Mac OS X is, fortunately, blessed with a variety of really nice file transfer apps that support many services and protocols. Nonetheless, Transmit still manages to be the best pick of them all. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) are the two most widely used protocols for transferring files between a local device and a remote server. They are often used by web developers to make changes to their servers, and that is why so many FTP client Mac solutions are available. FTP Server lets you run the FTP service on your own computer and you can access the files on the host computer with any standard FTP client such as FileZilla or WinSCP. OS X provides read-only FTP access in Finder, you can press Command-K in a Finder window and enter the FTP URL (something like ftp://192.168.0.100:2121/), and connect to FTP Server.
Before IT professionals start using an FTP server on a Mac, they should know the answers to the following questions to help keep sensitive business data secure and enhance their efficiency.
Best Mac Ftp Client
What Is FTP?
- FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, is a method for exchanging files over a network. The FTP Software directory includes products that will both let you transfer files to and from FTP.
- Mar 21, 2019 These FTPs are software that establishes a connection between your server and PC to facilitate file transfer. You can easily copy, upload, delete, rename, and edit files/folders on your FTP server. Most FTP applications for MacOS are for a fee, but there are still completely free applications with basic functions that can satisfy your needs.
- FileZilla is an open-source, cross-platform FTP client that runs on Mac, Windows and Linux. Available for free, the client is very easy to use and is often the choice for those who are just starting out with FTP. It is fast and packed with features, such as secure transfer and remote file editing.
- File Transfer Protocol or FTP is used to transfer files to server from your computer. If you are a Mac OS X user then listed below are the best FTP clients for Mac OS X. Some Of The Best FTP clients for Mac OS X Worth Trying 1. Filezilla: Filezilla is a free open-source FTP client for Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows. It is easy to use, has a drag.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a protocol designed to help transfer large files, including webpages and documentation, over a network. It can also be used to download, upload, and copy files from the internet to the host system. FTP uses TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), a protocol used to execute commands, so users can easily share and transfer large files. Several businesses rely on FTP to share high-quality, business-related videos; PowerPoint slides; high-definition images; and more. Although Mac offers a built-in file transfer option, IT professionals still prefer using a robust tool to share and transfer files.
How Does FTP Work?
FTP is also known as a client–server protocol, as it depends on two types of communication channels. A control connection channel is used for sending and receiving commands and responses. In some cases, the user needs to log in to the FTP server to establish a connection; in others, the content is available without logging in. These servers are commonly known as anonymous FTP. Another communication channel is a data connection used for the distribution of content, such as transferring files and folders on a network. This type of FTP session can be established in active or passive mode. In active mode, the server initiates the data connection with the client once the client has established a connection on the command channel. In passive mode, the client initiates the data connection with the server. Businesses often prefer passive mode over active.
What Are the Risks of Using a Low-Quality FTP Server?
Organizations are often drawn by FTP’s ease of use and cost-effective plans. However, choosing an unreliable FTP server may lead to several risks and threats, which are outlined below. It’s always advisable to invest in a secure and reliable FTP client solution, and this solution should help you efficiently transfer large files and folders.
Unreliable File Transfers
Several free or built-in FTPs face challenges in transferring large files. They don’t include advanced FTP features such as setting alerts, automation, determination, and more. Therefore, organizations can’t rely solely on FTP for data sharing purposes. Managed file transfer (MFT) or modern FTP solutions are the best tools for transferring large files, as they trigger alerts, rectify problems occurring during file transmission, and automatically retry file transfer if there’s a failure.
Insecure Encryption
FTP has no encryption, which means the mission-critical data transferred using FTP is at risk and open to network sniffing. Organizations using open-source FTP solutions or built-in FTP tools requiring an ID and password are at a higher risk of data theft. Mac FTP servers are also subject to attacks capable of altering communication between systems and injecting them with malicious viruses or malware downloaded unknowingly by the user. Using a premium FTP solution helps protect organizations’ data through encryption and other security standards.
