Most of the time, when you need to transfer files to your web hosting account or any other remote server, you might be at home on your laptop where you've got your favorite desktop FTP client installed. However, when you're on the road or using a friend's computer, a desktop FTP client may not be available.

The fastest solution for transferring files from anywhere in the world is by using an online FTP client. Using such clients, you can transfer images or files from a digital camera or memory stick to a remote server from any computer. Here at MakeUseOf, we've covered a number of the best desktop FTP clients like FileZilla, which Mark reviewed and various other FTP clients for Windows or Mac.

When you're on the go, desktop FTP clients just won't do. You've got pics on the memory stick that you've got to upload to your website, and you need to do it now. So pull into a library or Internet cafe, fire up the web, and browse through this list of the five best web-based FTP clients.

The Top 6 Web Based FTP Clients

JavaFTP

JavaFTP is actually a java-based FTP client that I stumbled across when I first signed up for a web hosting plan at Webmasters.com. Over time, I've found that Webmasters isn't the best hosting company in the world, but they did create this awesome web-based FTP client.

online ftp client

The reason it deserves the top rank for online FTP clients is because of the side-by-side window pane setup. I've noticed most Internet FTP tools use a very non-intuitive single-pane interface. However, the two-pane web-based clients have the look and feel of the best desktop clients. Transferring files is as simple as selecting the file in the left pane, and then clicking the "upload" button.

AnyClient

Since side-by-side clients represent the best of the FTP breed of web-based clients, then it makes sense that the AnyClient FTP tool comes in a very close second. With AnyClient, you select the file in one pane and click the arrows to transfer to the other pane.

online ftp client free

The only reason I placed this one behind JavaFTP is because the control interface is a bit scattered throughout the tool, so it takes a little bit of searching around to figure out exactly what you want to do and how to do it.

The next few apps one the list are single-pane FTP clients, but they make the top 5 list because they offer additional functionality and are well-programmed. If I was hard pressed and ended up on a computer without the ability to run Java apps, I would resort to using one of the following clients.

Net2FTP

online ftp client

When I first visited Net2FTP, I really didn't think I'd like it. The main page has the look of a very cheaply made website. However, once you log in and get into the tool, it's actually well designed and very functional. Aside from the typical uploading and downloading functionality, you can also edit the files online by clicking "Edit" under the actions menu. This is a very useful feature because you can edit webpages on the fly without the need to download and then re-upload after edits - very cool!

FTPLive

Next up is FTPLive, for the same reason Net2FTP made the list, because you get the added functionality of editing the files by clicking the edit icon under the "Operations" field.

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I don't like the layout of this tool as much as others, or the fact that you have to scroll down to the bottom of the window to access the upload or download functions.

online ftp

With that said, the tool works well and offers everything you need in a web-based FTP client, and then some.

SmoothFTP

The next online FTP tool that made the list is Smooth FTP. I actually like the look and feel of this tool. You can't edit files on the fly, but you can change permissions and rename, and all of the functions like directory modifications or file transfers are all handled by clicking on the menu options at the top of the tool.

online ftp

Smooth FTP is easy, convenient, and it'll get the job done fast.

Web to FTP

The final tool that I'd like to mention is called Web to FTP. When I first saw the login page for this tool, I was sure it would make the top of the list because it looked like one of the other high-quality Java tools I've mentioned. Unfortunately, once you log in it looks like the rest of the single-window FTP tools.

ftp clients

It is laid out a bit odd, and the functionality is a bit lacking, but if you just need to quickly upload a file and you need a quick online tool to do so, Web to FTP is ready to serve.

What FTP tools do you use when you're not at home and you  need to upload files to your website? Do you have any of your own favorite online FTP clients? Do you have a favorite from this list? Offer your take in the comments section below.

Image Credit: T. Al Nakib