FileZilla Client is a fast and reliable cross-platform FTP, FTPS and SFTP client with lots of useful features and an intuitive graphical user interface.

FileZilla Client not only supports FTP, but also FTP over TLS (FTPS) and SFTP. It is open-source software distributed free of charge under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Installation
3. Connecting to a Server
4. Site Manager
5. Navigation
6. File Transfers
7. Finding FileZilla Client Support

1. Introduction

FileZilla Client is a fast and reliable cross-platform FTP, FTPS and SFTP client with lots of useful features and an intuitive graphical user interface.

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. The FTP (File Transfer Protocol) protocol has been around for quite some time. It was first proposed in RFC 114 over 40 years ago and eventually evolved into RFC 959 which is the standard that FTP clients and servers follow today.

FTPS (also known FTP-SSL, and FTP Secure) is an extension to the commonly used File Transfer Protocol (FTP) that adds support for the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and, formerly, the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL, which is now prohibited by RFC7568) cryptographic protocols.

SFTP stands for SSH File Transfer Protocol. The SSH File Transfer Protocol (also Secure File Transfer Protocol, or SFTP) is a network protocol that provides file access, file transfer, and file management over any reliable data stream.

One major difference between FTPS and SFTP is how they use ports. SFTP needs only a single port number for all SFTP communications, making it easy to secure. FTPS uses multiple port numbers. The first port for the command channel is used for authentication and passing commands. However, every time a file transfer request or directory listing request is made, another port number needs to be opened for the data channel.

While Both FTPS and SFTP have their benefits, we recommend SFTP.