FTP software is a program that resides on your PC, and enables fast and bulk transfer of files between your PC and the SERVER. FTP software is very useful when you need to transfer (download or upload) not just a few files, but several files in a single operation.
Here are 4 Best Free FTP Software that we have come across:
1. Filezilla Client Free FTP Software
FileZilla Client is the most robust and popular Free FTP software available, partly due to its being an open source program. FileZilla Client is small, fast, efficient and reliable. It is not as [svelte, sleek, polished, tasteful] in appearance as other FTP programs like Smart FTP, but it still boasts an Explorer-like interface which makes it very easy to use. This makes FileZilla Client a natural choice for many beginners of FTP.
FileZilla Client provides a gamut of essential [functionalities, utilities, features] that one looks for in a trustworthy FTP program, namely:
- Drag & drop,
- Transfer queues,
- Resume transfer,
- Large file transfers over 4 GB
- Resumption of broken transfers
- Bookmarks
- Remote file search
- Viewing and dynamic editing of files on the remote server.
… to mention a few.
FileZilla Client is a platform independent FTP, FTPS and SFTP client program which supports:
- HTTP/1.1
- SOCKS5
- FTP-Proxy
- Pv6
Filezilla FTP software comes with cross-platform support. The new version of FileZilla Client supports Linux, Mac OS X and FreeBSD, besides all Windows operating systems.
Website developers love its in-built auto-update functionality. FileZilla Client is available in many languages.
With all these benefits, FileZilla FTP Client retains its spot as the darling of advanced users, developers and beginners.
If you are more [uncompromising, selective, choosy, particular] about speed, easy handling and ‘all-weather’ features in an FTP Client program, rather than about its looks, Filezilla Client would be your natural choice! Have your cake and eat it too!
Also Read: How to Set Scheduled Automatic Backups of WordPress Blog
2. AceFTP
AceFTP is claimed to be the easiest-to-use free FTP client software available for transferring files over the Internet. The publishers of this free FTP software, Visicom Media, emphasize that AceFTP was conceived and developed for: control, security, efficiency, and simplicity.
With AceFTP, you can do a lot of things like:
- Storing and configuring your connections using the explorer-style advanced site manager
- Making server-to-server file transfers
- Opening several FTP sites easily
- Executing multiple file transfers concurrently
- Previewing files with the integrated viewer
- Resuming broken transfers
- Monitoring transfers graphically with the transfer rate viewer
AceFTP is a likeable FTP client program because its well-designed and user-friendly interface with Windows-XP look and feel, giving you a sanguine workplace ambience. This interface allows drag-and-drop to transfer files quickly and efficiently and cruise between folders, both on Web sites and on your computer.
With AceFTP, you achieve high upload and download speeds, and perform multiple file transfers simultaneously.
AceFTP’s File Transfer Scheduler can be programmed on an individual, a daily or monthly basis, or to run on startup. Transfer of files can be scheduled to or from your server at convenient times, or the queued files can be saved for transfer later.
AceFTP provides scripts for both programming and execution of your tasks. Its Transfer Rate Viewer feature displays easy-to-understand graphics depicting the status of current file transfers during real time.
AceFTP supports different languages (including English); works with Win95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP; does not contain any spyware and/or advertising modules, allowing rapid installation without hassles about losing information.
3. CoffeeCup Free FTP
Another popular free FTP client program is CoffeeCup Free FTP.
If you want simple and reliable file transfers, CoffeeCup Free FTP is the right choice. This FTP program comes with great features. It can handle FTP, SFTP, FTPS, and their different methods of encryption. It can even handle HTTP. CoffeeCup Free FTP offers features like setting up:
- Multiple server profiles,
- Transfer files in binary, ASCII, or auto mode,
- Upload and download of files by dragging and dropping them between your computer and your server.
It uploads and downloads files quickly and reliably, keeps your FTP server settings in one place, and allows you to pause or cancel transfers.
CoffeeCup Free FTP stores details of your FTP session and file history in a folder in a drop down menu. You simply Click the drop-down menu, select the folder of your session, and get the information!
The information-packed status bar of CoffeeCup Free FTP at the bottom, displays all the vital session information.
CoffeeCup Free FTP supports Windows XP, Vista, Mac, 32 bit.
Lastly, Free FTP features Easy File Management to add, move, and launch files all from inside the program, and quick and easy archival of files with The ‘Make ZIP Archive’ feature.
However, there are minor drawbacks such as: lack facility to edit and save directly on the server, no Multi-threading and poor Tools and Technical help/support.
Free FTP is a simple ‘no nonsense’ FTP program. It is not the nicest-looking FTP program, but it does what is required and is, best of all, free.
4. Fresh FTP
Fresh FTP is a lightweight free FTP client that doesn’t eats up system resources. Its interface is neither sensational nor ugly. For webmasters and web developers, uploading files to websites is an onerous task. Fresh FTP undertakes these tasks coolly and swiftly for all content such as html, images, graphics, database, SQL backups, website statistics and audio files.
Fresh FTP also presents an impressive downloading function that facilitates multiple download of contents from a website server directly and speedily without bother, as it operates optimally in a multithreaded environment. If your PC supports multithreading processors, then Fresh FTP can utilize your computer’s maximum potential.
Fresh FTP can connect only to regular FTP sites through its Site Manager feature to track the favorite FTP servers. In the operating window of Fresh FTP, the Site Manager is located at the first position of the File menu. For each website added here, one can make settings for its general options, connection and transfer settings, configure a proxy and check its statistics. The Site Manager is compact and easy to use.
The ‘Local’ menu is for uploads and the ‘Remote’ menu, for downloads from the server. Both uploads and downloads can be queued; it has a feature to process queues on starting the program.
Fresh FTP doesn’t feature a scheduler;
Other features of Fresh FTP:
- ‘Keep Alive’ feature
- ‘Manual Transfer’ Tool
Fresh FTP presently operates only on Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP/Vista/NT 4/7.
The final verdict is that Fresh FTP, with its quickness and ease of use, is an admirable try for beginners having basic functional requirements. And the best thing is that Fresh FTP is Free, regular updates, no charge, no spyware and no advertising banners!
