FTP has fallen by the wayside as a file-sharing method. However, it’s still useful for PC-to-PC, PC to mobile transfer, and uploading files to a web host or cloud service. As a standalone technology, FTP is insecure and outdated.

With time, the protocol got matured with FTPS and SFTP to help secure and increase the reliability of data transfer. Although Finder has built-in support for FTPS and SFTP shares, we’ll show you some best free and paid FTP clients for Mac.

1. Cyberduck

add cloud storage protocol in cyberduck

Cyberduck is an FTP client for Mac. It lets you connect, browse, and manage the content stored via SFTP, WebDAV, Dropbox, OneDrive, Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, and more. The interface works like a file browser and mimics common navigation and sorting features.

To get started, click the Open Connection icon on the toolbar. Or, select File > Open Connection from the menu bar. From the dropdown box, select your connection type and enter the network credentials. Then, press the Connect button. Your directory and list of files will appear.

Once you’re in the desired connection type, click the Upload icon on the toolbar and navigate to the file or folder you wish to upload. As you initiate the transfer, a dialog box will appear to show its progress.

Unique Features of Cyberduck

  • The app integrates with Cryptomator to encrypt the files/folders before uploading them to a cloud service.
  • The main window works like the macOS Finder. It features tabs, drag-and-drop, filter, and sorting. You’ll find it easy to get adjusted with the app.
  • The built-in command-line interface can run in your shell on any platform. For this integration, read our guides on how to get started with Homebrew for Mac or Chocolatey for Windows.
  • You can drag-and-drop files between two arbitrary servers. Just open two browser windows side-by-side and copy your files.

Download: Cyberduck (Free)

2. FileZilla

filezilla app to transfer files

Filezilla is an intuitive, cross-platform app that supports FTP protocols and cloud storage services like Dropbox, OneDrive, Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, Google Cloud Storage, and more in the professional version.

The app features a familiar dual-pane interface. The left column displays the local files/folders, and the right column show the listing on the remote server. Both columns have a directory tree at the top with a detailed listing of a folder at the bottom.

Enter the Host server address, username, password, and port number. Then, click Quickconnect. Navigate to the file/folder you want to upload in the local pane and target directory in the remote column. Then drag-and-drop the data to either column. Transfers are logged, with a detailed message appearing at the bottom of the screen.

FileZilla Unique Features

  • Compare local and remote server directory by file size or modification date and sync any changes to keep the listing up-to-date.
  • Filter out files and folders in terms of visibility and transfers. For example, you can exclude .DS_store, thumbs.db, and configuration files. All the filter conditions are available.
  • Limit the number of simultaneous server connections. You can even configure the transfer speed limits for each connection.
  • Move files between two remote servers in a single session. It’s also possible to save the session.
  • Set a master password to save the authorization token from different cloud storage services. It never saves them to a local folder.

Download: FileZilla (Free), FileZilla Pro ($20)

3. ForkLift

forklift ftp client for Mac

If you need to manage multiple files/folders and cloud storage services, switching between different windows can hinder your workflow. While you can find apps to help manage multiple windows, the Finder is still an inefficient file manager. ForkLift is built on the principles of Finder but with superior features.

The dual-pane interface has a left, right panel, and a sidebar with items like drives, folders, and remote connections. Click any of these items to open the volume in the active pane (highlighted in blue). To get started, drag-and-drop the items from either column or press the Command key to move your files/folders.

What Does ForkLift Offers

  • Connects to multiple server connections at once and use the simultaneous transfer to upload/download files at great speed.
  • Sync browsing links the navigation of one pane with another. Click the Sync button to compare the changes by size, modification date, and additionally filter them.
  • Built-in Git support to add, commit, push, and pull changes from the Commands menu. The multi-rename tool lets you replace characters, add or modify dates, change the character case, and more.
  • Open a saved remote connection as a Droplet and upload your files directly from the Finder. Enable ForkLift Mini and choose Open as Droplet.
  • Built-in app uninstaller to properly uninstall support files and their preferences.

Download: ForkLift (14-day trial, $30)

4. CrossFTP

crossftp main user interface

CrossFTP is an easy-to-use and cross-platform FTP client based on Java. It supports FTP protocols and cloud storage services, notably Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Glacier, Openstack Swift, and more.

The app has a classic user interface based on the same principles as FileZilla. The dual-column interface is customizable. You can resize each pane and even hide them. For example, click View > Queue to show or hide the transfer queue pane. There’s no directory tree; double-click on a folder to display the entire list of files.

Enter the Host server address, username, password, and port number and click Connect. Then, drag-and-drop the file/folder to either column. Transfers are logged, with a detailed message appearing at the bottom of the screen.

Key Features of CrossFTP

  • Support multiple concurrent transfers to process items simultaneously. It’s also possible to schedule the transfer at your convenience.
  • Synchronize files/folders between local, remote site, or the zip archive file. Choose Tools > Synchronize Directories to get started.
  • Comprehensive file overwrite options when a file of the same name you’re transferring exists on the server. Choose Preferences, then click Transfers > Site Overwrite Rules to tweak the rules.
  • Bunch of preferences not seen in any FTP apps. It suits best for an organization looking to customize their workflow with options like connection limit, certificate setting, port range, proxy, and more.

Download: CrossFTP (Free, Pro: $25)

5. Transmit

transmit a beautiful ftp client for Mac

Transmit is a beautiful FTP client that lets you manage files on a host of different servers. Apart from handling classic FTP protocols (SFTP, WebDAV), the app connects with cloud services like S3, Backblaze B2, Rackspace, Microsoft Azure, and more.

The dual-pane interface has some interesting design elements. At the top, the browser path bar is highlighted in black and blue. The focused file browser displays the directory in blue text. To the left, click the disk icon to switch between a file browser and a connection panel.

To upload a file/folder, drag-and-drop from the local file browser to any remote server. If you drop items over a sub-folder, they will get uploaded into that folder. Or, you may also drag an item from the Finder into Transmit.

Unique Features of Transmit

  • Save any server as a droplet in the Finder. Then drag-and-drop file/folder to the icon, it’ll get uploaded to the server.
  • With DropSend, you can send a file/folder to the right destination. Specify the local and remote directory path, then drag-and-drop your file to the Transmit icon in the Dock.
  • Synchronize files/folders between a local directory and remote server. Open the respective folders in each pane and choose Transfer > Synchronize to get started.
  • The built-in Panic Sync sync your servers and accounts in multiple Macs.
  • Set up rules to describe the type of files and folders that’ll get excluded during a transfer. For example, you can use them to avoid transferring source control files.

Download: Transmit (7-day trial, $45)

Why Do You Need an FTP Server?

For most users, Cyberduck and Filezilla can perform all the functions you need from an FTP client. However, their interface is not designed for macOS. It might feel slow or clunky at times.

Transmit and Forklift feel much more like traditional Mac apps, but they cost money. It comes down to what you're looking for in an app and how often you transfer files over FTP.