lftp
- Android app
- Not listed
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- Linux
Summary
lftp is a free Linux command-line program for transferring files across FTP, HTTP, FISH, SFTP, HTTPS, FTPS and BitTorrent. It can synchronize files, automate transfers and schedule jobs. Its mirror command downloads or updates directory trees, while reverse mirroring uploads or updates a tree on a server. Multiple files can transfer in parallel, and pget can use several connections for one download. After non-fatal errors, lftp retries operations; downloads can resume from where they stopped. Jobs left unfinished can continue in the background after exiting lftp or closing an xterm. The program also supports queues and timed runs. FTPS and HTTPS use GNU TLS or OpenSSL, depending on how it is built. Downloads include source archives and Fedora RPM binaries. The homepage lists release 4.9.3, while the download page identifies 4.9.2 as the latest stable version. The author says they have little time to support the project; two mailing lists cover general discussion and announcements, and development updates.
Who it is for
lftp suits Linux users comfortable with command-line file transfer who need synchronization, queued or scheduled jobs, or automated transfers.
What is good
- Supports FTP, SFTP, HTTPS, FTPS and BitTorrent.
- Mirror commands handle directory trees in both directions.
- Retries after non-fatal errors and resumes downloads.
- Queues and scheduled jobs are supported.
- Free under the GNU GPL license.
What to know first
- Linux is the only listed platform.
- The author says there is little time for support.
- Homepage and download page list different versions.
Verdict
lftp offers a broad protocol set alongside mirroring, automation and recovery features for command-line transfers. Its listed version information differs between pages, and the author reports limited time for support.
lftp plans and pricing
All plansCompared on FTP and SFTP clients
- Free plan
- Yeslftp.yar.ru
- Protocol coverage
- multi-protocollftp.yar.ru
- Supported platforms
- linuxlftp.yar.ru
- File synchronization
- Yeslftp.yar.ru
- Scheduled transfers
- Yeslftp.yar.ru
- Transfer automation
- Yeslftp.yar.ru
Facts
- Purpose
- LFTP is a command-line file transfer program supporting FTP, HTTP, FISH, SFTP, HTTPS, FTPS and BitTorrent.lftp.yar.ru · 4 Oct 2026
- Reliable transfers
- It automatically retries operations after non-fatal errors and can resume a download from where it stopped.lftp.yar.ru · 4 Oct 2026
- Background jobs
- Unfinished jobs continue in the background if you exit lftp or close an xterm.lftp.yar.ru · 4 Oct 2026
- Mirroring
- Its built-in mirror command can download or update a directory tree, and reverse mirror can upload or update one on a server.lftp.yar.ru · 4 Oct 2026
- Parallel transfers
- LFTP can transfer multiple files in parallel, and pget can download a single file using multiple connections.lftp.yar.ru · 4 Oct 2026
- Scheduling and queues
- It supports job queueing and running jobs at a specified time.lftp.yar.ru · 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- FTPS and HTTPS support uses GNU TLS or OpenSSL, depending on how lftp is built.lftp.yar.ru · 4 Oct 2026
- Download availability
- The download page offers source archives and Fedora RPM binaries; it also lists read-only Git access for development source.lftp.yar.ru · 4 Oct 2026
- Current release listed
- The homepage lists lftp 4.9.3, released on 2024-11-08, while the download page labels 4.9.2 the latest stable version.lftp.yar.ru · 4 Oct 2026
- Support status
- The homepage says the author is busy at their current job and has little time to support lftp.lftp.yar.ru · 4 Oct 2026
- Community support
- The project lists two mailing lists for general discussion and major announcements, and for development and snapshot announcements.lftp.yar.ru · 4 Oct 2026
- Author
- The author page names Alexander V. Lukyanov and credits contributors for bug reports, patches, documentation, discussions and translations.lftp.yar.ru · 4 Oct 2026
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Sources
- lftp.yar.ru/desc.html· checked 4 Oct 2026
- lftp.yar.ru/features.html· checked 4 Oct 2026
- lftp.yar.ru/get.html· checked 4 Oct 2026
- lftp.yar.ru· checked 4 Oct 2026
- lftp.yar.ru/list.html· checked 4 Oct 2026
- lftp.yar.ru/author.html· checked 4 Oct 2026