Best FTP Client for Mac: Top Solutions in 2024

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) enables file transfer over TCP/IP connections, commonly used for file downloading and uploading. FTP clients offer benefits like reliability, large file support, efficiency, and broad compatibility. Popular FTP clients for Mac include Commander One, CloudMounter, Transmit 5, CrossFTP, ForkLift, FileZilla, Cyberduck, Classic FTP, and Viper FTP. These clients offer unique features like dual-pane file management, cloud service integration, and encryption. Although Finder can connect to FTP servers, third-party clients provide more functionality. For more detailed guidance on choosing the best FTP client for Mac, stay tuned for our next tutorial.

All About FTP Clients :desktop_computer:

Hey guys! So, FTP, short for File Transfer Protocol, is basically a way to move files between computers over the Internet. You use it to download, upload, and manage files on your computer.

FTP clients are super handy. Here’s why:

  • Super reliable: They prevent file corruption or loss.
  • Great for big files: No file size limits here!
  • Fast and efficient: Much quicker than other methods.
  • Versatile: Works with all sorts of servers and OSs.

Let’s talk about the best FTP clients for Mac. If you’re looking to grab one for free, here’s a nifty Reddit thread that might help!

Top FTP Clients for MacOS :trophy:

1. Commander One

Commander One is pretty awesome. It’s not just an FTP client; it’s also a dual-panel file manager and supports cloud storage. Plus, it’s got a cool plugin support system and a night mode!

Pros:

  • Works with FTP, SFTP, FTPS, and more.
  • You can mount FTP servers like regular drives.
  • Dual-panel view for easy navigation.

Cons:

  • Available in only 12 languages outside of English.

Platform: macOS
Price: Free, Pro version is $29.99
User rating: 4.7/5 on Capterra

2. CloudMounter

CloudMounter lets you mount popular cloud accounts on your Mac like regular drives. You get access to Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, OneDrive, and all your cloud-stored data.

Pros:

  • Supports multiple cloud storages.
  • Encrypts files for added security.
  • Integrates with Finder for smooth use.

Cons:

  • Not available for iOS and Android yet.

Platform: macOS, Windows
Price: $29.99
User rating: 4.5/5 on Capterra

3. Transmit 5

Transmit 5 is a reliable FTP client, now in version 5.0. It’s user-friendly, supports Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, and more. Plus, it’s super fast thanks to improved multithreading.

Pros:

  • Info Sidebar to inspect items.
  • Batch Rename operations.
  • Acts as a password manager too.

Cons:

  • Only a 7-day trial; then you have to buy it.

Platform: macOS
Price: Free 7-day trial, then $45
User rating: 4.8/5 on G2

4. CrossFTP

CrossFTP is a simple, free client supporting loads of servers. It works with FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, and more. It’s available for Mac, Windows, and Linux.

Pros:

  • Supports numerous servers for free.
  • Lightweight and easy to use.
  • Cross-platform.

Cons:

  • No mobile support.

Platform: macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Price: Free, Pro version is $24.99
User rating: 4.3/5 on G2

5. ForkLift

ForkLift is a dual-pane file manager supporting FTP, SFTP, Google Drive, and more. It can connect to multiple servers at once and it’s great for file syncing.

Pros:

  • Dual-pane for easy file management.
  • Supports popular cloud services.
  • You can tag files and folders.

Cons:

  • Limited functionality in the trial version.

Platform: macOS
Price: Free trial; pricing starts at $19.95
User rating: 4.4/5 on MacUpdate

6. FileZilla

FileZilla is a free, open-source FTP and SFTP client. Upgrade to Pro for support of many protocols. It gets constant updates for a better experience.

Pros:

  • Free FTP and SFTP client.
  • Multiple cloud storage support in Pro version.
  • Regular updates and bug fixes.

Cons:

  • Free version has limited protocol support.

Platform: Cross-platform
Price: Free, Pro subscription is $24.99
User rating: 4.5/5 on G2

7. Cyberduck

Cyberduck is lightweight but versatile. It supports FTP, SFTP, Amazon S3, OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc. It’s got advanced bookmarking and integration with Finder.

Pros:

  • Available in 40+ languages.
  • Advanced bookmarking.
  • Free to use (open-source).

Cons:

  • May have minor bugs being open-source.

