Secure FTP Vs SFTP: Head to Head Comparison

Every business runs on sensitive data. It is a valuable asset for an organization. Hence, its security is a paramount factor for maintaining online credibility. This is why web hosting providers offer SSL certificates. It encrypts the sensitive data that is presented in your browser. On the internet, data transfer is possible with the help of protocols. It opens up the potential breaches of data. 

Below, we will look at the two common file transfer options that is SFTP and FTP. Both these are data transfer protocols that allow you to transmit the data across devices. In this guide, we will provide you with a head-to-head comparison between both. 

What is FTP?

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a network protocol that facilitates data transmission between computers over TCP/IP connections. In the TCP/IP suite, FTP is considered an application layer protocol. This protocol is useful for anyone who transfers or downloads files over the internet or the cloud. 

In the FTP transaction, there is a local host which is the end user’s computer. In this FTP network, there is a second computer network involved called the remote host or server. Both computers must be connected through a network to transfer files through FTP. Servers must be set up to run FTP services, and then the client must have FTP software installed to access these services. 

All over the place, file transfers can be done using HTTP, which is another protocol of the TCP/IP suite, but FTP is still widely used in the background to transfer files for the rest of the apps, like, for example, banking services. It is also used to download new apps to the machines through the web browsers. There is a plethora of FTP clients that can be downloaded for free; however, the majority of web browsers also come with FTP clients.

What is SFTP?

SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) is a network protocol for securely accessing, transferring and handling sensitive data in volumes. The protocol is designed by the Internet Engineering Task Force as an extension of Secure Shell (SSH), SFTP enables access, transfer and file management over a network. It secures the file transfer over Transport Layer Security and the transfer of data for virtual private network (VPN) applications. 

SFTP helps enterprises meet regulations for file transfer. These regulations are HIPAA, GDPR, and other regulatory rulings. It lets businesses securely transfer billing data, funds, and data recovery files. Not just businesses, but even individuals can use SFTP to encrypt their communications. 

SFTP transfers files using SSH, which requires the server to authenticate the client before transfer. All commands and data are encrypted thereby limiting access to passwords and other sensitive information in plain text format to the network.

FTP vs SFTP: How Do They Work?

– SFTP

Secure File Transfer Protocol was developed to manage and secure files over the TCP/IP network. SFTP uses the same commands as the standard File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and most SFTP commands are similar or identical to the Linux shell commands. It performs several tasks like transferring sensitive files, removing files and resuming paused transfers. You can connect to the normal SSH port 22 to establish the server connections. 

An SFTP client and server are also required for SFTP. STFP clients allow users to connect to servers and store files on them. STFP servers store and retrieve files. When a user clicks on a file, the request travels through the network and ultimately reaches a server. This data is then sent to the requesting device. SFTP ensures all files are encrypted before transferring them.

SSH keys are typically used to automate access to servers and are often used in scripts, backup systems and configuration management tools. SSH keys in SFTP have half of the key stored on the client device, while the other half is on the server associated with a public key. Users are perfectly authenticated when SSH key pairs match. 

– FTP

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is standard network protocol used to transfer files between a client and a server over a TCP/IP based network like the Internet. This protocol works on a client-server model, where the client requests the files, and the server provides them. The process begins when a connection is established between the client and the server. It is possible because of the FTP software or a web browser. 

It uses two separate channels: a command channel for sending instructions (like login credentials and commands) and a data channel for transferring files. Once you are connected through this protocol, the client can upload, download, or manage files on the server depending on the level of access granted. FTP is accessible for both anonymous and authenticated users. Clients can easily navigate through the server’s directory, view files, and initiate transfers. FTP offers different modes like Active and Passive, which determine how the data connection is established. 

Even though FTP is widely used, it lacks security features, making it susceptible to threats such as eavesdropping. To address these issues, more secure versions were developed, such as FTPS (FTP Secure) and SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol). During file transfers, these protocols encrypt the connection to protect sensitive data. FTP remains popular for transferring large files and managing web content despite its limitations.

FTP vs SFTP: Key Differences

Below, we have shared the head-to-head comparison between FTP vs SFTP.