What Is FileZilla

FileZilla is a free, open source FTP solution. It comes in two parts: the client, called FileZilla Client, and the server, called FileZilla Server. The client does more than plain old FTP. It also handles FTP over TLS (FTPS) and SFTP, and the whole project is released under the GNU GPL, so you can use it at home or at work without paying. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and it is one of the most common tools for pushing site files to a server, keeping backups in sync, and managing servers in general.

Most people first meet it when they are maintaining their own website. The hosting provider hands over an FTP account and asks you to upload your pages, and the browser's built in FTP support has long been unreliable, so FileZilla ends up being the easy pick. If you only need to drop one file onto a server, the scp command that comes with your system will do. But the moment you maintain sites regularly, move files in bulk, or look after several machines, FileZilla's graphical interface saves you a lot of typing.

Key Features

  • Multiple protocols. It speaks FTP, FTPS (both explicit and implicit TLS), and SFTP, so connecting to a Linux host that only allows SFTP is no problem.
  • Site management. Use Site Manager to store several hosts, usernames, keys, and advanced options, then pick one next time instead of retyping everything.
  • Drag and drop transfers. You can drag files between the local and remote panes, and if a transfer breaks halfway, it resumes on its own.
  • Transfer queue. Files line up and process in order, and you can cap the speed and limit concurrent connections, which helps when office bandwidth is tight.
  • Directory comparison. It compares your local and remote folders and shows what is missing on either side, handy for syncing.
  • Charset and permissions. You can read remote file properties, and on some servers you can change permissions too.
  • Cross platform. On Windows there are 64 bit and 32 bit installers, plus a portable zip you can run without installing.

How to Install

  1. Open the official download page at https://filezilla-project.org/download.php.
  2. In the Windows section pick FileZilla_3.71.1_win64-setup.exe (recommended for 64 bit machines), win32-setup.exe for older machines, or the zip edition you can just unpack and run.
  3. Double click the installer and follow the wizard. During setup, clear the checkboxes for the extra bundled components so you do not end up with software you never wanted.
  4. Launch FileZilla from the Start menu and you are ready.

How to Use It

  1. Quick connect. Fill in Host, User name, Password, and Port at the top (FTP defaults to 21, SFTP to 22), then click Quickconnect.
  2. Site management. Go to File > Site Manager, create a site, and save the connection. After that you connect to the same machine without typing it all again.
  3. File transfer. The left pane is your local files, the right is the remote ones. Select a file and drag it over, or right click and choose Upload or Download.
  4. Resuming. If the network drops mid transfer, sending the same file again continues from where it stopped.
  5. Directory sync. Turn on View > Directory comparison to color code the files that differ, then act on them in bulk.
  6. Security. Use SFTP or FTPS when you can. Plain FTP sends your credentials in the clear, easy to intercept.

Things to Watch

  • Safe sources. Only download from filezilla-project.org. Plenty of clone sites and download portals bundle adware, and the wrong click installs a tampered build.
  • License. The client is GPL free software and you may redistribute it. If you need more protocols, look at FileZilla Pro, the paid tier that adds WebDAV, S3, and similar.
  • Cleartext risk. FTP is unencrypted by design, so passwords can be sniffed. On any public network insist on SFTP or FTPS.
  • The server edition. If you want to offer file services to others, deploy FileZilla Server, but note it runs on Windows only.
  • Verify the download. After fetching the installer, check its SHA-512 checksum against the value published on the site to confirm nothing was altered.

Download

  • Official download https://filezilla-project.org/download.php

Official Site

  • https://filezilla-project.org/
  • Client GitHub mirror https://github.com/filezilla-project/filezilla

Getting Started

When you first install it, do not rush to upload a pile of files. Set up one server you use often in Site Manager and confirm you can connect and move a small file, then move on to drag and drop and the queue. The mistake beginners make most is the port: SFTP uses 22, FTP uses 21, and swapping them leaves you unable to connect. Before a bulk transfer, open Directory comparison to see what actually differs, which saves you from uploading duplicates. Prefer SFTP over plain FTP, especially on a cafe or public network. Keep speed limits on so a large transfer does not eat the whole connection and starve the other services on the same machine. The Upload and Download items in the right click menu are faster than dragging once you know the layout, so lean on them after the first few runs.

FAQ

I am new and cannot connect to the server. Where do I look first? Check the port. SFTP uses 22 and FTP uses 21. Plenty of people copy the tutorial's 21 and try it against a host that only allows SFTP, so it never connects. Also confirm the host, username, and password, and on some hosts you must set the protocol to SFTP explicitly in Site Manager.

My transfer broke halfway. Did the file get corrupted? Probably not. FileZilla resumes interrupted transfers, so sending the same file again picks up where it left off instead of starting over. For very large single files, keep them in the queue rather than clicking them away by hand.

What is the difference between FileZilla and the paid FileZilla Pro? The regular client is free and covers FTP, FTPS, and SFTP, which is enough for personal use and most site maintenance. FileZilla Pro is the paid edition and adds cloud storage protocols such as WebDAV and S3. You only need it if you plan to connect to those services directly.