---
id: privacy-safety.should-i-use-ftp-or-sftp
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/privacy-safety/should-i-use-ftp-or-sftp
category: "Privacy & safety"
subcategory: "Accounts, passwords and keys"
question: "Is FTP safe to use with Storage Studio, or should I use SFTP?"
alt_questions:
  - "What's the difference between FTP and SFTP for privacy?"
  - "Does FTP encrypt my password?"
  - "ftp vs sftp security"
  - "Which is more secure, FTP or SFTP?"
  - "Should I connect my server with FTP?"
short_answer: "Use SFTP whenever the server offers it. Plain FTP sends your password and files unencrypted, so they can be read on the network; SFTP encrypts both."
tags: ["ftp", "sftp", "security"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/where-are-my-cloud-passwords-and-keys-stored"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Is FTP safe to use with Storage Studio, or should I use SFTP?

Prefer **SFTP** whenever your server offers it. Plain FTP sends your password and files unencrypted, so anyone able to watch the network between you and the server could read them. SFTP encrypts both.

Storage Studio supports both because some servers only offer FTP, but it's the server that decides what's possible. If you must use FTP, avoid it on public Wi-Fi.

See [Cloud accounts](https://storagestudio.us/faq/cloud-accounts/) for setting up a server account.