FTP 101 – Part 13: Difference Between SFTP and FTPS?
Published {$created} by Carsten Blum
Both SFTP and FTPS offer secure alternatives to the outdated and insecure FTP protocol. But although they sound similar, they operate in very different ways. In this tutorial, we’ll explore what makes them different, their use cases, and which one is better suited for your needs.
Let’s break it down.
SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol
SFTP stands for SSH File Transfer Protocol. It runs over the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol, which is widely used for remote server administration.
Key features:
Uses a single connection over port 22
Fully encrypted communication (authentication and data)
Allows file operations like list, rename, delete, etc.
Supports both password and SSH key authentication
SFTP is natively supported by most Unix-like systems, and tools like sftp, rsync, and rclone work seamlessly with it.
FTPS – FTP over SSL/TLS
FTPS (or FTP Secure) adds encryption to the traditional FTP protocol by using SSL/TLS.
There are two modes:
Implicit FTPS: Always requires encryption from the start (usually port 990)
Explicit FTPS: Starts unencrypted and upgrades to TLS after the connection (usually port 21)
Key characteristics:
Requires separate ports for control and data (can cause firewall issues)
Often less supported on modern systems compared to SFTP
SSL/TLS certificates must be configured and renewed (Let’s Encrypt helps here!)
At ftpGrid, we use Explicit FTPS by default and manage certificates for you using Let’s Encrypt.
SFTP vs FTPS – The Quick Comparison
Feature | SFTP | FTPS |
|---|---|---|
Protocol Base | SSH | FTP + SSL/TLS |
Default Port | 22 | 21 (Explicit) or 990 (Implicit) |
Firewall Friendly | Single port | Multiple ports |
Authentication | SSH keys or password | Username + TLS cert |
Native Support | Unix systems, modern tooling | Windows legacy support |
Used by | Developers, servers, DevOps | Enterprises, legacy systems |
Which One Should You Use?
If you’re starting a new project, SFTP is the clear winner:
Easier to automate
More firewall-friendly
Supports SSH keys for better security
Built into modern systems and tools
FTPS still has its place — for example, where legacy systems require it — but it’s more cumbersome to manage and less developer-friendly.
At ftpGrid, we support both SFTP and FTPS, so you can choose what works best for your infrastructure. But we always recommend SFTP for new setups.
Final Thoughts
Although they both provide secure file transfer, SFTP and FTPS are not interchangeable. They are built on entirely different foundations and behave differently in real-world setups. ftpGrid supports both — but we make it easy for you to get started with secure, developer-friendly SFTP hosting.
Create your free ftpGrid account and try it out today.