SmartFTP - No Longer Free

[wii]

So sad, my favorite FTP client of all time is no longer free:

http://www.smartftp.com/purchase/free.php

Surprisingly though, my old version 2 is still working , while version 3 on another PC, stopped working, oh well, I will buy a license asap.

[dexter007]

I recommend u to use FileZilla...
I liked it more than Smart FTP...

[HeathMan]

I don't really like to use FTP because it is not secure. Instead I use the scp protocol on a different port than the default.

[Dan Grossman]

I'd recommend against ever using FTP as well. You're sending your password, and the contents of all your files, in plain text to dozens of servers and routers between you and the server where it could be intercepted. I can't believe web hosting companies close telnet because it's insecure but leave FTP enabled.

SFTP or SCP are better ways to move files. I almost never do either, though, as I keep all website-related files on Subversion repositories, which I access through an SSL-encrypted URL. So "svn commit" on the local box, SSH to the server and run an "svn update" there, and everything is moved securely.

If I have to use someone's FTP for something, since I don't keep an FTP client, I just use the one built into IE7/Windows. Type ftp://example.com into the address bar, then go to Page > Open In Windows Explorer and you can drag/drop files either way through an Explorer window.

[davinneal]

Dan really nice tip but cheap web hosting companies not offers these features

[cgustaveson]

Dan really nice tip but cheap web hosting companies not offers these features

sure they do, they are not necessarily features, just different protocols.

[Pixel Inception]

I thought it stopped being free a long time ago.

[kooshin.com]

the EI version is very slow and Smart FTP seemed to be pretty fast.

[w!ll]

Smart FTP it's stil free for download, install the last version of smart ftp if an older version doesn't start(run)

[JREAM]

SmartFTP had a price a while ago when I wanted to try but I realized it wasn't free.

This SCP stuff seems very paranoid, I've never heard of this -- Have people gotten things stolen this way?

[davidfield375]

There are plenty of other free alternatives try the Mozilla alternative.

[Dogs and things]

I had just become used to the new interface they introduced in the one before the last update when yesterday I checked if there where new updates available.

As usual I updated and was rewarded for that by the "No longer free, purchase Now or leave" message.

Very nice to be left by them with the feeling of having been some kind of a beta-tester and now that a decent enough level has been reached I´m told to buy or die.

I decided to drop Smartftp straight away, without any problems as I wasn´t to pleased anyway with the latest "improvements" introduced.

I discovered FireFTP which seems a very nice basic client and have switched back to Filezilla as a good alternative for more complex ftp-ing.

Byebye SmartFTP.

[Smart-Guy]

FileZilla is the free yet better FTP option you can bet. Go for that

[spence_noodle]

You can do SFTP with Filezilla: click here for more info

You will need SSH activated with your hosting package to make it work.

[James Babenok]

I also used Smart FTP when it was freeware and FAR manager for routine work
Filezilla seems a fair competitor - it's updated often but 3 ver. lacks proxy support (which is necessary for me) and can't minimize into tray (which version 2 could) so I switched on to Mozilla add-on FireFTP which looks like a good deal.

[mike29995]

Too bad try using an alternative free one, like cute ftp or file zilla, I prefer the latter.

[iTechno]

When on the PC SmartFTP was too my favourite, can't believe it isn't free anymore. Luckily I invested in a Mac a while a go and with Transmit I haven't looked back.