Any Client a Web Based FTP Client

When I was working for a big company back when I had a real job -- as opposed to working on my own now on this site -- I had to use a computer that they provided with no options to install new software on that computer. I still did update my websites frequently in my spare time but always struggled when I had to install new scripts or upload files to the website because I did not have access to ftp clients nor something like WinSCP.

An online ftp client like Any Client would have come in handy at that time. It loads completely in the browser - providing that Java is installed - and offers a basic ftp interface and connection options. Any Client has the typical ftp client layout, the left side is showing your files while the right one loads the remote directory of the ftp that you connect to.

Speaking of connecting to the ftp. It is naturally inevitable that you have to add the IP, username and password to the client which could be a security concern. SFTP and SSH are supported as well. The sites that you add are saved locally on your computer.

Tip: Change the password of the ftp server once you are finished working on the site, so that any attempt to connect to it -- either from the work computer, network or the makers of AnyClient -- won't work.

Resuming uploads and downloads is supported as well as creating directories and renaming files and folders. Editing files however is not possible which means that you have to download a file first, edit it and upload it again if you want to make changes to your website.

Navigating the client feels a bit sluggish as well. The thing that's missing the most at the moment is the missing feature to edit common file types.

Update: the web ftp client is no longer available. Viable free alternatives are the web based ftp client net2ftp which you can use to connect to an ftp server via your web browser or PHP Web FTP which you need to install on your on web space before you can use it.

I suggest to use PHP Web FTP if you have a server that you can use for that, as it provides you with full control over it. This reduces the chance that someone else may use the information you have to enter to log in to your ftp accounts.

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