---
title: "FTP"
description: "FTP is a protocol for transferring files between a computer and a server. Learn active and passive modes and why SFTP and FTPS are safer alternatives."
url: "https://nodea.io/en/glossary/ftp"
lang: "en"
updated: "2026-07-13"
---

# FTP

> FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a network protocol for transferring files between a client computer and a server. It is used to upload, download and manage files on a hosting account.

**FTP** (File Transfer Protocol) is one of the oldest internet protocols, used to transfer files between a client computer and a server. It lets you upload files to hosting, download copies, create directories and change permissions — usually through client programs such as FileZilla, WinSCP or Cyberduck.

## How FTP works

FTP uses two separate communication channels. The control channel (port 21) carries commands and responses, while the data channel (port 20 or a dynamic port) transfers the actual file contents. Depending on how the data connection is established, there are two modes:

- **Active mode** — the server opens the return connection back to the client, which firewalls and NAT often block;
- **Passive mode** — the client initiates both connections, so it works reliably from behind a [firewall](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/firewall) and home routers.

The main weakness of classic FTP is the lack of encryption — the login, password and files all travel in clear text. In practice, safer variants are used instead: [SFTP](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/sftp) built on [SSH](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/ssh), and FTPS, which wraps FTP in a TLS layer.

## Practical application

The most common tasks are uploading website files to a server, updating CMS themes and plugins, moving backups and making bulk changes to a directory structure. Webmasters also use FTP to quickly edit a single configuration file when they prefer not to open a control panel.

On modern hosting, FTP credentials are created in a control panel such as DirectAdmin or cPanel, where you can also set up separate accounts restricted to a specific directory — handy when working with external contractors. For security reasons, however, it is best to choose SFTP over plain FTP wherever possible.

### Is FTP secure?

Plain FTP sends data and passwords in clear text, so it is not secure over an open network. The recommended approach is to use an encrypted variant: SFTP (built on SSH) or FTPS (FTP with TLS), which protect the login, password and transferred files.

### How does FTP differ from SFTP?

FTP is the original unencrypted protocol running on ports 20/21. SFTP is a completely different protocol tunnelled over SSH on port 22 that encrypts the whole session. Despite the similar name, they are not interchangeable.

## Related

- [SFTP](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/sftp)
- [SSH](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/ssh)
- [Hosting](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/hosting)
- [Server](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/server)
- [DirectAdmin](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/directadmin)

---

Languages: [pl](https://nodea.pl/pl/slownik-pojec/ftp.md)  
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