If you manage websites or transfer large files regularly, FileZilla is one of the easiest tools you can use. It’s a free, open-source FTP client that supports FTP, FTPS, and SFTP, making it ideal for developers, system administrators, and anyone who needs reliable file transfers. In this article, we’ll look at how to install FileZilla on Ubuntu and get it running in just a few minutes.
What Is FileZilla?
FileZilla is a cross-platform FTP solution that comes in both client and server versions. The FileZilla Client—which we’ll focus on here—has an intuitive graphical interface that makes connecting to remote servers easy. You can drag and drop files, manage transfer queues, and save connection profiles for future use.
Installing FileZilla on Ubuntu
There are two main ways to install FileZilla on Ubuntu: using the Ubuntu Software Center or via the command line.
Option 1: Using the Software Center
- Open the Ubuntu Software app from the dock or the Applications menu.
- In the search bar, type FileZilla.
- Select the FileZilla FTP client from the list.
- Click Install and authenticate with your password if prompted.
Once the installation is complete, you can find FileZilla in your Applications menu and launch it with a click.
Option 2: Using the Command Line
If you prefer using the terminal, you can install FileZilla with just a couple of commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install filezilla -y
That’s it. Ubuntu will download and install FileZilla along with any required dependencies. To start it, type:
filezilla
This will open the graphical interface.
Installing from the Official Tarball (Manual Method)
If you prefer using the latest version directly from the FileZilla website, you can use the tarball you downloaded (FileZilla_3.69.3_x86_64-linux-gnu.tar.xz):
- Extract the file:
tar -xvf FileZilla_3.69.3_x86_64-linux-gnu.tar.xz - Navigate into the extracted folder:
cd FileZilla3/bin - Run FileZilla directly:
./filezilla
This method doesn’t install FileZilla system-wide—it just runs it from the extracted folder, which can be useful if you want to test or run a portable version.
Connecting to a Remote Server
Once installed, using FileZilla is straightforward:
- Open FileZilla.
- Enter your Host, Username, Password, and Port at the top.
- Click Quickconnect.
- Your remote files will appear on the right side, and your local files on the left. You can now drag and drop files between them.
Uninstalling FileZilla
If you ever need to remove FileZilla, run:
sudo apt remove filezilla -y
or uninstall it through the Software Center.
Final Thoughts
FileZilla remains one of the most reliable and user-friendly FTP clients available for Linux users. Whether you install it via the Ubuntu Software Center, terminal, or from the official tarball, it’s lightweight, fast, and easy to configure. Once set up, you’ll be able to transfer files securely and efficiently between your local machine and remote servers.
