How to Set Up SFTP for Your Sparkforge WordPress Site

By Sparkforge Support Team ·Last reviewed May 3, 2026

Sparkforge supports SFTP-only access to WordPress files. Add an FTP user under Sites > WordPress > Advanced Settings > FTP Access, then connect with a client like FileZilla or Cyberduck.

SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) gives you direct access to the files and folders behind your Sparkforge WordPress site. It runs over SSH, so the connection is encrypted end-to-end. Sparkforge supports SFTP only — plain FTP is disabled to keep credentials and site data safe.

Add an SFTP user

Go to Sites > WordPress > Advanced Settings > FTP Access.
Click Add FTP User and set credentials.
Copy the Host URL, Port, Username, and Password. Each user gets a unique pair, and you can reset them at any time.

Store the credentials somewhere safe. Anyone with them can read and write your site files.

Recommended SFTP clients

FileZilla — free, macOS or Windows
WinSCP — free, Windows
Cyberduck — free, macOS or Windows
Transmit — paid, macOS
FlashFXP — paid, Windows

Connecting

Open your client, create a new site profile, and paste in the host, port, username, and password from Sparkforge. Set the protocol to SFTP. Once connected, you can browse the WordPress filesystem, upload plugins or themes, and edit files directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Sparkforge support plain FTP?

No. Only SFTP is supported. Plain FTP transmits credentials in clear text, so it is disabled by default to protect your site.

Where do I find the SFTP host and port?

Go to Sites > WordPress > Advanced Settings > FTP Access and add or open an FTP user. The host URL and port are listed alongside the username and password.

Can I reset an SFTP password?

Yes. Open the FTP user under Advanced Settings > FTP Access and reset the credentials. The new password takes effect immediately.

Which SFTP client should I use?

FileZilla and Cyberduck are free and run on macOS and Windows. WinSCP is a strong free option for Windows-only users.