FTP hosting: 7 of the best providers worth checking

There are plenty of FTP hosting providers in the market that offer tons of features. FTP refers to downloading, uploading, and migrating files from your computer to the server or vice versa. Businesses looking to keep their data safe use an FTP server to cater to their needs. You can securely share files over the internet between your clients and manage everything properly. You can opt for hosted FTP services or cloud FTP services according to your needs.

Usually, developers use a web browser or command prompt to access the server. But, nowadays, FTP clients have made it easy to access the server and perform different operations. You get better access to the files and enjoy administrative control.

Here in this list, we have listed the best options that offer the best services at the best prices. You can go through the whole list and compare the features to funnel down the best one for you.

If you’re in a hurry

What is FTP hosting and how does it work?

In a world, where cyber threats and data security are critical, having a reliable FTP host on your side is a boon. You can access your files easily and share them securely which boosts your productivity and brings profits to your business.

In simple words, FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. As the name suggests, this fundamental technology allows you to send and receive files over the internet with full data security. Most web hosting providers offer users FTP accounts to handle files, access their server, and perform different operations accordingly.

There are different ways to establish an FTP connection. You can use a command prompt or web browser to communicate with the FTP server. Now, web developers prefer FTP clients over these methods to access the directories in the server.

Connecting an FTP client

With an FTP client, they get more freedom in accessing and managing the files as compared to the other two ways. Besides, there are several more features that make it a promising way than the other options. You can easily access the FTP server through your account. In case you are getting into any trouble here are the simple steps to follow.

• Login with your hosting provider and go to the FTP account section.
• Now fill in the right credentials to sign in.
• A list will come on your screen which will contain active FTP accounts.
• Now, use any client to connect. Here we have taken FileZilla for example. So, fill in the right credentials and click on Quickconnect. You can also fill in the port number. If you don’t, the default value will be used, which is 21.
• All done. You will get all the information in the status window regarding the files on the FTP server.

Let’s check out our top picks

1. A2 Hosting

Are you looking for a secure FTP hosting provider that offers fast and reliable services? Don't worry. A2 Hosting is here for you. The provider offers turbo servers for better loading time and high performance. There are several FTP providers in the market, but you can depend on A2 Hosting as the company promises 99.9% uptime. You enjoy full root access with which you can customize all the elements according to your requirements. Besides this, you get full support(live chat, phone, email) on all your queries and issues from the knowledgeable support team of the provider.

Our Expert Rating: 100% Best Features Hassle free money-back guarantee Perpetual security protocols Cheap FTP hosting

2. IONOS

In the crowd of FTP providers, IONOS offers you unlimited storage hosting when it comes to FTP file hosting. With plenty of disk space on your side, you can carry out all the operations without any worry. The provider incorporates technologies like SSH and SSL/TLS to offer you fully-secured services. They support both protocols so that you can enjoy secure file transfer in both Windows and Linux hosting. You can easily add additional accounts and even specify the right of those accounts according to your requirements. Moreover, the provider performs daily backups according to a pre-established schedule. You can also manually back up the data for better recovery anytime.

Our Expert Rating: 98% Best Features 24/7 expert support Mobile app support 1-year free domain

3. DreamHost

DreamHost offers shared hosting plans that offer unlimited bandwidth and storage and SFTP accounts. You get SSH access so that you can hold all the administrative powers and assign different access to different users according to your requirements. Moreover, you can manage all the operations easily with the DreamHost control panel. With DreamHost FTP, you get a 97-day money-back guarantee. So, if you are not satisfied with the services, you can easily get a full refund of your money. On top of this, the provider conducts automated backups so that you can prevent any data loss and recover quickly in case of an accident.

Our Expert Rating: 96% Best Features Free domain for 1 year Free privacy protection Unlimited MySQL databases

4. Hostinger

With the state-of-the-art infrastructure in its arsenal, Hostinger offers reliable and unmated performance when it comes to FTP file hosting. Under the premium shared hosting plan, you get unlimited FTP accounts with SSH access. So, you don’t need to worry about data security while transferring it to the desired location. Get complete control over all the elements so that you can manage everything properly. You can also manage all the operations through the powerful control panel which further reduces your workload. The provider has global data centers, so you get better data availability and the lowest possible latency time.

Our Expert Rating: 96% Best Features 100 email accounts Free domain registration 24/7/365 expert support Visit Hostinger

5. GoDaddy

No matter the size of your business, GoDaddy is the go-to option for everyone. With an easy-to-operate control panel, you can control everything from a single point. This way you can boost your productivity and do more work in less time. In case, you need any resources, scaling up to meet the demand is seamless. With GoDaddy FTP, you enjoy better data availability as they have global data centers. GoDaddy guarantees 99.9% uptime so that you can serve your clients in a better way. In case you are not fully satisfied with the services, you can get a full refund of your money within 30 days.

Our Expert Rating: 94% Best Features Virus, fraud, and spam protection Auto-responder 24/7 support from an industrious team

6. SiteGround

Boost your business with reliable and secure services of SiteGround FTP hosting. With the cheapest plan, you get 10 GB of Web Space and unlimited FTP accounts. The best thing with the provider is that you get unmetered traffic. SiteGround has robust security protocols in place so you don’t need to worry about data security and privacy. Your data is protected with daily backups. So, if any accident occurs, you can recover from that easily and keep going with your services without incurring heavy losses. The provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you are not satisfied with the services.

Our Expert Rating: 94% Best Features Unlimited databases Free email and SSL

7. Hosted FTP

Amp up your FTP file hosting with Hosted FTP cloud FTP services and gain more profits. No need to manage FTP and SFTP servers. With the power of the cloud in your hands, you can offer ultra-fast services and premium features. The company has worldwide servers with which you can enjoy high speed and fast connections. With Hosted FTP services, you get a 21-day free trial. You can use and test all of them before you pay anything. You just need to sign-up with the platform and enjoy. There is no need to add your credit card to avail the free trial. In case you need more resources, you can upgrade anytime and enjoy premium resources.