Noncompliance
Open-source and built-in FTP servers don’t provide the level of auditing required to meet compliance standards for data security regulations. They don’t provide administrators with visibility into the issues occurring during file transfers. To avoid such risks and troublesome situations, organizations should invest in an advanced and robust FTP solution capable of saving them time and money.
Why Should You Use Modern FTP Tools for Transferring Files on Mac?
Third-party or modern tools like SolarWinds® Serv-U® FTP Server and MFT Server help organizations transfer data quickly, securely, and efficiently. Third-party tools are suited for organizations looking to meet industry regulations and compliance needs for HIPAA and PCI DSS. Consider choosing an FTP server for Mac capable of providing the following:
Enhanced Efficiency
Using third-party tools, users can transfer multiple files simultaneously without the need for individual uploads and downloads. Third-party tools like Serv-U FTP Server can handle large file transfers easily. Many FTP servers are also equipped with intuitive web and mobile interfaces to give you a quick view of the status of transferred files or ones currently undergoing transmission. Drag-and-drop features and the ability to add users and groups are additional third-party offerings capable of driving efficiency and improving business communication.
Automation
Some third-party FTP servers offer automation, which means users can add and delete files and change file names, usernames, login IDs, and passwords even after they’ve been transferred. They also offer an optional “web file transfer client” feature or a plug-in designed to help users easily send multiple files.
Greater Security
A reliable FTP server for Mac offers file encryption using TLS or SSL cryptographic protocol and the FTPS protocol to transfer larger files. It should be designed to protect data from accidental exposure and malicious operators, and it should ensure data is transferred securely over IPv4 and IPv6 and not stored in DMZ to meet compliance needs.
FTP Monitoring and Management
Some FTP server tools offer unique capabilities, such as file transfer monitoring, storage, the ability to change access permissions, and statistics. Their premium plans also offer intuitive, real-time dashboards providing FTP server logs. Users can block timed-out IP addresses, enable different settings, set alerts for file transfer issues or data security threats, and set limits on the number of server sessions.
Which FTP Tool Is the Best for Mac?
Mac Os Ftp Server
SolarWinds® Serv-U® FTP Server is a simple, easy-to-use, and efficient data sharing tool. It’s capable of transferring large/multiple files over the web or mobile devices using FTP and FTPS, and users can seamlessly manage, administer, and control file access permissions. Serv-U FTP Server can help you avoid bandwidth throttling and storage consumption risks by setting file transfer limits, and it provides a customer support portal where users can post their queries, submit help desk tickets, find information from the knowledge base, see available quick fixes, and upgrade the server when necessary. You can download a fully functional 14-day free trial here.
Need to transfer files more securely while meeting compliance requirements? Serv-U MFT Server is built to support FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and HTTPS to secure sensitive data, and it can help you meet compliance requirements for policies such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, FISMA, and SOX. Serv-U MFT also offers a 14-day free trial.
FTP server lets you upload files via the file transfer protocol. To do this, you connect it with an FTP client and transfer the data from your local machine to a cloud or any other server. Being said that, there are a lot of freeware FTP servers out there in the market. Almost all of them are lucrative enough to catch your eye, but are they worthy enough to cater to your file transfer needs?
Here in this segment, we share some of the best Free FTP Servers available for Windows, Mac, and Linux that you can download to share files right away. We have kept a lot of technical things in mind while selecting them. So let’s get started.
Best Free FTP Servers
Please note that some of them might ask you to upgrade to a premium version, but it entirely depends on your requirements and the features that you want. You can choose any of these and go ahead with your file transfer quests.
1. FileZilla Server
FileZilla is an open-source server that promises to fulfil all your basic FTP server requirements. It’s even cross-platform, and that makes it popular among developers. You can control an FTP or a local server. Going to the technical part, you can choose the port from which the software listens.
Furthermore, you can even control how many users will connect to your Server at once. It consumes the computer’s resources efficiently as there’s also an option to select how many threads it can utilize. It comes with an intuitive user interface where one side of the screen displays your local file structure, and the other side is reserved for the servers file system. Here, you can even use drag and drop functionality to transfer files.
