FileZilla – Free FTP Client and Server

Introduction to FileZilla

FileZilla is a free, open-source, cross-platform FTP application consisting of FileZilla Client and FileZilla Server. FileZilla Client is a feature-rich FTP, FTPS, and SFTP client that provides an intuitive graphical interface for transferring files between local and remote computers. Since its initial release in 2001, FileZilla has become one of the most popular FTP clients worldwide, known for its reliability, speed, and ease of use.

FileZilla supports multiple protocols including FTP (File Transfer Protocol), FTPS (FTP over TLS/SSL), and SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), making it suitable for both basic file transfers and secure encrypted connections. The software features a tabbed interface for managing multiple server connections, drag-and-drop file transfers, configurable transfer speed limits, and powerful site manager for organizing frequently accessed servers.

Key Features and Capabilities

FileZilla provides comprehensive file transfer functionality including resumable downloads for interrupted transfers, directory comparison, synchronized browsing, and remote file searching. The transfer queue allows managing multiple transfers simultaneously with priority settings. Support for files larger than 4GB, IPv6, and HTTP/1.1 SOCKS5 and FTP proxies ensures compatibility with modern network configurations.

Advanced features include filename filters, bookmarks, configurable transfer speed limits, and an integrated file editor for quick remote file modifications. The powerful Site Manager stores server configurations including login credentials, making reconnection quick and convenient. FileZilla also supports drag-and-drop between local and remote panes, making file management intuitive.

Installation on Linux

FileZilla is available for Linux through package managers and universal formats.

Installing on Ubuntu/Debian

# Install from official repositories
sudo apt update
sudo apt install filezilla

# Launch FileZilla
filezilla

Installing via Flatpak

# Add Flathub repository
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

# Install FileZilla
flatpak install flathub org.filezillaproject.Filezilla

# Run FileZilla
flatpak run org.filezillaproject.Filezilla

Installing via Snap

# Install FileZilla via Snap
sudo snap install filezilla --beta

# Launch FileZilla
filezilla

Installing on Fedora

# Install FileZilla
sudo dnf install filezilla

Installing on Arch Linux

# Install from official repositories
sudo pacman -S filezilla

Installation on Windows

FileZilla for Windows is available through multiple installation methods.

Installing via Direct Download

# Download from filezilla-project.org
# Run FileZilla_x.xx.x_win64_setup.exe
# Follow installation wizard
# Choose components (FileZilla Client, Shell Extension)

Installing via Winget

# Install using Windows Package Manager
winget install TimKosse.FileZilla.Client

# Upgrade FileZilla
winget upgrade TimKosse.FileZilla.Client

Installing via Chocolatey

# Install using Chocolatey
choco install filezilla

# Upgrade FileZilla
choco upgrade filezilla

Portable Installation

# Download ZIP package from filezilla-project.org
# Extract to desired location
# Run filezilla.exe
# Configuration stored in extracted directory

Installation on macOS

FileZilla is available for macOS through Homebrew or direct download.

Installing via Homebrew

# Install FileZilla
brew install --cask filezilla

# Launch FileZilla
open -a FileZilla

Installing via Direct Download

# Download from filezilla-project.org
# Open the app bundle
# Drag FileZilla to Applications
# Grant network permissions on first launch

Interface Overview

Understanding FileZilla’s interface for efficient file management.

Main Components

# Quickconnect Bar (top)
# Host, Username, Password, Port fields
# Quick connect to servers

# Message Log
# Connection status and error messages

# Local Site (left panels)
# Local directory tree (top)
# Local file listing (bottom)

# Remote Site (right panels)
# Remote directory tree (top)
# Remote file listing (bottom)

# Transfer Queue (bottom)
# Queued, active, and completed transfers

Status Icons

# Transfer status:
# Green arrow - successful transfer
# Red X - failed transfer
# Yellow icon - queued transfer
# Blue icon - in progress

# File status:
# Regular icon - normal file
# Folder icon - directory
# Link icon - symbolic link

Connecting to Servers

Establishing connections to FTP/SFTP servers.

