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6

I need a small graphical utility, using which I can ssh to a server and see all the files and copy and paste (drag and drop) into my local machine.

I am running Snow Leopard.

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3  
Just a note since you mentioned you're new to Mac (I'm basically the opposite): Using copy/paste to work with files seems to be a very PC thing. Drag and drop, like you mentioned, is the "Mac way," and you can use modifier keys to force a drag and drop to a duplicate/copy (option), move (command) or make alias (command+option). The default behavior changes based on if you are moving between two different volumes, and is always shown as a badge next to your cursor during the drag. – NReilingh Sep 22 '11 at 6:22
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In the title you say FTP, in the question you say SSH. I think you're looking for is an SFTP utility (FTP over SSH). Like many have answered, Cyberduck is a great free and open source tool for this. – Oskar Sep 22 '11 at 12:57
Since you're on Snow Leopard, have a look at MacFusion - you can just mount an ssh/sftp connection like a network volume, simple. (note: it's may work with Lion too, see here) – Slomojo Sep 23 '11 at 3:54
You can drag and drop in Windows. You can cut/copy/paste on a Mac. Both options work on both platforms. Which you choose to do is purely a personal preference. – slim Sep 23 '11 at 9:58

7 Answers

up vote 37 down vote accepted

Cyberduck (Free)

A great free FTP client. This is my go-to application. Anytime I need FTP access, I use Cyberduck. It's not quite as lightweight as Fugu, but it adds a lot more functionality than Fugu. I also really like the Growl integration with Cyberduck.

Cyberduck

Fugu (Free)

Awesome little FTP client. As I noted above, this is a lightweight FTP client. It is great for simple FTP transfers and browsing. I do like the dual panel navigation.

Fugu

EDIT: I forgot to add these.

Filezilla (Free)

I haven't actually used Filezilla extensively, but from what I've seen of it, I really like it. I downloaded it and played with it for a bit and I really like the tabbed connections. I also like the ability to jump to a path easily.

Filezilla

RBrowser (Free, $29 Upgrade)

A free FTP/FTP-SSL client. I don't usually use RBrowser because a $29 upgrade is necessary to unlock other protocols (Local, FTP/SSL/TLS, SFTP-SSH). I do like the Site Manager. It's a handy little thing to have.

RBrowser Site Manager RBrowser Browser

I searched and came up with some other free FTP clients:

FireFTP (Free) - Firefox extension

The one downside I see is that this is for Firefox. The website doesn't make it clear how it works with Firefox, so I assume it is an extension.

Macfusion (Free)

This one relies on Google's MacFUSE. Since I don't know anything about MacFUSE, I don't know if this is good or bad.

Transmit ($34) By Panic

I have never used Transmit before, but I have used Coda and I definitely would recommend anything from Panic. The only reason I haven't used this because of the $34 price tag.

Transmit by Panic

ForkLift2 ($30)

Never used it, just found it when searching.

Fetch ($24 per user)

An amazing program with a long, long, long mac heritage. It's way up there with Transmit by Panic and Interarchy as a file transfer program loved by long time Mac power users.

Flow ($30)

Never used it, but looks good from the screenshots. I really like the fact that it looks like Finder. I may have to give this one a try.

Flow

OneButton FTP (Free)

Just searching around and found yet another one...It looks pretty nice, except it's no longer supported. However, you can still download it.

OneButton FTP

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Flow is an utter failure. Hasn't been updated since August 2010, and has long had a history of being quite flakey. I used earlier builds and suffered more than enough crashers to stop using it. The one window pane is quite counterproductive too. At it's current price point, it can't even compete with Transmit and Forklift. – cksum Sep 23 '11 at 0:55
Re MacFuse/MacFusion, it's good, but currently not working with OS X Lion. (this will also apply to sshfs) – Slomojo Sep 23 '11 at 3:52
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Transmit is well worth every bit of that thirty-four bucks. I'm also very selective about app purchases, and this is one that I can't do without. Definitely try it out — it's great. – l'L'l Sep 23 '11 at 4:38
+1 for Filezilla. I have used it on Win, OSX, and Linux for years. – Julian Sep 23 '11 at 12:49
Totally regret ever paying for Flow. They removed SFTP (or anything but regular FTP) support since their 1.4 update about 6 months ago, and AFAIK still haven't gotten around to supporting it again. Also, when contacting the developer about how terrible an idea that was, he basically flipped me (paying customer) the finger and said I had to be patient or move along. Now a more than happy Transmit user... – Gerry Sep 28 '11 at 19:26
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up vote 39 down vote

Panic's Transmit tops my list. An extremely well built and executed FTP Client that fully supports sFTP. Priced at $34.

