FTP is the abbreviation for File Transfer Protocol. Its a commonly used protocol to exchange files over any network. FTP clients are specifically designed software to transfer files between PC and servers over the internet. When a file is being transferred from one system to another, then the sender is called the host server, and the receiver is the client. Both of these systems require an FTP client for the transfer of files.

The FTP server listens on the network for connection requests from other computers. The computer running FTP client software initiates a connection to the server. Once the connection is established, the client can do a number of file manipulation operations such as upload, download, rename or delete files on the server and so on. All the computer platform supports the FTP protocol. This allows any computer connected to the network to manipulate files on another computer on that network without the consideration of which operating systems are involved (if the computers permit FTP access). There exist many FTP client and server programs, and many of these are free.

Features to consider while selecting an FTP client.

Here are some features that can help you decide over best FTP clients:

• You must see if the FTP client is compatible with your operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux).
• Check the OS version supported by the FTP client.
• FTP clients offer bookmark feature and search tools to locate your file.
• Look for which clients connect to the servers because some of them are only for transferring files from local to online servers while others connect to third-party storage servers for example Dropbox and Google Drive.
• Fast file transfer is important.
• Make sure FTP client can transfer large files and support all the protocols you need.
• Finally, security- a substantive feature when choosing an FTP client.

1. FileZilla ( Windows and Mac)

FileZilla is a popular free FTP client for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is the easiest to use FTP client. FileZilla is open source and easy to download. You can find a lot of options to customize the program and use it for your needs. Moreover, it is extremely reliable. However, the User Interface isn’t much user-friendly. All users are able to link to their site files and place them next to those on a computer.

• Supports FTP, SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) and FTP over SSL/TLS (FTPS).
• Easy browsing of the synchronized library. It offers remote file search as well.
• Configure the speed of file transfer.
• You can edit remote files and has a directory comparison module.
• The client is available in numerous languages.
• Provides network configuration wizard.
• Offers side-by-side display for easy interpretation of the status for a transfer.
• It can support files larger than 4GB.

2. WinSCP( Windows)

WinSCP is an amazing free SFTP client and FTP client for Microsoft Windows! This FTP client helps to transfer local as well as remote files between servers. It is a free file manager and this open-source project has over 124 million downloads as of now. The user interface seems complex but in reality, it is quite easy to learn. It actually looks somewhat similar to FileZilla. You have the files on your computer towards the left part and on the right, you see the files on your server. All you need is to just click on a file to download, upload, or edit it.  In addition, you can find all sorts of information about the product on the WinSCP website.

• Better documentation and support tools.
• It can Copy file between a local computer and remote servers using FTP, FTPS, SCP, SFTP, WebDAV or S3 file transfer protocols.
• This SFTP Windows client provides scripting and task automation.
• You can integrate the text editor of your choice.
• Multiple language facilities.
• Checks security through file encryption while transmission.
• Port forwarding is possible.
• It can be downloaded in the form of standalone portable executables.
• Finally, it can provide a Command-line interface

3. Cyberduck (Windows and Mac)

Cyberduck is easy to use FTP client suitable for beginners as well as advanced users. It supports Mac as well as Windows. Also, it is a cloud storage browser for Mac and Windows with support for FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, OpenStack Swift, Backblaze B2, Microsoft Azure & OneDrive, Google Drive and Dropbox. In addition to that, one of the benefits of Cyberduck is the “cryptomator,” which adds an extra side of encryption during the transmission for added security.

• It runs an open-source project without any fees.
• The Cryptomator feature makes all your files and transfers encrypted and secure by adding an extra layer by encrypting every file individually.
• You can use an external file editor to make changes to all of your documents.
• URL generator for sharing of files.
•  File transfer can be done with the help of a drag and drop module. You can also synchronize, copy and paste.
• Cyberduck comes with several integrations such as the Keychain password protector and the Bonjour auto-discovery platform.
• It is possible to import bookmarks from third-party software.

4. ForkLift (Mac)

ForkLift offers a lot of file managing options including FTP and SFTP services. You will have dual panes for comparing multiple file locations and moving them back and forth.  This tool enables you to manage files across multiple networks and servers at ease.

• The dual-pane interface helps to compare both local and remote sources and identify matching, deleted, or modified files.
• ForkLift does have a free trial, but the core software requires a payment of $29.95 for a single license. In addition to that, it offers many discounts for students and teachers.
• You can sync files between computers with the use of Dropbox.
• It provides a preview panel that displays information of selected files.
• You can search file and filter by name, kind, extension, and tags on a remote server and have easy access to favourites, menu commands, and devices.
• You can change your interface to a “dark mode”.
• It provides a facility where you can control every file operation easily from the keyboard.
• It supports languages, including English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Hungarian, and more.

