FTP vs SFTP vs FTPS: What’s the Difference?

FTP, SFTP and FTPS are all used to transfer files between computers and servers, but they are not interchangeable protocols. They differ in how connections are established, how credentials and data are protected, which ports they use, and what the destination server must support.

If your hosting provider or server gives you several connection options, understanding these differences will help you choose the appropriate protocol instead of simply selecting whichever one happens to connect.

FTP, SFTP and FTPS at a Glance

The most important distinction is that SFTP is not simply a secure version of FTP. It is a different protocol built around SSH. FTPS, on the other hand, extends traditional FTP with TLS encryption.

What Is FTP?

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is one of the traditional methods for transferring files between a client and a remote server.

An FTP connection typically requires:

• A server hostname or IP address
• An FTP username
• An FTP password
• A port, normally 21

Once connected, an FTP client can browse directories, upload and download files, create folders, rename files and perform other file-management operations allowed by the server account.

The security problem with traditional FTP

Standard FTP does not encrypt the connection by default. Credentials and transferred data can therefore be exposed if the connection is intercepted.

For this reason, plain FTP is generally not the preferred option when SFTP or FTPS is available. It can still appear on older hosting systems, private networks and legacy infrastructure.

What Is FTPS?

FTPS means FTP secured with TLS. It retains the FTP protocol while adding encryption to protect authentication and transferred data.

This makes FTPS particularly useful where an existing FTP-based infrastructure needs encrypted communication without moving to a completely different protocol.

Explicit and implicit FTPS

You may encounter two forms of FTPS:

• Explicit FTPS: the client begins with an FTP connection and explicitly requests TLS encryption. Port 21 is commonly used.
• Implicit FTPS: the client is expected to establish a secure connection immediately. Port 990 is commonly associated with this configuration.

Your hosting provider should tell you which method it supports. Choosing the wrong FTPS mode or port is a common reason a connection fails even when the username and password are correct.

What Is SFTP?

SFTP stands for SSH File Transfer Protocol. Despite its similar name, it is not FTP with an additional security layer.

SFTP operates over SSH and normally uses port 22. Authentication and file-transfer traffic travel through an encrypted connection.

SFTP is commonly available on VPSs, dedicated servers, development servers and hosting accounts that provide SSH access.

Why SFTP is commonly preferred

SFTP has several practical advantages:

• Credentials are not transmitted as plain text.
• File transfers are encrypted.
• It normally operates through a single SSH connection.
• It integrates naturally with servers already using SSH.
• It avoids some of the separate data-channel complexity associated with FTP.

If your server supports SFTP and you do not specifically need FTP or FTPS compatibility, SFTP is usually a sensible choice.

Is SFTP More Secure Than FTP?

Yes. Plain FTP provides no transport encryption by default, while SFTP encrypts the connection through SSH.

FTPS also provides encrypted transfer when configured correctly, so the practical security comparison is not simply “SFTP secure, everything else insecure.” Both SFTP and properly configured FTPS can protect credentials and transferred data.

The key difference is the underlying architecture: FTPS adds TLS to FTP, while SFTP uses the SSH protocol family.

Which Port Does Each Protocol Use?

The standard or commonly encountered ports are:

• FTP: 21
• Explicit FTPS: commonly 21
• Implicit FTPS: commonly 990
• SFTP: 22

These are defaults rather than guarantees. A server administrator can configure a service to listen on another port. Always use the connection details supplied by your hosting provider or server administrator.

FTP vs SFTP: Which Should You Choose?

If both are available, SFTP is generally preferable to unencrypted FTP for transfers across the internet.

There are still situations where FTP may be required. An older hosting environment, embedded system or existing workflow may only support FTP. In those situations, the server's capabilities determine your choice.

Do not change an FTP connection to SFTP merely by changing the port from 21 to 22. The server must actually provide an SSH/SFTP service, and the account must have permission to use it.

SFTP vs FTPS: Which Is Better?

There is no universal winner. Both can provide encrypted file transfer, but they suit different infrastructure.

SFTP is often convenient when:

• The server already provides SSH access.
• You manage a VPS or development server.
• You want a straightforward encrypted file-transfer connection.

FTPS can be appropriate when:

• An organization already relies on FTP infrastructure.
• The server specifically provides FTPS rather than SSH/SFTP.
• Compatibility with an existing FTP-based workflow is required.

The correct choice is ultimately a combination of security requirements and what the remote server supports.

Can You Use FTP, FTPS or SFTP in a Browser?

Modern web browsers no longer provide traditional built-in FTP browsing in the way older browsers once did. A browser-based FTP client instead provides a web application interface while the application handles communication with the remote server.

BrowserFTP supports FTP, FTPS and SFTP connections from its browser-based workspace. You can save a connection, browse remote files and work with server files without installing a traditional desktop FTP client.

If you are new to this workflow, read our step-by-step guide to using FTP in a browser. You can also read the browser-based SFTP guide if your server provides SFTP access.

How Do I Know Which Protocol My Server Supports?

Check the connection information provided by your hosting company or server administrator. Look for terms such as FTP, FTP over TLS, FTPS, SSH or SFTP.

Typical connection details include:

• Hostname
• Protocol
• Port
• Username
• Password or SSH authentication details
• Initial or home directory

If the documentation only says “FTP account,” do not assume that the same credentials automatically support SFTP. Confirm the available protocols with the provider.

If your protocol, hostname and port appear correct but the server still rejects the connection, see our FTP Connection Refused troubleshooting guide.

Which Protocol Should You Use?

For a new setup, prefer an encrypted protocol whenever the server supports one. SFTP is a strong default for servers with SSH access, while FTPS remains a valid encrypted option for FTP-based infrastructure.

Use plain FTP primarily when you are working with a system that requires it and an encrypted alternative is unavailable.

Whichever protocol you choose, verify the hostname, port and protocol together. Many apparent password or connection problems are actually caused by selecting a protocol that does not match the service running on the server.

Common Questions Asked