Free FTP clients for macOS: The three best tools for your Mac

An FTP client is just as important for website operators as the Internet browser is for every website visitor. Since the client enables the admin to manage the file and folder structure of an internet presence via FTP protocol, it becomes an essential tool in everyday life. It is therefore important to choose software that meets your personal needs.

Personal needs begin with the decision for the operating system. We dedicate this post to MacOS users. In addition to lots of paid solutions, there are a number of interesting free apps that offer many worthwhile functions. We present three free FTP clients for Mac, useful applications that you don't have to pay anything for.

Cyberduck - Professional tool with macOS features

Cyberduck is one of the best-known FTP clients for Apple computers. Whether uploading, drag-and-dropping content or modifying already uploaded files - Cyberduck handles all FTP basics quickly and smoothly. In addition to the usual protocols such as FTP, SFTP and WebDAV, the Mac app also supports various cloud services – including Amazon S3, Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft Azure including OneDrive. Using the built-in encryption tool Cryptomator Any files can be encrypted before they are sent to cloud providers such as Dropbox. Both file names and folder paths are unrecognizable, which protects sensitive data in particular from prying eyes.

Cyberduck's user interface fits seamlessly into the design scheme of macOS applications. Users can provide the toolbar with buttons for any function in order to adapt the program to their own needs. The log and folder structure shown is clear and enables intuitive work with several services in parallel.

In addition, Cyberduck supports special Mac features such as Keychain Management, Finder, Notification Center and Bonjour for local networks. The open source software is available free of charge from the manufacturer's website. In addition to the macOS version, there is a Windows version so that users can easily switch operating systems and still use their usual app. For 10 US dollars, the request for donations for updates and the "Not registered" display can be deactivated in the user interface. The software can also directly in the Mac App Store be acquired.

FileZilla - Proven for almost 20 years

FileZilla has been available since 2001 - accordingly, the popular software is one of the established FTP clients. Uploading files and managing existing online folder structures is intuitive. FileZilla is particularly flexible with regard to the operating system used. In addition to Apple computers, the FTP tool is also available for Windows and Linux. However, OS X users have to accept one limitation: Since the user interface of FileZilla is presented in a uniform way in all variants, the app differs from the macOS design scheme in terms of appearance and menu navigation. But the FTP client offers a visual and functional consistency in all supported operating systems.

FileZilla is available in two variants. The free version supports protocols such as FTP, FTPS and SFTP and is accessed via the Provider's website provided. There is also a paid Pro version, which is available as a Download from the Mac App Store is offered. Users get a number of additional features. This includes support for WebDav and cloud services such as Amazon S3, Box, Microsoft Azure, as well as OneDrive, Dropbox and Google Drive. Other pro features include data transfer speed limits and separate UI tabs for each server. FileZilla Pro is priced at $9.99 per year on the Mac App Store. Alternatively, the software can also be downloaded from the manufacturer's website for a one-time fee of 19.99 euros be acquired.

CrossFTP - Cross-platform solution

Those looking for a simple and free FTP client will find CrossFTP to be a suitable option for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Similar to FileZilla, CrossFTP relies on a cross-platform user interface that looks the same in all operating systems. Mac-specific features are missing.

The free version of the FTP tool already has a number of interesting features. In addition to the FTP protocol, CrossFTP also supports cloud services such as Amazon S3, Amazon Glacier and Google Storage. In addition, the FTP client allows multiple server connections to be displayed in tabs within one window. The application handles file archives and allows users to compress, extract and search archives directly from the application.

There are even more features with CrossFTP Pro. In addition to FTP, FTPS (TLS/SSL), SFTP, FXP, WebDav and Microsoft Azure can be used. Users also have the option of encrypting their files locally before they reach the server or cloud service. The adjustable download and upload limit helps to keep bandwidth capacity free for other apps. The price is $24.99. CrossFTP Enterprise provides additional features for $39.99, including CrossFTP Commander for command-line input. On the provider's website, the Functions of the different versions clearly presented.

Free FTP clients convince with a variety of functions

With Cyberduck, FileZilla and CrossFTP, users receive feature-rich and easy-to-use FTP clients for macOS, the basic versions of which cost nothing. Only those who need certain bonus features access the also available purchase versions. In many cases, however, the free programs are sufficient to manage websites efficiently. Ultimately, personal taste decides which of the tools presented is used.

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Cover motif: Photo by Tetsuya Tomomatsu on Unsplash