Around 13 years ago, WordPress came into existence. To this day, you must have seen the boom for this popular open-source platform reaching a number of milestones and become the most widely used CMS (Content Management System) Platform. The experts behind WordPress development services have rolled out several updates over the year to proffer an unparalleled user experience and enhanced security.
But, despite toiling, WP has a long course to go to make it an ideal platform for its users globally. Some users find it little perplexed to carry out some function within the platform, like File Management.
There is a good chance, at some point, you will be looking to manage your WP website file manually. But, WordPress doesn’t let you access your files directly from the servers. This requires a FTP connection.
So, first let us get familiar with the term “FTP”.
“FTP” – File Transfer Protocol
This act as a bridge between your computer and the web server, allowing you to upload and download files.
From the technical perspective, FTP’s are software that establishes a connection between your server and computer to facilitate the file transfer. With this, you can easily copy, upload, delete, and rename, and even edit files/folders on your WordPress website.
But, it’s not as simple as ABC.
Firstly, the interface is not very beginner-friendly, and the first time non-technical users find it challenging to wrap their heads around an FTP. As an outcome, many everyday WP users turn a blind eye to use FTP at all. These users use FTP for troubleshooting instead of file management.
To some extent, FTP also acts as an elucidation for most of the WordPress common errors, among which the most frequent is the white screen of deaths. This error takes place usually due to the plugin incompatibility, and all you need is an FTP to remove plugin because you are not able to access the WP admin arena.
In this article, I will be shedding light on some of the best free FTP clients according to the WordPress experts that will act as the right fit for your file management needs.
Let’s start the journey, right!
1. FreeFTP
What makes FreeFTP an ideal choice for the leading WordPress development company is it’s free and paid version availability as per the requirement. The premium version is listed at $39 with a free trial, but if you still like being adhesive to not go for a free trial, then you also have the free-version.
In the present scenario, Free FTP is supported on Windows 10,8 and 7. While, the premium version of the software is called Direct FTP and is developed by the same developers, enhancing the provided free-alternative solutions.
So, starting with the premium features, it provides you with access to standard files transfer and editing tools. Nevertheless, it takes the interface to a completely new level by providing a completely new web design toolset for organizing files and quick edits. Even, all updates are trusted and dynamic to ensure the highest performance.
So, if talking about the premium version “Direct FTP,” it proffers little tits and bits, like more secure file transfer, customized syntax highlighting and the file permission for folders.
2. CuteFTP
If cost is not a bar for you, then “CuteFTP” is one of the right fit for your file management needs for WordPress website. This FTP client is compatible with Windows and Mac but has a different costing for both OS.
The Mac version probably cost around $39.99, and the Window version would cost around $59.99 coming along with one-year maintenance. The difference in cost for Windows and Mac-versions means that there are some additional features, especially for Windows users.
From the technical perspective, CuteFTP comes with support for several protocols, consisting of FTP/S, HTTP/S, and SFTP. One of the prime features for Window users is “TappIn”. It provides access to share files between computers and mobile/tablet devices. Also, the built-in-text editor allows you to edit content easily and at a rapid speed.
3. Transmit
Transmit is a Mac-based WordPress FTP client that comes with a minimal cost of $34. Even, it is considered the best among the free FTP clients for Mac users.
Why?
It is “Speed”. The latest version, Transmit 4, is so fast, it is for sure to make your eyes water. Undeniably, Transmit 4, is 25 times faster than Transmit 3 and Transmit 3 edition was pretty robust as well. It is, not just the best but the quickest WordPress FTP client for Mac processor.
Accompanied by speed, Transmit has Along with speed; Transmit has other features as well that makes it stand out from the rest. Transmit extensive features that make them the hot pick for WordPress developers. It braces FTP, SFTP, and Amazon S3 Cloud transfer.
If you are taking dollars in consideration, then a stylish UI and advanced server preferences are enough to validate the $34 price value.
4. Cyberduck
Cyberduck is an open-source, cross-platform FTP client that is compatible with both, Windows and Mac. It is considered as a straightforward user-interface which turn the uphill task of managing fills a walk of cake.
It is free to download.
As most of the cross-platform FTP’s are not very much Mac-friendly but, with Cyberduck, the case is different. It not only integrates with the Mac environment but also supports extensive Mac features which sheath saving credentials in the keychain and discover file in the finder.
Cyberduck also seamlessly integrates with some of the biggest cloud storages, that includes Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure, OpenStack Swift. For these reasons and lot more, Cyberduck path in my list of top 10 FTP clients for WordPress.
5. WinSCP
WinSCP is one of the most dynamic and easy to use FTP clients for Window users. It feels like there are a lot of numerous things on the user interface, but it’s not a daunting task to learn; instead it’s pretty easy to get started with it.
For the experienced users, WinSCP has all the features that you would require from a dynamic yet reliable FTP client. It provides support to SFTP, SSH, and of course, the simple old FTP. Even managing files and assigning default editors is quite easy with WinSCP.
6. FileZilla
FileZilla is one of the most preferred best free FTP Clients available in the market. It’s an open-source and compatible with popular platforms consisting of Mac, Linux, and Windows.
Since it’s inception in 2001, the FileZilla FTP is entirely free, making it the oldest FTP around. However, FileZilla is as easy as any FTP can get. Even, some Window users have observed adware and spyware included in the FileZilla downloads.
You can verify the box for adware during the installation process, while many users usually don’t pay much attention to these checkboxes. So, just make sure you are not one of them!
7. ForkLift
A forklift is another FTP client for Mac with dual panes for comparing multiple file location and moving them back and forth. Even, remote connections are available for things like Amazon S3 and Google drive.
The best part is the availability to connect to multiple servers at the same time, providing you with more versatility if you have more than one transfer to complete. ForkLift offers you a free trial, but the core software requires a payment of $29.95 for a single license while the family license that can be used on three computers cost for $49.95.
From the technical aspect, the leading file manager links your remote servers to the local environment, with the help of a drag and drop system with beautiful visuals that let you see the respective files being managed.
8. Fire FTP
Fire FTP is another cross-stage FTP client. But, this time accessible as an expansion for the popular Mozilla Firefox program. The open-source WordPress FTP client is allowed to download and accompanies FTP, SSL, SFTP bolster and TLS. The module runs smoothly with your Firefox program and has a constant intuitive element also.
So, make sure when you hire WordPress developers, they should be well-versed with Fire FTP as it is an easy way to exchange files that are disengaged anytime.
Even, it’s Directory synchronization feature makes it the best fit amongst other free FTP clients.
9. FlashFXP
FlashFXP is an adaptable FTP client, pretty popular among the Window adventurers writing highlights, alongside it’s UI. It is more adorned by the designers that the beginners looking for a basic FTP client.
However, this isn’t to imply that FlashFXP is deficient in regards to highlights. Still, there is a sea of devices accessible for website admins like document administration, remote document altering, and file authorizations.
10. SmartFTP
Smart FTP is a considerable choice that fits precisely to meet the requirements of Windows 10. It helps in moving file in the middle of your nearby computer and a web server. It boosts a great deal of file exchange conventions.
This FTL client software comes wrapped with an infinite number of essential and adding propelled highlights. Specifically, it is a groundbreaking device that provides a lending hand is securing and productive file exchange administration. Besides, it can be used for distributing and support the purpose and even more.
Abiding Thoughts… And that is it I have for the best FTP clients.
If you still feel surrounded by dark clouds regarding WordPress development services without any second thought align with the trusted and experienced WordPress experts from a fore-runner in the IT space.