If you manage a website, WordPress installation, VPS, or remote server from a Mac, choosing the right FTP client for Mac can make uploading, downloading, editing, and managing files much easier.

A good FTP client should make it easy to connect to your server, transfer files securely, manage remote directories, resume interrupted transfers, and work with modern protocols such as SFTP and FTPS.

In this guide, we compare the best FTP clients for Mac (macOS), including free and paid options. We focus on the features that matter most to website owners, developers, freelancers, system administrators, and VPS users.

If you are specifically looking for a free FTP client for Mac, Cyberduck, FileZilla, Commander One, and Owlfiles are some of the most interesting options to consider.

Quick Comparison: Best FTP Clients for Mac

FTP Client	Free Version	FTP	FTPS	SFTP	Best For
Cyberduck	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Best free overall
FileZilla	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Cross-platform users
Commander One	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Dual-pane file management
Owlfiles	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Multi-protocol file management
Transmit	Trial	Yes	Yes	Yes	Professional Mac users
ForkLift	Trial	Yes	Yes	Yes	Power users
Fetch	Trial	Yes	Yes	Yes	Simple Mac-focused transfers

What Is an FTP Client?

An FTP client is an application that allows your computer to connect to a remote server and transfer files.

For website owners and developers, an FTP client for Mac can be used to:

Upload website files
Download files from a server
Create and delete folders
Rename files
Edit remote files
Change file permissions
Upload WordPress files
Download website backups
Transfer large numbers of files
Connect to VPS servers
Manage multiple hosting accounts
Synchronize local and remote files

FTP clients are especially useful when a website’s files need to be managed outside a browser-based hosting control panel

What Is the Best FTP Client for Mac?

There is no single FTP application that is perfect for every Mac user.

For most users looking for a free solution, Cyberduck is an excellent starting point because it combines a simple interface with FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and cloud-storage support.

FileZilla is particularly useful for users who work across macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Commander One is a strong choice if you prefer a dual-pane file manager, while Owlfiles is useful for users who work with multiple network and storage protocols.

For professional users, Transmit and ForkLift provide more advanced workflows, while Fetch is a good choice for users who want a simpler Mac-focused FTP application.

1. Cyberduck — Best Free FTP Client for Mac

Best for: Most Mac users looking for a free FTP/SFTP client

Cyberduck is one of the strongest choices if you are searching for the best free FTP client for Mac.

It is free software and supports FTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Backblaze B2, Microsoft Azure, OpenStack Swift, and other storage services.

That makes Cyberduck much more than a traditional FTP application.

Key Features

Free software
FTP support
FTPS support
SFTP support
SSH public-key authentication
WebDAV
Amazon S3
Google Drive
Dropbox
OneDrive
Backblaze B2
Microsoft Azure
OpenStack Swift
Bookmarks
Remote file management
File transfers
Synchronization
Drag-and-drop transfers
Command-line interface

Cyberduck also provides a command-line interface called duck, which can be useful for automation and advanced workflows.

Is Cyberduck Free?

Yes. Cyberduck is free software. The project also offers paid versions through the Mac App Store and accepts donations to support development.

Cyberduck for Mac Download

Official Website:
Cyberduck Official Website

Official Download:
Download Cyberduck for Mac

The official download page currently lists Cyberduck 9.5.2 for macOS, while the project’s changelog lists version 9.5.3 released on August 4, 2026. The Mac build supports Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Pros

Free
Excellent SFTP support
Easy to use
Supports many cloud services
Good for beginners
Good for web developers
Supports Intel and Apple Silicon Macs
Useful for both hosting and cloud storage

Cons

The interface is less Mac-native than some premium alternatives
Advanced users may prefer a dual-pane workflow

Who Should Use Cyberduck?

Cyberduck is an excellent choice for:

Website owners
WordPress users
Freelancers
Developers
Hosting customers
VPS users
Users looking for a free FTP client for Mac

If you simply need to upload website files to a hosting account, Cyberduck is one of the first applications worth trying.

2. FileZilla — Best Free Cross-Platform FTP Client

Best for: Users who work across Mac, Windows, and Linux

FileZilla is one of the best-known FTP applications and is particularly useful for users who want a consistent workflow across multiple operating systems.

