{"id":509,"date":"2026-10-19T10:50:55","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T10:50:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gaugehosting.com\/blog\/?p=509"},"modified":"2026-10-19T10:50:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T10:50:55","slug":"sftp-vs-ftp-why-you-should-use-sftp-to-transfer-website-files","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gaugehosting.com\/blog\/index.php\/2026\/10\/19\/sftp-vs-ftp-why-you-should-use-sftp-to-transfer-website-files\/","title":{"rendered":"SFTP vs FTP: Why You Should Use SFTP to Transfer Website Files"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you upload files to a website, the protocol you choose matters. The SFTP vs FTP question comes down to security: FTP is an older protocol that sends your login details and files without encryption by default, while SFTP carries everything through an encrypted connection. For almost every modern website, SFTP is the better choice.<\/p>\n

What Is FTP?<\/h2>\n

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) was designed in an era when networks were smaller and less hostile. It lets you connect to a server, browse directories, and upload or download files. The problem is that plain FTP transmits usernames, passwords, and file contents in readable form, so anyone able to observe the connection could capture them.<\/p>\n

Plain FTP typically uses port 21 for commands, along with separate data connections, which can also complicate firewall and router configuration.<\/p>\n

What Is SFTP?<\/h2>\n

SFTP stands for SSH File Transfer Protocol. It runs inside an SSH connection, the same technology used for secure remote server access. Everything, including credentials, commands, and file data, is encrypted. It typically uses a single connection, often on port 22, although hosting providers sometimes use a different port.<\/p>\n

What About FTPS?<\/h2>\n

FTPS is a different thing: it is FTP with TLS encryption added. It is more secure than plain FTP but still carries FTP’s multiple-connection complexity. SFTP and FTPS are not interchangeable, so make sure your client is set to the protocol your host supports.<\/p>\n

SFTP vs FTP Compared<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Feature<\/th>\nFTP<\/th>\nSFTP<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Encryption<\/td>\nNone by default<\/td>\nAlways encrypted<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Credential protection<\/td>\nSent in plain text<\/td>\nProtected inside SSH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Connections<\/td>\nSeparate command and data connections<\/td>\nSingle connection<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Key-based login<\/td>\nNot supported<\/td>\nSupported<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typical port<\/td>\n21<\/td>\n22 or a host-defined port<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

How to Connect Using SFTP<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Collect your details:<\/strong> server hostname, username, password or key, and port. Your hosting provider’s documentation or control panel will list them.<\/li>\n
  2. Choose a client:<\/strong> graphical applications exist for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and the sftp<\/code> command is available in most terminals.<\/li>\n
  3. Select SFTP as the protocol<\/strong> and enter the details.<\/li>\n
  4. Verify the host fingerprint<\/strong> the first time you connect, and compare it with the one your provider publishes if available. This protects you from connecting to an impostor server.<\/li>\n
  5. Navigate to your site’s document root<\/strong> and transfer your files.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Best Practices for Secure File Transfers<\/h2>\n