October 1, 2026 · 4 min read
FTP vs SFTP
One of these should not be asked to carry a secret.
David KrugManila · @realDavidKrug
FTP sends the session in the open. SFTP sends it through SSH. If the file matters, the choice is already over.
The distinction that matters
SFTP is also simpler to get through a modern network. FTP’s side channels are why so many Sunday nights have been lost to passive mode.
For a person who is not administering a server, neither is the interface. Give them a link.
In one table
| FTP | SFTP | |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | No | Yes, over SSH |
| Same protocol? | The original | A different protocol |
| Who should see it | Old machines | Anyone with a server login |
| A client delivery | No | Still no. Send a link. |
What to do with it
For a person who is not administering a server, neither is the interface. Give them a link.
Written by
David Krug
Twenty-plus years of building cute little websites, and big ones, with an independent footprint. In the Philippines since 2016. Based in Manila, with two children and one amazing partner.
Follow the build · @realDavidKrug
