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CyberDuck is one of the most popular FTP applications for Mac OS X for two pretty good reasons: features and price. CyberDuck offers a ton of features such as Amazon S3, Amazon CloudFront, RackSpace and even Google integration. Classic FTP makes it easy to view and manage files on a remote FTP server. Upload or download with a single click, or scan updated files with the synchronize tool. Download for Windows| Download for Mac.
Click to viewWhether you do your work on the web, run a home FTP server, or you just prefer a quick download from time to time, a solid, full-featured FTP client can be a lifesaver. You've got tons of options-both free and shareware-for your FTP needs, so finding the right FTP client can be difficult. On Tuesday you shared your favorite FTP clients, and today we're back with the five most popular choices. Read on for a detailed look at the five best FTP clients for your money, then cast your vote for the app you like best.
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WinSCP (Windows)
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WinSCP, aka Windows Secure Copy, is a free, open-source FTP client. Supporting both SFTP and SCP protocols (upshot: secure transfers), WinSCP is fast and lightweight while still supporting advanced features like remote text editing. When you open a plain text file, WinSCP can open the file in your text editor of choice. Every time you save the file, it transparently saves and uploads the changes to the remote server. Added bonus: a portable version is available. WinSCP's synchronized browsing feature is also worth a look.
Transmit (Mac OS X)
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Transmit is a shareware ($30) FTP client packed to the brim with innovative features. It covers all of the usual suspects, including remote file editing and folder sync, and it's also got tons of Mac-centric features like a Dashboard widget, .Mac syncing of your favorites (bookmarked FTP servers), droplets for quick drag-and-drop uploading to favorite locations, inline previews, and Automator support. Transmit can even do server-to-server transfers from one server's tab to another's. Despite its $30 price tag, Transmit has even got some Windows users wishing for their own version.
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FireFTP (All Platforms with Firefox)
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FireFTP is a Firefox extension that integrates a powerful FTP client directly into our favorite browser. FireFTP isn't the most feature-rich client of the bunch, but if all you need is a simple FTP client for the occasional upload or download, FireFTP is more than up for the job. Even better: You don't have to install a separate program for FTP, since it all runs from the warm and fuzzy comfort of the 'fox. If you're running Firefox Portable on your thumb drive, you can take FireFTP with you wherever you go.
FileZilla (All Platforms)
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FileZilla is a free, open-source FTP client for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Due to its price tag (or lack thereof), cross-platform support, and ease of use, FileZilla is a go-to option for many users new to FTP. Users stick around because FileZilla is a fast, full-featured (it also has remote file editing), and reliable FTP client in constant development. There's even a portable version you can toss on your thumb drive to use FileZilla on the go. Finally, if you're a Windows user you can even use FileZilla to build your own home FTP server.
Cyberduck (Mac OS X)
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Cyberduck is a free, open-source FTP client for Mac OS X with support for most of the usual suspects in transfer protocols in addition to WebDAV and Amazon S3. It also supports Quick Look, Growl, and remote editing with your text editor of choice. Mac users who aren't happy with FileZilla and don't want to shell out any cash for Transmit can flock to the duck for full-featured FTP and then some.
Now that you've seen the best, it's time to warm up your clicking finger and pick a favorite.
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Which Is the Best FTP Client?( surveys)
Honorable mentions go out to SmartFTP, FlashFXP, CuteFTP, and WS_FTP. Got more to say about your FTP client of choice that you can't get across in a poll? Let's hear about it in the comments.
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Active5 months ago
I need a small graphical utility, using which I can ssh to a server and see all the files and copy and paste (drag and drop) into my local machine.
I am running Snow Leopard.
daviesgeek22.2k4848 gold badges142142 silver badges188188 bronze badges
xyzxyz1,48877 gold badges1919 silver badges2323 bronze badges
13 Answers
A great free FTP client. This is my go-to application. Anytime I need FTP access, I use Cyberduck. It's not quite as lightweight as Fugu, but it adds a lot more functionality than Fugu. I also really like the Growl integration with Cyberduck.
Awesome little FTP client. As I noted above, this is a lightweight FTP client. It is great for simple FTP transfers and browsing. I do like the dual panel navigation.
EDIT: I forgot to add these.
I haven't actually used Filezilla extensively, but from what I've seen of it, I really like it. I downloaded it and played with it for a bit and I really like the tabbed connections. I also like the ability to jump to a path easily.
A free FTP/FTP-SSL client. I don't usually use RBrowser because a $29 upgrade is necessary to unlock other protocols (Local, FTP/SSL/TLS, SFTP-SSH). I do like the Site Manager. It's a handy little thing to have.
I searched and came up with some other free FTP clients:
The one downside I see is that this is for Firefox. The website doesn't make it clear how it works with Firefox, so I assume it is an extension.
This one relies on Google's MacFUSE. Since I don't know anything about MacFUSE, I don't know if this is good or bad.
