FileZilla
Free, open-source FTP, FTPS, and SFTP client for transferring files to remote servers.
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask filezillaQuick Take: FileZilla
FileZilla Client 3.70.6 is still the practical free FTP/FTPS/SFTP default for Mac developers and admins in August 2026, especially with the SFTP compatibility flag that cleaned up 3.70.5 listing pain. Native Apple Silicon builds are available from the official site. Stay on the free GPL Client for pure SSH/FTP work; treat FileZilla Pro's ~$12.99/year App Store subscription as optional cloud glue, not a requirement. Honest downsides: dated UI, no free-tier cloud backends, and lingering adware-installer distrust that you neutralize by downloading only from filezilla-project.org. For Mac-native polish or free cloud breadth, compare Transmit, ForkLift, and Cyberduck.
Best For
- •Web developers managing many SFTP/FTPS hosts without paying for Pro
- •Sysadmins who need tabbed multi-server SFTP with resume and speed limits
- •Teams that want one free client identical on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- •Users willing to use Pro only when S3/Drive-style backends are mandatory
What is FileZilla?
FileZilla is a free, open-source FTP client and still the default cross-platform pick for moving files between a Mac and remote servers in August 2026. Tim Kosse first released it in 2001. The FileZilla Client supports FTP, FTPS (FTP over TLS), and SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) under the GNU GPL. It is still actively maintained: the free Client's latest stable line is 3.70.6 (June 2026), following 3.70.5 in May. Version 3.70.6 matters for real-world SFTP. It adds a Site Manager compatibility flag for ignoring invalid attribute bits from non-compliant SFTP servers (a fix for listing failures many users hit after 3.70.5). It also ships fzssh 1.3.0 and libfilezilla 0.56.1, and removes FTP server path syntax autodetection. Exotic path types must be set manually under Site Manager > Advanced. 3.70.5 had already moved to GnuTLS 3.8.13 and introduced the Site Manager compatibility flags page. On Mac, download the native Apple Silicon build from the official ARM64 download page rather than random mirrors. FileZilla Pro is a separate commercial product (Mac App Store subscription: 7-day trial, then about $12.99/year; App Store listing around 3.70.7 as of June 9). Pro adds cloud backends such as Amazon S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Azure, Backblaze B2, Dropbox, WebDAV, and Box, which the free Client does not include. The free Client remains fully capable for pure FTP/FTPS/SFTP. Community trust notes still apply. Historically, bundled and third-party Windows installers carried adware warnings. On Mac, stick to filezilla-project.org (or carefully vetted Homebrew guidance if a cask returns) and prefer the official macOS ARM64 build. Cyberduck, Transmit, and ForkLift remain the main Mac alternatives depending on whether you want free cloud breadth, Panic polish, or a dual-pane Finder replacement.
FileZilla history and technical architecture
FileZilla has more than 20 years of continuous development in file transfer tools, kept relevant by open-source principles and cross-platform consistency.
Key Features
Multi-Protocol Server Support
FileZilla connects with FTP, FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS via GnuTLS), and SFTP (SSH). Choose the protocol per Site Manager entry. SFTP supports password, SSH key (OpenSSH/PuTTY formats), and keyboard-interactive auth. Prefer SFTP on port 22 for modern hosts; use FTPS when a legacy FTP server mandates TLS instead of SSH.
Site Manager & Compatibility Flags
Site Manager stores hosts, ports, protocols, credentials, default directories, transfer modes, and encodings. Since 3.70.5 it includes a compatibility flags page; 3.70.6 adds the SFTP flag to ignore invalid attribute bits from broken servers that otherwise fail directory listings. FTP exotic path syntax is no longer autodetected - set path types manually in Site Manager → Advanced when needed.
Tabbed Multi-Server Interface
Tabs hold simultaneous connections. Each tab shows a dual-pane local/remote browser with drag-and-drop transfers. Mix protocols across tabs (production SFTP beside a legacy FTPS box). Transfer status updates live per tab so multi-host deploy days stay organized.
Transfer Queue Management
Uploads and downloads enqueue with pause, resume, and reorder. Interrupted transfers can resume when the server supports REST (FTP) or SFTP resume rather than restarting multi-gigabyte files. Speed limits prevent transfers from saturating a call or shared uplink.
Directory Comparison
Compare local and remote trees by size or modification time with color coding for local-only, remote-only, or newer-on-one-side files. FileZilla does not auto-bidirectional-sync like some paid tools; comparison keeps manual sync visible and deliberate.
Bookmarks & Speed Controls
Bookmarks jump to deep web roots, theme folders, or log paths on a saved site. Global or per-site speed limits throttle bandwidth during work hours or on shared hosting that punishes saturated links. Adjust limits mid-transfer without disconnecting.
