SFTP, or SSH File Transfer Protocol, tries to address the security issues of FTP. But contrary to what we might be led to believe, SFTP has nothing in common with FTP. SFTP is a completely different protocol which adds some file transfer and file management capabilities to the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol. Unfortunately Google Chrome no longer supports the direct download of files from an FTP server, as a result the links to Software downloads may not download directly in your browser. We are working on a solution to continue to make the Downloads a simple process, in the meantime we recommend you use a different Browser. Click on the Windows Start button and go to ‘All Programs.' From the list of program, Click on PuTTY and then PSFTP. The second option is to enter the following path in the address bar – ' C:Program Files (x86)PuTTY' and then double-click on psftp.exe.
For anyone who regularly works with websites, file servers, IT administration, networks etc, a bulletproof FTP client to transfer files is an absolute must-have piece of software. There are plenty of FTP clients out there, but some really do stand out from the crowd. Here are the best 15 FTP clients for the Windows 10 platform.
Table of Contents
1) FileZilla
FileZilla has been around for many years and is a solid and reputable FTP application that is also free and under the GNU Public License. It supports multiple platforms, including Linux, Windows, and OSX, and even features a connection and configuration wizard for easy setup.
Sftp For Windows
In terms of features, Filezilla is definitely not lacking just because it is free. It supports IPv6 network addresses, as well as SSH, FTP, and FTPS. It's a real go-to application for many users and has been in use for a long time.
One of the most frustrating things is losing a connection when uploading a large file to a remote file server. FileZilla solves this issue by supporting auto resume on files over 4GB in size when a connection has been lost and then reconnects.
2) WinSCP
WinSCP may not be as old as some FTP software, but it has won awards for how comprehensive and easy to use it is.
Featuring a convenient graphical interface, WinSCP supports drag and drop operation for file management as well as common protocols such as SFTP, SSH, WebDAV, and S3. In this way, it's a thoroughly modern FTP application.
WinSCP is a great piece of software for people who are looking for something a little bit more modern, but with enough power under the hood to ensure that all file transfers are done reliably. What more can really be asked of a file transfer client than this?
3) WS_FTP
When you want the best security available over FTP, WS_FTP is the best client you can get. It has been around for many years and has only become better and more bulletproof as an FTP client. Its history and longstanding user support means that the core codebase is efficient and reliable.
Featuring 256bit AES encryption and support for OpenPGP, WS_FTP supports SSH/SFTP, FTPS, SSL, and OpenSSL, as well as other protocols.
For the professional, WS_FTP can be fully automated to make file transfers a cinch. A full range of notification options, hot drop folder for the desktop, and file transfer resume functions round off this amazing client.
4) Cyberduck
Cyberduck is a completely modern and attractive FTP application that offers full support for cloud file transfer and cloud browsing. It supports the following platforms and protocols: FTP, WebDAV, SFTP, S3, Openstack Swift, Backblaze, Google Drive, Azure, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Such wide ranging support, combined with an attractive, modern, and easy to use interface, makes Cyberduck one of the most interesting FTP clients around.
Of course, it can be used as a straight FTP client for file management duties, but it offers so much more. Cloud storage is the way of today and the way of the future, and Cyberduck is an elegant FTP solution.
5) Total Commander
Total Commander is an older application that has supported Windows platforms all the way back to Windows 95.
Of course, it also supports everything up to Windows 10, so this is really one for the old-school FTP aficionados. This doesn't mean that Total Commander is lacking in modern features though. On the contrary, Total Commander is a great FTP client that offers everything you'd expect.
The interface is as simple as possible, with all information in a single screen that is split between the local files and the remote FTP server.
Sftp Client Download
It also has full support for Zip and other archive files, making it a no-fuss FTP program for people who just want to get the job done right without all of the bells and whistles.
6) FlashFXP
FlashFXP is a high performance and efficient FTP application that has an easy to use and intuitive drag and drop interface for file transfers. It has file resumption, and even has on-the-fly MODE Z compression built right in.
FlashFXP focuses on reliability and efficiency and has been around for some years. It's a mature and stable product that isn't tough to use, but still offers plenty for the power daily user. For many users, FlashFXP is really all they'll ever need.
7) GoodSync
How often have you lost data from a hard drive or SSD and have not had a backup in place? It happens to so many people despite the repeated advice about backing everything up. The last thing anyone wants to lose is files or precious photos that can't be replaced.
