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The FileZilla Insider’s Guide

Everything we know about FileZilla in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.

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ToolGPANovember 2026

FileZilla

The Insider’s Guide

Free FTP, FTPS and SFTP client, with a paid Pro tier for cloud storage

Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from FileZilla’s own pages.

Made by FileZilla Project · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com

2.8GPA

Contents

  1. 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
  2. 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
  3. 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
  4. 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
  5. 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
  6. 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
  7. 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it

ToolGPA put this guide together from FileZilla’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on FileZilla’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.

Part 01 · Overview

Welcome

What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first

2.8

GPA, above 116 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade

FileZilla Client is a free, open-source file transfer client for Windows, Linux and macOS that supports FTP, FTPS and SFTP. A paid edition, FileZilla Pro, adds cloud storage services such as Amazon S3, Google Drive and OneDrive, plus configuration sync. The project also makes a separate FTP server and a Mac cloud-drive tool.

To get you started, here are 9 things to know about FileZilla, taken from its own pages and our grades.

You still have to enter server addresses and logins for every site before you can move a file.
From our grade for ease of use
  1. 1

    Best for free FTP and SFTP transfers on Windows, Mac and Linux

    FileZilla is a free file transfer client for FTP, FTPS and SFTP on Windows, Mac and Linux.

  2. 2

    What it costs

    Paid plans start at 12,99 € for FileZilla Pro (starting at; billing period not shown).

  3. 3

    There is a free plan

    The free client handles FTP, FTPS and SFTP; cloud storage needs FileZilla Pro.

  4. 4

    It runs on 3 platforms

    Windows, macOS and Linux.

  5. 5

    FTP, FTPS and SFTP

    The free client connects to traditional servers and NAS devices over these three protocols.

  6. 6

    Cloud storage in Pro

    Pro reaches Amazon S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Backblaze B2, Azure and WebDAV, among others.

  7. 7

    Transfer queue

    Queue files for transfer, then stop and resume at will; transfer speed can be adjusted.

  8. 8

    A 2.8 GPA, above 116 of 186

    That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.

  9. 9

    Keep it

    Nothing FileZilla does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.

FileZilla at a glance

Pricing
Free plan, from 12,99 € for FileZilla Pro (starting at; billing period not shown)
Free plan
Yes
Free trial
7-day trial when bought through the Microsoft Store or App Store
Runs on
macOS, Windows, Linux
Made by
FileZilla Project
Category
Desktop Utilities
Our grade
2.8 GPA, good

The report card

Best for free FTP and SFTP transfers on Windows, Mac and Linux

FileZilla is a free file transfer client for FTP, FTPS and SFTP on Windows, Mac and Linux. But the cloud storage connections (S3, Google Drive, OneDrive and the rest) are only in the paid Pro edition, and Pro prices are shown in euros with no billing period.

ToolGPA report cardFileZillaGraded Nov 13, 2026
SubjectGradeComment
Value for moneyAThe client is free and open source with no price. Pro starts at 12,99 € but is only for cloud storage, and the page shows no billing period.
Free plan and trialAThe free client does the whole FTP, FTPS and SFTP job with no cap on it. A 7-day trial applies only to Pro bought through the Microsoft Store or App Store.
FeaturesCQueue, resume, Site Manager and master password. The gap is on the listing itself: cloud storage connections and settings sync are Pro only, and the Pro command-line tool is Windows only.
Ease of useCNo store rating is on record. You still have to enter server addresses and logins for every site before you can move a file.
Platforms and integrationsCWindows, Mac and Linux, but nothing for phones or the web. Pro connects to cloud services, which the free client does not.
Grade point averageGood, out of 4.02.8

An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.

Who FileZilla is for

  • Fits if you only need a free graphical FTP or SFTP client for uploading site files
  • Works for people who already have a server login and want a queue that resumes after a drop

Who it is not for

  • Skip it if you want to reach Amazon S3, Google Drive or OneDrive, which needs FileZilla Pro
  • Not for you if you need a phone or web version, as it runs only on computers
  • Watch out: Pro prices are in euros as 'starting at', with no billing period shown, and the FAQ calls it a subscription
  • Watch out: the Pro command-line tool is Windows only, and FileZilla Server is a separate product

Good to know

Good for

  • Anyone who needs a free graphical FTP or SFTP client
  • Web admins uploading site files
  • Pro buyers who move files to and from cloud storage

Worth knowing

  • Pro prices are shown in euros as "starting at" with no billing period; confirm at checkout.
  • Cloud storage connections are in FileZilla Pro only, not the free client.
  • The Pro command-line tool is Windows only, and FileZilla Server is a separate product.
  • The vendor's own project pages block automated reads, so the free-client facts come from its wiki.

Part 02 · Pricing

What it costs

Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved

€99

To start. There is a free plan too

FileZilla has a free plan. Paid plans start at 12,99 € for FileZilla Pro (starting at; billing period not shown).

The client is free and open source with no price.
From our grade for value for money

  • FileZilla Client

    $0

    Free and open source for Windows, Linux and macOS; FTP, FTPS and SFTP only.

  • Pro, single device

    12,99 €

    starting at; billing period not shown

    Adds cloud services; one device, sold per operating system. The FAQ calls it a subscription.

  • Pro + CLI

    24,99 €

    starting at; billing period not shown

    Pro for one Windows device plus the command-line tool for automation.

  • Pro, multiple devices

    29,99 €

    starting at; billing period not shown

    For one user on up to 3 devices across Windows, macOS and Linux.

The free plan

The free client handles FTP, FTPS and SFTP; cloud storage needs FileZilla Pro.

