Guide

FTP vs. FTPS vs. SFTP: differences, security, and which protocol to use when

FTP, FTPS and SFTP sound similar but work in fundamentally different ways under the hood – especially around encryption. This guide breaks down the differences in plain language and helps you pick the right protocol for your use case.

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FTP, FTPS and SFTP compared

Criterion	FTP	FTPS	SFTP
Base protocol	Standalone file transfer protocol	FTP + TLS encryption	Part of SSH (not related to FTP)
Encryption	None (plain text)	TLS (explicit AUTH TLS or implicit)	SSH encryption, always on
Default port	21 (data channel separate)	21 (explicit) or 990 (implicit)	22 (same as SSH)
Firewall friendliness	Active mode is tricky, passive mode common	Same as FTP, plus TLS negotiation	A single connection, straightforward
Typical use	Legacy servers without TLS support	Web hosting requiring TLS	SSH servers, developer & admin workflows
Also mountable as a drive (SSHFS)	No	No	Yes, with NeoSSHWinManager

Why avoid plain FTP?

FTP transfers credentials and files unencrypted. Anyone on the same network can read them. Only use FTP for legacy servers that support neither FTPS nor SFTP.

FTPS or SFTP – which is better?

Both encrypt reliably. FTPS fits when an existing FTP server was simply extended with TLS (common in web hosting). SFTP is the more modern choice for SSH servers, and with NeoSSHWinManager it can also be mounted directly as a Windows drive.

FAQ

Is FTPS the same as SFTP?

No. FTPS is classic FTP plus TLS encryption. SFTP is a completely different protocol that runs over SSH and is technically unrelated to FTP – both encrypt, but differently.

Which protocol is the most secure?

FTPS and SFTP are both encrypted and considered secure as long as certificates or host keys are verified correctly. Plain FTP is unencrypted and should be avoided wherever an alternative exists.

Can I use all three protocols in one app?

Yes. NeoSSHWinManager supports FTP, FTPS (explicit and implicit) and SFTP in one connection profile – just pick the protocol, and the port is suggested automatically.

Why can SFTP be mounted as a drive but FTP can't?

SFTP runs over SSH, and SSHFS builds directly on that to provide a filesystem. FTP/FTPS have no equivalent filesystem protocol, so they're used through a file browser instead.