GoodSync solves this issue. It takes FTP one step further by offering a data backup solution that's easy to use. It offers support for Google Drive, OneDrive, AWS, and Office365. This comprehensive FTP will save all of the files you need saved and will ensure that you never lose anything again.
8) CuteFTP
CuteFTP has been around since the 1990s and is a mature FTP solution with great support for all kinds of protocols.
One of the best things about CuteFTP is that a user can program their own scripts that can use the file transfer engine from within CuteFTP to power file transfers.
This means that CuteFTP doesn't even need to fully execute to be working quietly in the background and backing files up to a remote server.
For professionals and power users who have extensive knowledge of the FTP protocol and the COM language, CuteFTP is a fantastic tool for daily use.
9) FireFTP
FireFTP started life in the mid-2000s as a third-party FTP extension for the older Firefox browser. It had millions of downloads and satisfied customers in that time, but it has since been forked out to a new development path because Firefox changed the way that it supports extensions.
If you're looking for a free FTP solution that's small and lightweight, FireFTP has a good pedigree. It works across all major OS platforms and is also completely open source, for those who like to support such things.
10) CrossFTP
Such as other FTP clients, CrossFTP offers excellent support for cloud storage services, such as Amazon Glacier, S3, and Google Drive. It's aimed at the professional who needs a reliable and durable FTP client that also supports command line operation.
CrossFTP does everything that most people need in a file transfer client, and does so with a minimum of fuss. For many people who work with hundreds of file transfers every single day, CrossFTP is likely all they'll ever need.
11) Classic FTP
The one thing you want as a power user of file transfer clients is stability and reliability. Often, file transfers are done on a schedule, and this means that the FTP software needs to execute without fail. Classic FTP prioritizes complete stability and reliability of performance.
All of the comprehensive code bullet-proofing doesn't mean that Classic FTP is hard to use. It's actually pretty intuitive and features an easy interface that places file transfers at the heart of everything. There are also set-up wizards for new users so that connections can be made and stored for later use.
12) Free FTP
Based on the idea of fast and efficient transfers, Free FTP from the long-lived Coffeecup software has what most would call a rudimentary, but completely functional and informative interface.
There are certainly no aesthetic flourishes here, but what you do get is an FTP program that's fast to boot up and fast to use.
One great feature is Bookmarks. If you use file transfer programs a lot and you need to remember complex file structure trees, being able to bookmark wherever you are, either locally or remotely, in a file tree will be a life saver.
Apart from being free, Free FTP works for you and not against you. If you need to go back into your history and see what you uploaded last week and where, Free FTP has your back.
If you need to archive your website to a ZIP archive at the click of a button, Free FTP can do that for you too.
13) SmartFTP
SmartFTP might not be free, but what you get is an up-to-date file transfer client that can even connect to Amazon S3, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and other major cloud services.
This extends the typical role of a file transfer program and makes it something that many people can use on a daily or even weekly basis.
Sporting a modern and user friendly interface SmartFTP can connect to multiple servers simultaneously and will even auto-reconnect and continue broken file transfers.
This is great if you're on a poor or slow web connection. Support for IPv6, on the fly compression mode, file transfer scheduling, and file verification tops off this excellent FTP program.
Sftp Program Download
14) Core FTP
Core FTP comes in two versions: the free LE edition, and Pro. While both versions would not win awards for beautiful interfaces, they also prioritize function over form, which is never a bad thing.
You'll find all of the usual features across both editions, including multiple file transfer queuing, auto-reconnection, and a super light resource footprint.
In the Pro edition, you get extra features, Including compression and decompression of files on the fly, file encryption for added security, multi-part downloading to make file transfers quicker, and notifications by email to tell you the status of file transfers.
15) FTP Voyager
If you're looking for a completely free FTP program that has been around for a long time and provides everything you normally need, FTP Voyager might just be the piece of software you've been looking for.
FTP Voyager supports multiple protocols and can even connect to multiple servers simultaneously. Drag and drop from anywhere makes this an easy program to use, even for the relative novice.
You can even auto-synchronize folders, which is not a feature you'd always expect at the price of completely free.
Like some other FTP programs, FTP Voyager has a functional, rather than a beautiful interface, but the wealth of features and easy to use philosophy makes this an outstanding piece of free software.
Related Posts
FileZilla has been around for many years and is a solid and reputable FTP application that is also free and under the GNU Public License. It supports multiple platforms, including Linux, Windows, and OSX, and even features a connection and configuration wizard for easy setup.
