My point here is this: every IT professional and practitioner needs a good FTP client (and possibly server) in their corner. Whether you’re building a site or sharing files, FTP provides ease and capacity unavailable in simple computer-to-computer transfers. The popularity and long history of this protocol means there are lots of players in the game—FTP clients for Windows, FTP clients for macOS, FTP clients for mobile, free FTP clients and paid FTP clients—and the right one for you depends on the client’s features and your needs. We’re here to help you sort through the clutter with the following list. Don’t have time to read through top FTP programs? My top pick is the SolarWinds® Serv-U® Managed File Transfer Server solution if you need reliable, business-level capabilities.
- Best Ftp Server Software For Mac
- Ftp Server Software Mac Os X
- Free Ftp Server Software For Mac
- Free Ftp Server Mac
Here you can jump ahead to FTP Client Software reviews:
What to Keep in Mind When Choosing FTP Client Software
File Transfer Protocol is necessary when you’re communicating with a server. It’s the FTP client software that initiates the request of the server. That’s typically relevant when you’re building or maintaining a website but could also matter when transferring large files that can’t be stored on RAM. (This latter use has become less popular with the rise of cloud computing.) For smaller data transfers, going machine-to-machine is still fine.
- Free FTP Server Software Wing FTP Server is an easy-to-use, powerful, and free FTP server software for Windows, Linux, Mac OS, and Solaris. It supports multiple file transfer protocols, including FTP, FTPS, HTTP, HTTPS, and SFTP, giving your clients flexibility in how they connect to the server.
- CloudMounter, FTP Client for Windows and Mac CloudMounter is a different take on FTP software. Rather than having a separate client app, it connects Finder (or Windows Explorer) directly to your servers. Basically, your server gets mounted as an external drive you can access as normal from your system’s file manager.
Standard folders on your Mac become content areas for your FTP users. Define user accounts in Rumpus, and specify a 'Home Folder' for each. When users log in to your server, Rumpus gives them access only to their folder. Click any image to view full size. List of the best FTP clients for Mac Best Mac FTP client – Commander One. Commander One is a very convenient file navigator and client for working with. The free FTP Mac client Cyberduck freely interacts with Windows and macOS platforms and is characterized.
A note on security: FTP was developed before cybersecurity was the concern that it is today, so data is sent unencrypted. That might be fine if you’re just hosting whitepapers for download or transferring non-private information. But if you have any sensitive documents or your industry has privacy regulations, using an unsecured connection could be a PR headache at best and regulatory negligence charges at worst.
That’s why Secure FTP, or SFTP, was developed. (FTPS is another, less common, encrypted form of FTP.) In fact, FTP and SFTP are often used interchangeably now, though you shouldn’t assume this is the case when choosing your client; verify that you’re getting SFTP if you need it.
Why pay for a top FTP program when there are so many popular free versions? As we’ve noted previously in this blog, “Open-source is only free if your time is worthless.” That’s a bit harsh, but the message is important: open-source and free proprietary options aren’t going to provide the support and customization of a paid service and team. You’ll spend a lot of time learning, customizing, and maintaining the program yourself, and it still might fail sometimes. This should be foremost on your mind if regular, secure, and reliable data transfer is mission-critical for your business and not just tangential.
Best FTP Client Overall
With SolarWinds Serv-U Managed File Transfer (MFT) Server, you get all the business-level capabilities you need at the affordable price you’ve come to expect from other Serv-U product offerings like Serv-U File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Server.
Like FTP Server, Serv-U MFT provides total control over your file transfers—even 3GB+ files—within your organization, over both web and mobile devices. It simplifies file transfer for users with single drag-and-drop features. I’d say the real advantage here is the intuitive dashboard that allows central control and customizable automation abilities (and the ability to look over activity logs as needed).
And of course, you get the crucial security features you need and expect for business functions, like Active Directory integration and authentication features. Files can be transferred over FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and HTTP/S protocols, over both IPv4 and IPv6 networks. Designed to deliver reliable and secure file transfers, this file transfer tool focuses on helping you ensure regulatory compliance for PCI DSS, HIPAA, and other standards that require secure data transfers. Serv-U MFT can take loads off your plate and keep your system running smoothly.
Serv-U MFT Server is designed to be easy to install and supports deployment on Windows and Linux® platforms.
Best Free FTP Client for Windows
WinSCP is like the Honda Civic of FTP clients—ubiquitous, relatively reliable, and affordable (free, in fact, because it’s open-source), all-in-all a decent option for a variety of users. It supports the SFTP protocol for added security and supports SCP (as the name suggests), as well as WebDAV and Amazon S3. WinSCP has an integrated text editor and allows for remote editing, which is then uploaded to the server automatically when saving, making editing a snap. And there are three portable versions, including one for Linux.