The standard FileZilla Client supports FTP, FTPS, and SFTP and provides a traditional interface for transferring files between your Mac and remote servers.

Key Features

Free FTP client
FTP
FTPS
SFTP
macOS support
Windows support
Linux support
Transfer queues
Site Manager
Drag-and-drop transfers
Directory comparison
Transfer speed controls
Large-file support

Why Choose FileZilla?

One of FileZilla’s biggest advantages is its cross-platform availability.

If you use macOS on one computer and Windows or Linux on another, you can maintain essentially the same FTP workflow without learning another application.

This makes FileZilla particularly attractive for developers, agencies, freelancers, and teams working across different operating systems.

FileZilla for Mac Download

Official Website:
FileZilla Official Website

Official Download:
Download FileZilla Client for Mac

Pros

Free
Cross-platform
FTP, FTPS, and SFTP
Familiar interface
Good for standard website transfers
Large user community
Suitable for hosting and VPS users

Cons

Interface can feel dated compared with newer Mac applications
Less Mac-specific than premium alternatives

Who Should Use FileZilla?

FileZilla is a good option if you:

Manage multiple websites
Use multiple operating systems
Need a free FTP client
Regularly transfer website files
Work with WordPress
Manage hosting accounts
Manage VPS servers

3. Commander One — Best Dual-Pane FTP Client for Mac

Best for: Developers and power users who want an FTP client combined with a file manager

Commander One takes a different approach from traditional FTP clients.

It is a dual-pane file manager for macOS with integrated FTP, SFTP, FTPS, and FTPES support. It also supports remote and cloud services such as Amazon S3, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Backblaze, OpenStack, Box, MEGA, WebDAV, and pCloud.

Key Features

Free Mode
Dual-pane interface
FTP
FTPS
SFTP
FTPES
Multiple tabs
Multiple connections
Cloud storage
Built-in terminal
File viewer
Archive support
Hidden-file support
Advanced search
File management
macOS Keychain integration

Commander One is optimized for both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. Its official documentation currently lists macOS 10.13 and later as supported.

Is Commander One Free?

Commander One can be used in Free Mode, while additional functionality is available through the Pro version. The free version includes core file-management functionality, while features such as the integrated FTP/SFTP/FTPS manager are part of the Pro offering.

This distinction is worth mentioning if you are specifically comparing completely free FTP clients for Mac.

Commander One for Mac Download

Official Website:
Commander One Official Website

Official Download:
Download Commander One for Mac

Pros

Free Mode
Excellent dual-pane interface
FTP/SFTP/FTPS support
Multiple connections
Built-in terminal
Strong file-management features
Apple Silicon and Intel support

Cons

Some advanced FTP functionality requires Pro
More complex than a basic FTP client
May be more functionality than casual users need

Who Should Use Commander One?

Commander One is particularly useful for:

Developers
VPS administrators
Web designers
Advanced Mac users
Users managing multiple remote servers
Users who prefer dual-pane file management

4. Owlfiles — Best Multi-Protocol File Manager for Mac

Best for: Users who need FTP/SFTP alongside multiple network and cloud protocols

Owlfiles is more than a traditional FTP client. It is a multi-protocol file manager designed to work with local files, remote servers, network shares, NAS devices, and cloud storage.

The current Mac version supports FTP, SFTP, SMB, NFS, WebDAV, Amazon S3, and multiple cloud services. Its Mac App Store listing also includes support for services such as Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, MEGA, and pCloud.

Key Features

FTP
SFTP
SMB
NFS
WebDAV
Amazon S3
Cloud storage
Network file management
NAS access
Remote file management
CLI
MCP support
Server discovery

Why Choose Owlfiles?

If your only requirement is uploading WordPress files to a hosting account, Cyberduck or FileZilla may be enough.

However, if you want a broader file manager for Mac that can work with different network protocols, NAS devices, servers, and cloud storage, Owlfiles becomes a much more interesting option.

This makes it particularly useful for advanced users who manage files across several types of infrastructure.

