FTP clients are programs that reside on a PC and enable fast bulk file transfers between the PC and a server. They connect via File Transfer Protocol as against IMAP (browser protocol), and use different ports. They are an essential tool for website management as soon as your site grows larger than 4 pages. A typical client-side webapp, they are incredibly useful, way beyond their size and cost would indicate. You can of course do it all freehand via the keyboard - but one of these programs will beat that any which way. No contest!
There's also a free FileZilla FTP server which I haven't used but I hear that it's just as good as the client.
There is now a 3PD (3rd-party developer) portable version of FileZilla that has various uses, including being able to place it on a flash drive and take it with you for a no-install (anonymous) use on any PC.
Tunnelier is reported by a contributor as a much better proposition than FileZilla for SFTP. It's a fast SSH client with a basic FTP client strapped on. The main reason for using it is that over SFTP it's many times quicker than FileZilla, which is vital when you are sending 200mb video files.
WinSCP will suit if you want a SCP (secure copy) client for Windows that uses SSH and offers a rich feature set. It includes a built-in terminal, it can launch Putty directly, allows remote file editing, direct transfer and transfer queuing, and has the ability to limit download speed rates.
CoreFTP LE is your tip because it worked for you when others didn't. This is the Lite version of the commercial product; it has an annoying nag screen on start-up, though, that might put you off. CoreFTP could be the one for you if you need to log on to a site that gives problems, and it also has a massive feature set. Its strength is probably the ease of use for such a powerful app.
CoreFTP has four particular strengths:
1. It has the best tricky-site access ability of any FTP client I've used.
2. It has an excellent GUI that makes it outstandingly easy to use.
3. It has a massive feature set that somehow doesn't slow it down.
4. It has good on-screen real-time logging, which not all clients have.
There are sites - especially those with extra security, where it takes about 8 seconds to connect - that cause some FTP clients insurmountable problems; CoreFTP will get you in. I couldn't log on to one site at all with WS_FTP and some of the others, but this one did the trick. The neat on-screen log display also lets you know what's happening if you have problems. You can force-view invisible files, like htaccess. The chmod feature is useful, you can set your directory and file permissions with a very clear interface; ditto the clear and fast site manager. There's a nice one-click reconnect to the last site in use. Navigating to different drives is tricky, though, in Core - so if you have a stack of hard drives that you work from, you should keep this in mind - FileZilla is better here.
Here is a feature list: HIPAA compliance, SFTP/ SSH, SSL/ TLS, FTP/ HTTP/ SOCKS proxy, IDN, drag 'n drop, site manager, session manager, queue manager, custom screens, bandwidth control, caching, auto-transfer, retry/resume, auto-reconnect options, auto S/key, remote file-searching, advanced directory listings, start/stop/resume of transfers, full recursive chmod, browser integration, site to site transfers, file viewing and editing, firewall support, custom commands, FTP URL parsing, command line transfers, filters. This should be enough for most people. If not, upgrade to the $25 Pro version that that has custom sounds, two-way encryption, ping and traceroute, and more.
The picture shows the Core FTP interface.
Core also do a useful-looking Micro FTP Server which can be installed on PCs and used for PC-to-PC transfers. I'm looking forward to trialling this.
It's true that FileZilla has made tremendous strides of late and now has several usability advantages over Core. Even so - and despite the fact I am devoted to improving web usability - I personally still prefer Core.
FileZilla
Website: http://filezilla-project.org/index.php
Download link: http://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type=client
Author: Various
Current version: 3.0.5.2
File Size: 2.9MB
License: Free, GNU General Public License
Operating Systems Supported: Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Linux, BSD, OSX, and others.
64 bit capable: No
Any special system requirements: No
Portable version available: Yes (see [5] )
Additional software required: None
website: http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/filezilla_portable.htm
WinSCP
Website: http://www.winscp.net/eng/index.php
Download link: http://winscp.net/eng/download.php
Author: Martin Prikryl
Current version: 4.0.6
File Size: 2.3MB
License: Free, GNU General Public License
Operating Systems Supported: Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP, 2003 Server, Vista
64 bit capable: No
Any special system requirements: No
Portable version available: No
Additional software required: None
CoreFTP LE
Website: http://www.coreftp.com
Download link: http://coreftp.com/download.html
Author: Core FTP
Current version: 2.0
File Size: 3.3MB
License: Free for personal or educational use
Operating Systems Supported: Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, XP, 2003 Server, Vista
64 bit capable: No
Any special system requirements: No
Portable version available: No
Additional software required: None
Tunnelier
website: http://www.bitvise.com/tunnelier
[details to be acquired]
Download link:
Author:
Current version:
File Size:
License:
Operating Systems Supported:
64 bit capable:
Any special system requirements:
Portable version available:
Additional software required: