FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a way of moving files between your computer and a server, using a program rather than a web browser.
What you need to connect
- Host — usually your domain, or an address your host gives you
- Username
- Password
- Port — 21 for plain FTP, 22 for SFTP
Where to find them
Your hosting control panel. Look for a section called FTP Accounts, FTP Access or SSH Access. If there is no account listed you can usually create one, and you set the password yourself at that point.
If you cannot find it, your host’s support can tell you. They will not be able to tell you an existing password, but they can reset it.
Use SFTP if you can
Plain FTP sends your password unencrypted. SFTP does the same job over an encrypted connection. If your host offers both, there is no reason to use plain FTP.
The names are confusingly similar. SFTP is not FTP with encryption bolted on, it is a different protocol that runs over SSH. FTPS is a third thing again. For most purposes: pick SFTP, port 22.
What to connect with
FileZilla is free and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Most hosts also have a file manager in the control panel, which is fine for moving one or two files and painful for anything larger.