Owlfiles for Mac Download

Official Website:
Owlfiles Official Website

Official Download:
Download Owlfiles for Mac

Pros

Multi-protocol support
FTP/SFTP
Network file management
NAS support
Cloud connectivity
CLI
Advanced file-management capabilities

Cons

More functionality than many users need
Some advanced features require Pro

Who Should Use Owlfiles?

Owlfiles is a good option if you want a Mac file manager with FTP/SFTP and broader network-storage support rather than a traditional FTP-only application.

5. Transmit — Best Premium FTP Client for Mac

Best for: Professional Mac users who want a polished native experience

Transmit is developed by Panic and is designed specifically for macOS.

It supports FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, and multiple cloud services. It also includes file synchronization, transfer queues, remote file management, and a polished dual-pane interface.

Key Features

FTP
SFTP
WebDAV
Amazon S3
Cloud storage
File synchronization
Dual-pane interface
Transfer queue
Remote file management
SSH key support
Open in Terminal
Server synchronization
Remote-to-remote transfer workflows

Transmit is particularly focused on professional Mac users who regularly manage files on servers.

The official website currently offers a seven-day free trial and lists a $45 one-time purchase for the direct version. The current release requires macOS 13 or later.

Transmit for Mac Download

Official Website & Download:
Download Transmit for Mac

Pros

Excellent macOS interface
Strong FTP/SFTP support
File synchronization
Cloud integrations
Professional workflow
Excellent Mac integration
Strong transfer management

Cons

Not permanently free
More expensive than free alternatives
More suitable for professional users

Who Should Use Transmit?

Transmit is a good choice if you:

Transfer files every day
Manage multiple servers
Work professionally with websites
Want a Mac-first interface
Need advanced synchronization features
Regularly work with remote infrastructure

6. ForkLift — Best FTP & File Manager for Mac Power Users

Best for: Advanced users who want a powerful dual-pane file manager

ForkLift combines a dual-pane file manager with remote file-transfer capabilities.

Instead of functioning only as an FTP application, ForkLift is designed to provide a complete local and remote file-management workflow.

Key Features

Dual-pane interface
FTP
FTPS
SFTP
WebDAV
Cloud services
File synchronization
Remote file management
File previews
Archive support
Advanced file operations
Multiple remote connections

ForkLift is designed specifically for Mac users and is particularly useful for developers, system administrators, and other power users.

ForkLift for Mac Download

Official Website:
ForkLift Official Website

Official Download:
Download ForkLift for Mac

Pros

Powerful dual-pane workflow
Strong Mac integration
Advanced file management
Remote server support
Good for professional users
Suitable for complex file workflows

Cons

Paid
More advanced than necessary for casual users
May be excessive if you only need occasional FTP transfers

Who Should Use ForkLift?

ForkLift is best suited to:

Developers
System administrators
Professional web designers
VPS administrators
Power users
People managing many remote servers

7. Fetch — Best Simple FTP Client for Mac

Best for: Users who want a straightforward Mac-focused FTP/SFTP workflow

Fetch is a long-standing Mac file-transfer application focused on simplicity and ease of use.

It supports FTP, SFTP, and FTP over TLS/SSL and includes features such as folder synchronization, automatic transfer resume, drag-and-drop transfers, and remote file editing.

Key Features

FTP
SFTP
FTPS
Drag-and-drop transfers
Folder synchronization
Automatic resume
Quick Look
Remote file editing
File permissions management

Why Choose Fetch?

Fetch is useful if you want a focused Mac FTP application without the extensive file-management and cloud features offered by applications such as Commander One or ForkLift.

It can be a good fit for users who primarily need to connect to a hosting server, upload files, download files, and perform basic remote file management.

Fetch for Mac Download

Official Website:
Fetch Softworks Official Website

Official Download:
Download Fetch for Mac

Pros

Simple interface
Mac-focused
FTP/SFTP/FTPS
Easy to understand
Folder synchronization
Automatic resume
Good for straightforward hosting workflows

Cons

Paid after the trial
Fewer cloud-storage features than some alternatives
Less suitable for users who need a full file-management suite

Who Should Use Fetch?

Fetch is worth considering if you want a focused Mac FTP application without the broader feature set of applications such as Commander One or ForkLift.