FileZilla Pro Cloud Backends
Separate paid FileZilla Pro (Mac App Store) adds cloud protocols the free Client lacks: S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Azure, B2, Dropbox, WebDAV, Box, and more. Free Client users who only need SFTP should stay on the GPL build; Pro is for cloud object/drive workflows in the same UI family.
Who Should Use FileZilla?
1The Web Developer
A freelancer keeps client hosts in Site Manager, deploys over SFTP with SSH keys, and uses directory comparison before production pushes. After upgrading to 3.70.6 they enable the new SFTP compatibility flag for a flaky shared host that broke listings on 3.70.5. Bookmarks jump straight to WordPress theme and uploads directories.
2The System Administrator
A sysadmin opens multiple SFTP tabs into a load-balanced pool, uses Edit-to-reupload for quick config tweaks, and caps transfer speed so log pulls do not flatten the office link. Key-based auth keeps passwords out of daily prompts.
3The Content Publisher
A media manager queues overnight uploads of large videos over SFTP, relying on resume when hotel Wi-Fi drops. Pure SFTP stays on the free Client; if the same person also pushes to S3 or Drive, they evaluate FileZilla Pro's ~$12.99/year App Store subscription versus Cyberduck.
How to Install FileZilla on Mac
Install the free Client from the official site - prefer the native Apple Silicon (ARM64) build. Avoid random mirror installers. FileZilla Pro is a separate Mac App Store purchase if you need cloud backends.
Download the Official ARM64 Build
Visit https://filezilla-project.org/download.php?platform=macos-arm64 for Apple Silicon Macs (or the Intel build if required). Confirm the domain is filezilla-project.org before opening the archive.
Install the Application
Open the downloaded archive and drag FileZilla.app to Applications. On first launch, right-click → Open or approve under System Settings → Privacy & Security if Gatekeeper blocks an unidentified developer prompt.
Configure Your First Site
Open Site Manager (⌘S). Create a site, set Protocol to SFTP when possible, add host/user/key, and test. On 3.70.6+, open the compatibility flags page if a non-compliant server fails listings; set exotic FTP path types manually under Advanced when autodetection no longer applies.
Pro Tips
- • Only trust filezilla-project.org downloads - adware/bundled installer distrust is still a community refrain for unofficial mirrors.
- • Apple Silicon users should take the ARM64 build, not the Intel build under Rosetta.
- • Enable dark mode under Edit → Settings → Interface to match macOS appearance.
- • Set your external editor under Settings → File editing for remote Edit-and-reupload workflows.
- • If you need S3/Drive/OneDrive/Azure/B2/Dropbox/WebDAV/Box, install FileZilla Pro from the Mac App Store instead of expecting those in the free Client.
Configuration Tips
Prefer SFTP and Fix Broken Listings
Default new sites to SFTP. If directory listings fail on a quirky server after 3.70.5, upgrade to 3.70.6 and enable the Site Manager compatibility flag that ignores invalid SFTP attribute bits. Check the Message Log for the exact error before changing unrelated firewall settings.
Configure SSH Key Authentication
Site Manager → Logon Type → Key file, then point at ~/.ssh/id_ed25519 or id_rsa. Passphrase prompts appear when needed. Stronger and less tedious than password auth for daily deploys.
Set Transfer Speed Limits
Edit → Settings → Transfers: set global or per-site caps so large uploads do not wreck calls or trip shared-hosting abuse limits. Limits can change while the queue runs.
Alternatives to FileZilla
FileZilla dominates free cross-platform FTP/SFTP, but Mac users often compare it with cloud-friendly or native dual-pane clients.
Cyberduck
Free open-source Mac/Windows client with broad cloud support (S3, Drive, Azure, and more) plus Cryptomator. Cleaner macOS feel than FileZilla for many users. Choose Cyberduck when free cloud backends matter; choose FileZilla when you want the classic dual-pane FTP/SFTP workhorse without Pro.
Transmit
Panic's premium Mac client with polished dual-pane UX, Panic Sync, and strong performance. Worth the paid license if file transfer is all-day work and Mac-native design matters more than GPL pricing.
ForkLift
Dual-pane Finder replacement (note spelling: ForkLift) with SFTP and cloud connections. Ideal when you want one app for local file management and remote transfers rather than a dedicated FTP-only window.
Pricing
FileZilla Client remains completely free under the GNU GPL with full FTP, FTPS, and SFTP - no feature paywall for classic server transfers. FileZilla Pro is commercial: on the Mac App Store it offers a 7-day trial, then about $12.99/year (USD; confirm live App Store pricing), with builds around 3.70.7 noted June 9. Pro adds cloud backends (S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Azure, B2, Dropbox, WebDAV, Box, etc.) absent from the free Client. There is no requirement to buy Pro for ordinary SFTP/FTPS work.