Quick Connect

# Use Quickconnect bar:
Host: ftp.example.com
Username: your_username
Password: your_password
Port: 21 (FTP) or 22 (SFTP)

# Click "Quickconnect"

# Protocol prefixes:
ftp://ftp.example.com       Plain FTP
ftps://ftp.example.com      FTP over TLS
sftp://server.example.com   SFTP (SSH)

Site Manager

# Open Site Manager:
File > Site Manager (Ctrl+S)

# Create new site:
1. Click "New Site"
2. Name the connection
3. Enter host details:
   Protocol: FTP/FTPS/SFTP
   Host: server address
   Port: leave blank for default
   Encryption: As required
   Logon Type: Normal/Ask/Key file
   User: username
   Password: password

# Advanced settings:
# - Default local/remote directory
# - Transfer settings
# - Charset

# Connect:
Click "Connect" or double-click saved site

Connection Types

# FTP (Plain):
Protocol: FTP
Port: 21
Encryption: Only use plain FTP

# FTPS (FTP over TLS):
Protocol: FTP
Port: 21
Encryption: Require explicit FTP over TLS

# Implicit FTPS:
Protocol: FTP
Port: 990
Encryption: Require implicit FTP over TLS

# SFTP:
Protocol: SFTP
Port: 22
# Uses SSH for secure transfer

File Transfer Operations

Transferring files between local and remote systems.

Basic Transfers

# Upload files:
# Drag from local to remote pane
# Or right-click > Upload
# Or double-click file in local pane

# Download files:
# Drag from remote to local pane
# Or right-click > Download
# Or double-click file in remote pane

# Transfer directory:
# Same methods as files
# Transfers entire directory structure

Queue Management

# Add to queue:
# Right-click file > Add to Queue
# Or drag to queue panel

# Process queue:
Transfer > Process Queue (Ctrl+P)

# Queue operations:
# Right-click in queue:
# - Process Queue
# - Stop Queue
# - Remove from Queue
# - Move Up/Down
# - Set Priority

Transfer Modes

# Transfer modes:
# Auto - FileZilla chooses based on file type
# Binary - Exact copy (images, executables)
# ASCII - Text conversion (line endings)

# Set transfer mode:
Transfer > Transfer Type > [Select mode]

# Or use toolbar buttons

Resume Transfers

# Resume interrupted downloads:
# FileZilla automatically prompts on resume

# Action options:
# - Overwrite
# - Overwrite if source newer
# - Resume
# - Rename
# - Skip

# Default action:
Edit > Settings > Transfers > Default file exists action

Advanced Features

Power user features for efficient file management.

Synchronized Browsing

# Enable synchronized browsing:
View > Synchronized Browsing

# How it works:
# - Navigate in local pane
# - Remote pane follows automatically
# - Useful for mirrored directories

# Requirements:
# - Same directory structure
# - Set matching local/remote directories in Site Manager

Directory Comparison

# Compare directories:
View > Directory Comparison > [Enable]

# Comparison modes:
# - Compare file size
# - Compare modification time
# - Compare file size and time

# Color coding:
# Green - file only on this side
# Yellow - file differs
# No highlight - file same

Remote File Search

# Search remote files:
Server > Search Remote Files (F3)

# Search options:
# - Search directory
# - Search conditions (filename, size, date)
# - Include subdirectories

# Results:
# - Download found files
# - Navigate to file location

Filename Filters

# Configure filters:
View > Filename Filters

# Create filter:
# - Name
# - Conditions (contains, matches, regex)
# - Apply to: Files/Directories/Both

# Enable filter:
# Check filter in filter dialog
# Or use toolbar dropdown

Speed Limits

# Configure speed limits:
Edit > Settings > Transfers > Speed Limits

# Options:
# - Download limit (KB/s)
# - Upload limit (KB/s)
# - Enable speed limits checkbox

# Quick toggle:
Transfer > Speed Limit > [Enable/Configure]

Site Manager Features

Organizing and managing server connections.

Organizing Sites

# Create folders:
# In Site Manager, click "New Folder"
# Organize sites hierarchically

# Export sites:
File > Export
# Save as XML file

# Import sites:
File > Import
# Load from XML file

Bookmarks

# Add bookmark:
# While connected to server
Bookmarks > Add Bookmark

# Bookmark stores:
# - Local directory
# - Remote directory
# - Synchronized browsing state

# Use bookmark:
Bookmarks > [Bookmark name]

Stored Passwords

# Password storage options:
Edit > Settings > Interface > Passwords

# Options:
# - Save passwords
# - Save passwords protected by master password
# - Do not save passwords

# Master password:
# Encrypts stored passwords
# Required on startup

Security Considerations

Secure file transfer practices.

