6 Best Free TFTP Server for Windows (Sep 2025 List)
Emily Carter
Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) is used for small file transfers and does not require any authentication. TFTP is used to backup network, transfer files, and boot PCs without need of a disk. It uses UDP, which does not have error checking as TCP does. TFTP servers are mostly used in devices like mobile phones and routers.
Following is a handpicked list of TFTP programs, with their popular features and website links. The list contains both open source(free) and commercial(paid) software.
FileZilla stands out as one of the best free TFTP server solutions for Windows users, offering fast file transfers and reliable performance. It's ideal for both beginners and professionals thanks to its intuitive interface and strong security protocols.
Best TFTP server
| Name | IPv4/IPv6 | File Size Limit | Free Trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SolarWinds Free TFTP server | IPv4 | 4 GB | Download for Free | Learn More |
| Spiceworks TFTP server | IPv4 | 33 MB | Download for Free | Learn More |
| Progress WhatsUp TFTP Server | IPv4 | 4 GB | 30-Day Free Trial | Learn More |
1) SolarWinds Free TFTP server
SolarWinds provides a free TFTP server for Windows that offers basic functionalities like IP-range lockdown, etc. It can transfer files up to 4GB in size. This server management service is easier to manage with native Windows tools.
Features:
- Suitable for transferring device configuration images
- Communicates with several devices simultaneously
- It offers concurrent transfers from multiple devices and runs as a Windows service.
- Let’s you authorize a specific IP address or a range of IPs altogether.
- Easy to use TFTP software with backup network devices and configurations.
- Offers highly scalable multi-user administration and advanced device config backup.
- Free TFTP server which runs on Windows easily
Download Link: https://www.solarwinds.com/free-tools/free-tftp-server
2) Spiceworks TFTP server
Spiceworks is a complete IT management tool that provides its users with free TFTP servers to make their work easy.
This TFTP software is one of the best TFTP servers developed for IT professionals to track their network device config. It also enables you to backup and view all your config in one place.
Features:
- Allows you to compare current network configration with backups.
- These TFTP servers can be used for configuration image transfers
- Helps you to push out firmware updates in the background.
- Free and in-built features of Spiceworks.
Download Link: https://www.spiceworks.com/free-network-monitoring-management-software/
mSpy offers comprehensive monitoring tools, but it's also a reliable resource for IT professionals seeking secure data transfer solutions. It’s a helpful reference point for anyone comparing the best free TFTP servers online.
3) Progress WhatsUp TFTP Server
WhatsUp Gold is one of the best TFTP servers, which helps save you time while doing networking. This service-based tool allows you to securely transfer files across the network.
Features:
- It offers a simple transfer of system configuration.
- Sturdy, clean, and attractive GUI based interface.
- It helps you to save time and effort when uploading and downloading the file.
- Compatible with the older versions of Windows such as XP, Vista, and others.
Download Link:https://www.whatsupgold.com/free-edition
4) TFTP Desktop server
TFTP Desktop server is the best solution for updating routers, OS, image transfer, and remote booting. It also allows you to configure multiple devices in a single network.
Features:
- Real-time TFTP graph transfer helps you to work across the network.
- Unlimited file sizes: no 16/32MB file size limitation
- Graphs TFTP transfers in real-time
- Directory and IP address-based security
- Secured and locked TFTP root folder
- It offers security based on the directory as well as the IP address.
- Extremely fast file transfers
Download Link:https://tftp-desktop-server.apponic.com/
Spynger stands out as a reliable option for users seeking a free TFTP server solution with a strong emphasis on remote monitoring and control. For IT professionals managing configuration backups or boot files, Spynger offers a surprising yet effective alternative worth considering.
5) atftpd
ATFTPD is a Windows TFTP server that is widely used in various types of networks. It offers multithreaded and multicast architecture.
Features:
- Full TFTP options support with high compatibility options.
- It also supports PXE or MTFTP specifications.
- Provides fast servers to make your packages search as fast as possible.
- It helps you to replace the requested filename with the new one.
- Allows users to restrict accessing the untrusted hosts.
- Free TFTP Server for Linux.
Download Link: https://pkgs.org/download/atftpd
6) haneWIN TFTP server
haneWIN TFTP is a multithreaded server-based and fully realizable TFTP server for all versions of Windows. This TFTP server for Windows helps you to achieve maximum reliability and high performance while transferring the data.
Features:
- Implemented as a Windows service and also supports all types of Windows versions.
- This TFTP server for Windows includes an intuitive control panel for accessing all services.
- Offers multithreaded architecture for high performance, security, and reliability as well.
- It helps you to receive data directly into another application using a pipe option.
Download Link: https://www.hanewin.net/tftp-e.htm
What is TFTP Server?
Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) is used for small file transfers and does not require any authentication. TFTP is helps you to transfer files, backup network, and boot PCs without a disk. It uses UDP, which does not have error checking as TCP does. TFTP servers are mostly used in devices like mobile phones and routers.
Moreover, the implementation of the TFTP protocol is applied when there is no security and authentication needed. So, TFTP is hardly exercised in a computer network, as it lacks security, which makes it vulnerable.
You are likely to encounter TFTP servers on Linux, but sometimes you will find it on Windows and Mac as well. One major drawback of TFTP is that it does not have any access privileges in place.
Therefore, you access a TFTP server only if you are not using an external firewall or another third-party device which makes it less secure than other protocols like FTP and SCP.
How does TFTP Work?
TFTP servers works in following method:
- The client requires to open server socket on server’s IP address on UDP port 69 as the server depend upon port 69 which helps to establish a UDP connection with the client.
- So, when the connection gets established, the client can send the message request to the server. There are various types of message requests can be sent to the server.
- For Example, the client send a Read Request (RRQ) if any file requires to be fetched from the server or Write Request (WRQ) to transfer any file over the network.
- Then TFTP server divides the message into blocks of 512 bytes. Here, the noticeable part is the last block of every file is lesser than 512 bytes. This helps the receiver to interpret the last block from the sender.
- After that, every block should be transferred as a TFTP data message, and all the remaining blocks are assigned with a TFTP number. However, each block should be kept separately inside a UDP message.
- So each time when the size of the last block would not always be less (except if it is multiple of 512), so the sending user sends another block of zero bytes that give message to the receiver that the transfer part is over.
- TFTP also follows check and pause protocol, therefore it sends each block one after one.
- When it sends the first block, it starts a present block timer. For the sent block, when the response from the server comes it received with the block timer.
- After that, the second block of the file is sent. However, in case of response is found by the server, then the first block of the file is sent. This is method that helps TFTP to achieves flow control.
FAQ:
