AliasVault vs Buttercup
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted password managers options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
AliasVault
End-to-end encrypted password and email alias manager
VS
Buttercup
Archived
Cross-platform password manager with multiple storage backends
| Feature | AliasVault | Buttercup |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Health score | 87 · Excellent | 15 · At risk |
| Status | Actively maintained | Archived |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 128 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | binary, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,141 | ★ 4,388 |
| First released | 2024 | 2015 |
| Replaces | 1Password, SimpleLogin | 1Password, LastPass |
What are AliasVault and Buttercup?
AliasVault
AliasVault is a self-hosted, end-to-end encrypted password manager that also generates private email aliases to protect your real address. It combines credential storage with built-in alias mailboxes so you can sign up for services without exposing personal data.
- Zero-knowledge encrypted vault
- Built-in private email aliases
- Browser extensions
- Docker-based self-hosting
Buttercup
Buttercup is a free, open-source password manager available for desktop, mobile and browsers. Vaults are stored in an encrypted format and can sync through Dropbox, WebDAV, Google Drive or local files.
- Encrypted vaults with multiple backends
- WebDAV and cloud storage sync
- Browser extensions for autofill
- Cross-platform desktop and mobile apps
AliasVault vs Buttercup: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: Buttercup's repository is archived and no longer developed, while AliasVault is actively maintained. Both projects are written in TypeScript. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for AliasVault versus GPL-3.0 for Buttercup. Buttercup is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 512 MB for AliasVault. Buttercup is the more established project (first released 2015), while AliasVault arrived in 2024. AliasVault lists first-class Docker deployment; Buttercup does not.
Why pick each one
Choose AliasVault if…
- Combines vault and alias mail
- Strong encryption model
Watch out for
- Young project
- Requires running mail components
Choose Buttercup if…
- Flexible storage options
- Clean modern UI
Watch out for
- Sync relies on third-party storage
Frequently asked questions
Is AliasVault or Buttercup better?
Buttercup is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider Buttercup if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are AliasVault and Buttercup free and open-source?
Yes. AliasVault is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Buttercup under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run AliasVault and Buttercup with Docker?
AliasVault: yes. Buttercup: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, AliasVault or Buttercup?
Buttercup has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for AliasVault. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.