{"id":1135,"date":"2021-03-30T17:33:03","date_gmt":"2021-03-30T14:33:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/?p=1135"},"modified":"2022-05-19T18:28:57","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T15:28:57","slug":"ftp-vs-sftp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/ftp-vs-sftp\/","title":{"rendered":"FTP vs SFTP"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The two standard file transfer protocols are FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and SFTP (Secure <span data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;File Transfer&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:636,&quot;5&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:[{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;5&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0}},{&quot;1&quot;:0,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;3&quot;:3},{&quot;1&quot;:1,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;4&quot;:1}]},&quot;6&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:[{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;5&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0}},{&quot;1&quot;:0,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;3&quot;:3},{&quot;1&quot;:1,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;4&quot;:1}]},&quot;7&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:[{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;5&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0}},{&quot;1&quot;:0,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;3&quot;:3},{&quot;1&quot;:1,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;4&quot;:1}]},&quot;8&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:[{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;5&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0}},{&quot;1&quot;:0,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;3&quot;:3},{&quot;1&quot;:1,&quot;2&quot;:0,&quot;4&quot;:1}]},&quot;9&quot;:0,&quot;12&quot;:0}\">File Transfer<\/span> Protocol). Users use these two protocols interchangeably, but there are significant differences between them.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is FTP?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>FTP<\/b> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(File Transfer Protocol) <\/span><\/i><b>is a standard network protocol that aids in file transfers between different hosts<\/b> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(usually a computer and a server)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over a TCP-based network like the internet. This protocol enables users to transfer large amounts of data quickly. Plus, business owners can use it to upload and download web application files, images, and web pages easily from their servers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With FTP, employees can share files with coworkers across multiple locations,<\/span><b> applications can exchange and share data across the internet,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and IT teams can easily transfer data after disaster recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Port 21 is the default communication port for this protocol, and it uses two different channels to transfer data; a command channel and a data channel. Both of these channels remain unencrypted by default, making FTP an unsuitable option for security-conscious users.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Features of FTP<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP supports both structured and unstructured data.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP offers an interactive interface to enable users to interact with remote servers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With user access control, FTP can accommodate multiple site administrators and standard users.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP provides users with multiple access methods, cloud storage, security, and compliance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Businesses <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">can use FTP to update and backup their data automatically.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP enables users to get complete control and visibility over their data transfer activity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP manages three types of data representations &#8212; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ASCII, EBCDIC, and 8-binary data.<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP allows users to specify the type and representation of their stored data.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP transfers files<\/span><b> using the stream, block, or compressed mode.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Advantages of FTP<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no file size restriction on a single transfer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP is one of the fastest ways of transferring files between two computers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>A username and password are required to access the FTP server.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP enables businesses to transfer files back and forth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP allows users to restrict access to their files.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many FTP clients have a synchronizing utility and offer scripting capabilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individuals can schedule and resume their file transfers with ease.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most FTP clients enable users to transfer multiple directories and files.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Businesses can use this protocol to hide files on individual computer systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Disadvantages of FTP<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all FTP providers offer encryption, making them a non-secure data transfer method.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP does not allow users to run simultaneous transfers to different receivers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP is not compatible with every system, and individuals find it hard to use the protocol for scripting jobs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This protocol does not enable server-to-server copy and recursive directory removal processes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is hard to filter <\/span><b>active FTP connections.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP is prone to human errors, and it is easy to intercept data with this protocol.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compliance issues are common when using FTP to transfer files.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What is SFTP?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFTP(Secure File Transfer Protocol) is a secure version of FTP, and it is a part of<\/span><b> the SSH <\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Secure Shell)<\/span><\/i> <b>protocol suite for secure data transfer and access. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This protocol offers fast and secure file transfers over SSH, and it provides access to all accounts on both local and remote systems.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFTP, commonly referred to as <\/span><b>SSH File Transfer Protocol,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> uses encryption to protect the data in transfer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Businesses use SFTP in place of FTP in situations where file security is essential, and they can access it on ScalaHosting<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/managed-cloud-hosting.html\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cloud VPS solutions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Like FTP, you can use SFTP over the command-line interface, though many clients like FileZilla also support the secure protocol nowadays.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Features of SFTP<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFTP transfers files using WinSCP and SFTP clients.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users can open multiple directories or files simultaneously.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFTP supports all SFTP server versions, password and public-key authentication, and 64-bit file sizes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Businesses can use SFTP to upload and download files, create remote directories, and download directory listings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFTP transmits data in binary format.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFTP implements the SSH3 protocol and enables users to execute commands over the SSH channel.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFTP supports TMUX, Screen sessions, custom channels, and IPV6 HTTP protocols.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This protocol offers secure file transmissions, and users can compress their communications with ease.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Businesses can set permission controls to restrict access to their files.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Advantages of SFTP<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFTP offers users a secure connection, and the risks during data exchange are limited.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individuals <\/span><b>can redirect uninformed TCP\/IP ports using the encrypted channel in different directions.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFTP protocol does not transfer clear text passwords.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFTP servers support the effective transfer of large files, and it uses only one connection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The SFTP directory is machine-readable and uniform.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Users can install and use the SFTP software with limited functionality.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Disadvantages of SFTP<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFTP cannot log the binary data transmission.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is not easy to manage and validate SSH keys.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFTP is a complicated protocol that is difficult to implement technically.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Similarities between FTP and SFTP<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both protocols enable users to use an FTP client to connect to their website servers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Businesses can use both protocols to upload files to their server, download files to their local computer, and browse files on their server.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Difference between FTP and SFTP<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike the SFTP protocol that provides a secure channel for file transfer between hosts, FTP does not offer any secure channel to transfer files.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>FTP protocol is provided by TCP\/IP, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">while the SFTP protocol is a part of the SSH protocol suite.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP uses two channels for data transfer, while SFTP makes use of one channel.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By default, incoming connections are on port 21 for FTP and port 22 for SFTP.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SFTP provides encryption for data exchange, while FTP transfers passwords and data in plain text format.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP makes use of Client-server architecture, while <\/span><b>SFTP uses SSH architecture.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FTP uses a direct transfer method whereas, SFTP uses a tunneling transfer method.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The two standard file transfer protocols are FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol). Users use these two protocols interchangeably, but there are significant differences between them. What is FTP? FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a standard network protocol that aids in file transfers between different hosts (usually a computer and a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-web-hosting"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1135"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1135\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4583,"href":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1135\/revisions\/4583"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scalahosting.com\/kb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}