Best Free FTP Clients for Mac

If your main priority is finding a free FTP client for Mac, you don’t necessarily need to purchase anything.

Cyberduck

Best free FTP client for Mac overall.

Cyberduck offers an excellent combination of simplicity, protocol support, and cloud-storage integration.

FileZilla

Best free cross-platform FTP client.

FileZilla is particularly useful if you use macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Commander One

Best dual-pane option.

Commander One is interesting for users who want an FTP/SFTP workflow combined with advanced file management, although some FTP features are part of the Pro version.

Owlfiles

Best multi-protocol option.

Owlfiles is particularly interesting if you also need NAS, SMB, NFS, WebDAV, S3, or cloud-storage access.

Best Paid FTP Clients for Mac

If you’re willing to pay for a more polished experience, these are the strongest options in this comparison.

Transmit

Best for professional Mac users who want a polished, Mac-first experience.

ForkLift

Best for power users who need advanced local and remote file management.

Fetch

Best for users who prefer a simple, dedicated Mac file-transfer application.

Which FTP Client Is Best for Mac?

The best choice depends on your workflow.

Best Free FTP Client for Mac

Cyberduck

For most users, Cyberduck offers the best combination of price, simplicity, protocol support, and flexibility.

Best Cross-Platform FTP Client

FileZilla

Choose FileZilla if you frequently switch between macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Best Dual-Pane FTP Client

Commander One

Commander One is a strong choice if you want FTP/SFTP functionality combined with a powerful file manager.

Best Multi-Protocol File Manager

Owlfiles

Owlfiles is worth considering if your workflow involves FTP/SFTP alongside other network and cloud-storage protocols.

Best Premium FTP Client for Mac

Transmit

Transmit is a strong choice for professionals who want a polished Mac-native experience.

Best FTP File Manager for Power Users

ForkLift

ForkLift is designed for users who need advanced local and remote file management.

Best Simple Mac FTP Client

Fetch

Fetch is a good option if you want a straightforward, focused file-transfer application.

What Should You Use for Web Hosting?

For a normal website, you probably don’t need the most expensive FTP client available.

For most users:

Free + easy: Cyberduck

Free + cross-platform: FileZilla

Dual-pane: Commander One

Multi-protocol: Owlfiles

Professional: Transmit

Power user: ForkLift

Simple Mac workflow: Fetch

If your hosting provider supports SFTP, use SFTP whenever possible instead of standard unencrypted FTP.

How to Connect a Mac to Your Web Hosting

Once you’ve installed an FTP client, you’ll normally need:

FTP or SFTP hostname
Username
Password
Port
Protocol

A typical SFTP connection may look like this:

Protocol: SFTP
Host: your-server.example.com
Port: 22
Username: your-username
Password: your-password

Standard FTP commonly uses port 21, while SFTP commonly uses port 22.

Your hosting provider should provide the correct connection information for your account.

Using an FTP Client With Royal Host

If your website is hosted with Royal Host, you can use an FTP or SFTP client such as Cyberduck, FileZilla, Commander One, Owlfiles, Transmit, ForkLift, or Fetch to manage your website files, depending on the connection method available for your hosting account.

A dedicated FTP client can be particularly useful when uploading large numbers of files, managing WordPress installations, moving backups, or working with files that are easier to manage locally than through a browser-based file manager.

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FTP Client vs Hosting Control Panel

You may not always need an FTP client.

Hosting control panels such as DirectAdmin and cPanel provide web-based file managers that allow you to perform many common file operations directly from your browser.

However, a dedicated FTP client for Mac can be much more convenient when you need to:

Upload hundreds of files
Download large directories
Move large numbers of files
Manage multiple servers
Synchronize local and remote files
Work with website backups
Edit remote files
Transfer files without using a browser

For developers and advanced website owners, an FTP/SFTP client can become an important part of their daily workflow.

SFTP vs FTP: Which Should You Use?

If both options are available, SFTP is generally the better choice for secure file transfers.

Feature	FTP	FTPS	SFTP
Encryption	No by default	Yes	Yes
Uses SSH	No	No	Yes
Common Port	21	21/990	22
Secure Server Management	Limited	Good	Excellent
Suitable for VPS	Sometimes	Yes	Yes

SFTP is particularly useful when managing a Linux VPS because it uses SSH, the same technology commonly used for secure remote server administration.

