FileZillaLinux
vs
SmartFTPWindows
FileZilla as a Linux alternative to SmartFTP
Updated
Our verdict
FileZilla is a solid replacement for SmartFTP on Linux, especially for users focused on FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and basic WebDAV workflows. It handles multiple connections, drag-and-drop, transfer queues, and IPv6 with TLS/SSL encryption. While it lacks native cloud storage integration beyond standard protocols, its open-source nature, proxy support, and mature feature set make it reliable for traditional file transfer tasks. Users needing advanced cloud sync or proprietary service support may need supplementary tools, but for core protocol compatibility and stability, FileZilla delivers.
- License
- GPL-2.0-or-later
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 3.71.1 (August 27, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Supports FTP, FTPS, and SFTP with TLS/SSL encryption
- IPv6 and proxy support (HTTP, SOCKS5, FTP)
- Drag-and-drop interface and transfer queue management
- Site Manager for saving connections and batch operations
- Resume support for large files over 4 GB
What is different
- FileZilla does not support WebDAV natively in its standard release
- No built-in support for major cloud services like S3, Google Drive, or OneDrive
- SmartFTP offers tighter integration with Windows shell and services
- FileZilla lacks some automation and scripting features present in SmartFTP
- SmartFTP has more polished UI themes and customization options
Opening your SmartFTP files
FileZilla does not directly import SmartFTP configuration files or bookmarks. There is no documented tool or format conversion path between SmartFTP's settings and FileZilla's XML-based site manager entries. Users must manually recreate saved sites and proxy settings in FileZilla. If SmartFTP exports connection lists in a generic format like CSV or plain text, those can be used as a reference, but migration remains manual.
Switching from SmartFTP to FileZilla, step by step
- Export SmartFTP site list if possible, or document hostnames, ports, and login details
- Install FileZilla via your package manager or Flathub
- Open the Site Manager and manually add connections using saved credentials
- Configure proxy settings in Edit > Settings > Proxy if needed
- Set up speed limits, file filters, and default directories as required
- Test connections and enable synchronized browsing or directory comparison
Key features of FileZilla
- Supports FTP, FTPS (FTP over TLS) and SFTP
- IPv6 and proxy (HTTP, SOCKS5, FTP) support
- Site Manager with transfer queue and speed limits
- Drag‑and‑drop, bookmark and filename filters
- Directory comparison and synchronized browsing
- Resume of large files >4 GB
- Remote file search and logging to file
- Multilingual interface
How to install FileZilla on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.filezillaproject.Filezillasudo apt install filezillasudo apt install filezillasudo dnf install filezillasudo pacman -S filezillasudo zypper install filezillaFrequently asked questions
Does FileZilla support WebDAV like SmartFTP?
No, FileZilla does not support WebDAV natively. For WebDAV, use davfs2 or a tool like rclone or cadaver alongside FileZilla.
Can I use FileZilla for cloud storage services?
Not directly. FileZilla only supports FTP, FTPS, and SFTP. For cloud services, consider rclone or Cyberduck, which support S3, Google Drive, and others.
Is FileZilla safe to use on Linux?
Yes. It's open-source (GPL), auditable, and widely packaged in official repositories. Avoid third-party downloads; stick to your distro's version.