I have never used Transmit before, but I have used Coda and I definitely would recommend anything from Panic. The only reason I haven't used this because of the $34 price tag.
Never used it, just found it when searching.
An amazing program with a long, long, long mac heritage. It's way up there with Transmit by Panic and Interarchy as a file transfer program loved by long time Mac power users.
Never used it, but looks good from the screenshots. I really like the fact that it looks like Finder. I may have to give this one a try.
Just searching around and found yet another one...It looks pretty nice, except it's no longer supported. However, you can still download it.
daviesgeekdaviesgeek22.2k4848 gold badges142142 silver badges188188 bronze badges
Transmit
Panic's Transmit tops my list. An extremely well built and executed FTP Client that fully supports sFTP. Priced at $34.
Transmit is an excellent FTP (file transfer protocol), SFTP, S3 (Amazon.com file hosting) and iDisk/WebDAV client that allows you to upload, download, and delete files over the internet. With the most Mac-like interface available, Transmit makes FTP as simple, fun, and easy as it can possibly be.
Forklift
Forklift 2 is another terrific client that is just as solid and just as well built. Priced at $29.95.
ForkLift will connect to any remote server FTP, SFTP, Amazon S3, WebDAV, the SMB, NIS and AFP shares on your local network, or your Bluetooth mobile phone- pretty much anything you can plug into or hook up to a Mac. ForkLift also carries a complete toolbox for managing your files, including Folder Synchronization, Batch Renaming, Archive handling, Application deleter, editing files over remote connections and many more. All these power features are packaged into a Finder-like, dual-pane interface that delivers superior workflow while remaining absolutely familiar to use, along with QuickLook, Spotlight search and all.
Cyberduck
Lastly, Cyberduck rounds out the list. It is not as well polished, but it sturdy and does the job. It is free.
Cyberduck is a robust FTP/FTP-TLS/SFTP browser for the Mac whose lack of visual clutter and cleverly intuitive features make it easy to use. Support for external editors and system technologies such as Spotlight, Bonjour, Keychain and AppleScript are built-in.
There are others to be sure, but these are the one's I've used and personally recommend. Additionally, you may want to hit up places like MacUpdate, VersionTracker, or iUseThis for these types of questions. You will find much more diversity and get a better understanding of the programs available to you.
user10355
ExpanDrive acts just like a USB drive plugged into your computer. Open, edit, and save files to remote computers from within your favorite programs—even when they are on a server half a world away. ExpanDrive enhances every single application on your computer by transparently connecting it to remote data.
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greggreg
FileZilla
I have tried Cyberduck and Flow in the past but Filezilla offers a side-by-side interface which is quite useful. The only limitation with this tool is that it's not really MacOSX-aware, e.g. it shows all hidden files
user9290
viggio24viggio24
Most other answers gave an objective analysis, but I'll share my experience.
Top clients:
- Flow: really nice interface.
- Transmit: very fast, can mount as Finder volume.
- Cyberduck: the best for the inexistent buck.
KuduKudu
Add to others
This provides more of an interface like Finder than the others (stricyly much more like the original NeXT version) Apart form standard ssh/ftp it will syncronise directories etc.
MarkMark20.9k1212 gold badges6060 silver badges9898 bronze badges
A more recent option is to use the newer implementation of Fuse for OSX in combination with SSHFS. This is a better solution because most of the applications mentioned are either outdated or payed (and expensive).
Fuse for OSX allows you to use new file systems in user space and SSHFS configures the system to allow you to connect to SSH drives automatically, as if they were drives supported by OSX.
![Ftp Ftp](/uploads/1/2/6/8/126895178/734724383.png)
FernandoFernando
CaptainFTP is the best choice
Easy to download from itunes:
MetalminiMetalmini
Yummy FTP (commercial) : http://www.yummysoftware.com/
Can't believe the one that blows most of the above out of the water hasn't yet been mentioned.
PeterPeter
We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer; explain why your answer is right, ideally with citations. Answers that don't include explanations may be removed.
If you need graphical utility with support for SSH you may try CRAX. This software has a built-in SSH client and after connection to the SSH server it's possible to invoke file operations like copy, move, and delete.
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EWASEWAS
It's worth considering some of the Web-based alternatives, like Monsta FTP (Disclaimer: I'm involved with this).
They save you having to install software on every device; instead you do it all through your Web-browser, with the same features as any desktop client.
Nimesh Neema24.5k99 gold badges6363 silver badges9595 bronze badges
Daniel WilliamsDaniel Williams
If you are working with large files, then maybe consider Truck.app.
It employs rsync for file transfers, which is generally faster than FTP.
It employs rsync for file transfers, which is generally faster than FTP.
![Best Best](https://ads552vaou93hyfr12hxhki2-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/best-ftp-clients.jpg)
Disclosure: I am the developer of Truck.
davedave
I tried Cyberduck and Transmit. None of them has functionality of preserving modification date. SCP on terminal does that.
Mykhailo LysenkoMykhailo Lysenko
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