Programs for downloading from ftp. Which ftp client for Windows to choose - review of programs for working with an ftp server

The FTP protocol is rapidly losing its position among users who use file transfer among themselves on the Internet. But it is still useful for transferring files from computer to computer, and is also consistently number one when it comes to uploading files to a web host. FTP has especially caught on with owners, developers, and content managers of sites that work on Windows and who do not want to use SSH.

Constant experience with FTP invariably leads every user to use an FTP application. After trying it once, no one ever gives up the FTP application. After all, with it, the time savings in file transfers are visible to the naked eye. And besides, why manually configure FTP transfer every time in the browser or on the command line, if the developers ftp clients They have long since taken and automated the process of connecting to FTP and transferring files.

It must be said that the standard Windows Explorer can also connect to FTP server, and use the FTP connection as if a folder with files on network resource. This is convenient from the point of view small amount files that need to be sent or received.

Here are three best FTP client for Windows, which are available completely free of charge.

Most users think that WinSCP is the best free FTP client for Windows. We have to agree with this. Despite its simple and easy-to-use interface, WinSCP contains a number of additional functions, which can satisfy even the most demanding user needs.

In addition to the protocol FTP WinSCP supports file transfer and remote file editing using SFTP, SCP and WebDAV protocols. Regardless of which of the above protocols you use, inSCP can synchronize local directories with remote directories with the click of a single button or key combination.

WinSCP integrates directly into Windows, allowing you to use drag-and-drop files and includes additional options in context menu Windows "Send". WinSCP also has a built-in text editor, which allows you to edit deleted files(useful for HTML settings, CSS, JS, etc.).

For experienced users WinSCP has an interface command line and script support ( batch files and .NET assemblies). Help for using scripts is included in the application and is available by calling f1. It is great for automating the tasks of receiving and transferring files.

Cyberduck is a simple yet effective FTP client that is best suited for periodic file transfers. The application can be useful for both experienced users and beginners getting acquainted with FTP. The Cyberduck interface is so simplified that even a child can understand it. With Cyberduck, heavy and frequent file transfers can be made easier by using a more comprehensive interface.

This client is free and open source source code. It supports multiple protocols over FTP, including SFTP and WebDAV, as well as connections to Dropbox, Google Drive, cloudy Google storage, Amazon S3 and others.

Cyberduck easily integrates with any external text editor that is convenient for remote editing of web files. It also has the function quick view, which allows you to view files without downloading them. Local directories can be synchronized with remote directories.

The main feature of Cyberduck is the ability to ensure transmission security. It comes with a Cryptomator feature that encrypts file and directory names and smears directory structures. In other words, even if someone intercepts your transmission, they will not be able to see what you are transmitting.

The only downside to Cyberduck is the occasional donation request. You can hide it, but it appears again every time you update the application.

In 2014, it was discovered that a fake version of FileZilla (versions 3.5.3 and 3.7.3) was being distributed across the Internet. The "evil twin" FileZilla was modified to steal FTP login credentials and store them on a remote server.

FileZilla is distributed via download from SourceForge, which also came under control after another incident occurred involving the modification of FileZilla by inserts advertising banners. Although there are more to download software worst places, we recommend staying away from SourceForge.

Additionally, FileZilla has long been criticized for storing login credentials in plain text. In 2017, with the release of version 3.26.0, FileZilla finally added a password encryption feature, but it took more than a decade of user complaints.

Still, FileZilla is a reliable FTP client.

FileZilla is free application It is open source and supports file transfer using FTP, SFTP and FTPS protocols. File transfers can be paused and resumed, connections support both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, and can sync local directories with remote directories.

FileZilla's main features include directory comparison, custom directory listing filters (you can create your own filter conditions), remote search files (with flexible filters and template matching), bookmarks for easy access to frequently used FTP directories.

Important note on FTP and SFTP

One of the biggest disadvantages of FTP is that it is a simple text protocol (File Transfer Protocol). This means that data is sent back and forth to text form easily readable by humans. This is a huge vulnerability because the login credentials are also sent in plain text!

If an attacker intercepts a login attempt, they will see the username and password account, not to mention the contents of the transferred files.

This is why you should use SFTP instead of FTP whenever possible.

SFTP, which is an extension SSH protocol(Secure File Transfer Protocol), and which uses encryption to protect transmitted data (both credentials and file contents).

Most services that support FTP connections also support SFTP connections. And when using an FTP client, the actual file transfer workflow is no different from the FTP transfer process. The only difference is that when connecting you choose SFTP instead of FTP.

What FTP client do you use? Are there any other good FTP clients you can recommend? Or do you prefer a different file transfer protocol? Write about it in the comments below.

Are not something fundamentally new, but before cloud technologies took over the market, FTP servers were actively used for remote file storage. However, for solving certain problems they continue to remain the only option, but in general they are in demand of this protocol is on the decline. Only website owners, software developers and system administrators remain staunch supporters of FTP.

The decline in interest in FTP among ordinary users is explained not only by the prevalence of cloud storage, but also by some inconvenience - to work with this protocol you need software, called an FTP client. FTP client for Windows, Linux or other operating system represents file manager, capable of connecting to the server. By the way, you can establish a connection with the FTP server using the usual Windows Explorer, if you configure it correctly, but using special programs for these purposes is still much more convenient.

Not all FTP clients are created equal, however. Some of them are more functional, others less so; Some are quite usable, while the interface of others is not particularly convenient; some are completely free, others are distributed on a commercial basis. Which one should you prefer? Perhaps the one that meets all your requirements. To make it easier to make a choice, we offer a short comparative review the five best, in our opinion, FTP clients for Windows.

Perhaps the most popular and in demand free FTP client. Flexible, simple and convenient, it supports all the basic functions for working with the FTP protocol. Application features include fast connection, setting speed limits, filtering names, resuming large files, multi-threaded loading, authentication and encryption using Kerberos. The client supports synchronization of viewing task completion, remote search, directory comparison, and adding bookmarks.