Fast connection bookmarks for frequent transfers and file updation, secure and simultaneous file transfers, and ability to transfer files over 45GB are some of the notable features that you get on FileZilla. One particular thing that might annoy you while doing your job is fifteen minutes timeout period, which means your connection gets interrupted every 15 mins, and you need to re-establish it again.
It’s entirely secure, and you can even auto-ban any IP address that keeps trying to log in with the wrong credentials. A lockdown feature can be enabled where you can put specific IP’s or a set of IPs to not log in via IP filtering. Unencrypted file transfer can be prevented if you disallow it. Complete user access control to provide read-write access and read-only access to specific users is also achievable.
Get FileZilla Server from here.
2. CompleteFTP
CompleteFTP is a free Windows-only FTP server. It is comparatively easier to get started with CompleteFTP for a beginner as it has built-in step-by-step guides that you can check out and learn different features that come along with this free FTP server software. You will find most of the settings are hidden inside menus, and the GUI is straightforward and easy to use.
Installation is simple, and you can get started in no time. It also supports secure and encrypted file transfer, comes with many customization features. The only con here is the visibility of features as most of them are hidden by default, But the guide comes in handy while you are trying something new.
It installs a trial version of the premium edition of CompleteFTP. After the trial expires, you may choose to upgrade it or run the free version. Details on activating the free version are available on their website. You must definitely try this one out as it provides more features in its free version than any other free FTP server software.
Get CompleteFTP from here.
3. XlightFTP Server
Xlight is another free FTP for a system that operates on Windows. It is light-weight, and you can choose a complete install or go along with a portable version. Similar to CompleteFTP, it also installs as a trial version to its premium subscription. You can always downgrade and run the free version after the 30 days trial ends, but it is only available for personal use.
It is more inclined towards power users and administrators in general. When it comes down to configuration, it can be a bit complicated for a novice. Xlight supports IPV6 and encrypted file transfers, and even remote administration control, though it is only available during the free trial.
Furthermore, you can control the bandwidth of the Server and enforce login limits on any IP address. Apart from this, it allows you to set maximum idle time and kicks anyone out who goes beyond the stated limit.
Many features such as support for LDAP authentication, support for active directory, and enforcing certificate requirements for a client to connect comes only with the premium version. If you feel the need for those extra features, then you can upgrade at any time after the trial expires.
Get XlightFTP Server from here.
4. Cyberduck
It is a free FTP software solution available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Cyberduck packs itself with easy to use interface and more straightforward functionalities. It misses some features that you might need in the future. It is best suited for occasional and quick file transfers, best suited for small and static web presence.
You get quick to connect options to file-sharing services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon S3 along with the remote servers. It also lets you integrate with the text editor of your choice to edit files directly, its a functionality that some popular free FTP serves such as FileZilla and others miss on.
Cyberduck comes with a cryptomator that encrypts all the files that you transfer and also blurs the directory structure, ensuring complete privacy from prying eyes. Here, no one else can make out on which directories were used for the transfer, even if they get their hands on the transfer information. It lacks server administrator tools such as user access and IP control.
Get Cyberduck from here.
5. ProFTPD
Inclined towards only Mac and Linux operating system, ProFTPD is a great option if you want a meaningful GUI instead of scrambling with a regular command-line interface. Do note that gadmin is required for connecting with the Server via ProFTPD. It is best suited for web servers.
Some notable features that go along with this free FTP server are activity logging, hidden directories, and files, IPv6, and module support. You can also use it as a standalone server with add-ons to add more features and maximize efficiency.
If you intend to go ahead with ProFTPD, then you ensure secure file transmission. Beware that it can give a hard time while configuration despite having a GUI.
Get ProFTPD from here.
Conclusion
Best Mac Ftp Server App Installer
Free FTP Servers work just as good as the premium ones. If you are just starting out owning a small business and need to take care of uploading files, then you can select any of the FTP Server software from above, and you will be hitting the ground in no time. Do let us know on which Free FTP server software did you choose in the comments section below.