Cloud storage and sharing tools, such as Dropbox, Yousendit, and iDrive, have made it incredibly easy to send and share large files over the internet.
However, when it comes to sharing a significant amount of data, it can still be a complex process. To streamline this process, setting up an FTP server can be a helpful solution, allowing for the easy sharing of large files.
An FTP server, or File Transfer Protocol server, is a standard tool for exchanging program and data files over a network. Essentially, an FTP site is a website that hosts files that can be downloaded. To assist users in this process, here is a list of the top free FTP clients for Linux.
Why to Use Free FTP Clients For Linux?
There are several reasons why someone might choose to use a free FTP client for Linux:
- Cost: The most obvious benefit of using a free FTP client is that it is, well, free. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals or small businesses that may have limited budgets.
- Cross-compatibility: Linux is an open-source operating system, so many of the free FTP clients available for it are also open-source and can be used on other platforms such as Windows or Mac.
- Customizability: Many open-source FTP clients for Linux come with the source code available, which allows for customization and modification to meet specific needs.
- Features: Free FTP clients for Linux often come with a wide range of features, including support for multiple protocols, bookmarks, drag-and-drop functionality, and more.
- Community Support: Many free FTP clients for Linux have a large user base and active development communities, so users can expect regular updates, bug fixes, and community-contributed plugins.
How to Use an FTP Client?
It's really easy to use an FTP Client. Using FireFTP as example, learn the simple process:
- Download and install FireFTP. Once the installation is complete, open the program.
- In the "Host" field, enter the address of the FTP server you wish to connect to.
- In the "Username" and "Password" fields, enter your login credentials for the FTP server.
- Click the "Connect" button to establish a connection to the server.
- Once connected, you will be presented with the file and folder structure of the server. You can now upload and download files by drag and drop, or by using the buttons at the top of the interface.
- To upload a file, simply drag it from your local file explorer and drop it into the remote file explorer window. To download a file, drag it from the remote file explorer window and drop it into your local file explorer.
- To disconnect from the server, click the "Disconnect" button.
Note: FireFTP supports also other features like SSL/TLS encryption, connection over proxy, compression, and more.
10 Great Free FTP Clients For Linux
We have put together a comprehensive list of top-performing FTP Clients for Linux for you to choose from, ensuring that you can select the one that best fits your specific requirements.
FileZilla
FileZilla is an open-source, cross-platform FTP client for Linux. Its tabbed user interface allows users to easily view all details of the files being transferred.
This is an efficient solution for transferring large files over a network and even supports resuming transfers for files larger than 4GB. Its drag-and-drop feature makes it user-friendly and simplifies transferring files via FTP.
FireFTP
FireFTP is a free, secure, cross-platform FTP/SFTP client for Mozilla Firefox that allows you to transfer files between remote sites.
It boasts exceptional performance and provides advanced file inspection features, such as renaming, adjusting permissions, and more. Additionally, it offers a convenient drag-and-drop feature to make file transfers even easier.
gFTP
gFTP is a free, open-source software licensed under the GPL. It's a multi-threaded file transfer client for Linux and is also compatible with UNIX-based computers. Written in C, it supports various protocols, including FTP, FTPS, HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, and FSP.
gFTP also allows you to save bookmarks and can save passwords for added convenience.
LFTP
LFTP is a powerful FTP client for Linux that supports a wide variety of network protocols for file transfers.
It has additional features like BitTorrent support, SOCKS support, background jobs, bookmarks, aliases, and transfer rate throttling - which makes it a stylish and efficient option for file transfer.
NcFTP
NcFTP is a widely used FTP program for UNIX systems, known for its reliability and safety compared to other software options.
It is compatible with a wide range of platforms, including Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. The software is also free and licensed under the clarified artistic license.
KFTP grabber
KFTP Grabber is a comprehensive FTP client for Linux that offers full support for plugins and scripting. It includes advanced features such as SSL encryption, FXP transfer, and the ability to run multiple FTP sessions.
Additionally, it allows users to import bookmarks and plugins from other FTP clients and even displays traffic graphs. One of the key strengths of KFTP Grabber is its ability to run multiple simultaneous FTP sessions in separate tabs, making it an efficient and convenient tool for file transfer.
FOFF
FOFF, or "Free Open FTP Face," is a lightweight FTP client written in Python. It features a modern interface utilizing GTK 2.x widgets, and an in-built bookmark manager for easy management and testing of site connections.
Additionally, it includes an image viewer that allows for fast viewing and zooming of images, as well as a text viewer.
FTP Rush
FTP Rush is a comprehensive, free and open-source FTP client for Linux that offers full support for plugins and scripting. With advanced features such as SSL encryption, FXP transfer, and the ability to run multiple FTP sessions, it makes file transfers more efficient and convenient.
Additionally, it allows users to import bookmarks and plugins from other FTP clients and even displays traffic graphs, making it an efficient and user-friendly option for managing and transferring files. It also runs on Windows, macOS and even mobile platforms.
Gnome Commander
Gnome Commander is a robust and versatile open-source FTP client for Linux that offers extensive support for scripting and plugins. Its main features include the ability to encrypt files with SSL, perform FXP transfers, and manage multiple FTP sessions in parallel.
The interface is designed to be user-friendly, with easy access to bookmarks and plugins, and it also displays a traffic graph. Gnome Commander is not limited to Linux but also works well on other platforms such as Windows and macOS. It is a great option for those looking for a powerful and customizable FTP client.
Cyberduck
Cyberduck is a popular cross-platform FTP client that is available for Windows, MacOS, and Linux. It is a free, open-source application that is known for its user-friendly interface and support for a wide range of protocols, including FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and Amazon S3.
Cyberduck allows users to easily navigate and manage files on remote servers, and it includes features such as drag-and-drop support, bookmarks, and support for multiple languages.
Additionally, it has built-in editor, browser integration and its able to connect to many cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft Azure, and more. It also allows for scheduling transfers and integration with external editors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, FTP clients are essential tools for transferring files between a local computer and a remote server. Linux users have a wide range of options when it comes to choosing an FTP client, with a variety of free and open-source options available.
The FTP clients discussed in this article, such as FileZilla, FireFTP, and gFTP, are all excellent choices for Linux users. They offer a range of features such as support for multiple protocols, drag-and-drop functionality, and advanced file inspection.
When choosing an FTP client, it's important to consider the specific needs of your use case, such as security, ease of use, and advanced features. A good FTP client will make file transfers more efficient, and save time and effort.
Whether you're a developer, a designer, or just someone who needs to transfer files frequently, an FTP client can be a great investment. With the options we've listed above, you can be sure to find one that fits your needs perfectly.
