FileZilla
Contents
FileZilla
FileZilla is a free and open-source FTP (File Transfer Protocol) application that supports multiple file transfer protocols including FTP, FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS), and SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol). It is available as both a **client** and a **server** application and is widely used for uploading, downloading, and managing files on remote servers.
FileZilla was developed by Tim Kosse and is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Versions
- **FileZilla Client** – Cross-platform GUI for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- **FileZilla Server** – Windows-only FTP/FTPS/SFTP server (for hosting file transfer services)
Key Features
- **Drag-and-drop support** – Easily move files between local and remote directories
- **Tabbed interface** – Manage multiple server connections simultaneously
- **Bookmark and session manager** – Save login details and quick connect options
- **Directory comparison** – Visually compare local and remote file structures
- **Resume and transfer queue** – Resume interrupted transfers and manage pending files
- **Logging and verbose output** – View detailed transfer logs and error messages
- **Remote file editing** – Open and edit remote files with external editors
Supported Protocols
- FTP – Standard File Transfer Protocol
- FTPS – FTP over TLS/SSL (explicit and implicit modes)
- SFTP – File transfer over SSH (requires SSH access on server)
Installation
FileZilla Client can be downloaded from the official website:
<syntaxhighlight lang="text"> https://filezilla-project.org/ </syntaxhighlight>
It is available for:
- Windows (installer or portable version)
- macOS
- Linux (in most distributions via package managers)
Example on Debian-based Linux:
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash"> sudo apt install filezilla </syntaxhighlight>
Connecting to a Server
1. Launch FileZilla 2. Enter the following in the top quick-connect bar:
* **Host** – e.g., `sftp://your.seedbox.com` or `ftp.example.com` * **Username** * **Password** * **Port** – Default SFTP: `22`, FTP: `21`, FTPS: `990` (implicit)
3. Click **Quickconnect**
You can also create permanent saved connections via **File → Site Manager**.
Use Cases
- Uploading websites to shared or dedicated hosting servers
- Managing files on a seedbox or VPS via SFTP
- Transferring large media files, logs, or backups
- Editing website configuration files remotely
- Secure file transfer between local and remote systems
Comparing FileZilla to Other Clients
| Feature | FileZilla | WinSCP | Cyberduck | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-platform | Yes | No (Windows only) | Yes | SFTP support | Yes | Yes | Yes | GUI interface | Yes | Yes | Yes | Integrated text editor | No | Yes | Yes | FTP server included | Yes (separate product) | No | No | License | GPL | GPL | Proprietary (freeware) |
Security Notes
- FileZilla does not encrypt stored passwords by default.
- Use **SFTP or FTPS** instead of FTP for secure transfers.
- Ensure you download FileZilla from the **official website** to avoid bundled adware in unofficial installers.
Alternatives
- WinSCP – Windows-only SFTP/FTP client with PuTTY integration
- Cyberduck – macOS and Windows client with cloud storage support
- lftp – Command-line based FTP/SFTP client for Linux
- MobaXterm – SSH client with integrated SFTP browser