Platform: macOS, Windows
Price: Free
User rating: 4.3/5 on G2

8. Classic FTP

Classic FTP is free for non-commercial use. It’s easy to use and has all the basics like viewing, editing, uploading, downloading, and deleting files.

Pros:

  • Intuitive and drag-and-drop.
  • Supports all popular FTP servers.
  • Comes with a setup wizard.

Cons:

  • Some features in the free version are demos.

Platform: macOS, Windows
Price: Free, paid version starts at $14.99
User rating: 3/5 on CNET

9. Viper FTP

Just giving a shoutout to Viper FTP, a super handy file manager for your Mac. It comes with an easy-to-use interface and helps you transfer files via FTP, FTPS, and SFTP. Plus, it supports WebDav, Amazon S3, Google Drive, Dropbox, and even YouTube!

With batch upload, you can send files and folders to multiple servers with a single click. It also lets you bookmark your personal, work, and social download servers, connect local and remote folders, edit remote files, and more.

Pros:

  • Preview local and remote images, videos, music, and docs
  • Built-in Zip file extractor
  • Each file transfer gets its own trace log
  • Supports batch uploads

Cons:

  • File transfer can be a bit slow sometimes
  • Crashes occasionally when establishing new connections

Platform: macOS
Price: Free; subscription plans start at $4.95/month
User rating: 3.6 out of 5 on Mac App Store
Download: Viper FTP

What is FTP? :thinking:

Alright, so FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It’s all about transferring files between two computers. Basically, it involves a command channel that manages the conversation between two computers, and a data channel that handles the actual content transfer.

You gotta log into a specific FTP server, start a ‘conversation’ with it, and then request the download of a file. This same process works for uploading, renaming, deleting, copying, or moving files. FTP has been around forever because it’s efficient and versatile, making it super easy to find a good FTP program for your Mac.

Differences Between SFTP, FTP, and FTPS

So, plain old FTP doesn’t have any security measures when moving files. It was developed back in the day when the internet was thought to be safe from malicious activities. Enter SFTP and FTPS!

SFTP adds a security layer and some authentication options to keep your files safe. Unlike FTPS, which uses multiple port numbers, SFTP only needs one. This makes SFTP the most secure transfer protocol out there. Most top FTP software for Mac will support SFTP.

What to Look for in the Best FTP Client for Mac? :face_with_monocle:

When picking out an FTP client for your Mac, here’s a checklist to keep in mind:

  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Drag and drop support
  • Hotkey support
  • Dual-panel operation
  • SFTP support
  • Bulk rename/change files on the server
  • Cloud connections support
  • Automatic reconnection
  • Encryption capabilities

Comparing the Best FTP Clients for Mac :computer:

Here’s a comparison table to help you decide which FTP client suits you best.

Must-Have Features CloudMounter Commander One Transmit CrossFTP ForkLift FileZilla Cyberduck
Easy peasy interface :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :x: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark:
Drag and drop :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :x: :white_check_mark:
File encryption :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :x: Not great :x: :x: :white_check_mark:
Edit files on server :x: :x: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark:
Queuing tasks :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :x: :white_check_mark: :x:
WebDAV support :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: PRO only :white_check_mark:
Cloud connection support :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: Some :white_check_mark: PRO only :white_check_mark:
Auto reconnection :white_check_mark: :white_check_mark: :x: :white_check_mark: :x: :white_check_mark: :x:
Full version cost $44.99 $29.99 $45 $39.99 $29.95 $20 $10

Why Use Third-party FTP Clients? :open_file_folder:

Some of you might prefer sticking with Finder to connect to an FTP server. Here’s how you do it:

  1. Go to System Preferences.

  2. Click Sharing and check the File Sharing box.

  3. Click Options and enable Share Files and Folders Using FTP.

  4. Open Finder Menu and click Connect to Server.

  5. Enter the server name and password.

While this doesn’t require additional apps, it has limited functionality and is read-only. For ease of moving and editing files, third-party FTP clients are way better.

Conclusion :tada:

Now you know all about the top FTP clients for Mac, how FTP works, and the differences between FTP, SFTP, and FTPS. Every user has unique needs, so the best client depends on what you’re looking for.

Commander One comes highly recommended for its broad functionality and support for numerous servers and options. Happy file transferring! :rocket: