lftp
What it is
lftp is a free Linux command-line program for transferring files over FTP, HTTP, FISH, SFTP, HTTPS, FTPS and BitTorrent. It supports synchronization, scheduled jobs and transfer automation. 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. When an operation encounters a non-fatal error, lftp retries it, and downloads can resume from where they stopped. Unfinished jobs can keep running in the background after leaving lftp or closing an xterm. The program also supports job queues and timed runs. FTPS and HTTPS use GNU TLS or OpenSSL, depending on how lftp was built. Downloads include source archives and Fedora RPM binaries. The homepage lists version 4.9.3, while the download page identifies 4.9.2 as the latest stable release. The author says there is little time for support; the project lists mailing lists for discussion and announcements, and for development updates.
For and against
For
- Supports FTP, SFTP, HTTPS, FTPS and BitTorrent.
- Retries non-fatal errors and resumes downloads.
- Can mirror directory trees in either direction.
- Queues jobs and runs them at specified times.
Against
- Available platform listed is Linux.
- Author says there is little time for support.
- Homepage and download page list different releases.
The verdict
lftp combines protocol coverage with mirroring, parallel transfers and background jobs. Users should note the differing release labels and limited author support.
Who it suits
lftp suits Linux users who want command-line transfers, synchronization or scheduled jobs across its supported protocols. It may also fit users who need resumable downloads or directory mirroring.
Plans and prices
Free software
Distributed under the GNU GPL license
Read 4 Oct 2026 · lftp.yar.ru
On the record
- Author
- The author page names Alexander V. Lukyanov and credits contributors for bug reports, patches, documentation, discussions and translations.lftp.yar.ru · read 4 Oct 2026
- Background jobs
- Unfinished jobs continue in the background if you exit lftp or close an xterm.lftp.yar.ru · read 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 · read 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 · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
- File synchronization
- Yeslftp.yar.ru · read 20 Sep 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 · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
- Protocol coverage
- Features include SFTP versions 3 through 6, partial WebDAV, SOCKS, proxies and FTP FXP transfers.lftp.yar.ru · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- LFTP is a command-line file transfer program supporting FTP, HTTP, FISH, SFTP, HTTPS, FTPS and BitTorrent.lftp.yar.ru · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
- Scheduled transfers
- Yeslftp.yar.ru · read 20 Sep 2026
- Scheduling and queues
- It supports job queueing and running jobs at a specified time.lftp.yar.ru · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- FTPS and HTTPS support uses GNU TLS or OpenSSL, depending on how lftp is built.lftp.yar.ru · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
- Transfer automation
- Yeslftp.yar.ru · read 20 Sep 2026