A few drawbacks: it’s built on Windows, so Mac users are out of luck. And if you use UNC to organize files on a LAN, WinSCP isn’t compatible with that either. Plus, some users criticize WinSCP’s odd keyboard command layout and the inability to customize shortcuts. (A minor gripe, but I bet it will annoy you after a while.)
Runner-Up, Best Free FTP Client for Windows
FileZilla might be the undisputed champ of open-source FTP clients if not for some unfortunate moves and PR. It works for Windows, macOS, and Linux, has drag-and-drop, tabbed interface, bookmarks, and remote editing as well as file search. Out since the early 2000s, FileZilla has racked up thousands of happy users and supporters.
But the program’s host, SourceForge, earned some ill will when it started bundling FileZilla downloads with adware or using deceiving tactics to get users to download unwanted programs. Some users even claimed malware was loaded onto their computers. Current versions still contain ads on update pages, so be careful. And in 2014, it was revealed that fake versions of FileZilla were loaded with malware that was stealing login credentials, so you should make sure you are downloading a legit version.
Best Free FTP Client for macOS
At first glance, Transmit might not seem like a standout. Like other competitive FTP clients, it supports FTP, FTPS, SFTP, Amazon S3, or WebDAV protocols, and integrates easily with Amazon Drive, Backblaze B2, DreamObjects, Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft OneDrive, Microsoft OneDrive for Business, OpenStack Swift, and Rackspace Cloud Files cloud storage accounts. Transmit is also great for automated syncing.
What makes Transmit special? It does all this for macOS. In a field dominated by Windows FTP clients, this is easily the best FTP client for macOS. And as proprietary freeware, you get the updates and guidance of a paid service without spending a dime.
Runner-Up, Best Free FTP Client for macOS
Cyberduck is another big name among the best free FTP clients, especially among FTP clients for macOS. (There is also a Windows version, but because Cyberduck was built on macOS, its features are macOS-leaning.) It supports FTP and SFTP, WebDAV, OpenStack Swift, Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, and Microsoft Azure. Users love its simple and friendly graphic interface with drag-and-drop (for bookmarks too) and its support of dozens of languages. Cyberduck doesn’t have a built-in text editor but integrates with whichever your favorite is. And it allows for remote previewing of some files without downloading them.
However, that simple and easy user interface might not be sufficient for some power users. And though this is a free open-source program, it will prompt you for donations until you donate, which can get irritating.
Honorable Mentions
FireFTP is unique in that it’s not a standalone desktop program, but an add-on for the Mozilla Firefox browser (although the creators now recommend using Waterfox). This adds a lot of convenience for Firefox power users, but not much advantage for everyone else. If you prefer trees of directories and lists of files to a more dressed-up user interface, FireFTP’s two-pane display is for you.
CuteFTP is one of the most popular paid FTP clients on the web. Reviews tout its ease of use and simplicity. Standouts include the automation of file transfers and the built-in editor (Scintilla). Thanks to a feature called Tappin, you can easily share files between desktop and mobile devices. Available for Windows, CuteFTP is free to try and costs $59.99 standalone, with an additional $30 for a year of maintenance and support.
CloudMounter works a little differently because it’s not exactly an FTP client. It’s more like a direct connection to your FTP server as if the server were a removable drive. So instead of complicated software and interfaces, all you have to do is open up Finder. Few other FTP clients can say that they make it as easy as plugging in a thumbnail drive. CloudMounter is free to try and costs $29.99 (or an additional $10 for a “lifetime upgrades guarantee”). It’s primarily known for its macOS version but is also available for Windows and Linux according to its website.
One More Time: The Best FTP Client
The best FTP software depends all on your needs and budget, but I highly recommend looking at paid services to ensure regulatory compliance, security, and reliability. Check out SolarWinds Serv-U MFT for the most reliable option—and with all the security issues that can arise with transfers, you shouldn’t take that reliability lightly.
Related Articles
Best SIEM Tools 2020 – the best FTP Client software can support sending server logs to SIEM tools for help with deeper security analysis and compliance reporting. Check the list of best SIEM software.
Best Website Monitoring Tools 2020 – If you’re reading this article, you likely have a website to run. Monitoring is another important part of that and has a similar cost/benefit analysis between free and paid software.
Best Log Management Software 2020 – Time to update your strategy for log management? Here’s our 2020 list of tools with suggestions for every budget.
Before IT professionals start using an FTP server on a Mac, they should know the answers to the following questions to help keep sensitive business data secure and enhance their efficiency.
What Is FTP?
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a protocol designed to help transfer large files, including webpages and documentation, over a network. It can also be used to download, upload, and copy files from the internet to the host system. FTP uses TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), a protocol used to execute commands, so users can easily share and transfer large files. Several businesses rely on FTP to share high-quality, business-related videos; PowerPoint slides; high-definition images; and more. Although Mac offers a built-in file transfer option, IT professionals still prefer using a robust tool to share and transfer files.