Pros
- ✓Completely free GPL Client with full FTP/FTPS/SFTP and no artificial limits
- ✓Active 3.70.6 maintenance including real SFTP compatibility fixes
- ✓Native Apple Silicon (ARM64) official downloads
- ✓Site Manager, tabs, queue resume, and directory comparison cover daily admin/dev needs
- ✓Cross-platform consistency for mixed Windows/Mac/Linux teams
- ✓Pro available when cloud object/drive protocols are required
- ✓Large documentation and community footprint accumulated over two decades
Cons
- ✗Free Client has no S3/Drive/OneDrive/Azure/B2/Dropbox cloud backends - that is Pro-only
- ✗UI feels dated versus Transmit, ForkLift, or Cyberduck on macOS
- ✗Historical adware/bundled-installer distrust means you must police download sources
- ✗No true automatic bidirectional sync - comparison is manual
- ✗Some users feel Pro's yearly App Store subscription is unnecessary when free SFTP already covers their workflow
Community & Support
FileZilla's wiki, forums, and Trac remain the support backbone for the free Client. Ticket discussions around 3.70.5/3.70.6 document the SFTP listing failures on non-compliant servers and the compatibility flag that followed. Community refrains still warn against sketchy mirror installers - official ARM64 builds are the trusted path. There is no paid support tier for the free Client; Pro buyers use App Store/commercial channels. IRC and long-lived forum threads still answer firewall, passive mode, and key auth questions quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions about FileZilla
Is FileZilla really free?
What is the latest FileZilla Client version in 2026?
What changed in FileZilla 3.70.6?
Does FileZilla support Apple Silicon?
Can the free Client connect to Amazon S3 or Google Drive?
How much is FileZilla Pro on Mac?
Is FileZilla safe on Mac?
Why did SFTP listings break for some users on 3.70.5?
How does FileZilla compare to Cyberduck, Transmit, and ForkLift?
Can I install FileZilla via Homebrew?
About the Author
Expert Tips for FileZilla
Users who saw SFTP listing failures after 3.70.5 on broken servers generally recover by upgrading to 3.70.6 and enabling the new compatibility flag - not by abandoning SFTP.
Pro subscription fatigue is real: many Mac users decide the free Client is enough for pure SFTP and only resent the upsell when mirrors blur Client vs Pro messaging.
Adware/bundled-installer distrust remains a standing community refrain - steer everyone to the official ARM64 build on filezilla-project.org and treat random download portals as hostile.
Related Technologies & Concepts
Related Topics
File Transfer & Remote Access
Applications for transferring files between local machines and remote servers using FTP, SFTP, and related protocols
Developer Tools & Deployment
Utilities used by developers for deploying code, managing servers, and handling file-based workflows
Open Source Mac Utilities
Free, open-source applications providing essential functionality on macOS
Sources & References
Fact-CheckedLast verified: Aug 9, 2026
Key Verified Facts
- FileZilla Client 3.70.6 (June 2026) adds an SFTP compatibility flag for ignoring invalid attribute bits, ships fzssh 1.3.0 and libfilezilla 0.56.1, and removes FTP path syntax autodetection.[cite-2, cite-5, cite-7]
- FileZilla 3.70.5 (May 2026) updated GnuTLS to 3.8.13 and added a Site Manager compatibility flags page.[cite-2, cite-7]
- Native Apple Silicon builds are published at the official macOS ARM64 download URL on filezilla-project.org.[cite-1, cite-6]
- FileZilla Pro on the Mac App Store offers a 7-day trial then about $12.99/year and includes cloud backends not in the free Client.[cite-4, cite-3]
- The free FileZilla Client does not include S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Azure, B2, Dropbox, WebDAV, or Box - those require FileZilla Pro.[cite-3, cite-4, cite-6]
- 1FileZilla Client Download for macOS Apple Silicon
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"Official macOS ARM64 Client download page."
- 2FileZilla Version History
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"Client release notes including 3.70.5 and 3.70.6 changes."
- 3FileZilla Pro Version History
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"Commercial Pro release notes and cloud protocol product line."
- 4FileZilla Pro on the Mac App Store
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"App Store listing with trial, ~$12.99/year subscription, and cloud features."
- 5
- 6FileZilla Project Home
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"Official project hub for Client downloads and documentation links."
- 7Trac Ticket 13392 - SFTP Compatibility Flag
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
"Tracker discussion for 3.70.5/3.70.6 SFTP attribute-bit compatibility behavior."
Research queries: FileZilla 3.70.6 macOS ARM64 2026; FileZilla Pro Mac App Store $12.99; FileZilla 3.70.5 SFTP compatibility flags; FileZilla vs Cyberduck Transmit ForkLift 2026