If you use a third-party client, you’ll be able to do much more, from managing duplicate files to editing files on the server, and comparing versions of server files with locally stored versions. So we’ve established that connecting to an FTP server from Finder only allows you to copy files to and from it. This is why finding a third-party app with a wide range of functionality is often the best option if you want to access an FTP server on your Mac. Finally, you could use different browsers, but again, functionality is limited which means this isn’t the most practical choice.

However, not everybody is confident using this. You could also use FTP on Mac via Terminal, which offers a bit more functionality.

But you can use a third-party app if you still need to host something on the server. In effect, this means you can only download files from the server to your computer, not vice versa. Namely, you can only access the server in read-only mode. How to improve FTP connection functions via macOS FTP clientsĪlthough using Finder as a macOS X FTP client is extremely convenient, it does have its limitations. Your login details are not encrypted and could be exposed with a “man in the middle” attack where data is stolen while being transferred to or from the server. FTP isn’t a great option for backups or long-term storage, and it’s also not entirely secure. The support and service you get will very much depend on the provider you choose, so it’s important to do some research before deciding.Īnother important disadvantage of FTP is that you normally won’t be able to access your files from anywhere. You’ll also need to choose your own FTP provider, which can be challenging if you’ve never used FTP storage before. Firstly, FTP can be expensive to set up compared to using regular cloud storage services. Of course FTP has its disadvantages too and we’ll go through some of the main ones. Access to FTP storage is usually restricted, so it’s ideal if you required complete control over who can access your files. FTP is fairly secure, as you log in with an ID and password. FTP is fast too, so you can connect and transfer files quickly. Firstly, FTP is a great option for file sharing, and it’s easily scalable, so you’ll only pay for the storage you use and can scale up as your business or needs expand. There are many benefits to FTP, but we’ll look at some of the main ones to consider. Online FTP storage is very secure as access is normally restricted. FTP, or file transfer protocol, is a cloud storage alternative that allows for uploading and downloading files from a server.

FileZilla para Mac OS X 10.9.5