Sftp For Windows
In terms of features, Filezilla is definitely not lacking just because it is free. It supports IPv6 network addresses, as well as SSH, FTP, and FTPS. It's a real go-to application for many users and has been in use for a long time.
One of the most frustrating things is losing a connection when uploading a large file to a remote file server. FileZilla solves this issue by supporting auto resume on files over 4GB in size when a connection has been lost and then reconnects.
2) WinSCP
WinSCP may not be as old as some FTP software, but it has won awards for how comprehensive and easy to use it is.
Featuring a convenient graphical interface, WinSCP supports drag and drop operation for file management as well as common protocols such as SFTP, SSH, WebDAV, and S3. In this way, it's a thoroughly modern FTP application.
WinSCP is a great piece of software for people who are looking for something a little bit more modern, but with enough power under the hood to ensure that all file transfers are done reliably. What more can really be asked of a file transfer client than this?
3) WS_FTP
When you want the best security available over FTP, WS_FTP is the best client you can get. It has been around for many years and has only become better and more bulletproof as an FTP client. Its history and longstanding user support means that the core codebase is efficient and reliable.
Featuring 256bit AES encryption and support for OpenPGP, WS_FTP supports SSH/SFTP, FTPS, SSL, and OpenSSL, as well as other protocols.
For the professional, WS_FTP can be fully automated to make file transfers a cinch. A full range of notification options, hot drop folder for the desktop, and file transfer resume functions round off this amazing client.
4) Cyberduck
Cyberduck is a completely modern and attractive FTP application that offers full support for cloud file transfer and cloud browsing. It supports the following platforms and protocols: FTP, WebDAV, SFTP, S3, Openstack Swift, Backblaze, Google Drive, Azure, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Such wide ranging support, combined with an attractive, modern, and easy to use interface, makes Cyberduck one of the most interesting FTP clients around.
Of course, it can be used as a straight FTP client for file management duties, but it offers so much more. Cloud storage is the way of today and the way of the future, and Cyberduck is an elegant FTP solution.
5) Total Commander
Total Commander is an older application that has supported Windows platforms all the way back to Windows 95.
Of course, it also supports everything up to Windows 10, so this is really one for the old-school FTP aficionados. This doesn't mean that Total Commander is lacking in modern features though. On the contrary, Total Commander is a great FTP client that offers everything you'd expect.
The interface is as simple as possible, with all information in a single screen that is split between the local files and the remote FTP server.
Sftp Client Download
It also has full support for Zip and other archive files, making it a no-fuss FTP program for people who just want to get the job done right without all of the bells and whistles.
6) FlashFXP
FlashFXP is a high performance and efficient FTP application that has an easy to use and intuitive drag and drop interface for file transfers. It has file resumption, and even has on-the-fly MODE Z compression built right in.
FlashFXP focuses on reliability and efficiency and has been around for some years. It's a mature and stable product that isn't tough to use, but still offers plenty for the power daily user. For many users, FlashFXP is really all they'll ever need.
7) GoodSync
How often have you lost data from a hard drive or SSD and have not had a backup in place? It happens to so many people despite the repeated advice about backing everything up. The last thing anyone wants to lose is files or precious photos that can't be replaced.
GoodSync solves this issue. It takes FTP one step further by offering a data backup solution that's easy to use. It offers support for Google Drive, OneDrive, AWS, and Office365. This comprehensive FTP will save all of the files you need saved and will ensure that you never lose anything again.
8) CuteFTP
CuteFTP has been around since the 1990s and is a mature FTP solution with great support for all kinds of protocols.
One of the best things about CuteFTP is that a user can program their own scripts that can use the file transfer engine from within CuteFTP to power file transfers.
This means that CuteFTP doesn't even need to fully execute to be working quietly in the background and backing files up to a remote server.
For professionals and power users who have extensive knowledge of the FTP protocol and the COM language, CuteFTP is a fantastic tool for daily use.
9) FireFTP
FireFTP started life in the mid-2000s as a third-party FTP extension for the older Firefox browser. It had millions of downloads and satisfied customers in that time, but it has since been forked out to a new development path because Firefox changed the way that it supports extensions.
If you're looking for a free FTP solution that's small and lightweight, FireFTP has a good pedigree. It works across all major OS platforms and is also completely open source, for those who like to support such things.