How Does FTP Work?
FTP is also known as a client–server protocol, as it depends on two types of communication channels. A control connection channel is used for sending and receiving commands and responses. In some cases, the user needs to log in to the FTP server to establish a connection; in others, the content is available without logging in. These servers are commonly known as anonymous FTP. Another communication channel is a data connection used for the distribution of content, such as transferring files and folders on a network. This type of FTP session can be established in active or passive mode. In active mode, the server initiates the data connection with the client once the client has established a connection on the command channel. In passive mode, the client initiates the data connection with the server. Businesses often prefer passive mode over active.
What Are the Risks of Using a Low-Quality FTP Server?
Organizations are often drawn by FTP’s ease of use and cost-effective plans. However, choosing an unreliable FTP server may lead to several risks and threats, which are outlined below. It’s always advisable to invest in a secure and reliable FTP client solution, and this solution should help you efficiently transfer large files and folders.
Unreliable File Transfers
Several free or built-in FTPs face challenges in transferring large files. They don’t include advanced FTP features such as setting alerts, automation, determination, and more. Therefore, organizations can’t rely solely on FTP for data sharing purposes. Managed file transfer (MFT) or modern FTP solutions are the best tools for transferring large files, as they trigger alerts, rectify problems occurring during file transmission, and automatically retry file transfer if there’s a failure.
Insecure Encryption
FTP has no encryption, which means the mission-critical data transferred using FTP is at risk and open to network sniffing. Organizations using open-source FTP solutions or built-in FTP tools requiring an ID and password are at a higher risk of data theft. Mac FTP servers are also subject to attacks capable of altering communication between systems and injecting them with malicious viruses or malware downloaded unknowingly by the user. Using a premium FTP solution helps protect organizations’ data through encryption and other security standards.
Noncompliance
Open-source and built-in FTP servers don’t provide the level of auditing required to meet compliance standards for data security regulations. They don’t provide administrators with visibility into the issues occurring during file transfers. To avoid such risks and troublesome situations, organizations should invest in an advanced and robust FTP solution capable of saving them time and money.
Why Should You Use Modern FTP Tools for Transferring Files on Mac?
Best Ftp Server Software For Mac
Third-party or modern tools like SolarWinds® Serv-U® FTP Server and MFT Server help organizations transfer data quickly, securely, and efficiently. Third-party tools are suited for organizations looking to meet industry regulations and compliance needs for HIPAA and PCI DSS. Consider choosing an FTP server for Mac capable of providing the following:
Enhanced Efficiency
Using third-party tools, users can transfer multiple files simultaneously without the need for individual uploads and downloads. Third-party tools like Serv-U FTP Server can handle large file transfers easily. Many FTP servers are also equipped with intuitive web and mobile interfaces to give you a quick view of the status of transferred files or ones currently undergoing transmission. Drag-and-drop features and the ability to add users and groups are additional third-party offerings capable of driving efficiency and improving business communication.
Ftp Server Software Mac Os X
Automation
Some third-party FTP servers offer automation, which means users can add and delete files and change file names, usernames, login IDs, and passwords even after they’ve been transferred. They also offer an optional “web file transfer client” feature or a plug-in designed to help users easily send multiple files.
Greater Security
A reliable FTP server for Mac offers file encryption using TLS or SSL cryptographic protocol and the FTPS protocol to transfer larger files. It should be designed to protect data from accidental exposure and malicious operators, and it should ensure data is transferred securely over IPv4 and IPv6 and not stored in DMZ to meet compliance needs.
FTP Monitoring and Management
Some FTP server tools offer unique capabilities, such as file transfer monitoring, storage, the ability to change access permissions, and statistics. Their premium plans also offer intuitive, real-time dashboards providing FTP server logs. Users can block timed-out IP addresses, enable different settings, set alerts for file transfer issues or data security threats, and set limits on the number of server sessions.
Which FTP Tool Is the Best for Mac?
Free Ftp Server Software For Mac
SolarWinds® Serv-U® FTP Server is a simple, easy-to-use, and efficient data sharing tool. It’s capable of transferring large/multiple files over the web or mobile devices using FTP and FTPS, and users can seamlessly manage, administer, and control file access permissions. Serv-U FTP Server can help you avoid bandwidth throttling and storage consumption risks by setting file transfer limits, and it provides a customer support portal where users can post their queries, submit help desk tickets, find information from the knowledge base, see available quick fixes, and upgrade the server when necessary. You can download a fully functional 14-day free trial here.
Free Ftp Server Mac
Need to transfer files more securely while meeting compliance requirements? Serv-U MFT Server is built to support FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and HTTPS to secure sensitive data, and it can help you meet compliance requirements for policies such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, FISMA, and SOX. Serv-U MFT also offers a 14-day free trial.