What is the Difference Between FTP and SFTP?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) are both methods for transferring files between computers, but they differ in terms of security and encryption. The main differences between FTP and SFTP are:
- Encryption: SFTP uses SSH (Secure Shell) encryption to protect data during transfer, ensuring a higher level of security. In contrast, FTP does not encrypt data by default, which means it is more susceptible to eavesdropping and data interception.
- Channels: FTP uses two separate channels (command and data channels) for data transmission, while SFTP operates through a single channel.
- Authentication: SFTP supports both username/password and public key authentication methods, while FTP typically uses username/password authentication.
- Security: SFTP was designed with security in mind, as it encrypts data during transfer and uses SSH for authentication. FTP, on the other hand, relies on the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) network and does not encrypt data by default.
In summary, SFTP is a more secure alternative to FTP, as it provides encryption and secure authentication, making it a better choice for transferring sensitive data.
Comparative Table: FTP vs SFTP
Here is a table comparing the differences between FTP and SFTP:
| Feature | FTP (File Transfer Protocol) | SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Does not provide a secure channel for file transfers. | Offers a secure channel for file transfers using SSH encryption. |
| Channels | Utilizes two channels for data transmission. | Operates through a single channel for data transmission. |
| Architecture | Client-server architecture. | SSH architecture. |
| Protocol | TCP/IP protocol. | Part of the SSH protocol suite. |
| Number of Channels | 2. | 1. |
| Encryption | Does not provide encryption. | Provides encryption for sending data. |
| Inbound Port | Allows inbound connections on port 21. | Allows incoming connections on port 22. |
| Authentication | Supports username/password authentication only. | Supports both username/password and public key authentication methods. |
In summary, FTP is a traditional file transfer protocol that does not provide a secure channel for file transfers, while SFTP is a more secure alternative that uses SSH encryption and operates through a single channel for data transmission. SFTP also offers additional authentication methods compared to FTP.