Design your way

Regardless of how much it has improved, WordPress’s dashboard is still not enough to handle all CMS needs of its users.

Consider file management, for instance – there are related features here and there, but a possibility to access files straight from the server is still not provided. Instead, the dashboard informs you that you need to install your FTP clients, and establish a FTP connection.

With CMS shifting rapidly towards a mobile trend, some of you may perceive FTP software to be outdated and unnecessary, but the truth is that there is still a lot a windows FTP client can do for you.

The control level over downloading an uploading that a good FTP client can provide has still not been surpassed, and neither have its access permissions for both files and folders.

While it may be true that FTP clients are less popular than before, their presence is still recommended by most CMS experts. But which is the best FTP software you should choose for your WordPress website?

What does FTP represent, and why do you need it?

FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is the tool that establishes a connection between the web server and your device, and thus makes it possible to download and upload files.

While there are many types of FTP software, the widely discussed term is ‘FTP client’, which is in fact a small tool working to establish a connection, and facilitating file transfer on the web.

Another way of describing FTP clients is that they are the tools that make it possible to add, edit, and delete files on the server just the way you do on your computer.

There isn’t even a heavyweight technical background behind it that should stop you from using it, despite of all intimidating comments by people used to WordPress’s streamlined and polished experience.

Which are the best FTP clients?

Once we’ve learned what FTP is all about, we should give a look to the best free FTP clients that could help WordPress users. The ones we chose to discuss in this article have features both for Windows and for Mac users, and even for Linux, and offer a free and a paid package to respond to different budgets.

WinSCP for Windows

WinSCP or Windows Secure Copy is our top choice for an open-source and free-of-charge FTP client. What you will like about it is speed and lack of heavyweight technicalities, which nevertheless won’t compromise advanced features and remote editing. WinSCP also allows you to open files using your preferred editor, and uploads changes automatically to let you focus on you content. All files are displayed on your dashboard, and you can edit, download, or upload them with a single click.

With a little bit more experience, you can give a look to WinSCP’s professional side, where you will discover SSH, SFTP, and many other features that replace the old, plain FTP. What is notably easy with WinSCP compared to other clients is that it assigns default editors and handles files in less than no time.

FileZilla for Windows, Mac, and Linux

There is little we can tell you about FileZilla that you don’t already know – this FTP client is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac, and comes free of charge. It is also robust with server- and client-side documentation, thanks to which new users waste no time learning how to use it.

Cyberduck for Windows and Mac

Cyberduck is another great FTP client you could use on your Windows and Mac devices. Just like WordPress, this cross-platform tool is open source and free of charge, and pleases users with a beautiful and intuitive interface where they can transfer their files.

With Cyberduck, you will also benefit from a seamless integration with top cloud storage players, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon S3, OpenStack Swift, and many more.

Transmit for Mac

Transmit is an innovative shareware FTP client Mac users can purchase for as much as $30. It covers all expected features such as folder sync and remote file editing, but what really pushes it on top of this list are the Mac-centric dashboard widget and inline previews. Using it, you can transmit data and upload it to your favorite locations, sync all your bookmarked FTP servers, and even transfer content from one server’s tab to another’s relying on Automator support.

FireFTP for Windows and Mac

FireFTP is the leading Firefox FTP extension that helps integrate a great client on your browser. It has a robust feature suite that will make experienced users happy, but in case you’re a beginner, it will be enough to upload you client and get down to work.

The best part is that you don’t really have to install a special FTP program: It will all run out of Firefox’s comfy and familiar environment. What is more, once you install Firefox Portable on the thumb drive, you get to move FireFTP everywhere you need it.

Free FTP for Windows

What you read is what you get – a fully responsive FTP client! Free FTP is built and distributed by CoffeeCup Software, and works exclusively on Windows devices. The feature kit is solid, and the interface is incredibly easy to navigate. The coolest feature is analytics displayed in a dedicated pane you can use to track all of its activity.

Direct FTP for Windows

Direct FTP is also a CoffeeCup Software product, slightly more advanced than Free FTP. In order to use it, you will once again be expected to run it on a Windows device, while the price tag is $39.

CuteFTP for Windows and Mac

CuteFTP is another well-known name in the FTP development industry which nevertheless comes with a price tag varying from one operational system to the other ($39.99 for Mac and $59.99 for Windows devices). A 1-month free trial is available to all users interested to test its features before making their final decision.

The recent version of CuteFTP is one of the securest and most reliable FTP clients available on the market, as it consolidated all previous modules of this software (Lite, Home, and Pro), and collated for the first time all essential features under the same umbrella.

gFTP for Linux

Here comes a product for Linux users: gFTP is a free, open-source, and extremely simple FTP client designed for Linux users, recognizable by its clean interface and top notch features. Experienced users agree that it has a similar bottom line to FileZilla, as it edits and uploads file in the same manner, and supports HTTP, HTTPS, FSP, FTP, FTPS, and SSH protocols.

Ending thoughts

Now that we’ve listed all FTP front runners, let us share more good news with you: none of the products we discussed is WordPress-exclusive, which means that you get to use all of them with your preferred CMS. Now, get down to work, and choose the best ftp client that works for your needs and expectations.