Difference Between FTP and HTTP with Example, PDF, Class 12 Notes
Difference Between FTP and HTTP — Protocols, Examples, Functionality & Comparison Table (2025)
If you’ve ever uploaded files to a website or browsed the internet, you’ve used either FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). Both are essential internet protocols, but they serve very different purposes. This article explains the difference between FTP and HTTP with examples, functionality, use cases, and how they compare with related protocols like HTTPS and TCP.
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PHP Full Form and Meaning
- Full Form: File Transfer Protocol
- Port Number: 21 (for command), 20 (for data transfer)
- Function: Uploading and downloading files between systems
- Example: Uploading a file to your web hosting account using FileZilla or WinSCP.
- Full Form: HyperText Transfer Protocol
- Port Number: 80 (HTTP), 443 (HTTPS)
- Function: Displaying web pages and web resources
- Example: Accessing https://www.google.com or reading online articles.
- FTP Example: A developer uploads the file index.html to the web server using FTP client software.
- HTTP Example: A user types www.example.com in a browser, and the server sends the same index.html file to display it as a webpage.
- FTP: Focused on file exchange between clients and servers.
- HTTP: Focused on transmitting multimedia content for web browsing.
- FTP: File Transfer Protocol (Port 21)
- HTTP: HyperText Transfer Protocol (Port 80)
- FTP is for uploading/downloading files.
- HTTP is for browsing websites.
What is FTP (File Transfer Protocol)?
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is used to transfer files between a client and a server over a network. For example, when a web developer uploads website files (like HTML, CSS, images) to a hosting server, they use FTP.
What is HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)?
HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It is used to transfer web pages from a web server to a browser. When you open any website (like https://www.jkssbmocktest.in), the browser uses HTTP or HTTPS to fetch content from the server.
FTP vs HTTP — Key Differences
| Feature | FTP (File Transfer Protocol) | HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Used for transferring files between systems | Used for transferring web pages to browsers |
| Port Number | Port 21 (command), Port 20 (data) | Port 80 (default), 443 for HTTPS |
| Connection Type | Persistent — requires login (username & password) | Stateless — connection ends after response |
| Security | Less secure (plain text transmission) | More secure with HTTPS encryption |
| Authentication | Required (login credentials) | Optional (public access) |
| Data Format | Transfers binary or text files | Transfers hypertext documents (HTML, JSON, etc.) |
| Example | Uploading files via FileZilla | Opening a web page in Chrome |
Difference Between FTP and HTTP with Example
Let’s look at a simple real-world example to understand better:
Difference Between FTP and HTTPS
HTTPS is a secure version of HTTP, using SSL/TLS encryption for data protection. While FTP transmits data in plain text, HTTPS encrypts the entire communication, making it safe for login details, payments, and sensitive data.
| Protocol | Security Type | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| FTP | No encryption (unless using FTPS/SFTP) | File upload/download |
| HTTPS | Encrypted with SSL/TLS | Secure web browsing and online transactions |
Difference Between FTP and TCP
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a transport layer protocol that provides reliable communication between systems. On the other hand, both FTP and HTTP are application layer protocols that use TCP for actual data transmission.
Can We Compare HTTP and FTP Protocols? — Functionality Explained
Yes, we can compare them based on functionality:
Both use TCP as the underlying layer for data transfer reliability.
Difference Between FTP and HTTP for Class 12 Students
For Class 12 Computer Science or Informatics Practices, remember:
Difference Between FTP and HTTP in Java
In Java programming, developers use libraries like java.net.URLConnection for HTTP connections and Apache Commons Net FTPClient for FTP operations. So both protocols can be implemented differently depending on the purpose of communication.
At a Glance — FTP vs HTTP Comparison Table (PDF-ready)
| Criteria | FTP | HTTP |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | File Transfer Protocol | HyperText Transfer Protocol |
| Default Port | 21 | 80 |
| Used For | File transfers | Web browsing |
| Connection Type | Persistent (requires login) | Stateless (request-response) |
| Encryption | No (unless FTPS/SFTP) | Yes (HTTPS) |
| Example | Uploading files using FileZilla | Opening webpages in Chrome |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the difference between FTP and HTTP with example?
FTP is used to upload or download files between computers, while HTTP is used to access web pages. Example: Uploading a file via FTP vs viewing that file in a browser via HTTP.
Q2: Can we compare HTTP and FTP protocols?
Yes. FTP is for file transfer; HTTP is for web content transfer. Both use TCP for reliable communication.
Q3: What is the difference between FTP and HTTPS?
HTTPS adds encryption and security to HTTP. FTP is for file transfer, while HTTPS is for secure browsing.
Q4: Which port does FTP use?
FTP uses Port 21 for commands and Port 20 for data transfer.
Q5: What is the relationship between FTP and TCP?
FTP runs over TCP — it uses TCP’s reliable transport mechanism to transfer files without loss.
Q6: Difference between FTP and HTTP for Class 12 exam?
FTP is for file transfer; HTTP is for web page access. FTP → Port 21; HTTP → Port 80.
Conclusion
To summarize, FTP and HTTP are two fundamental internet protocols with distinct purposes. While FTP enables uploading and downloading of files, HTTP allows users to view and interact with web content. In modern web environments, secure versions like FTPS, SFTP, and HTTPS ensure data safety and encryption.
