CNET Editors' review
File transfer protocol (FTP) tools are among the oldest Internet software, yet they're still some of the most useful programs to have around, especially since today's FTP clients do so much. Case in point is BitKinex, a free FTP manager from Barad-Dur. It's a full-featured FTP client that not only transfers files but also synchronizes directories and performs server-to-server mirroring and backups; a Secure FTP (SFTP) client that accommodates all available secure protocols and also offers multiple connections and automatic download resumption in secure connections; and a Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) tool with all the conveniences of a modern FTP client.
During installation, we opted to integrate BitKinex with Windows Explorer, which required a reboot. The program's interface is quite basic but familiar and efficient, opening in minimized mode with a blank main view and a navigation tree view above the Status Bar, a log panel that displays file transfer data. We clicked the Quick Connect button, which opened a compact dialog that let us enter our server address, username, and password to quickly access frequently used sites, in this case, the hosting service for a personal Web site. Next we browsed to a DVD copied to our hard drive. We right-clicked it and selected Upload with BitKinex on the context menu, which opened a small dialog displaying Source and Destination fields, Request options, and properties selections. We set everything up and clicked OK, and BitKinex immediately began the transfer, displaying the progress, transfer rate, and other data in the Status Bar. Selectable tool tips, a good Help file, and considerable online assistance made the program easy to use. It offers some interesting options, too, such as transparency, a Command Prompt console, and the ability to run it as a Windows service via an entry on the File menu for running processes in the background. The Help menu contained Wizards for setting up a network and establishing connections, while the navigation tree view included folders listing numerous FTP sites, two thoughtful additions.
FTP clients have come a long way since their debut, as BitKinex so ably showed. Whether you need to upload a personal Web page to a hosting service, share folders full of vacation pictures, or collaborate on Web sites at a distance, BitKinex has you covered.
Publisher's Description
From Barad-Dur:
BitKinex integrates the functionality of an innovative FTP client, SFTP client and WebDAV client for Windows. In addition to features found in other popular FTP programs (like support for the SSL/SSH, multipart and multithreaded transfers, remote edit or FXP) BitKinex introduces several unique approaches and solutions. With just one click you can minimize the space occupied by the program to one small window showing the status of running requests, and with just a few clicks you can see all the details again.
In contrast to other FTP clients BitKinex uses multiple connections not only for file transfers but for browsing remote directories as well. You don't need to wait when you make a mistake and accidentally click on a wrong folder.
What's new in this version: Version 3.2.3 improved SSH authentication and fixed corrupted WebDAV bodies leading to "HTTP bad request" error.
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All versions:
4.5 starsout of 18 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"real super easy"
Version: BitKinex 3.1.1
Pros
i'm no heavyweight programmer, simpleton designer, this installed real quick (no probs as other review) on Vista64.needed for DAV-Drive (WebDAV), worked like a charm, up and transferring inside 5min.
Cons
none yet, not much testing
Summary
graduated from basic FTP and this is my new fave tool.
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"Used solely for WebDAV and it works perfectly."
Version: BitKinex 3.1.1
Pros
Very fast and easy to use. And its free!
Cons
None that I've encountered.
Summary
WebDAV should have been properly implemented in XP but M$ managed to mess up a standard that works on just about every other OS without a problem. BitKinex fixes all the issues and runs faster than other programs I've tried.
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"Installation issues"
Version: BitKinex 3.1.1
Pros
1. Very easy to use and to me, the separate windows are a nice feature. I wish I could minimize one at a time though.
2. Fast, efficient, simple pain-free browsing my folders.Cons
1. Seems like this installation is a dirty package - every time I do something, BitKinex tries to install and configure (and of course it cannot because it cannot find this magical .msi package...) - a big headache and very annoying!
Summary
I'd recommend it to a friend in hopes they don't get the installer bug I do. haha
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"A good tool with easy of use"
Version: BitKinex 3.1.1
Pros
It is very easy to install and configure. The design is intuitive and clean. Transfer speed is good, both ways.
Cons
I have found nothing to complaint yet :)
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"Different. Not too complicated to use"
Version: BitKinex 3.1.1
Pros
Good simple two pane layout, easy to navigate. Excellant file comparsion. Able to recover lot uploads and carry on afte a crash
Cons
Very slow at uploading. Not sure why they used two windows - one for site selection and another for the actual "works".
Summary
Of course it's free, you get what you pay for (or don't). I have tried many ftp clients both paid and free and this one is one I shall always return to. I like it - it does the job.
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"Great User Interface for Multi Site FTP access."
Version: BitKinex 2.9.1
Pros
I absolutely love the messenger style interface for the ftp account list -- works just like your popular buddy list allowing you to select an ftp account and this pops up in it's own window with attached local and remote windows. Both the remote and local windows can be set to independent defaults for that account, saving you tons of browsing time!
I found Bitkinex years ago and still glad I switched, my daily ftp tasks are so much easier... and there are many features you wouldn't have dreamed of ... i.e. scheduled tasks... upload those files just when they are supposed to be there, and not a moment too soon (or late!)
Cons
Really can't say --- anything I didn't like previously, the creator has already improved on and it keeps getting better!
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"Quite good"
Version: BitKinex 2.9.1
Pros
I was looking for an alternative the the usual FTP clients that we see on the net in the last few years (CuteFTP, WSFTP, etc) to see if there's anything new, or simply cheaper for the same features.
This program do the job, the transfer is fast & multithreaded, it's cheap, and almost bugless. Nice features such as Sync. browsing, window transparency, and some other stuff.
Cons
GUI should be enhanced. I hate to manually type a complete directory (c:\documents and settings\myuser\mydocuments\... and so on) to point to a specific directory when i get connected to an FTP site. I prefer to use a Directory Selection Box.
Even with the transparency feature, i would appreciate some skin features.
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"Pretty handy tool"
Version: BitKinex 2.5
Pros
I use it to debugging web pages every day and I really like the way of restarting transfers using the traffic-light icons. I think it's very useful idea.
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"Good product"
Version: BitKinex 2.5
Pros
It did the job on XP, even though XP claims to have similar features built in, this product worked for a friend who had tried and failed using other methods.
Cons
Costs 40 dollars, but you can't have it all.
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"Excellent FTP transfer utility"
Version: BitKinex 2.5
Pros
The ability to update only those files which have changed on a site was why I chose this product. This feature works flawlessly. Also the background threads work with no errors apparent.
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