Difference Between HTTP and FTP | HTTP vs FTP

The primary difference between HTTP and FTP is that HTTP is a stateless protocol that transfers web pages between a client and a server, does not require authentication, and uses port 80 by default. In contrast, FTP transmits files among different computers (hosts), requires login credentials to protect file transfers, and uses ports 20 and 21 by default.

When it comes to transferring data over the internet, two protocols stand out: HTTP and FTP. While both facilitate data exchange, they serve distinct purposes and utilize different mechanisms.

If you are unaware of the difference between HTTP and FTP, don't worry. In this article, we will thoroughly compare HTTP vs FTP. 

Table of Content (TOC)

• Difference Between HTTP and FTP
• What is HTTP?
• What is FTP?
• Key Differences Between HTTP and FTP

Difference Between HTTP and FTP

For better understanding, let's explore the difference between HTTP and FTP in tabular form:

Benchmark	HTTP	FTP
Full form	HyperText Transfer Protocol	File Transfer Protocol
Purpose	Transferring hypertext documents like HTML	Transferring files between client and server
Connection type	Only data connection	Both data and control connection
Ports used	TCP port 80	TCP port 20 for data, port 21 for commands
URL prefix	HTTP://	FTP://
Authentication	No authentication	Requires authentication
Efficient for	Small files	Large files
File saving	Files not saved locally	Files saved locally
Usage	Transfer web pages	Upload/download files
State	Stateless	Maintains state
Data transfer	In-band	Out-of-band
TCP connection	Persistent and non-persistent	Persistent for control, non-persistent for data
RFCs	2616, 7230, 7231	959, 765, 1732
Communication	One-way	Two-way
Speed	Faster	Slower than HTTP

What is HTTP?

The full form of HTTP is the HyperText Transfer Protocol. It is a foundation protocol for data communication used for the World Wide Web (WWW). Its primary purpose is to facilitate the transfer of hypertext documents between a web server and a browser (web browsing). HTTP follows a request-response model, where a client (web browser) initiates a request to a server, and the server responds with the requested resource (data). The HTTP protocol also shows how the web browser will react to a web request.

Authentication in HTTP is optional, meaning a web server doesn't need to require user credentials before delivering content. This is why many websites can be accessed without logging in. The default port used for HTTP communication is TCP port 80. 

HTTP is a stateless protocol, meaning each request-response pair is independent of previous interactions. This characteristic makes HTTP lightweight and efficient, as it does not require the server to maintain session information for each client. However, statelessness also poses security challenges, making it easier for attackers to intercept and tamper with requests and responses.

What is FTP?

The full form of FTP is the File Transfer Protocol. It is an Internet standard network protocol built on a client-server model architecture. The primary purpose of FTP is to facilitate the transfer of files (upload & download) between computers. FTP sites comprise a variety of files, including images, videos, texts, and graphics. However, FTP was designed when data security was not a top priority, and newer protocols have since taken its place.

FTP requires authentication to protect file transfers. Users must provide valid credentials (username & password) to access and modify files on the server. This ensures that only authorized users can perform file operations, preventing unauthorized access and protecting sensitive data.

FTP supports two Transmission Control Protocols: Control Connection or Command Port (port 21) and Data Connection or Data Port (port 20). The control connection is responsible for authenticating the user. Meanwhile, the data connection is responsible for transferring data files.

Unlike HTTP, which is a stateless protocol, FTP can maintain states. This means that the server maintains session information for each client, allowing it to track file transfers and resume interrupted transfers. This capability is handy for large file transfers, as it prevents the need to restart the entire transfer if a connection is disrupted.

Key Differences Between HTTP and FTP Protocols

• FTP does not support caching, but HTTP supports caching for faster access.
• FTP requires authentication for access, while HTTP requires no authentication by default.
• HTTP uses port 80 for communication, FTP uses port 20 for data transfer and port 21 for commands.
• FTP is used to transmit files among different hosts. In contrast, HTTP transfers web pages between a client and a server.
• HTTP is a stateless protocol and does not maintain any connection status. In contrast, FTP is stateful and maintains connection status.
• FTP can work over both - TCP and UDP and supports connected and unconnected modes. HTTP, on the other hand, works on top of TCP and is connection-oriented.