FTP has fallen by the wayside as a file-sharing method, but it's still useful for PC-to-PC and PC-to-mobile transfers and still the go-to method for uploading files to a web host. A good FTP experience comes down to the FTP client app you use, so make sure you're using an FTP client you like.

Before you dive into these third-party FTP clients for Windows, you should know that you can add FTP servers directly to File Explorer. This lets you browse FTP servers as if they were attached drives on your system.

But if you prefer a dedicated FTP client, here are the best free FTP clients for Windows. No need to shell out cash for a paid one instead!

1. WinSCP

free windows 10 ftp client winscp

There is no comparison: WinSCP is the best free FTP client for Windows. Despite its simple and easy to use nature, it packs several advanced features that can satisfy even the most demanding FTP needs.

In addition to FTP, WinSCP supports file transferring and remote file editing using SFTP, SCP, and WebDAV protocols. Regardless of which you use, it can synchronize local directories with remote directories.

WinSCP integrates directly into Windows, allowing for seamless drag-and-drop, extra options in the right-click "Send To" menu, and desktop shortcuts to oft-used servers. It also has a built-in text editor that enables immediate editing of remote files (useful for tweaking HTML, CSS, JS, etc.).

For power users, WinSCP has a command-line interface (full list of commands) and scripting support (batch files and .NET assemblies). There's a bit of a learning curve, but it's great for task automation.

And it's open-source! WinSCP is a prime example that open-source software doesn't have to suck and that it's possible to get by only on open-source software.

2. Cyberduck

free windows 10 ftp client cyberduck

Cyberduck is a simple but effective FTP client, best suited for the occasional need to transfer files. It isn't bare-bones by any stretch, and it can certainly be useful for power users, but the interface is simplified. Heavy and frequent file transfers may be easier with a fuller interface.

Cyberduck is free and open source. It supports multiple protocols on top of FTP, including SFTP and WebDAV, plus easy connections to Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, and Microsoft Azure, among others.

Cyberduck seamlessly integrates with any external text editor, which is convenient for remote editing of web files. It also has a Quick Look feature that lets you preview files without downloading them. Local directories can be synchronized with remote directories.

But Cyberduck's best feature is its commitment to security. It comes with a feature called Cryptomator, which encrypts file and directory names and smudges directory structures. In other words, even if someone intercepts your transfer, they can't see what you're transferring.

You will note that Cyberduck displays a donation prompt every time you update to a new version. As Cyberduck is completely free and open-source, adding a donation prompt is completely understandable. If you want to remove the donation prompt from the free FTP client permanently, you can donate and register, for which you'll receive a registration key. If you find yourself using Cyberduck as your daily FTP driver, consider supporting the developer!

On Windows 10, Cyberduck is available as a standalone desktop app and a UWP app from the Windows Store. We recommend the desktop version.

3. FileZilla

free windows 10 ftp client filezilla

FileZilla remains one of the most popular free FTP clients for Windows 10. You'll also find FileZilla on macOS and Linux.

The main reasons behind its popularity are its ease of use and extensive toolset. It supports bandwidth controls, passive and active modes, authentication of credentials and data, and the FTP, SFTP, and FTPS protocols. There are other handy tools, such as remote file searching (with flexible filters and pattern matching) and bookmarking for frequently accessed files and locations.

FileZilla has courted controversy in the past, mind. In 2014, it came to light that a fake version of FileZilla (versions 3.5.3 and 3.7.3) was making its way around the internet. The FileZilla "evil twin" was altered to steal FTP login credentials and store it on a remote server.

For a long time, FileZilla pushed its downloads through SourceForge, which was well known for bundling adware with installers. While SourceForge no longer engages in such practice, FileZilla still does. As such, pay attention during the installation and make sure to Decline any additional software.

filezilla adware bundle installer

Despite the adware installation bundle, FileZilla is a solid free FTP client for Windows 10.

4. CoreFTP LE

free windows 10 ftp client coreftp le

CoreFTP LE is the free version of Core FTP Pro, a premium FTP client for Windows 10. Although the premium version does come with some extra functionality (unattended scheduled FTP transfers, advanced file encryption and decryption, and more), the free version is very much worth your time.

It includes full browser integration, bandwidth transfer control, remote file searching, and automated download queuing, with support for FTP, SFTP, FTPS, and more. Handily, you can transfer from server to server without involving your local computer, saving you some time compared to other free FTP clients. The automatic command execution is useful, too.

CoreFTP LE isn't flashy, but it gets the job done well. Remember, you can use CoreFTP LE or any of the other FTP clients on this list to transfer data to your Raspberry Pi 4.

5. FTP Voyager

free windows 10 ftp client ftp voyager

The list of free Windows 10 FTP clients finishes with FTP Voyager, a decent option with a throwback GUI. Those familiar with earlier versions of Windows will remember (fondly or not!) the blue color and rounded chunky buttons. User interfaces may have modernized, but the slightly aging look doesn't hold FTP Voyager back.

Indeed, FPT Voyager allows you to connect to multiple FTP servers simultaneously, uploading to whichever server you want. The use of tabs helps you keep track of the FTP servers, switching easily between your connections. There are also options to drag and drop files, automatically sync files between servers, scheduled transfers, and file transfers into specific folders using file extensions (for example, send JPEGs to the Photo folder).

The inclusion of an FTP connection wizard is a plus for novices, and you can save and load multiple configurations as you want.

So, FTP Voyager may look a little outdated, but it performs where it matters.

FTP vs. SFTP? An Important Note

One of FTP's biggest flaws is that it's a plain-text protocol, which means data is sent back and forth in human-readable text. This is a vulnerability because login credentials are also sent in plain text!

If someone intercepts a login attempt, it's trivial to see the account's username and password, let alone the contents of transferred files.

Which is why you should prefer SFTP over FTP whenever possible. SFTP, which stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol, uses encryption to protect the data being transferred (both login credentials and file contents). Alternatively, you can use a different file transfer method.

The good news? Most services that allow FTP connections also support SFTP connections. And when using an FTP client, the actual workflow is the same between FTP and SFTP. The only difference is that you choose SFTP instead of FTP when connecting.

The Best Free FTP Client for Windows 10

As you can see from the above list, Windows 10 users have an extensive range of free FTP client options. Figuring out the best FTP client comes down to your personal preference. WinSCP packs an excellent array of features, is easy to use, and is open-source, so it wins out for me.