Download one of the world's most widely used FTP clients, WinSCP, for free here.
WinSCP is used daily by thousands worldwide and has enjoyed tremendous success among FTP client users. Its success comes down to excellent usability, a clean design, and great performance. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is an older technology still in use today. Sharing files through an FTP client like WinSCP and a client–server setup is lightning fast and can significantly improve your workflow.
In short, you can efficiently transfer files between a computer and a host server. The host can act as storage for your website, among other things. WinSCP is one of the most effective FTP clients on the market.
Success over the years
WinSCP has been around for many years and is used by individual users and large companies alike. Its success is partly because it’s completely free to download and use, and partly because of its simple, intuitive design. On top of that, it’s lightning fast to work with; even if you’re not very tech-savvy, you’ll quickly learn the various features and shortcuts.
There are plenty of features to explore, and they’re all well organized.
What is FTP?
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol and has existed since 1972, making it one of the oldest protocols still used today. If you want to share files between two computers, one needs an FTP server and the other an FTP client such as WinSCP.
FTP remains in use for several reasons. It’s extremely fast for moving many large files at once. In addition, FTP is widely used to upload websites to a server and as part of secure backup workflows.
Workflow
WinSCP is divided into two panes. The pane on the left shows the files on your computer with the FTP client installed. The pane on the right shows the files on the server. You can then transfer files between the two systems using drag and drop.
Transfer speed between the two endpoints depends on your internet connection. Storage capacity is often effectively unlimited, but this always depends on your server plan.
What sets WinSCP apart
Most FTP clients look similar, and in that respect WinSCP is no exception due to its dual-pane layout. There’s a good reason for this design: WinSCP has existed for many years and is constantly updated, with a loyal user base that could be thrown off by a drastic redesign. The dual-pane interface is also considered highly efficient, so there’s little reason to change it.
Even with its familiar layout, WinSCP still stands out from alternative FTP clients thanks to many useful extras you won’t always find in competing tools.
If you want to transfer many files at once, you don’t have to move them one by one. WinSCP has a built-in queue. Simply select the files you want to upload and drag them to the server pane. WinSCP will start with the first and continue uploading until all are finished.
Helpful features
WinSCP includes a number of user-friendly touches that guide you while uploading and downloading through the program.
For example, if you try to transfer a file that already exists on the server, WinSCP will let you know so you can cancel or adjust your transfer. It’s a simple but useful feature—another sign that WinSCP aims to be as user-friendly as possible.
Servers
An FTP client requires access to an FTP server. You can find various options online, but the most straightforward path is to set up your own through a hosting provider. Once you have a server, you’ll log in to it through WinSCP.
To log in, enter the host name, port number, and your username and password. These details are usually created when you set up your FTP server.
Availability
WinSCP is currently available only for Windows, and it’s unlikely there will be a native Mac or Linux version.
Why WinSCP is a great choice
FTP isn’t a new technology, but it remains relevant. If you’re going to work with FTP, a client like WinSCP is essential. It’s completely free to download and use, has a very clear design, is blazing fast, and is extremely user-friendly. Even if you don’t have much technical experience, just a few minutes with WinSCP is enough to navigate the tools and features with confidence.
WinSCP is our preferred FTP client, and we recommend it to anyone interested in simple, streamlined file sharing.