5. Transmit(Mac)

Transmit is for Mac users. It has extremely easy to use User Interface for managing your files and linking them to several servers at one time. Moreover, you have the options to upload, manage, and download all from one place, while also connecting to favourites like Box, Google Drive, and Backblaze.

• Transmit doesn’t have a free version, but the prices are reasonable, with discounts on more purchase.
• It offers a significant speed boost compared to other FTP clients.
• It handles FTP, WebDAV, and SFTP. Also provide server integrations with services like Rackspace, Dropbox, and Backblaze.
• Easy copy and paste files options.
• Languages supported are English, French, German, and Chinese.
• It provides various authentication methods to verify the user.
• Also, transmit supports extra large Amazon S3 file transfers.

 6. Core FTP LE (Windows)

Core FTP LE is a free FTP client software for Windows. It is a secure FTP client developed by CoreFTP.com. The file manager provides modules for transfers and for dragging and dropping, along with a status section for better understanding. All your tasks are performed on the same window, which allows you to search for files in a long hierarchy and bookmark the items that are most important.

• The Core FTP LE main client is free and ready to download.
• It provides a Pro version with added tools like file syncing, encryption, and custom screen setups.
• Provides support for secure FTPS, TLS, SSL, and SFTP.
• The mode Z compression improves the transfer rates.
• It offers drag and drop facility.
• Core FTP LE can auto-retry all transfers in the case of a failure.
• Also, file masking and file permissions are possible from the admin level.
• Core FTP LE allows for the multiple files to be transferred to multiple sites at one time.

7. Commander One (Mac)

Commander One is one of the famous FTP clients for Mac users. It can establish multiple connections at a time. Commander One provides you with the fast and secure way to transfer and share your files via FTP, SFTP and FTPS.

• You have the facility to map the FTP server as your local drive.
• It enables you to work with Google docs and Sheets and mount more than one Dropbox accounts.
• You can link the entire Amazon S3 (Amazon Simple Storage Service) account.
• It supports the encryption file between Mac, cloud storage, and the remote server which gives security.
• The compressor can extract archives easily.
• Convenient selection of a file and provides good options to copy files from one server to another, delete, etc. 
• Gives access to shared computers over the network.

8. CuteFTP (Windows)

CuteFTP is developed by Globalscape. It is meant for Windows users. However, it requires s payment of $59.99 per year. They provide updates to the versions available. It provides an easy-to-use interface, plenty of automation, and industry-leading security by using password authentication, powerful encryption, and a password manager.

• It provides you with the FTP client with full phone and email support and is one of the best FTP clients that supports fully automated transfers.
• CuteFTP uses a password manager for logging all the passwords.
• It provides facility to manage audio files and even create podcast RSS feeds.
• CuteFTP can support more than 100 concurrent transfers.
• You can also connect to a new site using step by step wizard.
• You can watch and monitor local folders for any change.
• It allows viewing thumbnails of remote images.

9. CrossFTP (Windows, Mac)

CrossFTP has the ability to handle data sync/transfer on Windows, Linux, and Mac. It offers a user-friendly interface. Also, has tons of features that make transferring files quick and easy for you.

• It provides you Tabs where many site connections can be done inside one window
• Highly secure with password Encryption
• It has archives where you can compress, browse, and extract archives.
• Its one of the notable feature is Internalization with Unicode, CJK, and international encoding support.
• CrossFTP enables quick Search.
• Offers batch Transfer where you can drag a number of files.
• In addition, you can do Web Search
• It provides preview options with Zoom facility.
• Also, has convenient favourites and history information.

10. WS_FTP Professional

WS_FTP software provides the safest and easiest way to exchange sensitive information. It comes with the best security options with the highest levels of encryption. WS_FTP is easy to use. It gives 256-bit AES, FIPS 140-2 validated cryptography and OpenPGP file encryption. Moreover, it provides powerful file search, drag and drop transfers, faster speeds, scheduled transfers, and other advanced features.

• WS FTP is a premium FTP client mainly developed for Windows users.
• Security is the key component as it includes file encryption, signature keys, backups, FIPS 140-2 validated cryptography, and more.
• It assures that all transfers get to the right folders.
• It provides synchronization of your files with a wide range of servers and devices.
• WS FTP can compress your files directly from the WS_FTP window.
• It has a facility like email notifications sent to you, or any others when a transfer has occurred.