10) CrossFTP
Such as other FTP clients, CrossFTP offers excellent support for cloud storage services, such as Amazon Glacier, S3, and Google Drive. It's aimed at the professional who needs a reliable and durable FTP client that also supports command line operation.
CrossFTP does everything that most people need in a file transfer client, and does so with a minimum of fuss. For many people who work with hundreds of file transfers every single day, CrossFTP is likely all they'll ever need.
11) Classic FTP
The one thing you want as a power user of file transfer clients is stability and reliability. Often, file transfers are done on a schedule, and this means that the FTP software needs to execute without fail. Classic FTP prioritizes complete stability and reliability of performance.
All of the comprehensive code bullet-proofing doesn't mean that Classic FTP is hard to use. It's actually pretty intuitive and features an easy interface that places file transfers at the heart of everything. There are also set-up wizards for new users so that connections can be made and stored for later use.
12) Free FTP
Based on the idea of fast and efficient transfers, Free FTP from the long-lived Coffeecup software has what most would call a rudimentary, but completely functional and informative interface.
There are certainly no aesthetic flourishes here, but what you do get is an FTP program that's fast to boot up and fast to use.
One great feature is Bookmarks. If you use file transfer programs a lot and you need to remember complex file structure trees, being able to bookmark wherever you are, either locally or remotely, in a file tree will be a life saver.
Apart from being free, Free FTP works for you and not against you. If you need to go back into your history and see what you uploaded last week and where, Free FTP has your back.
If you need to archive your website to a ZIP archive at the click of a button, Free FTP can do that for you too.
13) SmartFTP
SmartFTP might not be free, but what you get is an up-to-date file transfer client that can even connect to Amazon S3, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and other major cloud services.
This extends the typical role of a file transfer program and makes it something that many people can use on a daily or even weekly basis.
Sporting a modern and user friendly interface SmartFTP can connect to multiple servers simultaneously and will even auto-reconnect and continue broken file transfers.
This is great if you're on a poor or slow web connection. Support for IPv6, on the fly compression mode, file transfer scheduling, and file verification tops off this excellent FTP program.
Sftp Program Download
14) Core FTP
Core FTP comes in two versions: the free LE edition, and Pro. While both versions would not win awards for beautiful interfaces, they also prioritize function over form, which is never a bad thing.
You'll find all of the usual features across both editions, including multiple file transfer queuing, auto-reconnection, and a super light resource footprint.
In the Pro edition, you get extra features, Including compression and decompression of files on the fly, file encryption for added security, multi-part downloading to make file transfers quicker, and notifications by email to tell you the status of file transfers.
15) FTP Voyager
If you're looking for a completely free FTP program that has been around for a long time and provides everything you normally need, FTP Voyager might just be the piece of software you've been looking for.
FTP Voyager supports multiple protocols and can even connect to multiple servers simultaneously. Drag and drop from anywhere makes this an easy program to use, even for the relative novice.
You can even auto-synchronize folders, which is not a feature you'd always expect at the price of completely free.
Like some other FTP programs, FTP Voyager has a functional, rather than a beautiful interface, but the wealth of features and easy to use philosophy makes this an outstanding piece of free software.
Related Posts
This guide contains a simplified description of downloading and installing WinSCP. You may want to see detailed documentation of the process instead.
Advertisement
You can obtain WinSCP from the WinSCP download page. Follow the Installation package link. You should save the installer to an easily accessible location such as your Windows desktop or your My Documents folder.
WinSCP is also available from Microsoft Store.
- Open the installation program by double clicking on its icon.
- If your Windows language is not supported by the installer, select an alternative language you want to use (both for installation and later when using WinSCP).
- On the License Agreement screen click Accept after reviewing the license.
- You will be prompted to select a setup type. For a basic setup, choose Typical installation.
- Then you will be prompted for Initial User Settings. This allows you to select user interface style. If you have used (and enjoyed) file managers like Total Commander, Altap Salamander or Norton Commander before, keep default Commander interface. Otherwise you will probably be more familiar with Explorer interface.
- After you select the interface, the Ready to Install screen opens. On this screen, you can review the installation options you've selected. Click Install to start the installation.
- A brief installation process will take place. You may have to restart Windows File Explorer or your computer. If you choose not to restart, some WinSCP functions may not be available until you do so.
If you need more details check documentation for installing WinSCP.
Once you have WinSCP installed you may want to check:
Free Ftp Program Download
- Other guides to using WinSCP;
- Tasks you can do with WinSCP;
- Using WinSCP as portable application.
