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HTTP vs. FTP for File Transfer
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) are network protocols used for data transfer, but serve different purposes. HTTP is designed for web browsing, allowing clients to request and receive web pages from servers, while FTP enables file uploads, downloads, and remote file management between a client and a server. Unlike HTTP, which operates over port 80 and can be secured via HTTPS (SSL/TLS encryption), FTP runs on ports 20 and 21, requiring FTPS or SFTP for secure file transfers but is often restricted by firewalls due to security concerns.
Read on to learn more about the difference between them – and which one performs better. We’ll also dive into a better solution that outperforms both.
What is HTTP?
You are probably already familiar with HTTP as this protocol is the foundation of data communication for the World Wide Web (WWW) – as in, the whole WWW runs on it. It’s the backbone of the WWW and it defines the format of messages through which web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) and web servers communicate. It also defines how a web browser should respond to a specific web request.
HTTP uses Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) as an underlying transport and typically runs on port 80. It’s a stateless protocol since each command is executed independently, without any knowledge of the commands that came prior. A stateless protocol is a communications protocol in which no session information is retained by the receiver, typically a server.
Related Reading: HTTPS Web Client
What is FTP?
FTP is a standard network protocol used for the transfer of sensitive files between a client and a server on a computer network. It can be used to exchange and manipulate files over a TCP/Internet Protocol (IP) based network, like the Internet.
FTP is built on a client-server architecture and establishes two separate TCP connections:
- Control Connection (command port; port 21) to authenticate the user.
- Data Connection (data port; port 20) to transfer the files.
FTP also requires an authenticated username and password for access.
Related Reading: Secure FTP
What's the Best Way to Secure Data During Transfer?
Learn the difference between top protocols, when to use each one, and how to determine which is the best for your organization in our webinar FTP, FTPS, & SFTP: Which Protocol to Use and When?
How Do They Compare?
A big comparison made often is that, unlike FTP, HTTP can easily maintain multiple sessions simultaneously because it’s stateless. FTP has a stateful control connection, therefore the FTP server will maintain state information like a user’s current directory for a session. This can constrain the total number of sessions FTP can maintain simultaneously. FTP also requires client authentication in order to transfer information successfully, whereas with HTTP, client authentication is not mandatory.
HTTP also essentially fixes many of the issues incurred by FTP. For example, FTP has very little overhead and no metadata, while HTTP provides this. Another thing to consider is that FTP can use non-standard ports, which can make getting through firewalls difficult, especially if you’re using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). HTTP is a well-known port and is simpler for firewalls to manage.
7 Differences Between HTTP and FTP | ||
| HTTP | FTP | |
| File/Data Transfer | Uses request-response: Client sends a request and server responds. | Supports both uploading and downloading files. |
| Security | HTTP data is transmitted in plaintext, unencrypted. HTTPS (HTTP Secure) is a secure version and uses SSL/TLS for encryption. | FTP transfers data in plaintext, unencrypted. FTPS (FTP Secure) |
| Data Size | Smaller amounts of data (2GB or less). Modern HTTP uploaders can also send multiple files at the same time. | Supports large file transfers, including multiple files simultaneously |
| Connections | Typically a single TCP connection is used. Request-response pairs are independent. | Two TCP connections are used; one for commands and responses; one for data transfer. |
| Use Case | Most often used for transferring hypertext documents and web resources. | It is used to upload and download files to and from a server. |
| Ports | Typically runs on port 80 and 443 | Data ports are used for passive mode FTP (most common mode). Example, ports 5000 up to 5999 could be used as a port range. |
| Sessions | Can maintain multiple sessions simultaneously because it’s stateless. | Because it has a stateful control connection, the FTP server will maintain state information like a user’s current directory for a session. |
How HTTP is Similar to FTP
While they both have two words in common, "transfer protocol," there are substantial differences in their levels of security, ability to maintain multiple sessions and security, as noted earlier. What is similar about HTTP and FTP? They both use TCP as the protocol of choice. In addition, both HTTP and FTP establish a data connection.
So, Which One is Better?
Although FTP may help keep data safer due to the mandatory client authentication, a perk over HTTP, it’s not necessarily the most secure option and can leave your file transfers at risk. For secure transmission that protects the username and password, and encrypts the content, FTP is often secured with SSL/Transport Layer Security (TLS), also known as FTPS. Or, it's replaced with Secure Shell (SSH) File Transfer Protocol (SFTP).
Although HTTP isn’t encrypted, Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) exists for this reason. HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP where communication(s) between the browser and the website are encrypted by TLS or SSL, its predecessor.
Ultimately, FTP is more efficient at transferring large files, whereas HTTP is better for transferring smaller files such as web pages. Although both utilize TCP as the protocol of choice, HTTP uses a persistent connection, thus making the performance of the TCP better with HTTP than with FTP.
Terms to Know: GoAnywhere Glossary
Is There a Better Solution That Outperforms Both?
Managed File Transfer (MFT) is a secure solution that encompasses all aspects of inbound and outbound data transfers while using industry-standard protocols (like SFTP and FTPS) and encryption technologies (like Open PGP).
A managed file transfer solution, like GoAnywhere MFT can be used by organizations of all sizes for file transfer needs ranging from a few dozen a week to thousands a day. It replaces the need for time-consuming manual processes and allows the ability to automate, simplify, and streamline all aspects of file transfers.
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