Comparison of FTP client software
The following tables compare general and technical information for a number of File Transfer Protocol clients. Unless otherwise specified in footnotes, comparisons are based on the stable versions without any add-ons, extensions, or external programs.
FTP clients range from simple command-line utilities to sophisticated graphical applications with support for modern protocols like SFTP and FTPS. This comparison covers both traditional FTP-only clients and multi-protocol file transfer applications, organized by licensing model and feature set. The tables include information about platform support, protocol compatibility, and advanced features such as resume capability, compression, and automation support.
Free and open-source software
FTP clients provide transparency, community-driven development, and freedom from licensing costs. These clients range from lightweight command-line tools to full-featured graphical applications, often matching or exceeding the capabilities of commercial alternatives. The following table presents mature open-source FTP clients with active development and broad platform support.The open-source FTP client ecosystem includes both veteran projects like NcFTP and lftp, and modern applications such as FileZilla and Cyberduck that provide polished graphical interfaces. Command-line tools like cURL and lftp excel in scripting and automation scenarios, while GUI applications like WinSCP and Cyberduck serve users who prefer visual file management. Cross-platform support is strong among open-source clients, with many available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The GPL family of licenses dominates this category, though some projects use more permissive licenses like MIT or BSD.
Proprietary [freeware]
Proprietary freeware FTP clients offer no-cost access to software that remains under restrictive licensing. These applications typically provide basic FTP functionality without the advanced features reserved for commercial versions. While free to use, the closed-source nature means users cannot inspect, modify, or redistribute the code.The proprietary freeware category includes both discontinued projects like LeechFTP and actively maintained applications such as CrossFTP and FTP Voyager. Some freeware FTP clients serve as entry points to commercial product lines, offering basic functionality while reserving advanced features for paid versions. The limited number of actively developed freeware FTP clients reflects the maturation of both the open-source ecosystem and the shift toward commercial software-as-a-service models.
Freeware and commercial editions
Some FTP client developers employ a dual-licensing strategy, offering both free versions for personal or limited use and commercial editions with enhanced capabilities. This model allows users to evaluate the software before committing to a purchase, while providing developers with a sustainable revenue stream for continued development.The dual-licensing model represented here includes both completely free versions with limited features and evaluation periods for commercial software. Products like Core FTP and Fetch offer free editions alongside commercial versions with additional capabilities. This category demonstrates the commercial viability of FTP client software, with developers balancing accessibility against the need for sustainable business models. The Apache License used by Secure FTP represents a middle ground between proprietary licensing and full open-source release.
Trials of commercial
Commercial FTP clients with trial periods allow users to evaluate full-featured software before purchase. These applications typically target professional users and enterprises requiring advanced features, comprehensive protocol support, and dedicated technical support. Trial versions provide time-limited or feature-limited access to commercial-grade functionality.The commercial trial category spans from established products like Beyond Compare and Total Commander to more recent entrants like Commander One. These applications typically offer 30-day trial periods, allowing users to evaluate comprehensive feature sets including advanced protocol support, scripting capabilities, and enterprise integration options. The consistent support for files over 2GB across this category reflects the professional focus of these tools. Many of these products have evolved beyond simple FTP clients to become comprehensive file management and synchronization solutions.
Commercial
Fully commercial FTP clients require purchase or subscription without free alternatives. These applications target professional users, enterprises, and specialized use cases where advanced features, reliability, and vendor support justify the cost. Commercial-only products often emphasize stability, comprehensive documentation, and integration with enterprise workflows.The commercial-only category includes specialized tools targeting specific platforms and multi-platform solutions like ExpanDrive available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Some products like ALFTP and FTP Explorer appear to have ceased active development, reflecting the competitive nature of the FTP client market. The emergence of subscription-based models and cloud storage integration has reshaped this category, with many developers pivoting toward broader file transfer solutions beyond traditional FTP.
Operating system support
Platform compatibility determines the accessibility and utility of FTP clients across different computing environments. This section examines which operating systems each client supports, revealing patterns in cross-platform development and platform-specific optimization. Cross-platform support has become increasingly important for teams working in heterogeneous environments, though some specialized tools remain tied to specific platforms.The operating systems the clients can run on:
| Client | Windows | macOS | Linux | BSD | Unix | AmigaOS | ChromeOS |
| AbsoluteTelnet | |||||||
| ALFTP | |||||||
| Beyond Compare | |||||||
| Classic FTP | |||||||
| Codeanywhere | |||||||
| Commander One | |||||||
| Core FTP | |||||||
| CrossFTP | |||||||
| cURL | |||||||
| CuteFTP | |||||||
| Cyberduck | |||||||
| Directory Opus | |||||||
| ExpanDrive | |||||||
| Far Manager | |||||||
| Fetch | |||||||
| FileZilla | |||||||
| FireFTP | |||||||
| FlashFXP | |||||||
| Fling FTP | |||||||
| ForkLift | |||||||
| FTP Client | |||||||
| FTP Explorer | |||||||
| FTP Files | |||||||
| FTP Voyager | |||||||
| Fugu | |||||||
| gFTP | |||||||
| Interarchy | |||||||
| LeechFTP | |||||||
| lftp | |||||||
| Macfusion | |||||||
| Mosaic | |||||||
| NcFTP | |||||||
| net2ftp | |||||||
| PSFTP | |||||||
| Rclone | |||||||
| Secure FTP | |||||||
| SmartFTP | |||||||
| Steed | |||||||
| Sysax FTP Automation | |||||||
| Total Commander | |||||||
| tnftp | |||||||
| Transmit | |||||||
| WebDrive | |||||||
| WinSCP | |||||||
| WISE-FTP | |||||||
| WS_FTP | |||||||
| Yummy FTP | |||||||
| Client | Windows | Mac OS X | Linux | BSD | Unix | AmigaOS | ChromeOS |
Command-Line interface only – no GUI
Platform support reveals distinct patterns across the FTP client landscape. Windows dominates with near-universal coverage, while macOS and Linux support is more selective, often correlating with licensing models—open-source clients like FileZilla, gFTP, and cURL tend toward broad multi-platform support, while commercial products frequently target specific operating systems. Command-line tools like cURL, lftp, and NcFTP demonstrate the strongest cross-platform compatibility, running on BSD, Unix, and even AmigaOS in some cases. Web-based clients like Codeanywhere and net2ftp offer platform independence through browser access. The limited ChromeOS support reflects that platform's recent emergence and its cloud-centric design philosophy.