = CyberDuck

CyberDuck is geared toward OS X users and is a simple program with an intuitive interface that allows for ease of use. Files can be dragged and dropped with the touch of a mouse, making this a clear favorite for Mac enthusiasts. Cyberduck supports FTP and the more secure SFTP.  

8 = AceFTP

Visicom Media offers Freeware and Pro versions of this product. AceFTP Freeware does not support secure file transfers and some of the user interface features available in Pro. Before using this product on the Internet, ensure potentially critical security vulnerabilities been addressed.  

9 =  LeechFTP

FTP client – Not in your directories, but very good product! LeechFTP has a feature to check for updates from within the program, you can access this in the Tools menu. A small dialog will show up and tells you wether there is a newer version or not. This is done by connecting to this server, so you have to be connected to the internet.  

10 = Go FTP

GoFTP is all about speed, speed, speed. Visit the program’s home page and you’ll find a nice big graph which compares Go FTP to the final free FTP client on this list, Filezilla. According to Go FTP’s home page, Go FTP is 210% faster than Filezilla overall. Is it true? To find out, I conducted my own tests by uploading and downloading a a folder and timed how long it took. The folder was only 1MB in size, but had 62 files in 12 folders. With Go FTP, the upload of the folder took 40 seconds and the download took 30 seconds. FileZilla took one minute and eight seconds to upload the folder and one minute two seconds to download the folder. That’s a substantial increase in the time taken to upload and download files, and actually is in the ballpark of Go FTP’s claims. That surprised me – you can imagine, for example, how much time this could save you if you need to upload a much bigger folder with many more files. FTP client – Not in your directories, but very good product! LeechFTP has a feature to check for updates from within the program, you can access this in the Tools menu. A small dialog will show up and tells you wether there is a newer version or not. This is done by connecting to this server, so you have to be connected to the internet.”

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