FTP Software
FTP software is a desktop application that uses File Transfer Protocol to create a direct connection between your local machine and your web server. WordPress users turn to it when the dashboard...
What Is FTP Software?
FTP software (File Transfer Protocol software) is a program that connects your computer directly to your web server so you can upload, download, edit, and delete files — without going through the WordPress dashboard.
This entry is for WordPress beginners and small business owners who want to understand what FTP is and when they actually need it.
Quick Answer
FTP software is a desktop application that uses File Transfer Protocol to create a direct connection between your local machine and your web server. WordPress users turn to it when the dashboard is inaccessible — for example, after a broken plugin locks them out of wp-admin. As of 2026, the most widely used free FTP client is FileZilla, available on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
What Does FTP Software Do in WordPress?
FTP software gives you raw access to your server’s file system. You see the same folders your hosting account contains — wp-content, wp-admin, wp-includes — and you can move files in and out of them directly.
We see this most often on client sites when a plugin update breaks the site before the owner has a backup in place. FTP lets you navigate to wp-content/plugins/, delete or rename the offending folder, and restore access without needing wp-admin to load at all.
Common tasks WordPress users handle via FTP:
- Uploading a theme or plugin that exceeds the dashboard’s file size limit (typically 8–64 MB depending on host)
- Editing
wp-config.phpor.htaccessdirectly - Restoring a backup by transferring files back to the server
- Removing a corrupted plugin when wp-admin won’t load
SFTP vs FTP: Use the Secure Version
Standard FTP sends credentials in plain text. Every reputable host now supports SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol), which encrypts the connection. When your FTP client asks which protocol to use, always choose SFTP — it uses port 22 instead of FTP’s default port 21.
In our testing across shared hosts including SiteGround and Hostinger, SFTP is enabled by default and requires no extra configuration beyond selecting it in the client.
How to Connect: What You Need
Your host provides four pieces of information to connect via FTP software:
| Field | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| Host / Server address | Hosting control panel or welcome email |
| Username | cPanel username or a dedicated FTP account |
| Password | Same as cPanel, or set in FTP Accounts section |
| Port | 22 for SFTP, 21 for plain FTP |
One detail we see trip up beginners: some hosts require you to create a separate FTP account inside cPanel under FTP Accounts before the connection works. The main cPanel login doesn’t always double as an FTP credential.
Related Terms
- cPanel — the hosting control panel where you create FTP accounts and manage server files via a browser interface
- wp-config.php — the core WordPress configuration file often edited via FTP when database credentials need updating
- File Manager — cPanel’s browser-based alternative to FTP software; useful for quick edits without installing a desktop app
- SFTP — the encrypted version of FTP; what you should always use
- SSH — a command-line server access method; more powerful than FTP but requires technical comfort
Additional Reading
- How to Use FTP to Fix a Broken WordPress Site — step-by-step recovery guide
- cPanel File Manager vs FTP: Which to Use — when the browser tool is enough
- WordPress wp-config.php Explained — what’s inside the file you’ll often edit via FTP
- Best WordPress Hosting for Beginners — hosts with straightforward FTP setup and good support