FileZilla

FileZilla was started as a computer science class project in the second week of January 2001 by Tim Kosse and two classmates.{{cite web | url = https://lifehacker.com/behind-the-app-the-story-of-filezilla-1724887234 | title = Behind the App: The Story of FileZilla | access-date = 28 March 2019 | last = Orin | first = Andy | date = 20 August 2015 | website = Lifehacker | quote = Yes, it started as a group project in the computer science course during my final year at school, almost 15 years ago. We were looking for something usable that was neither too trivial nor too big to implement and could be worked upon in parallel. Sadly I don’t remember the details anymore how we eventually settled on an FTP client. | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150821032920/https://lifehacker.com/behind-the-app-the-story-of-filezilla-1724887234 | archive-date = 21 August 2015}}{{Who|date=August 2013}}{{Cite web|title=FileZilla History|url=http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/documentation/history.htm|first=Tim|last=Kosse|website=SourceForge|publisher=DHI Group|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423060025/http://filezilla.sourceforge.net/documentation/history.htm|archive-date=2008-04-23|access-date=2015-11-04}}

Before they started to write the code, they discussed under which license they should release it. They decided to make FileZilla an open-source project because many FTP clients were already available, and they didn't think that they would sell a single copy if they made FileZilla commercial. Since its initial development in 2001, FileZilla has been released under the GNU General Public License (GPL).{{cite web|url= http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla/|title= Project: FileZilla|access-date= 5 March 2023|work= sourceforge.net|date= 11 June 2001|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20010710070950/http://sourceforge.net/projects/filezilla/|archive-date= 10 July 2001|url-status= dead}} The FileZilla client is currently released under GPL-2.0-or-later, and the server package under AGPL-3.0-or-later.

FileZilla featured as SourceForge's Project of the Month in November 2003.{{cite web |date=31 October 2003 |title=Project of the Month, November 2003: FileZilla |url=http://sourceforge.net/potm/potm-2003-11.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217072046/http://sourceforge.net/potm/potm-2003-11.php |archive-date=17 February 2014 |access-date=17 February 2014 |website=SourceForge |publisher=VA Software}}

{{Prose|section|date=July 2021}}

FileZilla Client allows file transfer using both FTP and encrypted FTP such as FTPS (server and client) and SFTP,{{cite web |date=13 September 2009 |title=Tim Kosse on Filezilla |url=http://www.blue-gnu.biz/content/tim_kosse_filezilla |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070917164311/http://www.blue-gnu.biz/content/tim_kosse_filezilla |archive-date=17 September 2007 |access-date=29 March 2019 |website=Blue-GNU |quote=In order to support the SFTP protocol, FileZilla uses code from PuTTY. SSL/TLS support is provided by GnuTLS.}} with support for IPv6. One of its most notable features is its capability to pause and resume file transfer processes, even for files larger than 4GB. Users can chose to overwrite existing files based on the age or size of the file. It also allows the preservation of timestamps on transferred files, provided there is support from the local system when downloading or from the target server when uploading.{{Cite web |title=How to Preserve Timestamps FileZilla Pro |url=https://filezillapro.com/docs/v3/advanced/preserve-timestamps/ |access-date=2021-11-01 |website=FileZilla Pro |language=en-US}}

FileZilla Client uses a tabbed user interface for multitasking, allowing users to browse more than one server or transfer files simultaneously between multiple servers. It also features a Site Manager to manage server lists and a transfer queue for ordering file transfer tasks.{{Cite web |last=Burgess |first=Laura-ann |date=2024-02-27 |title=Secure & Fast File Transfers. FileZilla. |url=https://sftptogo.com/blog/best-sftp-clients-of-2025-secure-fast-file-transfers/ |access-date=2025-03-04 |website= |language=en}} It has bookmarks for easy access and supports drag and drop for downloads and uploads. The software provides directory comparison for comparing local files and server files in the same directory. If there is a difference in the file details, such as a mismatch in name or size, the software will highlight the file in colour.

Other features include configurable transfer speed limits, filename filters, a network configuration wizard, remote file editing, keep-alive command to prevent disconnections when idle, HTTP/1.1, SOCKS5 and FTP-Proxy support, and logging events to a file for debugging. Additionally, users can export queues into an XML format file, browse directories synchronously, and remotely search for files on the server.

FileZilla Client is a cross-platform software, runs on Windows, Linux, *BSD, and Mac OS X, and available in 47 languages worldwide, including Arabic, Armenian, Basque, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese, Corsican, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, German, Greek, Estonian, Finnish, French, Galician, Hebrew, Hungarian, Indonesian, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Georgian, Khmer, Korean, Kurdish, Kyrgyz, Lithuanian, Latvian, Macedonian, Norwegian, Nepali, Occitan, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.

