Does Tempest support FTPS?

Yes, and it is the default: an FTP endpoint saved without an explicit scheme is connected as ftps. Plain ftp is available when a server requires it.

Is the FTP client free?

The protocols are: FTP, SFTP, S3 and WebDAV are all in the free plan, on one synced device. Editing a file in place and saving bookmarks are Pro.

Can I use it on a phone?

Yes, the same endpoints sync to the Android and iOS apps.

What about SFTP — is that the same thing?

No. SFTP runs inside an SSH session and is unrelated to FTP despite the name. If your host offers SSH, SFTP is the better choice and it lives in the same file browser.

Does it need active or passive mode configured?

No — connections are passive, which is what works through NAT and what virtually every hosting FTP server expects. There is no mode switch to get wrong.

FTP client

An FTP client for the servers that never stopped offering it

Plenty of hosting panels still hand you FTP credentials and nothing else. Tempest connects to them, defaults to the encrypted variant rather than the plaintext one, and keeps them in the same list as the machines you reach over SSH.

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macOS, Windows, Linux, Android & iOS. Browsing and transfers are in the free plan.

An FTP endpoint open in the Tempest file browser

Secure by default

FTPS unless you say otherwise

Plain FTP sends the password in the clear. An endpoint saved without a scheme is treated as ftps here, so the safe option is the one you get by accident.

Pick ftp or ftps explicitly on the connection; a scheme-less endpoint resolves to ftps.

If the server genuinely only speaks plaintext FTP, say so on the endpoint and know what you are choosing.

Credentials are stored zero-knowledge encrypted rather than in a site file on disk. Where credentials are stored

One browser

FTP next to SFTP, S3 and WebDAV

Most people who still use FTP use it for one or two hosts, alongside a lot of things that are not FTP. They belong in the same list.

The same file browser, editor and bookmarks across every protocol. Cloud storage browser

Edit a file on the FTP host and save it back without a local round trip.

If the same box also gives you SSH, keep the shell in the next pane. SFTP file manager

An FTP endpoint and an SSH session side by side in Tempest

When you can leave FTP behind

The upgrade path, honestly

FTP is supported because reality requires it, not because it is a good protocol.

If the host offers SSH, use SFTP instead — same browser, one protocol, properly encrypted.

If it offers only FTP, insist on FTPS and check the certificate.

If it offers neither, that is worth knowing about your hosting provider.

Frequently asked questions

Does Tempest support FTPS?: Yes, and it is the default: an FTP endpoint saved without an explicit scheme is connected as ftps. Plain ftp is available when a server requires it.
Is the FTP client free?: The protocols are: FTP, SFTP, S3 and WebDAV are all in the free plan, on one synced device. Editing a file in place and saving bookmarks are Pro.
Can I use it on a phone?: Yes, the same endpoints sync to the Android and iOS apps.
What about SFTP — is that the same thing?: No. SFTP runs inside an SSH session and is unrelated to FTP despite the name. If your host offers SSH, SFTP is the better choice and it lives in the same file browser.
Does it need active or passive mode configured?: No — connections are passive, which is what works through NAT and what virtually every hosting FTP server expects. There is no mode switch to get wrong.

Keep exploring

SFTP client FileZilla alternative S3 browser WebDAV client WinSCP for Mac

The old protocol, handled properly.

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