FTP (File Transfer Protocol) vs. SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)

File Transfer Protocol (FTP):- File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard Internet protocol for transmitting files between computers on the Internet. FTP is an application protocol that uses the Internet's TCP/IP protocols. FTP is commonly used to transfer Web page files from their creator to the computer that acts as their server for everyone on the Internet. It's also commonly used to download programs and other files to your computer from other servers. You can use FTP with a simple command line interface (for example, from the Windows MS-DOS Prompt window).Your Web browser can also make FTP requests to download programs you select from a Web page. Using FTP, you can also update (delete, rename, move, and copy) files at a server, you need to logon to an FTP server. The biggest downside to FTP is that it is not secure.

File Transfer Protocol - usually runs over TCP port 21.

SSH/Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP):- SFTP stands for "Secure File Transfer Protocol". The Secure File Transfer Protocol ensures that data are securely transferred using a private and safe data stream. It is the standard data transmission protocol for use with the SSH2 protocol.

The SFTP protocol's main purpose is to transfer data, but it is also used to obtain general access to the FTP server's file system. The SFTP protocol runs on a secure channel - no clear text passwords or file data are transferred. Secure FTP traffic is encrypted.

SSH/Secure File Transfer Protocol - usually runs over TCP port 22.