Connect with SFTP in FileZilla
Secure file transfer using SSH protocol (recommended)
SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) is the most secure way to transfer files with FileZilla. Unlike regular FTP, SFTP encrypts all data including your login credentials, making it safe to use even on public networks. This guide covers everything you need to know about connecting to SFTP servers with FileZilla.
✓ Why Use SFTP?
- ✓Fully encrypted: All data and commands are encrypted
- ✓Single port: Uses only port 22, easier for firewalls
- ✓SSH key support: More secure than password-only authentication
- ✓Widely supported: Available on most Linux/Unix servers by default
Before You Start
You'll need:
- • FileZilla installed (download here)
- • Server hostname or IP address
- • SSH username (often the same as your hosting account)
- • SSH password OR SSH private key file
- • Port 22 (default SFTP port)
Method 1: SFTP with Password
Step 1: Open Site Manager
Click File → Site Manager (or press Ctrl+S / Cmd+S on Mac).
Step 2: Create New Site
Click New Site and give it a name (e.g., "My Server - SFTP").
Step 3: Configure Connection Settings
Select "SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol" from dropdown
Enter your server address (e.g., sftp.example.com or 192.168.1.100)
Enter 22 (default SFTP port)
Select "Normal"
Enter your SSH username
Enter your SSH password
Step 4: Connect
Click Connect. On first connection, you'll see a security warning about the server's host key.
Host Key Verification: FileZilla will show the server's fingerprint. Verify this matches what your hosting provider gave you, then check "Always trust this host" and click "OK".
Step 5: Start Transferring
Once connected, you'll see your server files on the right side. You can now upload/download files securely!
Method 2: SFTP with SSH Key (Advanced)
SSH key authentication is more secure than passwords and allows passwordless login once configured.
Step 1: Get Your Private Key
Your hosting provider should give you a private key file (usually .pem or .ppk format).
Note: If you have a .ppk file, FileZilla can use it directly. For .pem files on Windows, you may need to convert it using PuTTYgen.
Step 2: Add Key to FileZilla
- Go to Edit → Settings
- Select "SFTP" in the left sidebar
- Click "Add key file..."
- Browse and select your private key file
- Click "OK"
Step 3: Configure Site Manager
Open Site Manager and set up connection:
- • Protocol: SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol
- • Host: Your server address
- • Port: 22
- • Logon Type: Select "Key file"
- • User: Your SSH username
- • Key file: Browse to your private key (or leave blank if added in Settings)
Step 4: Connect
Click Connect. If your key has a passphrase, you'll be prompted to enter it. Otherwise, you'll connect automatically without a password!
Quick Connect (One-Time Connection)
For quick, one-time SFTP connections:
- In the Quickconnect bar at the top:
- Host: sftp://yourserver.com (the "sftp://" prefix is optional)
- Username: your SSH username
- Password: your SSH password
- Port: 22
- Click Quickconnect
Tip: Use Site Manager instead of Quickconnect for servers you connect to regularly. It saves your settings securely.
Common SFTP Connection Issues
"Connection timed out" or "Network unreachable"
Solutions:
- Check firewall isn't blocking port 22
- Verify server address is correct
- Confirm SSH is enabled on the server
- Try connecting from different network
"Authentication failed" or "Access denied"
Solutions:
- Double-check username and password
- Ensure SSH access is enabled for your account
- Verify you're using the correct SSH username (may differ from FTP username)
- Check if SSH key is correctly configured
"Server sent disconnect message: Too many authentication failures"
Solutions:
- Remove unused SSH keys from Settings → SFTP
- Specify exact key file in Site Manager
- Use password authentication instead
"Could not convert private key"
Solutions:
- Convert key using PuTTYgen (for Windows)
- Ensure key is in correct format (.ppk for FileZilla on Windows)
- Check key file isn't corrupted
SFTP Best Practices
SSH key authentication is more secure than passwords and allows passwordless login.
Always verify the server fingerprint on first connection to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks.
Save connection details in Site Manager instead of Quickconnect for security and convenience.
Regular updates include security patches and improvements.
✓ Connected Successfully?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SFTP and why should I use it?
SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) encrypts all data and commands, making it much more secure than regular FTP. It uses SSH (port 22) and is the recommended protocol for secure file transfers.
What's the difference between SFTP and FTPS?
SFTP uses SSH protocol (port 22) for encryption, while FTPS is FTP with SSL/TLS added (ports 21/990). SFTP is generally easier to configure and more firewall-friendly.
Do I need special server software for SFTP?
Your server needs SSH access enabled. Most Linux/Unix servers have this by default. Windows servers need OpenSSH or similar SSH server software installed.
Can I use password and SSH keys together?
Yes, but typically you use one or the other. SSH key authentication is more secure and convenient - once set up, you don't need to enter passwords.