Core FTP vs lftp

Core FTP is Windows software for transferring and managing files using multiple protocols. Its free client, Core FTP LE, provides FTP features without popup ads, advertising, spyware, or registration reminders. Transfers can use SSL, TLS, FTPS, HTTPS, or SFTP. The software also supports file synchronization, scheduled transfers, automation, site-to-site transfers, command-line operations, a portable version, and browser integration. Core FTP Pro can encrypt and decrypt files to servers and adds email notifications, external program execution, and IBM Information Exchange support with command-line updates. The client includes HIPAA-compliant security, and educational institutions qualify for a free FTP client site license. Client licenses are restricted to use with the client software, and listed license support is by email only. Paid Standard and Pro license listings vary by quantity and billing terms: a Standard single-user license is listed at $24.95 a month, while another Standard single-user listing is $24.95, paid once. Check each license’s terms before choosing, since the listings show different billing formats.

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.