FileZilla

CNET Editors' review

by: Ben Markton on April 22, 2014

FileZilla is a powerful, free file management tool for FTP access to your Web site's server. Containing numerous tools to help upload and download files between your local machine and the server on which your site is hosted, this is a reliable, intuitive tool for anyone in the Web development field.

Pros

Reliable and fast: FileZilla may be free, but it's a very stable program and offers reliable, accessible tools for anyone who needs to manage files via remote FTP connection. With your username and password you can quickly log in to the FTP server, move files, upload new files, and even edit files with programs on your local machine. All of this is done quickly, and the software didn't crash or hang like many other free tools have in our tests.

Feature rich: The most basic functions of FileZilla work well, but there are even more tools here for advanced users. From Manual Configurations to speed limit monitoring under the Transfer menu, FileZilla has a lot beneath the surface, if you plan on using it often.

Cons

Daunting for newcomers: As deep and reliably fast as FileZilla is, it can be confusing for someone who is not already familiar with FTP protocols. It can also be dangerous as the tool doesn't prompt you to create copies on the local account and doesn't have options for syncing different file versions. While it does check if you want to overwrite a file, there are many situations here in which mistakes can be made. Combined with a somewhat confusing interface, it can be daunting for less experienced users.

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a solid, reliable FTP tool for your Windows desktop, consider FileZilla. Available for free and containing every major tool you could need to manage your files, FileZilla is a perfect addition to your toolbox, and with a number of more robust tools in the FileZilla library, it scales well for professionals.