File Transfer Protocol or formally known as FTP to most internet users is usually used when transferring files from a computer to hosted web server when creating a website. This tool is very useful to webmasters. Your host will offer you a file management ability giving you to the power to upload files to your web server, but it’s normally a slow process only letting you upload one file at a time – FTP clients can do 1000’s of files at one time easily.
I would suggest to any webmaster to pick up a FTP client it will make your life a whole lot easier. Other uses for FTP is that it can be a means of “downloading” files from a server, or even transferring files from one computer to another.
Below are some free FTP clients that you should check out.
Filezilla (Windows OS)
FTP Clients are an essential tool for all webmasters to have nowadays; they help speed the process of uploading/downloading files from a web server. Filezilla was not the first that I stumbled across while searching for a FTP client, but it ended up being the one I use for all my uploads today. It doesn’t offer much of anything different that you wouldn’t expect from a normal FTP client, but I do feel that it’s a much better option than paying for one. It has everything you need to get the job done!
Filezilla Developer: “Filezilla is a fast, easy to use, reliable cross platform FTP, FTPS and SFTP client with lots of useful features and a well made graphical user interface.”
Cyberduck (Mac OS)
It’s a simple, powerful, and effective solution for web developers seeking a FTP client for a Mac. It gets the job done for you easily, and it does it well. Cyberduck is a well built piece of software, and very easy to use.
Cyberduck Developer: “Cyberduck is an open source FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Cloud Files and Amazon S3 browser for the Mac. It features an easy to use interface with quickly accessible bookmarks. The outline view of the browser allows to browse large folder structures efficiently and you can quickly preview files with Quick Look. To edit files, a seamless integration with several external editors makes it easy to change content quickly. Both Amazon CloudFront and Cloud Files from Rackspace can be easily configured to distribute your content in the cloud. Many OS X core system technologies such as Spotlight, Bonjour and the Keychain are supported and a large number of translations makes you feel at home. “
FireFTP (Firefox Add-on)
FireFTP is a free, secure, cross-platform FTP client for Mozilla Firefox which provides easy and intuitive access to FTP servers. Along with transferring your files quickly and efficiently, FireFTP also includes more advanced features such as: directory comparison, syncing directories while navigating, SFTP, SSL encryption, search/filtering, integrity checks, remote editing, drag & drop, file hashing, and much more!
Arthur: “FTP Managers are a huge advantage to you as a webmaster, and even more so when it’s packed into the same program you are browsing your website on. I highly recommend this as a choice for a FTP Client it works like a charm.”
