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lftp

lftp.yar.ru

Free plan Linux
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Spec score 8.1 #13 of 36 in FTP and SFTP clients

What it is

lftp is a free command-line file transfer program for Linux, with support for FTP, HTTP, FISH, SFTP, HTTPS, FTPS and BitTorrent. It can synchronize files, automate transfers and run queued jobs at set times. Its mirror command downloads or updates a directory tree; reverse mirror does the same by uploading to a server. Multiple files can transfer in parallel, and pget can use multiple connections for one download. lftp retries operations after non-fatal errors and can resume downloads from where they stopped. Unfinished jobs can continue in the background after you exit the program or close an xterm. FTPS and HTTPS rely on GNU TLS or OpenSSL, depending on how lftp was built. Downloads include source archives and Fedora RPM binaries. Release information differs across the project pages: the homepage lists 4.9.3, released on 2024-11-08, while the download page calls 4.9.2 the latest stable version. The author says they have little time to support lftp; the project lists two mailing lists.

Spec sheet

Purpose
LFTP is a command-line file transfer program supporting FTP, HTTP, FISH, SFTP, HTTPS, FTPS and BitTorrent.Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Supported platforms
linuxRead 20 Sep 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Security
FTPS and HTTPS support uses GNU TLS or OpenSSL, depending on how lftp is built.Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Author
The author page names Alexander V. Lukyanov and credits contributors for bug reports, patches, documentation, discussions and translations.Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Background jobs
Unfinished jobs continue in the background if you exit lftp or close an xterm.Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Community support
The project lists two mailing lists for general discussion and major announcements, and for development and snapshot announcements.Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Current release listed
The homepage lists lftp 4.9.3, released on 2024-11-08, while the download page labels 4.9.2 the latest stable version.Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Download availability
The download page offers source archives and Fedora RPM binaries; it also lists read-only Git access for development source.Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
File synchronization
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Mirroring
Its built-in mirror command can download or update a directory tree, and reverse mirror can upload or update one on a server.Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Parallel transfers
LFTP can transfer multiple files in parallel, and pget can download a single file using multiple connections.Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Protocol coverage
Features include SFTP versions 3 through 6, partial WebDAV, SOCKS, proxies and FTP FXP transfers.Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Reliable transfers
It automatically retries operations after non-fatal errors and can resume a download from where it stopped.Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Scheduled transfers
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Scheduling and queues
It supports job queueing and running jobs at a specified time.Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Support status
The homepage says the author is busy at their current job and has little time to support lftp.Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
Transfer automation
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · lftp.yar.ru

Plans and prices

Free software Free Distributed under the GNU GPL license Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru

Every lftp plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports FTP, HTTP, FISH, SFTP, HTTPS, FTPS and BitTorrent
  • Retries non-fatal errors and resumes downloads
  • Mirrors directory trees in either direction
  • Runs parallel transfers and queued, scheduled jobs

Limits

  • Linux is the only listed platform
  • Author says there is little time for support
  • Homepage and download page list different releases

Who it suits

lftp suits Linux users who want command-line control over file transfers, including scheduled jobs, queues, mirroring or resumable downloads.

Verdict

lftp combines broad protocol coverage with automation, mirroring and recovery features in a free Linux command-line program. Its release listings differ, and the author reports limited time for support.

Where Specifiction places it

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