The Free Software Store

Some people get confused about the difference between an FTP program and a download manager.

If you're one of them, the answer really comes down to two things:

Uploads, and...
The ability to set file permissions

As far as uploading goes, download managers and FTP programs both allow you to download files from remote locations to your PC through the Net. And many download managers are much faster at downloading than FTP programs because they split files into multiple pieces and download them in parallel (which can greatly improve download speeds)

But only FTP programs allow you to upload files from your PC to somewhere else (usually, to a web server). So that's difference #1.

As for the second point, in addition to uploads and downloads FTP programs will also allow you to set file permissions at remote locations (again, usually on a web server). This is a concept that's completely unknown to download managers.

File permissions are important settings that often need to be made to scripts that run out of a Unix web server's cgi-bin. On things like databases, guestbooks, and many other web applications that add interactivity to web sites.

These sorts of settings are usually carried out by web programmers, webmasters or website owners. And FTP programs are designed to allow them to accomplish this easily (nearly all FTP programs incorporate file permission setting functions as a matter of course).

But download managers have no need for it and so they don't include this function. That's difference #2.

Background: An FTP program allows you to upload files from your hard drive to a web server (or another location on the Internet); or to download files from web servers (or other locations) over the Internet and into your computer.

A good FTP program will also allow you to set file permissions on web servers (often necessary when you use a Linux web server or other Unix-based web server to run scripts). And some will allow you to automate large uploads or downloads too.

FTP is an abbreviation for File Transfer Protocol and it's one of the basic protocols of the Net (along with HTTP, which stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol and which makes web pages capable of being viewed through browsers; and SMTP, the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol than allows email to work).

If you're involved in any type of web site development - either as an amateur or a professional - or if you routinely transfer large numbers of files over the Net, an FTP program is essential software. And this is despite the fact that some web authoring programs (eg: DreamWeaver, MS Frontpage etc) now have an in-built FTP program to transfer web sites from your hard drive to your web server and vice-versa.

FTP programs used to be commercial software and many companies are still trying to make a living selling commercial FTP software today.

But the limitations of the FTP protocol (ie it's not evolving any more), the growth of the Net and the profusion of excellent free FTP alternatives has forced other companies to diversify into new areas.

Anyway, here's where you can get the best FTP programs at no cost:

FileZilla is a free FTP program distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (ie open source software). It's easy to use; runs on most Windows, Unix and Mac platforms; and is available in many languages besides English. FileZilla supports the resume and transfer of large files; has a powerful Site Manager and transfer queue; supports file drag and drop; has configurable speed limits and filename filters; supports all the major FTP protocols; and also offers a free FTP server (useful for webmasters!). Get FileZilla.

Core FTP is produced by CoreFTP.com and they offer a completely free (and very powerful) FTP program that exceeds FileZilla (above) in some features but only runs on Windows. A commercial Pro version is also available which offers additional features that are particularly well suited to someone who has to do large amounts of file transfers on a regular basis, or who has high security needs (you can download a limited time evaluation version of Core FTP Pro if you want to look it over). CoreFTP is provided without technical support - you need to buy a licence if you want that - but the software itself is 100% free. Get CoreFTP.

Smartsoft's SmartFTP is another FTP program that has all the important features the majority of people need, along with a GUI interface (you can also have a classic FTP interface if you prefer). It runs on all 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows from Windows 2000 to Windows Vista and is free for non-commercial use (after 30 days you'll get a nag screen). If you want to use SmartFTP for commercial purposes, want to get rid of the nag screen and/or require technical support, though, you'll need to purchase a licence. Get SmartFTP.

If speed is all-important to you, then GoFTP.com's Go FTP is probably worth your evaluation. It offers all the main features most people need in an FTP program along with some innovative technologies that GoFTP.com have invented which enable it to transfer files at roughly twice the speed of FileZilla (above). GoFTP is 100% free (with no nag screens!) and user documentation can be obtained on GoFTP.com's site. But you can purchase a license if you wish. Get GoFTP.

CoffeeCup software are probably best known for their CoffeeCup Web Editor software, but they make lots of other products as well. CoffeeCup Free FTP is is a fast, no-frills FTP program that makes it easy to drag and drop files to and from your website. It supports multiple server profiles, resumes broken uploads and downloads, and can transfer files in binary, ASCII, or auto-mode. Free FTP works with any server and is so easy to setup, but is available for Windows XP and Vista only. Get CoffeeCup Free FTP.

FireFTP is produced by the Mozilla Corporation (the same people who make the Firefox browser and Thunderbird email client) and it offers the same breathtakingly high quality that both of these programs do. FireFTP works on Windows, Mac OSX and Linux and seamlessly integrates with Firefox, as well as runs in stand-alone mode. It offers all the features most people need in an FTP client; is available in more than 20 languages; and it's 100% freeware. Get FireFTP.

Cyberduck is an open source FTP and SFTP (SSH Secure File Transfer) browser licenced under the GPL with an easy to use interface, integration with external editors and support for many Mac OS X system technologies such as Spotlight, Bonjour, the Keychain and AppleScript. It's regularly updated and for dedicated Mac enthusiasts, a good alternative to FileZilla and FireFTP (above). Get Cyberduck.

This page last updated: 12-Aug-2008