Internet, Networking, & Security Home Networking Simple or SSH File Transfer Protocol by Bradley Mitchell Writer An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. our editorial process LinkedIn Bradley Mitchell Updated on February 26, 2020 pictafolio / Getty Images Home Networking The Wireless Connection Routers & Firewalls Network Hubs ISP Broadband Ethernet Installing & Upgrading Wi-Fi & Wireless Tweet Share Email SFTP can refer to either the SSH File Transfer Protocol or the Simple File Transfer Protocol. SFTP is one of the two primary technologies for secure FTP networking. SSH File Transfer Protocol SSH File Transfer Protocol was designed to be used in conjunction with SSH for secure file transfers. Both command-line and GUI programs exist that support SFTP, including the Java-based Rad SFTP and MacSFTP for Mac OS. SSH File Transfer Protocol is not backward compatible with the traditional FTP protocol, meaning that SFTP clients cannot communicate with FTP servers and vice versa. Some client and server software embeds support for both protocols to overcome this limitation. Simple File Transfer Protocol Simple FTP was designed many years ago as a lightweight version of FTP running on TCP port 115. Simple FTP was generally abandoned in favor of TFTP. Secure FTP SSH File Transfer Protocol is one method for implementing so-called secure FTP. The other common method utilizes SSL/TLS technology. To avoid confusing these two methods, use the acronym SFTP only to refer to SSH File Transfer Protocol and not to secure FTP generally. Also Known As SSH File Transfer Protocol, Secure File Transfer Protocol, Secure File Transfer Program, Simple File Transfer Protocol