ftp client windows

Modern
FTP & FTPS

Explicit TLS, implicit TLS, and plain FTP — in a dual-pane explorer that also connects to S3, SFTP, and Google Drive. Not a 1990s UI.

Download Free Connection guide →

FileZilla works — but it's stuck in the past

Legacy ftp client windows tools handle FTP fine, yet they can't open FTP next to an S3 bucket, schedule automated FTP → cloud backups, or share a unified transfer queue with SFTP and WebDAV. FTPS setup is often confusing, and cross-protocol workflows still mean multiple apps. You deserve one desktop client for FTP and everything else — dual panes, retry on failure, and bandwidth limits when you migrate a whole hosting account off legacy servers.

FTP/FTPS inside a multi-protocol file manager

Add FTP with host, port, and credentials on Windows 10/11 or macOS 13+. Choose plain FTP, explicit TLS (STARTTLS), or implicit TLS (port 990). Browse server directories visually, queue bulk transfers, and copy FTP → S3 through the cloud-to-cloud queue. Password stored in your OS keychain — never on CloudPairs servers. Pro adds scheduled FTP → S3/R2 automation. Free 14-day trial, no credit card, then $12/mo for unlimited connections and cron jobs.

Features

Why CloudPairs for FTP / FTPS

Plain FTP, FTPS explicit, FTPS implicit

STARTTLS on port 21 or implicit TLS on port 990 — pick the mode your host requires.

Dual-pane FTP ↔ S3 / SFTP / local

Open FTP in one pane and S3, WebDAV, SMB, or local disk in the other.

Passive and active mode

Configure data connection mode for NAT routers and restrictive firewalls.

Transfer queue with retry

Per-file progress, speed readout, bandwidth limiter, and one-click retry.

Scheduled FTP → S3/R2 jobs

Cron or interval automation pulls or pushes hosting folders to cloud storage (Pro).

Plain FTP security warning

In-app guidance recommends FTPS or SFTP when your server supports encryption.

Use cases

Who uses CloudPairs with FTP / FTPS

Legacy shared hosting

Manage cPanel FTP site files next to a local dev pane for quick deploys.

FTP → cloud migration

Queue an entire site from FTP into a Cloudflare R2 or S3 bucket without local staging.

Partner file drop

FTPS server in the left pane, internal S3 archive in the right — one session.

Preview

Dual-pane FTP / FTPS browsing

CloudPairs FTP / FTPS file manager
Setup

How to connect FTP / FTPS

Five steps to your first transfer. Full guide in our docs.

1

Download CloudPairs and sign up — free 14-day Pro trial, no credit card.

2

Connections → + Add connection → choose FTP / FTPS.

3

Enter host, port (21 for FTP / 990 for implicit FTPS), username, and password.

4

Select Plain FTP, Explicit TLS (STARTTLS), or Implicit TLS — then test the listing.

5

Save → browse in dual-pane mode; prefer FTPS or SFTP when your server supports it.

Read the full FTP / FTPS connection guide →

See also: Docs guide

Compare

CloudPairs vs alternatives

Alternative Limitation
FileZilla FTP-only silo, dated UI, no S3/OAuth hub or unified automation scheduler.
WinSCP SFTP-focused — FTP is secondary, no multi-cloud dual-pane workspace.
Windows IIS FTP via Explorer No transfer queue, no cross-cloud pane, no bandwidth limiter.
FAQ

FTP / FTPS questions

Plain FTP sends credentials unencrypted. FTPS explicit upgrades a port-21 connection with STARTTLS. FTPS implicit uses TLS from the first byte on port 990. CloudPairs supports all three — choose what your host documents.
No — usernames and passwords travel unencrypted on plain FTP. CloudPairs warns when you use it and recommends FTPS or SFTP whenever your server supports encrypted transport.
Yes. Open FTP in one pane and S3 in the other, or enqueue a cloud-to-cloud job. Files stream through the transfer queue without filling your local disk.
Yes. Configure passive or active data connection mode per FTP connection so transfers work through home routers and office firewalls.
Yes. The same app runs on Windows 10/11 and macOS 13+ with identical dual-pane FTP/FTPS browsing, queue, and connections to S3, SFTP, and more.
Related

Related cloud tools

SFTP WebDAV Cloud File Manager

Ready to manage FTP / FTPS?

Free 14-day Pro trial — no credit card. Then $12/mo for automation and unlimited connections.

Download Free See pricing →

Free forever · Pro $29 one-time · 2 years updates & support