How to Choose the Best FTP Client for Mac

1. SFTP Support

If you manage VPS servers, SFTP support should be one of your first considerations.

2. FTPS Support

If your hosting provider uses FTP over TLS, make sure your chosen application supports FTPS.

3. Transfer Queue

A transfer queue is useful when uploading or downloading hundreds or thousands of files.

4. File Synchronization

Synchronization can save considerable time if you develop websites locally and publish them to a remote server.

5. Cloud Storage

If you work with services such as Amazon S3, Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, choose an application that supports the services you actually use.

6. Remote Editing

Developers often need to edit PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and configuration files stored on remote servers.

7. Apple Silicon Support

If you have a newer Mac with an Apple Silicon processor, check that your chosen FTP client supports your Mac and current macOS version.

Other FTP Clients for Mac Worth Considering

The seven applications above cover most common use cases, but there are other tools worth knowing about:

Mountain Duck
CloudMounter
CrossFTP
Rclone
ExpanDrive
EmpiricCommander

These alternatives can be useful for specific workflows such as mounting remote storage, automation, cloud-storage management, or advanced file operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best FTP client for Mac?

For most users, Cyberduck is one of the best FTP clients for Mac, particularly if you want a free application with FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and cloud-storage support.

What is the best free FTP client for Mac?

Cyberduck is an excellent overall free option, while FileZilla is particularly useful for cross-platform users. Commander One is a strong choice for dual-pane file management, while Owlfiles is useful for users who need broader network and storage support.

Is Cyberduck free?

Yes. Cyberduck is free software, although the project also offers paid App Store versions and accepts donations.

Is FileZilla free on Mac?

Yes. The standard FileZilla Client is available as free software and has a macOS version.

Is SFTP safer than FTP?

Yes. SFTP operates over SSH and encrypts the connection, while standard FTP does not encrypt credentials and transferred data by default.

Can I use an FTP client to manage WordPress?

Yes. An FTP or SFTP client can be used to upload, download, rename, and manage WordPress files.

Always be careful when editing WordPress core files, plugins, or themes directly.

Can I use an FTP client with a VPS?

Yes. SFTP is particularly useful for VPS users because it provides secure file transfer over SSH.

Does macOS have a built-in FTP client?

macOS provides several network and file-sharing capabilities, but a dedicated FTP/SFTP application generally provides a much more convenient workflow for managing remote website and server files.

Final Verdict: Best FTP Clients for Mac in 2026

After comparing the main options, here’s our shortlist.

Cyberduck — Best Free FTP Client for Mac

The best starting point for most users who want a free and flexible FTP/SFTP application.

FileZilla — Best Cross-Platform FTP Client

An excellent choice for users who work across macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Commander One — Best Dual-Pane FTP Client

A strong option for developers and users who want advanced file management.

Owlfiles — Best Multi-Protocol File Manager

A good choice if your workflow involves FTP/SFTP alongside other network and cloud-storage protocols.

Transmit — Best Premium FTP Client

A polished Mac-first application for professional users.

ForkLift — Best FTP & File Manager for Power Users

A powerful choice for advanced local and remote file management.

Fetch — Best Simple FTP Client for Mac

A straightforward option for users who prefer a focused Mac file-transfer application.

For most people, Cyberduck or FileZilla is all you need. If you’re managing servers professionally every day, however, Transmit or ForkLift may justify their additional cost.

Need Hosting for Your Website, VPS or Domain?

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Conclusion

Choosing the best FTP client for Mac (macOS) depends on what you need from your file-transfer workflow.

For a free and flexible solution, Cyberduck is our top recommendation. FileZilla is an excellent choice for cross-platform users, while Commander One is ideal if you want a dual-pane file manager.

For users who need broader protocol support, Owlfiles is worth considering. Professional Mac users may prefer Transmit, while power users can benefit from ForkLift. If simplicity is the priority, Fetch remains a useful alternative.

Whatever FTP client you choose, use SFTP whenever possible for secure file transfers and download software from the developer’s official website.

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