Protocol Selection

# Security recommendations:
# SFTP - Most secure, uses SSH
# FTPS - Encrypted FTP, certificate-based
# FTP - Avoid for sensitive data (unencrypted)

# Certificate verification:
# Accept only known certificates
# Verify fingerprints for SFTP

SSH Key Authentication

# Configure key file (SFTP):
Site Manager > [Site] > Advanced
# Select key file (PPK format for Windows)

# Convert OpenSSH key:
# Use PuTTYgen to convert
# Conversions > Import key
# Save as PPK

Certificate Management

# View certificates:
Edit > Settings > FTP > SFTP

# Import trusted certificates
# Manage known hosts

Keyboard Shortcuts

Essential shortcuts for efficient operation.

Navigation

Ctrl+S              Site Manager
Ctrl+D              Disconnect
Ctrl+R              Reconnect
F5                  Refresh
Ctrl+I              Directory listing filters
Tab                 Switch between panes

File Operations

Ctrl+P              Process Queue
Ctrl+U              Upload selected
Ctrl+Shift+U        Add to upload queue
F2                  Rename
Delete              Delete selected
F3                  Search remote files
Ctrl+M              Manual transfer

View

Ctrl+1              Local site panel
Ctrl+2              Remote site panel
Ctrl+3              Transfer queue
Ctrl+B              Synchronized browsing
Ctrl+O              Directory comparison

Command Line Usage

Using FileZilla from command line.

Command Line Options

# Open specific site
filezilla --site="My Sites/ServerName"

# Connect with URL
filezilla ftp://user:pass@host:port/path

# Connect with SFTP
filezilla sftp://user@host/path

# Process local file
filezilla --local="/path/to/directory"

# Start with specific queue file
filezilla --queue="queuefile"

Configuration Files

FileZilla configuration locations.

Configuration Locations

# Linux:
~/.config/filezilla/

# Windows:
%APPDATA%\FileZilla\

# macOS:
~/.config/filezilla/

# Important files:
filezilla.xml       General settings
sitemanager.xml     Saved sites
queue.sqlite3       Transfer queue
recentservers.xml   Recent connections

Export/Import Settings

# Export all settings:
File > Export
# Choose what to export:
# - Site Manager entries
# - Settings
# - Queue

# Import settings:
File > Import
# Select XML file

Troubleshooting

Common issues and solutions.

Connection Issues

# "Connection timed out":
# - Check firewall settings
# - Try passive mode:
#   Edit > Settings > FTP > Passive mode

# "Could not connect to server":
# - Verify host/port
# - Check server is running
# - Try different protocol

# "Certificate unknown":
# - Verify certificate manually
# - Trust and store certificate

# Passive mode issues:
Edit > Settings > FTP
# Try "Fall back to active mode"

Transfer Issues

# Slow transfers:
# - Check speed limits
# - Increase simultaneous transfers:
#   Edit > Settings > Transfers > Maximum simultaneous transfers

# Failed transfers:
# - Check permissions
# - Check disk space
# - Try binary mode
# - Check file name characters

# Timeout during transfer:
Edit > Settings > Connection
# Increase timeout setting

Enable Logging

# Enable debug logging:
Edit > Settings > Debug
# Set debug level

# View logs:
# Message log panel shows connection info
# Full logs in settings directory

FileZilla Server

Setting up FileZilla Server (Windows).

Server Installation

# Download FileZilla Server from filezilla-project.org
# Run installer
# Configure:
# - Admin interface port
# - Admin password
# - Service installation options

Server Configuration

# Add users:
Server > Configure > Users
# Add user with password
# Set permissions

# Configure directories:
# Add virtual directories
# Set read/write permissions

# Security:
# - Enable TLS
# - Configure certificate
# - Set IP filters

Conclusion

FileZilla remains the gold standard for free FTP clients, offering a perfect balance of features, usability, and reliability. Its support for multiple protocols ensures secure file transfers, while the intuitive interface makes it accessible to users of all skill levels. Whether managing website files, transferring data between servers, or backing up content to remote locations, FileZilla provides the tools needed for efficient and secure file management across all major platforms.