Transmit is an excellent FTP (file transfer protocol), SFTP, S3 (Amazon.com file hosting) and iDisk/WebDAV client that allows you to upload, download, and delete files over the internet. With the most Mac-like interface available, Transmit makes FTP as simple, fun, and easy as it can possibly be.

Forklift 2 is another terrific client that is just as solid and just as well built. Priced at $29.95.

ForkLift will connect to any remote server FTP, SFTP, Amazon S3, WebDAV, the SMB, NIS and AFP shares on your local network, or your Bluetooth mobile phone- pretty much anything you can plug into or hook up to a Mac. ForkLift also carries a complete toolbox for managing your files, including Folder Synchronization, Batch Renaming, Archive handling, Application deleter, editing files over remote connections and many more. All these power features are packaged into a Finder-like, dual-pane interface that delivers superior workflow while remaining absolutely familiar to use, along with QuickLook, Spotlight search and all.

Lastly, Cyberduck rounds out the list. It is not as well polished, but it sturdy and does the job. It is free.

Cyberduck is a robust FTP/FTP-TLS/SFTP browser for the Mac whose lack of visual clutter and cleverly intuitive features make it easy to use. Support for external editors and system technologies such as Spotlight, Bonjour, Keychain and AppleScript are built-in.

There are others to be sure, but these are the one's I've used and personally recommend. Additionally, you may want to hit up places like MacUpdate, VersionTracker, or iUseThis for these types of questions. You will find much more diversity and get a better understanding of the programs available to you.

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5  
+1 for Transmit. I've used it for 7 or 8 years, and it's never disappointed me (that I can remember) – Dave DeLong Sep 22 '11 at 6:22
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I used Cyberduck for many years (couldn't see paying for an FTP client), then tried to use it to transfer several hundred files at once. It completely choked. Transmit handled the job with ease. – Negrino Sep 22 '11 at 8:06
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+1 for ForkLift... Doesn't get the attention it deserves. – scottishwildcat Sep 22 '11 at 16:50
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Transmit is definitely the Rolls-Royce of FTP Utils. I use it even when I'm not ftping for quick chmod's, browsing hidden directories, etc. It's almost perfect. – l'L'l Sep 23 '11 at 4:43
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For-pay apps, Transmit is the de-facto-standard on OSX for FTP/SFTP. Do it. It's like a magical rainbow filled with unicorns, with a big pot of gold at the end. – program247365 Sep 23 '11 at 14:05
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up vote 3 down vote

FileZilla

enter image description here

I have tried Cyberduck and Flow in the past but Filezilla offers a side-by-side interface which is quite useful. The only limitation with this tool is that it's not really MacOSX-aware, e.g. it shows all hidden files

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up vote 3 down vote

ExpanDrive

ExpanDrive

ExpanDrive acts just like a USB drive plugged into your computer. Open, edit, and save files to remote computers from within your favorite programs—even when they are on a server half a world away. ExpanDrive enhances every single application on your computer by transparently connecting it to remote data.

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Thanks for cleaning this up Bryson! – bmike♦ Sep 28 '11 at 18:58
up vote 0 down vote

Add to others

RBrowser

This provides more of an interface like Finder than the others (stricyly much more like the original NeXT version) Apart form standard ssh/ftp it will syncronise directories etc.

enter image description here

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up vote 0 down vote

Most other answers gave an objective analysis, but I'll share my experience.

Top clients:

  • Flow: really nice interface.
  • Transmit: very fast, can mount as Finder volume.
  • Cyberduck: the best for the inexistent buck.
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up vote -1 down vote

CaptainFTP is the best choice

Easy to download from itunes:

http://itunes.apple.com/nl/app/captain-ftp/id416544161?mt=12

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