Trying it first

7-day trial when bought through the Microsoft Store or App Store

Read from filezillapro.com on Nov 13, 2026.

Part 03 · Features

What it does

Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it

3

Places it runs: macOS, Windows and Linux

Free FTP, FTPS and SFTP client, with a paid Pro tier for cloud storage. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: open source, file management.

Queue, resume, Site Manager and master password.
From our grade for features
FTP, FTPS and SFTP
The free client connects to traditional servers and NAS devices over these three protocols.
Cloud storage in Pro
Pro reaches Amazon S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Backblaze B2, Azure and WebDAV, among others.
Transfer queue
Queue files for transfer, then stop and resume at will; transfer speed can be adjusted.
Site Manager
Organize sites and bookmarks; Pro can also synchronize Site Manager data across installations.
Master password
Stored passwords can be protected with a master password.

Where it runs

  • macOS
  • Windows
  • Linux

What it works with

  • Amazon S3
  • Google Drive
  • OneDrive
  • Dropbox
  • Backblaze B2
  • Microsoft Azure

FileZilla is made by FileZilla Project.

Part 04 · Standing

Where it stands

Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own

116/186

Other desktop utilities it is graded above

FileZilla's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 116 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 37.

It stands best on free plan and trial (A, above 107 of 186) and worst on features (C, above 2).

Each grade against the category

Every bar is all 187 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. FileZilla’s own letter is outlined.

  • AValue for moneyAbove 55 of 186
  • AFree plan and trialAbove 107 of 186
  • CFeaturesAbove 2 of 186
  • CEase of useAbove 5 of 186
  • CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 111 of 186

Keep it, or make your own?

Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.

Keep it

Nothing FileZilla does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.

FileZilla is open source, so there is a third way: take its code and run it yourself.

What you could not

  • A file manager working directly on your disk.
  • Apps for macOS, Windows and Linux that stay in step with each other.
  • It plugs into other products, Amazon S3, Google Drive and OneDrive among them.

What this rests on. FileZilla’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.

Part 05 · Alternatives

The alternatives

The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side

WinSCP, Cyberduck, Transmit, Mountain Duck and ExpanDrive

The 5 tools FileZilla is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.

  • 2.8GPA

    WinSCP

    Free

    Free open-source SFTP, FTP, S3 and WebDAV client for Windows.

    • Only FileZilla lists macOS and Linux apps.
    • WinSCP also covers workflow automation and file sync.
    FileZilla and WinSCP compared in full
  • 3.0GPA

    Cyberduck

    Free plan · from $10

    Server and cloud storage browser for Mac and Windows.

    • Only FileZilla lists a Linux app.
    • FileZilla is open source, according to its own site.
    • Cyberduck also covers file sharing.
    FileZilla and Cyberduck compared in full
  • 2.2GPA

    Transmit

    Free trial · from $45 one-time

    Mac file transfer app for servers and cloud storage.

    • FileZilla has a free plan. Transmit does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only FileZilla lists Windows and Linux apps.
    • FileZilla is open source, according to its own site.
    FileZilla and Transmit compared in full
  • 2.4GPA

    Mountain Duck

    Free trial · from $49 one-time

    Mounts server and cloud storage as a drive on Mac and Windows.

    • FileZilla has a free plan. Mountain Duck does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only FileZilla lists a Linux app.
    • FileZilla is open source, according to its own site.
    FileZilla and Mountain Duck compared in full
  • 3.0GPA

    ExpanDrive

    Free plan · from $29/mo

    Mounts cloud storage and servers as drives on Mac, Windows and Linux.

    • FileZilla is open source, according to its own site.
    • ExpanDrive also covers file sync and file sharing.
    FileZilla and ExpanDrive compared in full

Part 06 · Questions

Quick answers

The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two

12

Questions, each answered in a line or two

The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.

Is FileZilla free?

FileZilla has a free plan. The free client handles FTP, FTPS and SFTP; cloud storage needs FileZilla Pro.

How much does FileZilla cost?

FileZilla lists 4 plans. FileZilla Client: $0.

What platforms does FileZilla work on?

FileZilla is available on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Does FileZilla have an Android app?

No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. FileZilla is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Does FileZilla have an iPhone app?

No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. FileZilla is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Is FileZilla open source?

Yes. FileZilla is open source, according to its own site.

What does FileZilla integrate with?

FileZilla's listing names Amazon S3, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Backblaze B2 and Microsoft Azure.

Does FileZilla have a free trial?

Yes. 7-day trial when bought through the Microsoft Store or App Store.

Who makes FileZilla?

FileZilla is made by FileZilla Project.

What are the alternatives to FileZilla?

The closest alternatives to FileZilla in our directory are WinSCP, Cyberduck, Transmit, Mountain Duck and ExpanDrive.

How does FileZilla compare with other desktop utilities?

FileZilla's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 116 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 37.

Could I make my own version of FileZilla?

Nothing FileZilla does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.

Where this guide comes from

The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from FileZilla’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from FileZilla Project's own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.

Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by FileZilla Project. Prices change, so check filezilla-project.org before you buy.

Part 07 · About

About ToolGPA

Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it

7,721

Tools graded, in 95 categories

ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.

Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.

  • 7,721

    tools graded

  • 95

    categories

  • 739

    price changes on record

  • 579

    apps priced in 12 countries

What else is on toolgpa.com

Scan for the live page

Prices and grades as they are today

Quoting this guide?

Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:

ToolGPA, "FileZilla: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/filezilla

Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?

Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/filezilla/guide

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See our other guides

The best-graded desktop utilities after FileZilla, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.

ToolGPA

Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.

Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›

Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what FileZilla’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. FileZilla is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by FileZilla Project. Prices and plans change: check filezilla-project.org before you buy.