Our Expert Rating: 92% Best Features 99.999999999% uptime guarantee No irritating ads 256-bit AES encryption for better privacy

What are FTP clients and do I need one?

In simple words, an FTP client is software that allows you to establish a connection between your device and the FTP server. This way you can access your files on the server and perform the desired connection. As the name suggests, it works with the client-server architecture, where your device is the client or host and the remote FTP server is the central hub for all the files. FTP client allows you to transfer files in both directions. This means you can move files in the dual-direction that is from server to client and vice versa.

You can send requests from the browser, but if you are a web developer then you should get an FTP client to reduce the pressure on your shoulders. With a suitable FTP client, you can perform different operations under a single roof and increase your productivity. Besides this, you don’t need to get into any technical complexities. However, make sure that you choose an FTP client that works with your OS.

The most important features to look for in FTP hosting

Here is a list of some important features that you need to keep in your mind before you opt for any of the available FTP providers.

⦁ Price

The price of the plan plays a critical role while funnelling down the options. With Hosted FTP service, you just need to pay a monthly fee and avoid any upfront cost. Besides, look for options that provide a good pricing structure. This way you will know the price you are paying for the resources and services from the host. Moreover, you should look for clients that offer free trials. This way you can test their features and services before paying them any actual money.

There may be some providers that offer free FTP hosting but go through their terms properly before signing up with them. There may be hidden clauses that will ruin your experience later.

⦁ Security

When picking an FTP host for your business, you need to address all the data security vulnerabilities. Cyberthreats are evolving day by day, so you need to get an FTP host that is all set to save you from everything. You should look into encryption protocols that are incorporated by the FTP host. Multi-factor authentication further adds more security which can protect your data.

⦁ Automation

Automation features in the FTP host will reduce the workload on your shoulders and increase productivity. You can perform different operations in less time and earn more profits. Moreover, you can automate different operations to save your time and invest in other aspects of your business.

⦁ Flexibility

In the capricious corporate world, all businesses are evolving day by day. So, you need to pick a host that will cater to your needs as your business grows. Always remember to pick an option that will stay on your side in the longer run. Your host should fulfill your present needs and have the flexibility to evolve with your varying demands in the future. This way you don’t have to change your host in the future which can be a complex and frustrating process.

⦁ Disaster recovery

Disaster recovery is a crucial aspect when looking for an FTP host. If any data loss occurs due to an accident, then your normal flow of operation will be hindered. However, if your host offers backup support then you can recover quickly and get back online with your services and avoid falling into the bear trap.

HTTP vs FTP – what is the difference?

HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol whereas FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. In simple words, HTTP is a set of protocols that regulate the transfer of web pages over different computers. On the other side, FTP is the set of protocols that regulate the downloading and uploading of the files from a client to the server.

HTTP is a stateless protocol so it can maintain multiple sessions seamlessly. However, FTP is not a stateless protocol and holds the information of the user. So, maintaining multiple sessions for FTP is a little more difficult than HTTP.

FTP requires user authentication so it is safer than HTTP which does not require any authentication. HTTP is more suited for sending small-sized files whereas with FTP you can send files of any size. FTP is a dual-way communication and HTTP is one way. This way HTTP is faster than FTP.

Are there any free options?

Yes, there are several free FTP providers in the market. You can look for them and opt for any one that suits your needs. However, always remember to go through all the terms and conditions of the host properly. There may be some hidden clauses that can hurt you in the longer run. There may be a lock-in period so if you are not satisfied with the services even then you cannot back out from that option. So, evaluate all the things thoroughly before choosing any free option.

Also, keep in mind that your business will grow and demands will increase. Check whether the free option is capable of fulfilling the needs of your business after 5 or 10 years. Choose an option that fits your budget, has clear terms, and offers good features. FileZilla is one of the best FTP sites that offer free services.

Who should opt for FTP hosting?

FTP hosting is crucial for website developers. They have to upload content on the server where they are hosting their website. The FTP allows them to download and upload files easily without any unnecessary hassle. Industries like agriculture, transcription services, printing, media, marketing, business consulting, and finance use this technology to send large files to their server or store a large amount of sensitive data on a secured server. Above all, they don’t need to invest in expensive hardware to store their data. They can easily spend some handfuls and store their files safely on a remote server. In simple words, anyone who needs to send small or large files over the internet frequently can use the technology and enjoy its perks.

How many FTP accounts should I have?

The number of FTP accounts depends on your hosting partner and your business needs. Always try to go with an FTP host that allows you to make multiple FTP accounts. This way you can have administrative control and make other accounts for your employees and assign different permission to them according to the roles.

For example, if you are a web developer then at the beginning you need 1 account. As your website grows, you need more employees to work on different aspects like designing, content, etc. You can make individual accounts for all your team members and specify different permission for those accounts. This way they can directly access the server to complete their responsibilities and work without getting access to any unauthorized data. You can keep your sensitive data safe and increase your productivity without going through any complex processes.

In conclusion

FTP hosting will help you transfer files in a secured way without any unnecessary hassle. If you are looking to transfer large files or store bulk data safely, then you should opt for an FTP hosting provider. Furthermore, with a provider, you don’t have to spend on expensive hardware to store your data. You can simply look for cheap FTP hosting options and choose anyone that caters to your needs. In the above article, we have listed the top options that offer budget-friendly, secure, and reliable FTP hosting services. Go through them and choose anyone that complements your business. Moreover, go through the guide so that you funnel down the best option for your next project.

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