These are some features of FileZilla Server:{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.filezilla-project.org/FileZilla_FTP_Server|title=FileZilla FTP Server - FileZilla Wiki|website=wiki.filezilla-project.org}}

• FTP and FTP over TLS (FTPS)
• IPv6 support
• Speed limits
• Large file support >4GB
• Remote administration
• Permissions system with users and groups
• IP filters

In May 2008, Chris Foresman assessed FTP clients for Ars Technica, saying of FileZilla: "Some friends in the tech support world often recommend the free and open-source FileZilla, which offers a Mac OS X version in addition to Windows and Linux. But I've never been thrilled about its busy interface, which can be daunting for novice users."{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2008/05/first-look-cyberduck-3-is-a-great-free-ftp-client-for-mac.ars |title=First Look: Cyberduck 3 is a great, free FTP client for Mac |last=Foresman |first=Chris |date=15 May 2008 |publisher=Ars Technica |access-date=7 January 2012}}

Writing for Ars Technica in August 2008 Emil Protalinski said: "this week's free, third-party application recommendation is FileZilla.... This FTP client is very quick and is regularly updated. It may not have a beautiful GUI, but it certainly is fast and has never let me down."{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2008/08/friday-evening-microsoft-links-filezilla-edition.ars |title=Friday evening Microsoft links, FileZilla edition |last=Protalinski |first=Emil |date=1 August 2008 |publisher=Ars Technica |access-date=7 January 2012}}

GoDaddy, Clarion University of Pennsylvania and National Capital FreeNet recommend FileZilla for uploading files to their web hosting services.{{cite web |url=http://help.godaddy.com/article/104 |title=Connecting to Your Hosting Account with FileZilla (FTP) |year=2012 |publisher= Go Daddy |access-date=7 January 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.clarion.edu/96559/ |title=Share and Retrieve Files on the Clarion Network ("Jupiter" space) |publisher=Clarion University of Pennsylvania |access-date=7 January 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ncf.ca/ncf/support/wiki/Publishing_Web_Pages#How_to_upload_files |title=Publishing Web Pages |publisher=National Capital Freenet |access-date=7 January 2012 }}

FileZilla is available in the repositories of many Linux distributions, including Debian, Ubuntu, Trisquel and Parabola GNU/Linux-libre.{{cite web |url=http://packages.debian.org/stable/filezilla |title=Package: filezilla (3.9.0.5-1) |publisher=Debian |access-date=17 October 2015}}{{cite web |url=https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/filezilla |title=filezilla package in Ubuntu |work=Ubuntu |publisher=Canonical Ltd. |access-date=7 January 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://packages.trisquel.info/belenos/filezilla |title=Package: filezilla (3.7.3-1ubuntu1) |publisher=Trisquel |access-date=17 October 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.parabola.nu/packages/?sort=&q=filezilla |title=Parabola/Linux-libre - Package Database |publisher=Parabola GNU/Linux-libre |access-date=17 October 2015}}

In January 2012, CNET gave FileZilla their highest rating of "spectacular"—five out of five stars.{{cite web |url=http://download.cnet.com/FileZilla/3000-2160_4-10308966.html#review |title=FileZilla |date=16 April 2014 |work=Download.com |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=17 October 2015}}

{{As of|2022}} FileZilla is regularly listed in articles on the top free software applications.{{Cite web |last=Griffith |first=Eric |date=2020-07-02 |title=The Best Free Software of 2020 |url=https://au.pcmag.com/software/35483/the-best-free-software-of-2020 |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=PCMag Australia |language=en-au}}

Since the project's participation in SourceForge's program to create revenue by adware, several reviewers started warning about downloading FileZilla and discouraged users from using it.{{cite web |url=https://blog.malwarebytes.org/online-security/2013/11/sourceforge-drives-off-downloads-ask-why/ |title=Sourceforge Drives off Downloads, ask why |last=Taggart |first=Jean |date=8 November 2013 |website=Blog.Malwarebytes.org |publisher=Malwarebytes |access-date=16 September 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ghacks.net/2013/07/17/sourceforges-new-installer-bundles-program-downloads-with-adware/ |title = SourceForge's New Installer Bundles Program Downloads with Adware |last=Brinkmann |first=Martin |date=17 July 2013 |publisher=Ghacks |access-date=16 September 2014}}

{{Update|section|date=July 2021|reason=See https://www.howtogeek.com/218764/}}

In 2013 the project's hosting site, SourceForge.net, provided the main download of FileZilla with a download wrapper, "offering" additional software for the user to install. Numerous users reported that some of the adware installed without consent, despite declining all install requests, or used deception to obtain the user's "acceptance" to install. Among the reported effects are: web browser being hijacked, with content, start page and search engines being forcibly changed; popup windows; privacy or spying issues; and sudden shutdown and restart events possibly leading to loss of current work. Some of the adware was reported to resist removal or restoration of previous settings, or were said to reinstall after a supposed removal. Also, users reported adware programs to download and install more unwanted software, some causing alerts by security suites, for being malware.

