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How to Find Cheap FTP Software

How to Find Cheap FTP Software

File Transfer Protocol software, or FTP software, is used to transfer files between your computer and a server that sits somewhere on the Internet. This article will tell you how to find cheap FTP software on the Web. FTP software comes in a number of different varieties:

  • freeware – no requirement to purchase at all. In most cases, freeware has limited features, but is suitable for basic usage such as what a home or small business user might need.
  • shareware – free to download and try, but requiring payment after a trial period, such as 30 or 60 days. The length of the trial period differs by product, and some features may be blocked by the software until it is purchased.
  • commercial – a purchase must be made before the software can be downloaded or installed. Commercial software is often programmed with extensive features and has gone through more rigorous testing than freeware or shareware programs.

Which type of software is right for you? It depends on what you are planning to use the software for. For casual users looking to only occasionally need to transfer files, freeware or shareware software might be the best bet for you. If you are looking to transfer files several times a day, it might be worth it to invest a little bit of money to buy a piece of commercial software that is easier to use.

Freeware FTP Software

There are a number of FTP programs available on the Internet that won’t cost you a thing to download and use. Some examples are:

Shareware FTP Software

Some of the most popular FTP software programs available on the Internet are released as shareware, allowing you to try the software out and then decide if you like it enough to purchase. If not, the user is asked to uninstall it. Some programs also release Free and Paid Editions, in which you can download a free version of the software for personal use, or pay for the program if you are planning to use it in a business or commercial environment. Often, the paid version has more features than the free version, but the free version is a fully functional piece of software.

Some example of shareware FTP software are:

  • CuteFTP – one of the most popular FTP programs on the Internet based on search results, CuteFTP has been around since 1994. The Lite Edition costs $14.99, while the Home Edition costs $39.99.
  • WS_FTP – WS_FTP is one of the oldest FTP clients on the Internet. For many people who have been using the Internet for a long time, WS_FTP is the first client they remember using from home. The Home version of WS_FTP is $34.95.
  • Secure FTP – Secure FTP has been around since 1999. It is available for free for home use, and for $30 for commercial use. It is available, as many of the more developed clients are, in multiple languages.
  • CrossFTP – CrossFTP is another client that is available for free for noncommercial use. The cost for commercial use is $25.

Commercial software

In addition to the above, there are a number of FTP clients that do not allow the user to download and try out the software before paying for it. Typically, these programs have already developed a reputation for quality that means they do not need to sell a potential user on the program. Some examples of these programs are:

  • Captain FTP – Available for $25
  • FTP Commander – This can be found for $49.95.
  • FTP Explorer – Designed to look like the Windows Explorer interface, FTP Explorer sells for $39.95.
  • YummyFTP – Available for the Mac OS only.

Finding additional FTP programs

Searching the Internet using your favorite search engine can be helpful in locating additional FTP programs, but be careful. As with any search for an executable program file, you run the risk of downloading a virus that is posing as a legitimate program. Make sure that you are downloading a program from a site that is trustworthy. Use websites like Wikipedia, eHow, etc. to learn the websites of the companies, individuals, or organizations that develop the software, and download the program either directly from those websites, or through a reliable, trustworthy site like download.com that verifies every piece of software they offer and checks them for viruses. Avoid downloading from websites located overseas, with complicated URLs that may be trying to pose as a different, legitimate website.

Using the File Transfer Protocol is a breeze when you have the right piece of software helping you perform your tasks. It pays to shop around. Try out a number of different programs until you find the one that fits your needs the best. Don’t pay for software until you know for sure that you’ve found the right one for your needs. Finding cheap FTP software is easy provided that you know where to look and what to look for.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 10th, 2010 at 11:41 am and is filed under Computers, Internet. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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