AliasVault vs KeePass
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
KeePass
Original free and open-source password manager
| Feature | AliasVault | KeePass |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Read-the-docs project |
| Category | Password Managers | Password Managers |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | GPL-2.0 |
| Language | TypeScript | C# |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 64 MB |
| Deployment | docker, source | binary, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 3,141 | ★ 1,000 |
| First released | 2024 | 2003 |
| Replaces | 1Password, SimpleLogin | 1Password, LastPass |
What are AliasVault and KeePass?
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
KeePass
KeePass is a free, open-source password manager that stores credentials in a strongly encrypted local database. It is the original KeePass implementation that spawned an entire ecosystem of compatible clients.
- Strongly encrypted local database
- Portable, no installation required
- Extensive plugin ecosystem
- KDBX format used industry-wide
AliasVault vs KeePass: key differences
AliasVault is written in TypeScript, while KeePass is built with C#. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for AliasVault versus GPL-2.0 for KeePass. KeePass is the lighter option, starting around 64 MB of RAM against 512 MB for AliasVault. KeePass is the more established project (first released 2003), while AliasVault arrived in 2024. AliasVault has the considerably larger community, at 3,141 GitHub stars versus 1,000. AliasVault lists first-class Docker deployment; KeePass 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 KeePass if…
- Completely offline and private
- Time-tested and audited
Watch out for
- Dated Windows-centric interface
Frequently asked questions
Is AliasVault or KeePass better?
Neither is universally better. AliasVault has the larger community, while KeePass is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are AliasVault and KeePass free and open-source?
Yes. AliasVault is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and KeePass under GPL-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run AliasVault and KeePass with Docker?
AliasVault: yes. KeePass: check the project docs for container support.
Which is lighter on resources, AliasVault or KeePass?
KeePass has the smaller minimum footprint at 64 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for AliasVault. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.