The FileZilla webpage offers additional download options without adware installs, but the link to the adware download appears as the primary link, highlighted and marked as "recommended".{{cite web|url=https://blog.emsisoft.com/en/12678/mind-the-pup-top-download-portals-to-avoid/|title=Mind the PUP: Top download portals to avoid - Emsisoft - Security Blog|website=blog.emsisoft.com|date=11 March 2015|access-date=8 June 2018}}

As of 2016, FileZilla displays ads (called sponsored updates) when starting the application. These ads appear as part of the "Check for updates" dialog.{{cite web|url=https://filezilla-project.org/sponsored_updates.php|title=FileZilla - Sponsored Updates|work=filezilla-project.org|access-date=12 September 2016}}

In 2018, a further controversy about FileZilla's use of a bundled adware installer caused concern.{{cite web|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/filezillas-use-of-bundled-offers-sparks-outrage-from-users/|title=FileZilla's Use of Bundled Offers Sparks Outrage From Users

|work=.bleepingcomputer.com |access-date=6 January 2019}}

Until version 3.26 FileZilla stored all saved usernames and passwords as plain text, allowing any malware that had gained even limited access to the user's system to read the data. FileZilla author Tim Kosse was reluctant to add encrypted storage. He stated that it gives a false sense of security, since well-crafted malware can include a keylogger that reads the master password used to secure the data. Users have argued that reading the master password to decrypt the encrypted storage is still harder than just reading the unencrypted storage.{{cite web|title=Missing password feature now poses a serious security threat|url=https://forum.filezilla-project.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=31521|website=Filezilla forums|access-date=29 May 2017}} A fork called FileZilla Secure was started in November 2016 to add encrypted storage.{{cite web|url=http://www.filezillasecure.com/|title=FileZilla Secure - Dedicated to keeping your FTP passwords secure.|last=FileZillaSecure|work=filezillasecure.com|access-date=23 November 2016}} In May 2017, encrypted storage was also added to the main version, 10 years after it was first requested.{{cite web|last1=Cimpanu|first1=Catalin|title=FileZilla FTP Client Adds Support for Master Password That Encrypts Your Logins|url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/software/filezilla-ftp-client-adds-support-for-master-password-that-encrypts-your-logins/|website=Bleeping Computer|date=26 May 2017|access-date=29 May 2017}} Kosse maintained that the feature did not really increase security, as long as the operating system is not secure.{{cite web|title=FileZilla 3 development diary|url=https://forum.filezilla-project.org/viewtopic.php?p=156130#p156130|access-date=29 May 2017}}

{{Infobox software

| name = FileZilla Server

| logo = File:FileZilla logo.svg

| screenshot = 225px

| caption = FileZilla Server main interface

| developer = Tim Kosse, et al.

| released =

| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|reference|edit|Q2717363|P348|P548=Q2804309}}

| latest release date = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q2717363|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}

| latest preview version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|reference|edit|Q2717363|P348|P548=Q51930650}}

| latest preview date = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q2717363|P348|P548=Q51930650|P577}}

| programming language = C++

| operating system = Linux, MacOS, Windows

| language =

| genre = FTP server

| license = 2021{{efn|AGPL-3.0-or-later since 2021, version 1.0.0.}}: AGPL-3.0-or-later
2001{{efn|GPL-2.0-or-later from 2001 until 2021.}}: GPL-2.0-or-later{{cite web|url=https://filezilla-project.org/license.php|title=FileZilla - License|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803200836/https://filezilla-project.org/license.php|archive-date=2021-08-03}}

| website = {{URL|https://filezilla-project.org/}}

}}

FileZilla Server is a sister product to FileZilla Client. It is an FTP server supported by the same project and features support for FTP and FTP over SSL/TLS.{{cite web|url = http://lifehacker.com/339887/build-a-home-ftp-server-with-filezilla|title = Build a Home FTP Server with FileZilla|access-date =14 January 2012|last = Trapani|first = Gina|date = January 2008}} FileZilla Server is currently available for Linux, MacOS and Windows platforms.

FileZilla Server is a free, open-source FTP server. Its source code is hosted on the FileZilla Project website.{{Cite web|url=https://filezilla-project.org/download.php?show_all=1&type=server|title=Download FileZilla Server|website=filezilla-project.org}}

FileZilla Server supports FTP and FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS).{{Citation needed|date=November 2015}} Other features include:

• Encryption with SSL/TLS (for FTPS)
• Per-user permissions on the underlying file system
• GUI configuration tool
• Speed limits
• IP filtering

Unlike some other FTP clients, FileZilla Client does not implement a workaround for an error in the IIS server which causes file corruption when resuming large file downloads.{{cite web|url=http://trac.filezilla-project.org/ticket/4672|title=#4672 (Download continues past 100% corrupting downloaded file)|author = FileZilla|work=filezilla-project.org|access-date=12 September 2016}}

FileZilla Client

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{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://download.filezilla-project.org/ Download repository on the official website]
• {{SourceForge|project=filezilla}}
• [https://wiki.filezilla-project.org/FAQ#FileZilla_Server_FAQ FileZilla Server FAQ]
• [https://wiki.filezilla-project.org/Main_Page FileZilla Wiki]

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