FTPS versus SFTP: Security Comparison Guide
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FTP (File Transfer Protocol) has been a cornerstone of file management for decades, but its lack of security has led to the development of more secure alternatives. In today's digital landscape, understanding the difference between FTPS versus SFTP is crucial for protecting sensitive data during transmission.
What is FTPS?
FTPS (FTP Secure) is an extension of the traditional FTP protocol that adds explicit SSL/TLS encryption. It operates over port 21 but uses SSL to encrypt the control and data channels. There are two main modes:
- Explicit FTPS: The client explicitly requests SSL/TLS encryption during the connection. This is the recommended approach for security.
- Implicit FTPS: The server assumes the connection requires encryption from the start, which can cause compatibility issues with some clients.
While FTPS improves security by encrypting data in transit, it still uses the original FTP command protocol, which can expose credentials if not properly secured.
What is SFTP?
SFTP (Secure FTP) isn't an FTP variant—it's actually a completely different protocol that runs on top of SSH (Secure Shell). Unlike FTPS, which is FTP with encryption, SFTP encrypts both commands and data by default using SSH tunnels. It operates over port 22, the same port used by SSH.
Key advantages of SFTP include:
- Native support for key-based authentication (SSH-RSA, ECDSA-SHA2-NISTP256, SSH-ED25519)
- Simpler firewall configuration (uses standard SSH port 22)
- No need to terminate SSL certificates at the server
Many modern tools like FileZilla, WinSCP, and command-line clients fully support SFTP, making it a practical choice for enterprise environments.
Security Comparison: FTPS versus SFTP
| Feature | FTPS | SFTP |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption Type | SSL/TLS | SSH tunnel |
| Default Security | Requires configuration | Encrypted by default |
| Authentication | Password-based or SSH keys | SSH keys recommended |
| Port | 21 (control), 990 (data/implicit) | 22 |
| Client Compatibility | Widely supported | Widely supported |
| Configuration Complexity | Certificate management required | Simpler configuration |
While FTPS is easier to implement for organizations already using FTP, SFTP offers superior security and reliability. For maximum protection, we recommend SFTP for all sensitive file transfers.
Which Should You Choose?
If you need to quickly secure existing FTP transfers, FTPS is a viable option. However, for new implementations, SFTP provides stronger security and fewer configuration headaches. At ftpGrid, we support both protocols, but our recommendation is to use SFTP for all critical transfers.
For a step-by-step guide to setting up SFTP with ftpGrid, check out our tutorial: link to tutorial