107 | Battle for Security — FTPS vs SFTP

September 24, 2025

Battle for Security — FTPS vs SFTP

Introduction

After we figured out insecure FTP, it’s time to meet its secure successors. Here’s where confusion often arises: many people think FTPS and SFTP are the same thing. In reality, these are two completely different protocols — with different histories and principles of operation.

What is FTPS? (FTP + Security)

FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS) is a direct evolution of classic FTP. It takes standard FTP and “wraps” its connections in the cryptographic protocol SSL/TLS (the same one that protects websites via HTTPS).